So here we are, a few days away from the first Test of a very important series against South Africa, and once again the batting line-up has been shaken.
Not for the first time, this uncertainty has stemmed from a calf injury to Shane Watson, who I daresay would be surrounded by people who are more than a little fed up with him.
The selectors now have quite the conundrum on their hands due to the fact that James Faulkner was withdrawn from the touring squad.
He was replaced by Moises Henriques, who is vastly similar to Watson and would shape as the most likely player to come into the XI, yet he remains out of favour with the selectors.
They are also considering adding an extra fast bowler at the expense of Nathan Lyon, who won’t be assisted on the green, seaming Centurion pitch.
This would be hugely unfair on Lyon after his fantastic performances in the Ashes whitewash, though it would allow Australia to play the highly-rated James Pattinson.
Of course, the Australians will not be without slow bowling options, with Michael Clarke, Steve Smith and Dave Warner all capable of bowling some handy overs of spin.
Since batting on the Centurion deck is set to be very bowler-friendly, the Australians may even choose not to play an all-rounder in order to play that extra batsman.
Alex Doolan was all but assured of making his Test debut at first drop at the time of Watson’s injury, with Phil Hughes likely to return to the Australian team batting at six.
Another spanner in the works is the very late inclusion of Shaun Marsh, who was omitted from the original touring squad as a result of a calf strain of his own.
Many critics were appalled by his inclusion in the original squad, pointing to his mediocre first-class form.
Justice looked to be served when Marsh’s injury forced him out of the squad. He was replaced by the very much in-form Phil Hughes, who many believed should have been picked over Marsh to begin with.
It seems that Marsh recovered from his calf strain in the nick of time, proving to the selectors that he was ready to go in his match-winning innings of 63 from 43 balls in the Big Bash League final.
With Marsh at their disposal, the selectors may choose to ease the uncapped Doolan into the batting line-up at number six and play the more experienced batsman at three.
There are a number of ways the selectors can handle his predicament, the easiest and least disruptive of which would be to simply slot Henriques into Watson’s position.
My line-up, for the first Test at least, would look more like this.
1. Chris Rogers
2. Dave Warner
3. Phil Hughes
4. Michael Clarke
5. Steve Smith
6. Alex Doolan
7. Brad Haddin
8. Mitchell Johnson
9. Peter Siddle
10. Ryan Harris
11. Nathan Lyon
How would you handle this dilemma?
Sydney Kiwi
Guest
Green pitches and a strong SA bowling attack. I would go with 4 quicks, Haddin and 6 specialist batsmen. The bowlers, Harris,Johnson, Siddle and Patterson. The batsman, Warner, Rogers, Hughes, Doolan, Clark, Smith, Haddin. Good variation of bowlers with X factor / Experience. Batsmen in their favoured positions in the order with the exception of Doolan. What will probably be picked is Warner/ Rogers / Doolan / Clark / Smith / Haddin / Henrique / Johnson / Siddle / Harris / Lyon.
CoverPoint
Guest
No to Bailey.
CoverPoint
Guest
Agreed. Too many misconceptions about "allrounders"
CoverPoint
Guest
In my view, you just don't pick the next allrounder if they are not up to test standard. Otherwise you end up with a bits and piceces team. Alrounders are optional. You pick 6 of the best batsmen and four of the best bowlers in the country if one of those happens to have versatility, then you have an allrounder.
CoverPoint
Guest
Deccas, I agree. Statistics are objective and that is why they need to be the first thing considered. Everything else is secondary.
CoverPoint
Guest
BHT, I think Henriques had one very good season. This year has not been impressive at all and his overall batting or bowling does not warrant his selection. He would probably not be rated in the top ten bats or bowlers in the country.
Broken-hearted Toy
Guest
Henriquee first class average for the past two seasons is pretty good batting wise. He might not be up to test match standard but considering that the Shield wickets have been like previous to this year to be averaging over 40 is good going.
Broken-hearted Toy
Guest
Henriques' recent first class record is ok though. Last 3 years he's averaging over 40.
DeltaTango
Guest
we've got three top order batsmen to chose form, pop them in ahead of Clarke. Warner Rogers Doolan Hughes / Marsh Clarke Smith Haddin Johnson Harris Siddle Bird
CoverPoint
Guest
That is also my fear. Neither Marsh nor Henriques could be consisdered as test batsmen based on their recent long form records.
a punter
Guest
Gr8rWeStr, the idea that you strengthen the batting line up by adding Marsh and Henriques has justifiably stirred up a hornet's nest here because many would say that these are the 2 howler selections in the squad.
Dalgety Carrington
Guest
Very true, it was an important moment in the innings and in the context of the match. Was it a momentum shifter? Or another crest on the incoming tide? Probably for two wickets, more a case of the latter. No denying Lyon was part of the tide, nonetheless.
Jason Rebelo
Roar Pro
True, especially more than Marsh. But he's not there for batting, he's there for bowling.
Vish
Guest
I think Warner Rogers Hughes Clarke Smith Haddin Hendriques Siddle Harris Johnson Lyon This team ll win it. Hendriques s very steady with the ball and he was bowling with good accuracy even in flat decks in India. In SA he is more likely to get decks which would nip a bit and he ll be more than a handful. He jus needs to bowl it a bit fuller. He hits the deck but is too good length as Siddle was before McDermott came in. But if he pitches it up he can work up good pace as well as nip around and reverse swing if needed. McDermott is the game changer for Australia and Hendriques wud benefit wit session s with Billy
ChrisB
Guest
Why are you so convinced Doolan won't work out? I was at a cricket charity lunch the other day (had Greg Matthews at my table. Hilarious) Trent Copeland was part of a panel discussion and said Doolan is regarded as the most technically correct player on the Aus circuit. Which did surprise me a little.
Deccas
Guest
its not a story its a comparison between two players. statistics are the only measure of comparison not inherently subjective. there is more to guessing who will perform best at a higher level, but looking at stats is by a huge distance the best tool to base that decision off. now if its a story you're after I feel sure i can wrangle up a very convincing fiction with geoff and john having a beer and talking about the best batsmen in australia.
Jon
Guest
Faulkner gets off scot free because he hasn't been injured countless times.
Deccas
Guest
my comment reffered to the two wickets in two balls that lyon took in engalnds first innings at the gabba. He got Bell who had scored century after century in england and another batsmen. At the time Mitch hadn't exploded, and we were staring down a 1st innings deficit, that was the moment where the momentum turned irretrievably in our favour. Maybe series is an exaggeration I'll give you that. But it remains one of the most important spells in the series.
Darren
Guest
Agree. Need to play your best 6 bats. Faulkner would bat at 7 which puts Haddin at 6 and the batting looks thin. /Back your 4 bowlers and only play an allrounder in the top6 if they are good enough as a batsman. Watson was - Faulkner isn't. I don't think Henriques is at test level for either discipline.
Darren
Guest
And the Redbacks would be happy with that