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Only a week ago, Graeme Smith left Michael Clarke stranded in the middle of St George’s Park, still trying to work out who would be playing in that match. Now, it seems the shoe is on the other foot.
The selection dilemma facing the Australians before the third and deciding Test in Newlands is a very tricky one.
Only a few days ago, the answer was obvious. Shane Watson had to come back, and Chris Rogers would be dropped.
But after a riveting century by the hardy opener, Rogers has once again secured his place in the Australian line-up.
Now here is the tricky part. Who is to be dropped?
The unfortunate player that will be destined to run the drinks out is seeming to be either Shaun Marsh or Alex Doolan.
Marsh, whose comeback to the Test arena resulted in 148 and 44, should be retained in the squad, based on logic and reasoning. But Australia’s selectors do not always abide by the rules of logic and reason.
It seems John Inverarity has a love affair with Alex Doolan. The Tasmanian, who only averages 37.67 in first-class cricket, has been talked about around the Australian side since the first Ashes Test.
Doolan has proven he is good enough in the Test arena, for now. Scores of 27 and 89 on debut show how much potential he has.
It is extremely unfair to drop either Doolan or Marsh in place of Watson, who in the past five Test matches averaged 38.33.
Sadly, cricket is not fair.
In the modern world of cricket, it only takes one failure to put yourself at risk of losing your position in a Test team.
Shane Watson also has an ace in the hole. The fact that he is a tremendous swing bowler who can move the ball both ways at 135kph and does not bowl bad balls is a great asset for Michael Clarke.
There is also talk that both Jackson Bird and James Pattinson will replace Ryan Harris and Peter Siddle, giving them a ‘rest’ after the two quicks, along with Mitchell Johnson, bowled 120 overs together in Port Elizabeth.
This is certainly a risk, as Bird and especially Pattinson can be wayward and both are inexperienced. It will also be interesting to see how Johnson bowls without the support of the experienced Harris and Siddle.
The selection quandary is exactly what South Africa experienced after their humiliating defeat in the First Test at Centurion.
They won the very next Test in dominant fashion. Will Australia be able to do the same?
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