Shield batsmen to watch in the race for Test spots

With the Australian Test side’s recent capitulation to Pakistan, the attention shifts to the opportunities that await Aussie Test hopefuls in the early rounds of the Sheffield Shield.

Last summer Australia made no changes during their 5-0 drubbing of England in the Ashes. Since the consecutive Test defeats in the UAE and the inept batting demonstrated by several members of the top six, the national selectors will be contemplating changes for the upcoming Test series against India this summer.

Batsmen to watch: Joe Burns- First class runs: 2651 @41.42 100’s: 6 50’s: 16
Burns has threatened for international honors over the last couple of seasons by scoring 563 runs @ 46.92 last season and scoring a ton for Australia A against the English Lions in early 2013. He was named the Bradman Young Cricketer of the Year for 2012-13.

What makes the 25-year-old a realistic contender for a top six Test position is his unhurried technique that accumulates runs with little risk and an unwavering temperament that wouldn’t be out of place at Test level.

He scored 98 against South Australia in the first Shield match opening the batting, which should encourage the selectors to monitor his progress closely. There is a chance an opening berth will be available with Chris Rogers nearing the end of his international career.

Usman Khawaja- FC runs: 5392 @40.23 100’s: 13 50’s: 29 9 Tests: 377 runs @25.13 100s: 0 50s: 2
Khawaja has come back into Test reckoning based on his standout back-to back performances in the domestic one day season, with 523 runs @ 74.71 in October and 426 runs @ 71 in 2013-14.

He also scored 551 runs @ over 50 last Shield season. Although not a choir boy in the eyes of selectors – he has been dumped three times in nine Tests – Khawaja’s domestic performances continue to keep him close to a baggy green recall.

Breaking his thumb prevented ‘Uzzie’ from making a statement in the opening Shield round, which makes plundering domestic attacks and a possible call-up to the Australian ODI setup the best chances for Khawaja to have a final crack at Test level.

With Alex Doolan and Phil Hughes unable to cement a spot in the Test side, there is still a glimmer of hope for the Bulls player who hasn’t lived up to the big predictions made several years ago.

Tom Cooper- FC runs: 2738 @39.68 100s: 4 50s: 18
Cooper is no stranger to facing international bowlers when he donned the Netherlands shirt 38 times in ODI and T20 matches.

Cooper led the Shield batting last season, with almost 900 runs at a tick under 52 with an impressive strike rate of 64.87. That yielded him an Australia A call-up in July 2014. He produced an unbeaten 109 versus the National Performance Squad and a classy 80 against South Africa A.

The Wollongong-born batsman needs to replicate his form from last season to be given an opportunity at Test level.

His knocks of 75 and 68no against Queensland have made the selectors take notice. Cooper should rise to the occasion considering he has international experience, which the selectors should prefer over blooding a youngster foreign to the big stage.

Callum Ferguson- FC runs: 5381 @38.71 100s: 10 50s: 31
Ferguson has promised so much during his 10-year first class career and yet only managed to represent Australia in 30 ODIs and three T20s.

Such is his talent and experience that Ferguson has been on the outskirts of the Test team for too long. ‘Fergie’ has an impressive ODI record of 663 runs at 41.43, including five half-centuries, which could have been greater if not for gut-wrenching knee surgery in 2009 when Ferguson was an established member of Australia’s one-day side.

After scoring 565 runs @56.5 in SS last season, Ferguson was selected for Australia A against South Africa in August. With an unbeaten ton and fifty against Queensland in the first round of Shield, Ferguson has a big opportunity in the next couple of rounds to prove to the selectors that his potential can be fulfilled wearing the baggy green.

Peter Forrest- FC runs: 3672 @35.65 100s: 10 50s: 13
Forrest has been flying under the radar ever since he was dropped from the Australian ODI side in 2012. Last season, ‘Foz’ churned out 823 runs at 68.58 for Queensland in the Shield and was recognised for being the second highest run-scorer by being picked for Australia A in August.

Although criticised by pundits for his slow strike rate of 65.59 in 15 ODI appearances, Forrest impressed in his first several outings by scoring three fifties and a ton. With a few of our current Test batsmen lacking application and unable to preserve their wicket, Forrest could ease back into Australian colours if he grinds out a few notable knocks prior to the first Test against India.

Shaun Marsh
Marsh’s match-winning 148 in Feb 2014 against South Africa – the then number one Test side in the world – delivered the promise of a long-term hold onto a Test spot.

In July, Marsh was given news that he would be sidelined for up to four months due to an elbow injury and subsequently missed the Zimbabwe and UAE tours. Highly regarded in Australian cricketing circles for his technique and talent, much has been expected of Marsh since he made his first class debut at 17.

If he continues to make runs, Darren Lehmann and his fellow selectors will find it hard to overlook picking Marsh to bolster the Aussie top-order.

Predictions
There is a lot uncertainty about a few batting positions in the Australian Test side. Even though there has been talk about Chris Rogers’ facing the axe, his performances over the past 12 months will ensure he will face the new ball against India in Brisbane. Phillip Hughes has been waiting in the wings for a berth to open up and it seems that the selectors will give him a run at his preferred batting position when Rogers retires or is tapped on the shoulder.

The number three position is a dilemma that the Aussies need to address quickly. Coach Lehmann is adamant players need to be fully fit to be considered for selection. This means Shane Watson needs to play at least a couple of Shield matches and peel off at least one worthy knock to be considered for first drop in Brisbane.

Based on his fragile body and erratic injury history, the selectors can’t rely on assessing Watto’s match fitness for five-day Tests by putting faith in his white ball performances. With doubt over Alex Doolan at number three, it’s likely that Watson will replace him due to his Test record at this position – 749 runs @42.

If this doesn’t happen, who will be the new number three batsman?

Callum Ferguson has done his chances no harm with a flawless display against Queensland. He should be one of the first names mentioned should an opening come up this summer since Shaun Marsh hasn’t fully recovered from his elbow injury.

Ever since Ricky Ponting vacated first drop in 2012, Australia has tried too many different players and need to settle on a viable choice for the long term.

Mark Waugh and Mike Hussey were kept in Sheffield Shield wilderness for many years until a rare opportunity opened up, then they seized it. Ferguson has paid his dues and could be called on by the selectors to solve this perplexing dilemma.

Usman Khawaja and Tom Cooper shouldn’t be discounted, especially if they persist with their purple patches of form. Realistically, only one or two positions will avail themselves to state batsmen this summer.

The rest of the contenders should focus on the 2015 Ashes tour.