There is never a good time to get a pair in cricket.
But Queensland wicketkeeper Chris Hartley will be ruing the timing of his double batting failure in front of national selector Trevor Hohns in the side’s Sheffield Shield clash with NSW at the Gabba on Tuesday.
Especially after copping what appeared to be a dubious caught behind decision that warranted a livid Bulls coach Stuart Law to seek out match referee David Talalla.
At stumps on day three, Queensland were reeling at 7-102 in their second innings with an overall lead of 272 after Hartley was again sent packing for a duck.
Hartley was expected to be in the mix if Australian ‘keeper Brad Haddin did not overcome a shoulder injury by the first Test against India starting on December 4.
However, Hartley appeared to be denied a chance to impress resident selector Hohns with the bat before the Test squad is named on Monday.
He was controversially given caught behind for a nine-ball duck off Doug Bollinger (2-15) by umpire Shawn Craig.
Hartley left a rising delivery and appeared to be struck on the chest but was given out caught behind by Craig, prompting Law to seek out Talalla in the Gabba stands for clarification.
Hartley – who only lasted two balls in the first innings – cut a shattered figure as he trudged off on Tuesday.
Law also appeared to be angered by Craig’s questionable lbw decision that sent Peter Forrest packing for nine.
NSW hit back hard with the ball after Queensland’s Test quick Ryan Harris (3-59) and Luke Feldman (5-83) helped bowl the Blues out for 302 on a rain affected third day.
Feldman notched his fourth five-wicket haul of his career when he dismissed Nic Maddinson (118), ending the youngster’s gutsy four-hour knock.
Showers washed out the first session but Feldman and Harris made hay while the sun shone after NSW resumed at 6-217 after lunch.
In his first match in eight months due to knee surgery Harris will be on a hat-trick in NSW’s second innings after mopping up the Blues tail.
Queensland – holding a 170-run first innings lead – looked to be building a daunting target when they went to tea at 0-18 in their second innings.
But Sean Abbott (3-23), Bollinger and Gurinder Sandhu (2-51) ripped through the Bulls order after the break as Queensland remarkably lost 7-84.
HiKa
Roar Rookie
Had a browser crash mid-rant. The point being Hartley has about 4.5 dismissals per match for more than 100 FC matches (464c/14s/106m), which is just streets ahead of any other contender. A good approach to selecting WK is to ask your senior bowlers - they tend to be pretty tuned in to the trade-off between runs made versus catches&stumpings missed.
HiKa
Roar Rookie
From ESPN CricInfo: Chris Hartley First-class matches 106 Innings 174 Not outs24 4743 142* 31.62 10846 43.73 8 24 464 14
Shortfineleg
Guest
Hartley, Dunk and Paine went crazy in the Matador Cup. Ludeman scored a recent shield century. As did Handscome. And we are stuck with Wade and Haddin. I'm not sure Wade is the best keeper in Victoria let alone Australia.
JohnB
Guest
Following the ball by ball commentary on the Cricket Australia he seems to have taken 2 or 3 very good catches though. That should count for just as much. But if Haddin's fit, he'll be picked, so probably doesn't matter.
Silver Sovereign
Roar Rookie
He was never going to get picked as he doesn't wear a blue cap and doesn't have an X factor. years of consistent improved batting in tough situations and the best keeping in the country doesn't amount too much these days
Nudge
Guest
Last year just before the ashes squad was picked their was a lot of talk whether Hartley would get a gig in the squad. As soon as the talk started his form went south quickly and perhaps the same has happened here. Not a good sign. High quality player but only at state level.
Shortfineleg
Guest
One could speculate that being rejected in favour of Wade for ODIs despite scoring 400 runs at over 50 in the Matador Cup has put a tonne of pressure on him.