All the talk surrounding the newest Australian debutant, Adam Voges, is a statisticians dream.
The oldest player to score a century on debut. The 20th Australian to reach the milestone on their debut. Hitting the highest Test score at Windsor Park in Dominica.
One stat that interested me though was his significance as an Australian Test cricketer who debuted in the 2010s. Voges has become the 30th Australian to do so, but the first of 2015.
Compare this number with the previous decade. There were only 29 debutants between 2000 and 2009. On average, less than three Australians per year made their Test cricket debuts in this time period. In the 2010s though, there has been an average of well over four.
Let’s have a look back at these two groups of players who debuted in these eras.
2000s Openers – 4
Phil Hughes, Phil Jaques, Simon Katich, Chris Rogers
2010s Openers – 2
Ed Cowan, Dave Warner
After the glory days of Langer and Hayden, Australia had plenty of options to help continue their top order dominance. Yet some hasty and astounding selections, which in some cases were the result of supposed team unity, created a mess that took Australia years to clean up.
This category highlights the rock solid performance and skill Warner has demonstrated to remain as Australia’s opener. Had selectors been fairer with his predecessors, his career may have taken a different turn.
What has been learnt? Keeping faith in the openers has seen Australia rocket back to the top of the Test rankings.
A gaping weakness for Australia has now turned into an awesome force. While it is difficult to see who the selectors will choose as Rogers’ replacement, the selection process will surely be more sensible as opposed to the one from last decade.
2000s Middle Order – 5
Michael Clarke, Brad Hodge, Michael Hussey, Martin Love, Marcus North
2010s Middle Order – 8
George Bailey, Joe Burns, Alex Doolan, Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Rob Quiney, Steve Smith, Adam Voges
The middle order category has the largest numerical difference between the decades. Such was the talent of the pre-2000 era that only Love and Clarke made their debuts between 2000 and 2005.
Hodge’s average of 55.88 couldn’t even keep him in the side.
Contrastingly, the current decade has been a turnstile of batsman coming and going. A failure to find a Test No.3 that could hold Australia’s fragile batting line-up in place was the main reason for this disparity. Yet the batsmen aren’t entirely at fault, as some were never really given a fair shot to cement their place.
What has been learnt? Australia’s No.3 woes are far from over, although Smith is the best batsman yet to be given a crack. If Smith fails to fire at 3 and Clarke’s injuries persist, Australia’s middle order is open to change again. It seems the most important lesson learnt is that persistence and resilience are the key attributes for a middle order batsman, as seen with Marsh’s recent batting form and Voges’ glorious debut.
2000s All-Rounders – 3
Andrew McDonald, Shane Watson, Andrew Symonds
2010’s All-Rounders – 4
James Faulkner, Moises Henriques, Mitch Marsh, Glenn Maxwell
Since 2008, Andrew Symonds’ abilities in the field and with the bat and ball in hand have never been replicated for Australia at Test level. His retirement has seen a steady succession of players who have promised much but never lived up to the hype.
While it can be argued Watson has won two Allan Border Medals, his constant injuries and changing place in the batting order, as well as his image within the Australian cricket fan-base, show that his place in the side is not set in stone.
The all-rounders of 2010 have yet to be given any consistent appearances at Test level.
What has been learnt? Watson’s place in the side is not as untouchable as it once was. Australia’s next Test all-rounder will surely not have to endure a career as heavily scrutinised as Watson’s.
Watson was heavily relied upon at times to be the opening batsman and a consistent wicket-taking bowler; the selectors will have a different criterion when selecting the next all-rounder. There are exciting times ahead for young all-rounders, as the 2010 debutants look to challenge Watson for a spot.
2000s Wicket Keepers – 2
Brad Haddin, Graham Manou
2010s Wicket Keepers – 2
Tim Paine, Matt Wade
Injuries and absences from the Test XI were the catalysts for all these wicket keepers earning a baggy green. In essence, Haddin’s and Manou’s Test debuts came late in their cricket careers as well as late in the decade due to Gilchrist’s dominance.
Thus there is no reason to question why these decades both have two keepers.
What has been learnt? Not much, apart from age being no barrier to this role. Haddin looks set to be allowed to end his career on his own terms. This will also mean the next Australian wicket keeper could be another late bloomer.
2000s Pace Bowlers – 9
Doug Bollinger, Nathan Bracken, Stuart Clark, Ben Hilfenhaus, Mitchell Johnson, Clint McKay, Pete Siddle, Shaun Tait, Brad Williams
2010s Pace Bowlers – 9
Jackson Bird, Trent Copeland, Pat Cummins, Peter George, Ryan Harris, John Hastings Josh Hazlewood, James Pattinson, Mitch Starc
On the surface, the pace bowling attack of the two eras highlights the depth Australia has enjoyed in Test cricket. Yet this depth of bowlers highlights the issue of injury management for our speedsters. The problems and quick fixes of the 2000s experienced a steady increase into the 2010s.
These include bowlers whose careers were/have been stalled by injury, bowlers filling in for the injured then being dropped and also the effect of workload upon young talent.
What has been learnt? The future looks bright as there is a healthy competition for spots in the Test XI. The selectors have also become cautious in baptising up-and-coming bowlers and have turned their focus from injury management to injury prevention.
2000s Spin Bowlers – 6
Beau Casson, Dan Cullen, Nathan Hauritz, Jason Krezja, Bryce McGain, Cameron White
2010s Spin Bowlers – 5
Ashton Agar, Michael Beer, Xavier Doherty, Nathan Lyon, Steve O’Keefe
For spin, it can be pretty much be summed up as a case of searching for the next Shane Warne. Spinners have been thrown into the deep end and made to master their craft on an international stage without proper nurturing.
Happily, Lyon survived the baptism of fire and is set to become Australia’s greatest ever off-spinner.
What has been learnt? Cricket Australia is making the path for Australian spin-bowlers a lot easier, with the aid of Muttiah Muralitharan and the development of pitches that mimic sub-continental conditions. A bowler who can consistently challenge Lyon to keep his spot in the stating XI should hopefully be found in the next 12-18 months as the next crop of young spinners mature.
Overall, while there has been a rise in debutants this decade in comparison to the last, I believe the rate at which baggy green’s are being handed out is decreasing and will continue to do so. Selectors have learnt some valuable lessons that will carry Australia onwards to the end of this decade.
In my opinion, Peter Nevill is the most likely player to be handed a Test debut next, and that could be as distant as next year. The current Australian XI and the 2010s debutants have enough depth to cover the rest of this year’s Tests, so for the first time since 2007, Australia may only blood one player (Voges) in a calendar year.
Lastly Roarers, which of the two decades discussed has produced the best Test XI line-up?
Warner versus Katich, Hazlewood versus Clark, Smith versus Hussey. These are some intriguing battles. I would go with the 2000 crop, but only just.
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