The weary and battered Australians make their way to Northampton for a three-day tour match starting on Friday; they must be beside themselves with excitement.
The challenge of Northampton is not just playing a meaningless tour match when the Ashes is already lost, but sorting out a host of selection headaches – not least the curly one of what to do with Michael Clarke.
He is confirmed to play in the last Test, and many believe Clarke deserves that from Cricket Australia, so logic follows that he must play at Northampton, if for no other reason than he is out of form and needs to find something to do himself justice in his last hurrah.
The alternative view would be to let him rest, find his emotional mojo, and prepare himself as retiring Test captains should be allowed.
The more sinister view is that Clarke has put the selectors in a difficult position by retiring while at the same time stating he will play at The Oval, when surely the last Test would have been an ideal opportunity to let Steve Smith get a flavour of Test captaincy in in England.
If Clarke doesn’t play there will be whispers, if he does some will still whisper. But if cricket logic applies, then Clarke should not play at The Oval.
In many respects this would be the ‘Australian way’, with Australian selectors not being known for letting their greats retire on their own terms, unless of course Clarke did a deal and asked for one last Test before being pushed.
But there is also the issue of the message this sends if Clarke plays. It would surely say, “We’re over this tour, nothing good has come of it and it really doesn’t matter what happens at The Oval.”
Not the usual Australian way, and if Darren Lehmann and Rod Marsh were true to form they would do a Brad Haddin on Clarke for cricketing reasons. Take the stance that they will only play those with a perceivable Test future, less Chris Rogers who has been the best batsman.
No Clarke, no romantic notion to bring back Haddin and Shane Watson for one last hurrah with their old compadre, and no point in playing the tour’s fringe dwellers at Northampton.
Selection headaches for sure, but in reality Clarke will play at The Oval and poor old Hadds, Watto and the fringe dwellers will wearily traipse out on what is predicted to be a rainy and cloudy day at Wantage Road.
Tricky Ricky
Guest
I agree. Sooner Clarke is gone the rebuilding of the team can commence.
Pumping Dougie
Roar Guru
Hadds has been granted permission to leave England early (along with Harris). Clarke should be given the respect he deserves to play his last match. M.Marsh should never have been dropped in the first place and must return to the side in place of his brother or Voges. Watto should be heavily considered too, because at least he'll make 30.
JimmyB
Guest
Doran hasn't played a single first class match has he? There's the deep end son, go on jump in....whoops, almost forgot, here's the weight of a nation to rest on your shoulders....plop...Jake?....Jake?................Jake?
JimmyB
Guest
Honestly, wtf does that even mean?
JimmyB
Guest
And Northants will be resting their best players for more important things to come. How about David Willey? He really seems to be kicking on. I expect to see him in the Big Bash this year.
Johnno
Guest
Julian socially he didn't fit in with the majority of the wussy cricketer in the baggy green dressing room culture, he was different, let's not pretend
Julian King
Roar Guru
Right. So apparently 151 on debut in Bangalore, calling for his baggy green as he approached triple figures, is not wearing your cap with pride. Apparently a triple hundred and two double tons in the one year is not wearing your cap with pride. Apparently 161* versus South Africa with a fractured shoulder is not wearing your cap with pride. Apparently a hundred in Adelaide on one leg, with the death of Phil Hughes weighing heavy on his heart, is not wearing the baggy green with pride. I was no big fan of Clarke's, but you can't escape the bald facts. He was an outstanding batsman who unquestionably gave it his best every time he went out to bat.
Casper
Guest
AP, obviously you're a WA native if you think Sean marsh deserves to hold his spot. Flat track bully against second tier test attacks, anything moving around and his footwork, or lack thereof, let's him down. Like Langer's credentials but build a young team? S Marsh and Voges put a lie to that, they were his high scoring batsmen. Next ashes tour should take particular note of batsmen who can consistently score runs in the first innings of a Gabba shield game. Similar swinging ball skills needed, ask Hayden et al.
13th Man
Guest
i'd pick Voges over Marsh, at least he showed something in that 4th test!
Bearfax
Guest
I reckon I'm including Neville there James but you're right from this point. 3-4
bigmick1
Guest
I'd go as far as to say that no one over the age of 27 should be playing at the Oval for Australia. Sure, Warner and Nevill will look out of place standing on the balcony, rather than the field, and Rogers and Johnson probably deserve a spot on cumulative form. But really, letting Clarke dictate his own selection is getting ridiculous, and the slippery slope has already started from there.
Arthur Pagonis
Roar Guru
Doubt it will happen Dave...Rod and Boof will pay old-fashioned lip service to tradition. Clarke, Rogers, Voges, Siddle all should make way for younger men if they are retiring after this tour...and if we lose 4-1, will anyone remember? Will we die if it does happen? The key question for Cricket Australia is ....do you want Rod and Darren to keep taking this team down the "experience plus youth" path, or do you want Justin Langer to make a young team into winners as he has with WA? Do you believe that Rod and Darren are going to move Australian Cricket forward with the talent available? Would Justin do a better job? I think Shaun Marsh, Mitch Marsh, Fawad Ahmed and Pat Cummins should play at the Oval....because we have nothing to lose. So S Marsh, Warner, Smith, Watson, M Marsh, Nevill, Johnson, Starc, Cummins, Hazelwood, Ahmed would be the most youthful and aggressive team for the 5th Test....but I doubt it will happen.
BurgyGreen
Guest
There is no one in the squad to replace him. Surely no one believes Shane Watson or Shaun Marsh is preferable? Anyway, Clarke's copped more than enough in the past few days from tasteless media articles and comments from former players/coaches. He should play. I'm still hoping for one last bit of magic from a class batsman.
chivasdude
Guest
Thanks Christo. Finally an objective comment. This is not necessarily about giving him a swansong Test. This is about there being no other logical replacement in the touring squad. And what does that reflect? Poor selections? Or there being no obvious replacement? We are where we are with this squad and the re-build will need to commence on its return. Let's not make this all about Clarke. There are selection and coaching problems as well as structural considerations that should be looked at. For instance, has T20 and One Day cricket eroded the skills base for Test players? There are many issues to be considered. This yet again shows how quickly we discard our greats. An athlete's career is short and powers wane. There is no elegant way to exit. As I have said a few times, let's just thank Clarke for his service and move on.
Another Pom in Oz
Guest
Well said, Johnno. At least you're true blue...
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
Exactly. I've heard somewhere that the selectors have said they aren't going to pick from outside the 17 man squad for the final match. If one of the main contenders to replace Clarke was playing County cricket in England, doing really well and the selectors decided to bring such a player in, then you might consider it possibly reasonable. But with the only options to include at Clarke's expense are Shaun Marsh (assuming Mitch is basically back in the team in his place) and Shane Watson, I can't see anything reasonable about making that call. Maybe that could do what Stuart MacGill suggested and draft in Jake Doran for the final match. Sure he's yet to play a first class match, but hey, Stuey had downed a few wines and thought it a good idea!
Armchair Expert
Guest
I'm not a big Clarke fan but it would be downright cruel to drop him for the final test.
JoM
Roar Rookie
Another rubbish comment. I don't see why people have to be insulting to the wives/girlfriends. Clarke's wife isn't a trophy for anyone and they have known each other since high school. She is a gorgeous girl and they are happy so why can't people just leave them alone.
Grand Armee
Guest
Regardless of whether he plays or not, he won't be spending hours at the crease.
Jameswm
Guest
Yeah we'll have new faces at 1, 4 and 5 I reckon. Word is SMarsh and Voges are gone. Question mark on Mitch Johnson. That's 3-4.