After the first Test at the Gabba, I thought we had our team from the summer. Joe Burns and Usman Khawaja played well, Adam Voges seemed set and the bowlers were picking themselves.
Then, in the space of a long, drawn-out Test match on a dead pitch, two openings in the Aussie team arise.
The debate begins about who the selectors should turn to for this historic day-night Test.
Batsmen
The calls are getting louder from the gallery for Michael Klinger to get a game.
I just don’t see it.
In his 18th first-class season, he averages 39 with the bat. Sure, he’s had a few good seasons in there, but it also means he’s had more than a few ordinary ones. I just don’t see how picking a 35-year-old who averages under 40 is a good move.
Looking at the recent spate of batsmen plucked from Sheffield Shield cricket with averages under 40, the list includes Rob Quiney, Alex Doolan, Ed Cowan, Shaun Marsh and George Bailey.
None of them succeeded at Test level.
Ed Cowan is the only one to go back to Shield cricket and lift his average above 40. So why would we think picking someone else with a substandard first-class record is going to be any different?
If players aren’t averaging at least 40 with the bat, they shouldn’t even get a look at Test cricket.
That leaves us with Cowan, Mark Cosgrove, Glen Maxwell and Chris Lynn.
Lynn has the best record with an average of 45, however is currently injured. It will be tough for Mark Cosgrove to be considered for higher honours due to fitness issues, so that leaves Cowan or Maxwell.
Assuming Khawaja returns straight into the team after back-to-back centuries, we’re looking at a player to fill in for two to three Test matches.
Cowan will do a solid job at number three and is probably the safer option of the two. Maxwell would come in at five, moving captain Steve Smith to number three and Adam Voges to four.
Maxwell adds some explosiveness to the middle order, but some would be concerned about our vulnerability with both him and Mitchell Marsh batting at number six. Either way would work, but taking the riskier option of Maxwell will work out better.
Cameron Bancroft is a talented young player, but with an average of only 36 he still has a way to go to prove he is up to Test level. He leads a group of young players that include Travis Dean, Nic Maddinson, Jake Doran and Sam Heazlett, all of whom are now emerging in first-class cricket.
Bowlers
This is a little more straightforward.
Peter Siddle gets the first crack, and while he hasn’t set the Shield season on fire this summer he’s been solid. Combining his overall Test record of 198 wickets at 27 and his last Test in England, Siddle is the man who should get the first shot.
Closely behind him are James Pattinson and Jackson Bird.
Both have exceptional first-class records and have performed well when picked in the Test team. Even though they have had long-term injuries they will only need a few more Shield games under their belt to both be vying for the next available bowling spot.
The selectors made the right choice at the start of this summer and need to continue to pick players who’ve got the runs and the wickets on the board.
Michael Keeffe
Roar Guru
I'll give you Clarke but Hussey had a FC average of 48 when he first got picked for Australia
Don Freo
Guest
What about Clarke and Hussey? Gilchrist would be another.
James T
Guest
Going on the two pitches we've seen so far I'd be looking at a second spinner, even if it was just replacing marsh with maxwell. If the ball goes soft Siddle will be ver hard to get away, so he'll probably get through a lot of overs leaving Starc fresh for an impact role.
dan ced
Guest
Yeah I'm over giving Maxwell flak, he has the skill, and is finally trying to be responsible with the use of it. Lynn has a good average, but gets injured a lot, not very lucky in that respect, I've also seen him make a bunch of poor decisions against spin. I want to see Klinger in the ODI and T20 squads. Klinger in the test team was always a pipe dream, even though he was clearly the deserving replacement for Khawaja. His T20 and 50 over form get him in the first team, not just as an injury backup.
Michael Keeffe
Roar Guru
When Smith got picked as a spinner for Australia he had made 907 shield runs at an average of 53. Warner had made 554 shield runs at an average of 46.
Don Freo
Guest
I've argued that one all day but, I agree with you on Maxi. I think he would have been a terrific selection too. On ODI form and FC form, I think performances in these forms are directly comparable. Not T20. Players build innings and manipulate run rates. Sometimes they have to dig a side out of trouble. Bats and batting friendly pitches bring these 2 games together closely. The funny thing is, FC cricket is probably Maxi's best performed format. He played one of the great Shield innings last season and just this last game took the game away from WA ( although Siddle should have declared on him). Glenn Maxwell has been reliable for quite some time now and we could use him in the field.
Don Freo
Guest
Gets you off strike to good bowlers and on strike to the cannon fodder. Excellent strategy for red ink.
Don Freo
Guest
Whoops...Marshy isn't averaging 50 in Tests... ...YET.
Don Freo
Guest
Davy Warner Steve Smith
Don Freo
Guest
Davy Warner Steve Smith
Don Freo
Guest
If we pick on average, we give Siddle a game, despite ordinary form. Pick on form we might decide Siddle needs to work on his bowling (and the timing of his declarations) at Shield level. Hazlewood and Pattinson get the game.
Don Freo
Guest
Mike Hussey and Shaun Marsh. Absolute greats.
bigmick01
Guest
Can't wait for Lynn and Maxy to be in the middle order for Australia in all 3 formats.
Matth
Guest
Michael Clarke
Michael Keeffe
Roar Guru
How is average a false stat. The best ever test batsmen all average around or above 50 in Test and FC cricket. There are no greats of the game who were picked for their country when averaging in the 30's and suddenly upped their average to 50+
Pumping Dougie
Roar Guru
Good article Michael. I totally agree with your thoughts on the batsmen. Not sure I agree about Siddle, but that's splitting hairs. I'd be happy with Siddle or Pattinson. What happened to Cummins - is he injured? I know ODI is a completely different game, but Maxwell dominated bowlers so completely in the ODI World Cup and has shown considerable improvement in his temperament. I think a guy that talented has to be given another go immediately. I can't fathom how Shaun Marsh gets back in, when he's been mediocre in the Shield this season.
Harvey Wilson
Roar Rookie
Maxwell is too likely to get himself out doing something stupid.
fiddlesticks
Guest
i dont know how farming the strike raises your average
fiddlesticks
Guest
i am sure they thought about it, they just thought differently than you
bryan
Guest
Average is a false stat and people place far too much into it. Canderpaul and M Bevan were renowned for not push or farming strike in an effort to raise their own average. If you get pushed into the team early, due to lack of other options (M Marsh as a 21 YO) your average will suffer for the rest of your career. Same if you Stick around too long (Ponting) Your home decks are a batsmen paradise? Average gets pushed up a few points. But the better technique is taught on bowlers pitches.