As the dust tries to settle following Australia’s shock defeat to South Africa in the first Test at the Waca in Perth, the subject of spin dominated discussions in my neck of the woods.
Keshav Maharaj, the left-arm tweaker, shone on debut for South Africa. His selection, firstly to the squad, came as a surprise to many.
Imagine the shock when he was given the nod for the first Test – and it must have been a difficult decision for the selectors. Waiting in the wings is, of course, ‘chinaman’ Tabraiz Shamzi, another new kid on the block but, who at least has had a taste of international limited overs cricket.
In the end, Maharaj’s selection was probably a “horses for courses policy”, as his experience with franchise cricket, showed that besides his ability to keep opposition runs to a minimum and his wicket-taking ability, he is certainly no mug with the bat.
Much of the talk in our informal discussions around the dinner table centred around South Africa’s sudden glut of spin bowlers. This follows a long drought in this department, aided-and-abetted by captains past, who were loathe to throw the ball to spinners, when the heat was on for the Proteas.
Thankfully, – and rightfully so – this mindset has now been resigned to the dustbin of history in SA cricket.
However the subject of my post is – why is Australia battling to unearth a spinner of note, following the Shane Warne phenomenon? Warne might have been a one in a million leg-spinner – a talent that only comes once in a generation – but, surely, by now we should be expecting to see someone of his ilk do the job for Australia?
Do the Aussies see it necessary to undertake tours to the sub-continent season after season and sit with the conundrum of not having someone in their spinners’ battalion, who can dish out to the likes of Sri Lanka and India some of their own medicine?
The supposed frailties of the Aussies’ batters against spin is also noted of course – but that’s a subject for another time.
Have Australia’s cricket authorities missed the boat following Warne’s retirement some seasons ago? Cricket Australia’s thinking may have been that Warne’s presence and wizadry would simply rub off onto the generation that followed. I don’t know how it would work in practice, but surely ensuring Warne’s legacy would give rise to a new generation of spinners was a gilt-edged opportunity missed?
Watching Nathan Lyon trying to hit his straps and break the ascendancy – and dominance – of the Proteas in that second innings must have been too painful to bear for Australia’s fans.
We keep hearing about a spinner’s ability to “hold up an end”, as is the case with comments often made in Lyon’s direction. But, surely, it’s important to keep your team interested by taking wickets too?
Such is the refrain from commentators, pundits and former national cricketers when I see Lyon coming on to bowl. Commentators say: “He [Lyon] can hold up an end and stem the tide of runs”. Has this analogy been so drummed into the poor bowler’s psyche, that all he thinks his job is about, is stemming the flow of runs, by “holding up an end”.
I do not doubt Lyon’s ability but I believe it’s his lack of variation and flight that do nothing for him and the team when they are needing wickets. Nowadays variation is a serious weapon in a spinner’s armoury.
Adam Zampa is probably the ideal answer to Warne, but he needs the mentorship to deal with the ups and downs of Test cricket. All the talk in the build-up was about Josh Hazlewood and fit-again Mitchell Starc.
When do we see a spinner’s name up in lights in the Australia set-up again? Warne was the light that shone brightly in every facet of the game. And my, when he was thrown the ball, fans everywhere over the world would drop everything and be transfixed on proceedings, whether at the match or watching it on television, in anticipation that something extraordinary would happen.
How many have tried to follow the Warne legacy (in Tests, that is) to no avail? Then there were the likes of Xavier Doherty, Bryce McGain, Beau Casson, Jason Krejza, Nathan Hauritz, Brad Hogg – and now Lyon!
Australia’s cricket authorities are certainly missing a trick, post-Warne!
doogs
Guest
Lyon has been steady for a long time. His last 7 series were quite passable in terms of wickets and runs per. However, he is seeming to become extremely boring. The Hobart wicket had quite a bit of turn on the first day, as did the Sri Lankan pitches. When Lyon started to take more wickets was when he started coming over the wicket (that seemed to take an eternity). He became quite dangerous and much more effective. Now he is bowling on the stumps turning down leg. He must have a theory. I have seen Smith suggest to Lyon on many occasions to bowl more outside off stump. I have seen him get frustrated with Lyon not doing this previously. Smith has copped it for not using Lyon properly. However, as a captain, what would you do if the bowler was ignoring your request? Lyon has bowled that line (no pun intended) previously, having great success, and looking far more menacing.
doogs
Guest
Great post DavSA. It is not just a Warne we would like, as we were well and truly spoilt for many years. We had two teams from 1999 to 2005 that produced 16 wins in a row. (Under Ponting and Waugh). This may never be matched. Those teams were overflowing with brilliant talent. I watched DeKock bring up his ton today on top of an 80 and 60 odd in Perth. Remember Gilchrist coming in at 7? We don't have anything like that now. Even a Haddin coming in late in the order. These kind of players are naturally gifted. Remember the freakish Windies teams of the 80s and early 90s. Their team has been farcical since the mid 90s. There may only be a couple of players in our current test team that would make those earlier Aussie teams. I don't think we are rubbish now (some would argue we are, which is fine, but we have been in great first couple of days positions, only to lose our way), but we were lucky for a long time and we are nowhere near those two teams. I would be the first person that would love to see our current team winning, but it easier for me to accept that this team is not so great and it might take time.
Trenno
Guest
Mike gets it. SOK is also a decent bat, good enough to bat 7 or 8 depending on where the selectors play Marsh. Mitch's bowling is good enough to be the team but his batting is holding him back, Batting down the order would take the pressure off and allow him to play a Paul Rieffel role for us. I think the following lower order (once full fit and firing) would be far better then what we are trotting out currently: 6.Nevill 7.O'Keefe 8.M.Marsh 9.Starc 10.Cummins 11.Hazelwood
Aransan
Guest
I agree Warne was a once in a lifetime bowler. McGill was the once in a generation bowler who had the misfortune to be around at the same time as Warne.
Mike Dugg
Guest
Simoc, okeefe has out bowled Lyon nearly every time together at shield level and in the tests he's played. Okeefe was the most dangerous spinner in Sri Lanka for Australia as the Sri Lankans said themselves. Holland only got a chance due to okeefes injury and he didn't do much. Lyon is better on bouncy home pitches but is not much good in the sub continent where O'Keefe's accurate jadeja like bowling comes up trumps
mactheblack
Guest
Warne is a once-in-a-lifetime player I concur. However I just find it unacceptable that Australia has never since his departure into the cricket sunset, found a spinner, who could consistently realize results for the team. Furthermore, it is troubling that a slew of Australian teams since his retirement have not contracted Warne to assist with the spinners on a permanent basis. I as a South African have been enthralled when Warne described how he would outthink batsmen even before a delivery was bowled on Channel Nine's cricket coverage not so long ago. His describing of length and flight also had me glued to the screen. Wow ... I thought. Australia could surely do with his insights and to mentor younger leggies or other spinners! Why is he in the coaching wilderness re: Australia? Maybe I am missing something here. I hope he takes Adam Zampa under his wing - as this youngster definitely has what it takes. Lyon is sadly turning out to be another Hauritz! Maybe he will prove me wrong in Hobart?
Paul D
Roar Guru
Good spot, I had a look and he averaged 36.45 there and a strike rate of 77. That's really ordinary by his standards. Best match figures of 6/147.
colinp
Guest
i would pick agar at 7 for australia, akin to moeen for england, and just accept you dont have a spinner who can win you games (no matter how well Lyon's stats suggest he bowls, he just doesn't put in match winning performances not the 4th day...so is not world class). Turn agar into your all rounder, pick wade, or Handscombe as keeper at 6 and tell them to improve on the job (preferably in a home summer). Bairstow has improved out of sight with the gloves, maybe they could
colinp
Guest
im torn over lyon, i think he is a better bowler than mo at moment, but a defensive bowler. I actually think moeen has more potential than lyon as a bowler however, he is a bigger spinner of the ball and would be excellent if he can improve his consistency. I think i would still go with mo because of his batting, Lyon isn't so far ahead of him with the ball to overcome the runs mo also gives you for me...certainly in england. Regarding Okeefe and his 1st class stats....obviously someone thinks they are misleading because he would have been picked years ago otherwise...doesnt he just bowl darts? I've not seen much of him at all, but I cant see him walking into any side, if he isn't significantly better than lyon? Although the last few series of australia in the sub continent I've followed from afar by scorecards only, Lyon seems to have dodgy figures, and Okeefe out bowls him? I didnt watch, but that is what the stats seem to suggest, and we all know that is all you base your opinions on Ronan
Craig Swanson
Guest
You missed one Ashton Agar. Ok he has not exactly set the world on fire in his dometic career to date. Is trailing SOK by a fair margin on wickets taken average and strike rate. But he is maturing.. His 10-140 in the last shield game was an example of his improvement. The SCG deck was no raging turner but Agar matched SOK and even took a couple more wickets than his rival. There was one particular ball that reflected his growing maturity. That of Dan Hughes. Agar flighted the ball beautifull to see it dip late ..beat the advancing Hughes for Whiteman to whip off the bails. Agar had a big 2015 A Indian tour. He is my smokie for India. ]
BurgyGreen
Guest
Warne's existence was a miracle. There's nothing administrators can do to just pull a new Warne out of thin air. People keep talking about Zampa as if he's ever going to make it at Test level. He is not even a decent first class spinner. He might improve but it would be a massive turnaround. Test batsmen, especially India in India, would demolish him. This may sound harsh, but let's not forget his bowling average is over 50 in Shield cricket. To pick him would be like picking a batsman who averages under 20. It's ludicrous. The only spinners who should be under immediate consideration are Lyon and O'Keefe. I have been a massive defender of Lyon, and I suspect his current troubles are in part to do with average captaincy, but O'Keefe's numbers are simply tremendous for a Shield spinner. There should definitely be pressure on Lyon. The only other players that I see as potentially being serviceable Test spinners in the near future are Holland and possibly Swepson (although after a good start, he seems to be falling back to the level of the other young leggies). Fawad Ahmed has, sadly, missed his chance.
Rob
Guest
Maybe another opener, middle order batmen, and clever spinner. One Shane Warne is more than enough.
Joel
Guest
Tim zoehrer. Hehe. Quite good leg spinner actually. Pretty sure he taught warney with his zooter. At least that's what I got told.
Broken-hearted Toy
Guest
Murali worked with them in Sri Lanka. That didn't help.
Broken-hearted Toy
Guest
Moeen is prepared to change it up a bit. He'll bowl faster or slower depending on the pitch. I think he's improving as a spin bowler, it's just that he hasn't got a great range. He's an extremely useful player for them. He's batting at 5 in the SC.
Amrit
Roar Guru
Wholly agree with u post mate, it is more about playing from within than without
Amrit
Roar Guru
If Steve Smith can contribute his part-time spin with Nathan Lyon on Australian pitches, it would be more than enough, it is certainly not Nagpur.
DavSA
Guest
It is no fluke that SA are producing spinners. Cricket SA years ago identified this as an area for improvement and put structures in place ie. Spin clinics etc. I'm under correction but I can almost remember Shane Warne participating at some stage. Another plus for SA is that despite their diluted (too many teams) domestic set up , it is well organized with a very strong emphasis on coaching. So they are producing the Rabadas , Maharaj's , De Kocks , Bavumas and more . What is surprising is that Australia with clearly the worlds best and toughest domestic league are not the force we once remember. Graeme Smith touched on it in a recent speech in Australia where he feels that policies ie rotation of squads , new captain as well as a divisive culture (just read Clarkes book) which appears to be going on for some time now. I was personally surprised to see how Mickey Aurthur was ejected from the Aussie set up. He is a fine coach and nice guy. Just see what he is doing with Pakistan right now . So yes some serious introspection needed by Australian cricket. The world of cricket is so much poorer without a dynamic Australian team. And hey we all need a Shane Warne in our side . But he is a once in a lifetime player.
Simoc
Guest
Trouble there 'Trenno' is O'Keefe hasn't proved to be test match grade in his limited opportunities. He is B grade compared to Lyon. And the selectors have moved on to look at a certain Holland. Given the chair selector Marsh is all over the place with his selections SOK must still be rated a chance.
Amrit
Roar Guru
Exactly Ronan, I would like to see Australia play from what they have rather than looking for a Warne or Rabada like substitute