You can’t make an omelette without breaking some eggs, and it’s about time somebody got to work in the kitchen.
Australia’s display at the WACA in the first Test against South Africa was underwhelming at best and not particularly good at worst, but it was a Shakespearian masterpiece compared to what they served up in Hobart.
Now they haven’t been in the best of five-day form of late and you haven’t been able to read a comment piece without mention of their losing streak, but I bet I wasn’t the only one to have a double take at the scorecard from what constituted Day 4 at Bellerive Oval.
Admittedly, the pile-up of a second innings took place while the northern hemisphere was sleeping, so the chance to wince and smirk was denied, but even so.
There’s bad and there’s bad and this was definitely the latter.
The batting woes have been analysed to the nth degree, yet even the most pessimistic wouldn’t have anticipated what was forthcoming.
A dismal lack of application, a woeful inadequacy in technique and goodness knows what else was ruthlessly exposed by the visiting seam trio and the end result is a gilt-edged opportunity for some mean-looking knives to be closely acquainted with the whetstone.
And if surgery is required – and let’s be honest now, the selectors won’t be in a job for much longer if they take no remedial action – the question is just how far will, or can, they go?
When a side who, for all their troubles overseas, are being put to the sword on familiar turf where they are usually very hard to topple, then something has to give.
There are some big examinations coming up – a resurgent Pakistan, world-standard bearers India and a trivial contest called the Ashes – and a side that is increasingly unfit for purpose is currently walking head first into more impending doom.
The hosts’ bowlers weren’t at the top of their game this week but the blame for the shocking results can’t be laid at their door. Nathan Lyon could do with a decent game and a focus on tightening things up wouldn’t do any harm but you won’t solve the problem by aiming at an alternative target.
Of the top six on show, only David Warner, Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja have to play – and if it was India next then Khawaja, who plays good quality spin like a man with his hands tied together, wouldn’t be safe – but quite who their colleagues should be is harder to guess.
A touch of sympathy could be extended towards Callum Ferguson, as one outing doesn’t make for much of a sample, but it isn’t pushing the boat out to suggest he could well be added to the one-cap club.
The other two, Adam Voges and Joe Burns, could be facing a Sheffield Shield shootout with all manner of wannabes, with the ageing former poorly served by an inopportune drop in form and the latter barely appearing to be in the very same.
That could mean a few untested souls being tossed into the mix and that is a scenario most would prefer to avoid. However, the adage of ‘you got us into this mess, you get us out of it’, doesn’t seem quite right, as these aren’t the world’s best having a lean patch and there is no real evidence to suggest better is to come.
The statistics of recent months offer a damning indictment of a batting unit which has been on its last legs for a while, and Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada and Kyle Abbott just happened to be charged with loading the proverbial rifle.
The bottom of the barrel has been reached and the day-night Test Mark II is where the climb upwards must start.
Perhaps a fresh and very wet behind the ears top-order could really be the answer, as any first-class batsmen worth their salt wouldn’t have covered themselves in any less glory than their more illustrious cricketing brothers managed.
It’s time to break those eggs.
13th man
Guest
Yeah it's a pity but yeah agree with you... if we can't have Handscomb as keeper then unfortunately there is no room for Maxi. If they pick your side for Adelaide I will be pretty happy.
dan ced
Guest
If Nevill goes, it's time to blood Whiteman, he has the right mix of age, experience, and fight, or if you want experience give Hartley his long deserved cap. Handscomb should be a pure bat. I don't think Renshaw will be rushed in, Patterson opened for Aus A, I think he will replace Burns up top, and both Ferguson and Mennie will get another shot in Adelaide. Warner, Patterson, Khawaja, Smith, Ferguson, Handscomb, Hartley, O'Keefe, Mennie, Starc, Hazelwood (Zampa)
dan ced
Guest
If you compare his batting form to Nevills test batting form.. you can pick any of the bloody keepers! It's simple, you want the best keeper pick Hartley, you want to promote youth pick Whiteman because he has enough shield experience now. You want to pick a bolter, Alex Carey.
Tim Holt
Roar Guru
It is a cross we have to bear, Felix.....I have been a season ticket holder since 1957 i guess it could be worse and you follow Newcastle winks@Alec :) Key game this week against Brighton, with it running the rule over our improved form under 'Potato Head'. It will be interesting if he plays Jedinak after having to come back from the other side of the World in mid week. If not, it is a huge loss for the Aussie has started to play a lot better and have a real influence
Amrit
Roar Guru
I really don't understand the rhetoric- all blame game and replacement offers without any long-term structured proposal.
Don Freo
Guest
Scored quite a few last year...especially at the end. Averaged in the mid/high 30s...often slogging for quick runs.
Don Freo
Guest
...and his two spekkies against WA.
Rob JM
Guest
Just checked handscomb's stats. Since the 14/15 shield season he has scored just under 2500 runs @ 47.8 while scoring a half century or more 40% of time he walks out to bat. Give that man a baggy green!
Rob JM
Guest
We are probably better giving Handscomb a chance to settle in as a batsmen before throwing the gloves at him too! Probably best to give Neville/Wade a few more tries as tempting as it is. I would play Wade for the two day night tests and see if Neville can regain some form in the middle.
Nudge
Guest
I really like that team, though they can't possibly pick Handscombe as the keeper. Just a shame he's not keeping for Victoria to see what he's like. So impressed with Renshaw today, think he was 7 off nearly 70 balls. Got through the tough period by shutting up shop and then cashed in later. That's the exact player we need. Love to see the selectors just really go with youth and debut 3 batsman under 25. Really hoping Patterson scores runs for NSW's. Warner Renshaw Khawaja Smith Handscombe Patterson Neville Okeefe Starc Hazlewood Sayers
jamesb
Guest
Peter Handscomb should replace Adam Voges. Handscombs last 11 first class innings: 112, 61*, 4, 14, 137, 87, 24, 78, 10, 60, 110*. Runs 697 Ave. 77.44 That's 3 centuries and 4 half centuries. This is a sign of "pick me".
13th man
Guest
The big question for me is can Handscomb keep? The best teams at the moment have great keeper batsmen De Kock and Bairstow are the two examples right now, Nevill may be the technically better keeper than either of them but having a quality batsman at 7 allows us to take the punt on Glenn Maxwell at 6. Gilly wasn't the greatest keeper ever (Healy was better with the gloves) but him coming out at 7 was just sensational for us and demoralizing for the opposition. Not saying Handscomb will be a Gilly but if he's even half a Gilly then we are into a winner (made a ton today btw) I agree they need to take a punt on a young top order batsman in the Chris Rogers mould. Bancroft has been talked about for a while but is out of form meanwhile Renshaw is the smoky that's just made a ton..... get him in there and give him the summer!! Kurtis Patterson comes in to replace Voges whilst although it's tough on Ferguson I think Maxwell is too good to leave out.. offers batting bowling and fielding I am happy with either Sayers or Bird as third seamer both are far better than Mennie Steve O'Keefe has to come in for Lyon Team for 3rd test Warner Renshaw Khawaja Smith Patterson Handscomb (wk) Maxwell O'Keefe Starc Hazelwood Sayers/Bird
Nudge
Guest
You're keen on Wade aren't you Jameswn?
jamesb
Guest
He's got a 50 today. Now he just needs to be consistent. He is not ready yet.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Timing is everything Nudge. Who knows what the answer is.
jamesb
Guest
Well they didn't expose Australia's weaknesses like SA have.
13th man
Guest
Yep Matt Renshaw and Peter Handscomb have done just that as has Khawaja
Nudge
Guest
Yeah quality keeper but he's hardly scored a run in 2 years. There is no way you could pick him before Neville if you're basing the selection on batting form alone
jameswm
Roar Guru
He's a very good keeper.
Ruminate
Roar Guru
How's Whireman been going as keeper? Got a 50 today and was well n the frame a while bacK