Callum Ferguson has seen the highs and lows of being a professional sportsman in one short week.
Brought to Hobart as possible injury cover, he was thrust into the Australian Test team, made little impression and is now dropped. And all the sentiment seems to indicate that he has had his moment in the side.
This doesn’t seem to be the way the Test side used to operate. The memories of my formative years watching the Australians is that players, in particular batsmen, were selected and get a few Tests in the side. Maybe they score some runs, but eventually they hit a rough patch of form and find themselves out of the team. The next step is to go back to Shield level, work on their game and flourish after being selected for the Test team again.
From memory, this process seemed to work pretty well. Is my memory playing tricks on me? Let’s look at the facts.
The birth of the modern Australian cricket Test team occurred when Bob Simpson started working with the side during the 1985-86 season. Geoff Marsh, Merv Hughes and Bruce Reid all made their debuts in the first Test versus India in 1985 and Steve Waugh debuted in the second Test. All four would make meaningful contributions to Australia’s Test team over the next 20 years.
From that point on, the following batsman came into the side, and were dropped before coming into the side as a permanent fixture:
David Boon – debuted 1984, dropped 1987, recalled 1987. 7422 Test runs.
Dean Jones – debuted 1984, dropped 1988, recalled 1988. 3631 Test runs.
Steve Waugh – debuted 1985, dropped 1991, recalled 1992. 10927 Test runs.
Mark Taylor – debuted 1989, dropped 1993, recalled 1993. 7525 Test runs.
Mark Waugh – debuted 1991, dropped 1992, recalled 1992. 8029 Test runs.
Damien Martyn – debuted 1992, dropped 1994, recalled 2000. 4406 Test runs.
Justin Langer – debuted 1993, dropped 1994, recalled 1998. 7696 Test runs.
Michael Slater – debuted 1993, dropped 1996, recalled 1998. 5312 Test runs.
Matthew Hayden – debuted 1994, dropped 1997, recalled 2000. 8625 Test runs.
Ricky Ponting – debuted 1995, dropped 1996, recalled 1997. 13378 Test runs.
Simon Katich – debuted 2001, dropped 2004, recalled 2008. 4188 Test runs.
Michael Clarke – debuted 2004, dropped 2005, recalled 2006. 8643 Test runs.
Steve Smith – debuted 2010, dropped 2011, recalled 2013. 4212 Test runs.
David Warner – debuted 2011, dropped 2013, recalled 2013. 4847 Test runs.
That’s 14 players, all dropped and recalled at some stage in their careers, who scored at least 3500 Test runs and average above 40.
Since Shane Warne, Justin Langer and Glenn McGrath’s retirements signalled the end of an era in early 2007, Australia has seemed to reverse that trend.
Yes, the late Phil Hughes, along with Shaun Marsh, Usman Khawaja, and the aforementioned Smith and Warner, have got second chances in the top six. But the extraordinary thing about the list above, and the period between 1985-2007, was hardly any Australian batsmen failed to get a second chance.
Even the ones who didn’t make it seemed to get dropped, recalled and then dropped for good. Those who were dropped and recalled who are not on the list above include Greg Ritchie, Mike Veletta, Tom Moody, Michael Bevan, Greg Blewett, Darren Lehmann, Matthew Elliott, Martin Love, Andrew Symonds, Shane Watson, Phil Jaques and Brad Hodge.
The only batsmen to get a chance in that 1985-2007 period, get dropped and never to return to the team were Wayne Phillips (the Victorian opener) and Stuart Law.
Since 2007, batsmen who had been in the Australian Test team for only one period of matches, then have been dropped only to never appear again (so far) include Cameron White, Andrew McDonald, Ed Cowan, George Bailey, Alex Doolan, and now probably Callum Ferguson. Two in 22 years, followed by six in eight years.
So perhaps the Australian selectors’ greatest error is a lack of patience.
There have been some great top seven Australian batting orders that have endured, from Marsh-Taylor-Boon-Border-Jones-S Waugh-Healy, to Taylor-Slater-Boon-M Waugh-Border-S Waugh-Healy, Slater-Blewett-Langer-M Waugh-S Waugh-Ponting-Gilchrist, to finally Langer-Hayden-Ponting-M Waugh-S Waugh-Martyn-Gilchrist.
The common link between nearly all those batsman listed was their time inside and outside of the team. Now we just seem to be much more willing to put lines through names, no matter how useful a Cameron White or Ed Cowan may have been at different times.
Ferguson may not get back in the side. He may never have deserved to get into the side in the first place. His is a specific individual example.
But Alex Doolan scored a double-hundred on the weekend. Cameron White is in form, and has always been an outstanding catcher at first slip. George Bailey would add leadership and tactical nous to a team that sorely lacks it.
Let’s hope in turning over a new leaf the Australian selectors go back to an old leaf. And if players like Matt Renshaw and Peter Handscomb don’t become overnight sensations and struggle at times, that they are afforded the same chances that worked so well for the likes of Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke.
mds1970
Roar Guru
I missed this article when it was published; but it's fascinating to see that record. Going back to the late 1920s, Don Bradman scored just 18 & 1 in his Test debut. He was dropped for the second Test but recalled for the third, when he scored a century and never looked back. Imagine being the selectors who dropped Don Bradman! You'd never live that down.
Hamish Hutton
Roar Rookie
I feel very sorry for Fergy! hopefully an experienced campaigner like himself can continue to make a heap of runs and make the selectors think twice about their ridiculous selection of maddinson.
steve
Guest
Made even worse by the fact that Nic Maddinson got his spot.
matth
Guest
"Unless the blokes are like Hussey and Rogers, who averaged 50 at FC level, they shouldn’t be selected at 30-odd. A 30 something player with a FC average of 40 is not going to suddenly do better than that at test level." Smartest thing said here for some time. And great article as well.
Harvey Wilson
Roar Rookie
I think selectors have signalled that youth is the way forward so I doubt Ferguson will get another chance. IMO he shouldn't have been selected before anyway. Undoubtedly the most unlucky player was Brad Hodge, he could have had some impressive numbers if he hadn't been dropped.
The Bush
Roar Guru
The difference though is likely the ages. The batsmen who have been "discarded" were aged as follows at the time of selection: Ed Cowan (29), George Bailey (31), Alex Doolan (29), and now probably Callum Ferguson (31). I've left the other two out as they were "all arounders". Of the players you named above, they were all initially selected in their early to mid-twentys and recalled in their late twenties to early thirties, when the players listed here all made their debuts. I also think it's unfair on the selectors to put Cowan in any list. He was selected off good form, debuted pretty well and was persisted with for about 15 straight tests. At his age, if he hadn't worked it out by then, he was never going to be test standard (at least not Australia test standard). As for the others, perhaps you could say that Bailey and Doolan were discarded too soon and you can definitely say it about Ferguson. But the reality is that at the magical age of 30, if you don't come in and score heavily a la Hussey, they're going to move on pretty quickly. The selection failure has been selecting so many middling 30-something players instead of backing young players who could afford to be dropped, work on their game, and come back and succeed for an extended period (as all of the above did). Unless the blokes are like Hussey and Rogers, who averaged 50 at FC level, they shouldn't be selected at 30-odd. A 30 something player with a FC average of 40 is not going to suddenly do better than that at test level. Players like Cowan and Marcus North have proven that.
Patrick Effeney
Editor
This is a great article Andrew. Bloody interesting read!
Laura Devoy
Guest
This is a really good article. Most players who end up having long and great careers in test cricket (and indeed many other sports as well) get dropped at some point during their early careers. However, I don't think it's the right choice to drop Ferguson and Mennie after only one test match, especially one in which they weren't the only ones who underperformed. Give them a few chances, and if they're still not up to scratch send them back to Shield cricket to recapture some form. When they do, if the team is still struggling or there are one or two players who aren't in form or are injured etc., then reinstate them.
Perry Bridge
Guest
The 'replacement' notion is interesting. The Dennis Lillee adage of "never give a sucker an even break". Some players only need one chance and make an irresistible case for themselves. They make it hard to drop them. I feel for Ferguson too - I wanted him in - and I reckon that had he gone back for South Australia and even just made a 50odd then that would have been enough. However - he followed his 3 and 1 with 4 and 4. That made it 12 runs in 5 FC knocks since his 101 in Perth which was followed by the duck in Adelaide where he was the only top 6 batter to miss out (and yes, had to endure a 161 run opening stand before getting his chance). Even in the Matador Cup - outside of his beating up on the CAXI, he only had a 73* v NSW to rest any laurels on.
JamesH
Roar Guru
Great analysis, but I think it's fair to say that the depth in our domestic batting talent has contributed to this change too. From the early 90s until the mid naughties most players were forced to pile up consistent runs in the Shield before they were considered for selection, such was the competition. Only guys who were seen as outrageous talents (e.g. Ponting and Clarke) were brought in partly on potential. If test batsmen hit a trough then there were obvious candidates knocking on the door, like Lehmann, Love, Hodge and Jaques (not to mention the incredibly unlucky Cox and Siddons). We just don't have that sort of depth at present. Where before it was a case of outsiders forcing their way in at the expense of underperforming incumbents, now it's a case of "well, so-and-so doesn't look up to it, who can we try next?". You also need to factor in that our team is presently too brittle to carry a guy who is taking a while to find his feet. Ferguson is a victim of timing, too. Had he been brought in 12 months ago he might have had a few tests to show what he is capable of. It just so happens that the selectors have decided to go for a team overhaul right after his first - and perhaps only - test.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
The difference here between Ferguson and Mennie is that they only played that one test whereas your list shows those dropped after being in the team for a few years (Ponting initially only came in as a replacement. The real problem was those who continued to be selected though they had no form but this has been going on for a very long time.
Rob JM
Guest
Young players are flexible, if their game is not good enough they have a chance to change and improve. Mature players have already sorted out their game. (Which is supposed to be a strength), but if their game is not good enough then they find it very difficult to change. (Hussey and Bailey have both changed their backlift so it's not impossible) I alway think you should try and expose young players to test cricket as soon as possible even if it's only for a single dead rubber game. Have an experienced batsman step aside. Instead we hear how they have to earn the "Precious Baggy Green".
Pope Paul VII
Guest
I think 1 test might be the most common tally in history. I think it's pertinent that current second chancers Khawaja and Marsh have got their averages over 40. Poor old Phil would have joined them. Cowan, Doolan, Quiney and Bailey should not have been selected before them. I think Burns will be back.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
I feel very sorry for Ferguson. To finally get a chance in Tests after 14 years of playing domestic cricket only to have just one Test and a shocker for yourself and your team at that. He'll probably never get another crack at Tests.
Perry Bridge
Guest
The list of 'recent' batsmen is interesting. Andrew McDonald was played as an all-rounder, with a bowling skew. Cam White was played as the spinner coming in at #8 and as I have pointed out before - of his 4 tests - once he got settled his last 2 tests saw 2 40s and a not out with an 'average' of over 50 for these last 2 tests = so as a batter he'd settled into that role. He was never a stand alone front line spinner. Thankfully Chris Rogers DID get his 2nd chance. Someone like Bobby Quiney was a bit of a surprise in the first place and so perhaps no surprise that a 2nd chance wasn't forthcoming.
Immy
Guest
Great article. Let's hope Burns is not consigned to the wilderness. The thing about a lot of those players is that they were given starts when young and then had time to come back. Recently - since 2010 ashes, we've had a policy of picking senior pros to sure things up and then when their eyes go, we drop them. If the current crop are abject in the first instance, let's hope they get a second chance. Also, back in the 90s we used to trial a lot of potential test batsmen in the ODI team as well. Now we have a clear policy of picking seperate teams so there is less opportunity to get a guy in and give him international experience in the ODIs with a view to later picking him as a test bat, eg. T Head who wasn't discussed that much last week as an option, and on the other hand, guys like Finch who is not seem as a long form player at all.