Australian cricket has undergone a seismic shift. So, what’s next?
There will be three debutants in the top six – Matt Renshaw, Peter Handscomb and Nic Maddinson – at the Adelaide Oval.
The humiliating loss at Hobart – Australia’s fifth consecutive Test defeat and second straight series loss – predicated a bloodletting seldom seen in Australian cricket.
Appearing on Fox Sports’ Inside Cricket, selector Mark Waugh said the shake-up was a “line in the sand” moment. What that means we are still not entirely sure.
Australian cricket fans are not used to periods of protracted failure.
Only recently they basked in the glory of a Test side that was jostling for the title of ‘best of all time’. Two separate 16-match winning streaks are still fresh in the memory.
But in the last few months the one-time juggernaut has lost its way, like a dismasted yacht in the doldrums, aimlessly lolling around.
Across all forms of international cricket, Australia has lost ten games in a row.
A few hours after he appeared grim faced at a media conference where he put everyone on notice, Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland learned of the resignation of his chairman of selectors, Rod Marsh.
Marsh contemporary, Greg Chappell joined Waugh, coach Darren Lehmann and interim chairman Trevor Hohns, charged with the responsibility of selecting a team that would stop the rot.
Collectively, they decided to eviscerate the side that was done over in less than three days at Hobart.
In doing so, they cut two men – Callum Ferguson and Joe Mennie – who had made their Test debut.
Joe Burns, recalled after a three-Test hiatus, was jettisoned after just one match.
Ferguson was particularly stiff.
He was selected on the back of averaging 51 in the Sheffield Shield since the start of the 2014-15 season. He had made six centuries in his past 17 matches.
He had proved in the past that he was up to the pressures of international cricket having averaged 41 from his 30 ODI appearances.
Yet, he was given just one chance.
His first innings dismissal was a run out, hardly what you would call a technical deficiency.
Yes, his second innings dismissal was not pretty but certainly that alone did not indicate that he was not capable of succeeding at Test level.
He did not do his cause well with two innings of four in the weekend’s Shield match, but again, was that sufficient to see him dropped after just one Test?
Sent back to Shield ranks to find greater form, Steve Smith (8 and 16) and David Warner (11 and 20) hardly set the world on fire.
Matthew Wade, called in for Peter Nevill, made six in his only Shield innings over the weekend to give him an average of 28 from his four innings this season. Last season he also averaged 28.
No one disputes the fact that as a ‘keeper he is inferior to Nevill. It is his perceived superior batting that has given him the nod to extend his 12-Test career although his raw stats would tend to belie that theory.
So how much latitude is he given to nail down his place in the team?
Waugh would not be drawn on a so-called ‘pick and stick’ mentality. Having discarded Ferguson and Mennie as they did it would be hard for him to do so.
He did, however, allude to the younger players, saying, “They’re obviously going to get more of a chance than the older guys”.
I am sure that comment sits in the craw with Ferguson.
It is also a salient barb in the direction of Wade and Jackson Bird, who has earned a recall at the expense of Mennie.
The next two Tests will be day-night affairs with Australia’s batsmen to be duly tested by two quality attacks armed with a pink ball.
It will be an acid test for the top-order, three of whom who will be experiencing the cauldron of Test cricket for the first time.
The selectors are honour bound to let this team settle.
Warner will stride to the middle with his third opening partner in as many Tests this summer.
Waugh says Smith has been given considerable input into the selection of this current side.
Nonetheless, being handed three debutantes on top of a further two changes from Hobart, the skipper will be very much in uncharted territory.
This is now a team in transformation. One that has entered a distinct rebuilding phase.
The question remains as to whether these are the building blocks to base a resurgence on. And in fairness, one match will likely not supply the answer.
Fans and selectors alike need to take a deep breath.
Apart from Nathan Lyon’s position, should he fail to produce over the next five days, the side for Adelaide needs a chance to bed down.
There may still be rough seas ahead for a period but the incumbents deserve a chance to show their merit.
Another purge in the short term will do little to assist in setting a smooth course.
John Erichsen
Roar Guru
Good point. Mennie, in particular seemed to be Rod's baby. I wonder who else voted with Rod to get the required 3rd vote. It seems Hohns was very quick to reverse that decision for the mistake it was.
John Erichsen
Roar Guru
The selection of young players makes more sense when, as in the case currently, the more senior players first class records are little to no better. Ferguson's average in the past couple of years is 50, which is good, but he plays half his games on a good Adelaide batting strip and some of the younger contenders match him for recent runs.
John Erichsen
Roar Guru
One certainly hopes so.
John Erichsen
Roar Guru
I think that a very accurate assessment.
c
Guest
:)
Mike Huber
Roar Pro
I thought in modern test cricket the Coach and Captain manage the team collaboratively . Surely a cricketer of Lehman's experience plays an instrumental role with his opinions on wickets , conditions and technique . For a few players Lehman would be a life support system - between beers and fags .
twodogs
Guest
Best wishes for Smith. Its a tough gig. I remember wanting to be captain but couldn't afford the boat.?
Hutchoman
Roar Pro
I don't have a problem with the coach and captain being an off-field team. Indeed the coach should be able to add a different dimension of perspective to that of the captain. That is that the coach can (should) very much provide an arm's length view. The captain needs to lead the team on the field. The coach works with the captain to ensure he's got the best possible team on the park.
Hutchoman
Roar Pro
Agree re. Ferguson and Mennie. The Ferguson seemed a selection almost of "well done old mate, you've been close for years, here's your cap" rather than either (a) genuinely the next best batsman or (b) a young, future prospect to be blooded at six with the idea of moving up over time. The Mennie selection was even more perplexing. There seemed to be so many others higher in the pecking order. Admittedly I don't get to watch much first class action these days so I can't comment on the details of what's led up to the selection, but the performance in Hobart seemed mediocre.
pjm
Roar Rookie
New selectors don't have to hold any loyalty to decisions of those previously in charge. The dumping of Mennie and Ferguson means that the new selectors wouldn't have had them there in the first place.
Custard Cream
Roar Rookie
I don't get the obsession with youth. AB always said that you pick your best team; if they happen to be young then that's a bonus. This agonising is so reminiscent of England in the 90s, all the fans clamouring for young players to be picked just because they're young. England didn't start coming right until the structure of the game was changed, something which CA seem to have thrown away.
Glenn Mitchell
Expert
I feel certain he would have been Christo.
Christo the Daddyo
Guest
O'Keefe is injured. I wonder whether he might have been picked for Adelaide if he was fit?
Christo the Daddyo
Guest
"I’m a Warner fan but he gets himself more often than bowlers get him out" I think this is a really good point. If his discipline/concentration matched his work ethic and ability he'd be unstoppable.
Christo the Daddyo
Guest
The coach running the show has been happening since Bob Simpson was in charge. Which has coincided (largely) with a lengthy period of Australian success. So I'm not convinced it's a problem per se - it's more whether the captain and coach can find a way to work together in a way that benefits the team. Maybe Smith and Lehmann are still working this out?
Bob Sims
Guest
And really, what reason do we have to expect that there would be another purge if Australia loses again? None at all. The interim chairman of selectors is on record as saying that they aren't necessarily looking for immediate results, but want an improved performance. Leave the selected side, and the selectors, alone for now, and support them in getting on with their job!
I hate pies
Guest
I think the "line in the sand" is that this is our new team, and we are going to back them. I suspect that there will be minimal change, even if they don't perform. They are backing these players to be the core of our test team for the next few years at least. It's been a long time since our test team has been this young, which I think is a great thing. Let's back the young blokes and let them grow into being test match batsmen. Maddinson is in for what he could be, and for his attacking style; an a attacking middle order batsmen coming in after some more stoic types at the top of the order is good for tightening the screws, just like the good old days when Gilly came in and destroyed teams in a session. I'm excited about this test, and I'm excited to see some renewal in our test team. I think in time we can be back on top.
Julian King
Roar Guru
Everyone who gets selected needs a chance to show their merit, unless it's an obvious injury-enforced replacement. Ferguson was desperately unlucky. Even Steve Waugh said a player needs to be told they'll have at least 3 tests to show what they're capable of. Having said that, I've always admired Maddinson's talent and think he has a future in the baggy green. Gut selection? Yes. But not without calculation.
matth
Guest
Also, he has a relationship with Smith and I have no problem with Smith getting to put his stamp on the team, when no absolute standout candidate has missed out. Sure Patterson, Burns and Ferguson are unlucky but not to the point of being standout obvious selections for the team, so in that case give Smith what he wants. If Smith is going to crash and burn it's best that he can try it his way before the end.
Dan
Guest
As i said i have no idea why, but i think we will play a great match and get a win. On recent form ive got no idea why that would be the case. Maybe its the young fresh faces coming in but im pretty excited about today.