Australia have just saved themselves from ultimate humiliation after defeating South Africa by seven wickets in the day night, dead rubber Test at the Adelaide Oval.
In doing so, the home team broke their five Test losing streak, which began July against the Sri Lankans in Pallekele. As well as breaking this streak, this Test promoted a “changing of the guard” if you will in which five players were dropped from the previous line up.
Joe Burns, Adam Voges, Callum Ferguson, Peter Nevill and Joe Mennie were set aside as Matthew Renshaw, Peter Handscomb, Matthew Wade, Jackson Bird and Nic Maddinson came into the Australian set up.
This article focuses on the selection of the latter, one in my eyes reflective of the selectors focus on the success of the Big Bash League and the T20 Culture.
Nicolas Maddinson has often been criticised for his nature of being a ‘hit and miss’ cricketer, one plagued by inconsistencies and lapses of judgement which ultimately has defined his success in the shorter format of the game.
A two time Twenty20 player for Australia, Maddinson’s form in the Sheffield Shield can also be described as hit and miss, however the selectors focused on the “hit” part and selected him in the line up for arguably Australia’s most important Test in recent history.
Scoring 0, 116, 33, 6 across his four innings at an average of 38.75 batting at number six, the spot he was selected in the Australian team, Maddinson’s selection was one for the future of Australian cricket however it could have gone to another candidate. Despite the win, Maddinson scored a twelve ball duck on debut and had a game which would be described as the polar opposite to the successes of Handscomb and Renshaw.
Looking at the Sheffield Shield leading run scorers and past history, it is evident that Maddinson’s selection could have gone to a few different players from a variety of states which could have resulted in a higher chance of success. As hindsight is a wonderful thing, these players certainly should be considered for Australia’s next Test against Pakistan next month should their form hold and Maddinson’s hit and miss nature continue.
New South Wales – Kurtis Patterson
A teammate of Maddinson, Patterson has been arguably the most in form cricketer in Australia for the past year and a half. One of the only players that played over five games to average over 50 in the Sheffield Shield last season, Patterson’s form has continued this season with scores of 38, 111, 13, 60, 1 and 55 batting at 5, just above Maddinson.
However, NSW coach Trent Johnston says Patterson has the flexibility to bat anywhere from 1-6, an asset that would help the Australian middle order.
South Australia – Callum Ferguson, Travis Head
This South Australian duo have been instrumental in the Redbacks’ recent successes in the past two seasons. Ferguson was rewarded with a baggy green in the aforementioned Hobart Test match and was made way for Maddinson, a call in my eyes was wrong given Ferguson’s experience in both limited over international and 4-day domestic cricket and form at the Shield level.
Travis Head is a player whose name is always on the selectors lips for the future and has his part time Right arm off breaks to compliment his batting ability. Head has starts of 66, 43, 34 and 37 this season and if the big one comes his way in the next few weeks he could be the man to replace Maddinson.
Tasmania – George Bailey
Former T20 and ODI Captain George Bailey has played the most Test matches out of any men mentioned in this list (5) and has the impressive 100 per cent win record of the 2013-14 Ashes Series to add to his impressive resume.
Given his captaining prowess, Bailey could easily slot into the number six position and add experience to Australia’s struggling middle order and with scores of 47, 64, 142*, 6, 58* and 24, his form is certainly not dwindling.
The only thorn in Bailey’s side is age as he has previously said he would rather the selectors opt for the future instead of choosing him, effectively ruling himself out of the race if there was any hope of a return.
If I was an Australian selector, I’d be choosing Patterson for the number six spot in the Test team. However, it will be interesting to see what the selectors will do with the Maddinson dilemma for the next Test.
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