Unfortunately the number six position will continue to be a rotating roster, but with Shield cricket starting there has to be some great performances stand out to the selectors, right?
Well that certainly was not the case.
There are seven batsmen in the frame to play the first Test match, but none of them proved they should be picked. All were underperforming, showing there is no depth at state level.
Here is a list of what the seven batsmen scored in their first shield match, and after hearing Steve Smith say they will be picking a pure batsman, I am disregarding some of those players bowling figures.
So what do the selectors do? They have three options. The first is to pick a young untried batsman to see if he is up to it. Falling into that category are Travis Head and Daniel Hughes.
(AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)
I’m of the same opinion as a lot of cricket supporters when I say that I really wish Head had scored a big hundred because I think he is a fantastic batsman who could easily grab the number six spot with both hands. He has shown in the shorter formats he can bat wherever is needed – but please, Travis, prove to me you can do it in the longer format.
The other batsman Daniel Hughes, but he shouldn’t be picked. The way I look at it is Hughes made 57 in front of the Australian skipper and is now being thrown into the limelight as a candidate for the first Test. I think he needs to make a big hundred in the next shield match to change this view. So sorry, Hughesy; it’s a no from me.
The second option for selectors is to go back on their word and pick a batting all-rounder. Falling into this category are Hilton Cartwright, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Marsh and Glenn Maxwell.
The first cab off the rank is Mitchell Marsh, who in my eyes is not up to scratch. Marsh has had too many opportunities at Test level, and he really needs to score 1000 runs at Shield level to show he can be a batting all-rounder. End of story.
Next is Marcus Stoinis, who gets another no from me. Stoinis has shown in the shorter format he can be a brute of a player, but that hasn’t transferred over to the longer format. Just like Mitchell Marsh, go and make 1000 runs for Western Australia and show you are ready.
(AAP Image/Dave Hunt)
The third option is Glenn Maxwell, but for him I’m of the same opinion as for the other all-rounders – so it’s a no from me. When Maxwell plays he doesn’t get bowled, and then he can’t make a run, so why play him? Sorry, Glenn, but unless you make a big hundred in the next Shield match, it’ll be a no from me.
The final all-rounder is Hilton Cartwright, and I believe he is the one to be picked at number six. Disregard the few Tests he has played – I think the selectors need to give Cartwright an extended run in the side. Just look at his Shield statistics from last season – he played ten matches and made 861 runs at an average of 53.81, probably the best of a young crop of players.
Selectors ought to pick Cartwright as a pure batsman, then if Australia are struggling, they can throw the ball to him for a slight change-up.
But the final option for selectors is to lean towards picking an older, tried batsman because they don’t trust the young crop of batsmen. Falling into this category is Shaun Marsh.
Marsh is 34 years old and time is running out for him. However, he has shown he can bat at any position and is capable of being a steady head for this young side – so from me Shaun gets a maybe.
I have a feeling the number six position will be on a rotating roster until the selectors can find a suitable candidate, just like they did with the likes of Matthew Hayden, Alyssa Healy, Justin Langer et cetera.
Trial and error will be the only way to find out who is ready to step up and perform in the number six position for the baggy green.
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