In a perfect world, the very talented Jake Lehmann will be presented with his first baggy green at the Gabba for the first Ashes Test against England.
But it’s an imperfect world, so through no fault of his own the 25-year-old is on a hiding to nothing, to make the 12-man squad.
All because he’s the son of Australian head coach Darren Lehmann,
If he’s selected nepotism will be the call from the cynics, even though Darren leaves the selection room when his son’s future is discussed.
If he misses out, the other group of cynics will accuse the selectors of avoiding perceptions of favouritism.
Either way Jake Lehmann is the pawn, and he doesn’t deserve that.
In 29 Sheffield Shield games for South Australia he’s cracked six tons and nine half-centuries for a career average of 44, the best of all contenders for the number six batting spot.
He debuted against the Vics at Adelaide in March 2015 with 54 off 105 with seven fours, with 39 in the second dig off 102 with six fours in an innings loss.
In only his third game in 2015, Lehmann posted his career best 205 in Hobart, and in his last game 103 and 93 against the Vics at the MCG with South Australia is trouble in both digs.
At 3-18 in the first, Lehmann and skipper Travis Head combined for a 164-run fourth wicket stand, and in the second at 3-59 Lehmann and Callum Ferguson parted company after a 212-run fourth wicket stand.
By any standards, Jake Lehmann has done more than enough to deserve selection for the Gabba.
Again through no fault of his own, he can’t escape the fact he’s the coach’s son.
(AAP Image/George Salpigtidis)
His 11 squad mates will never discuss any of Darren Lehmann’s decisions as either a coach or a national selector in front of him, and Darren will have to be guarded in what he says to his son about the other members of the squad.
The cop out would be for one of them to miss out, but both deserve to be there.
And there’s no magic wand to be waved to solve the problem.
It’s to be hoped all parties are sensible enough to bury any negatives, and simply look at all the positives.
And there are plenty of those.
Jake’s inclusion would give the Australian XI six left-handed batsmen, with four in the top six – openers David Warner and Matt Renshaw, plus first drop Usman Khawaja and Lehmann.
Pacemen Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood round out the half dozen lefties.
That’s a big advantage for the Australians who perform far better on home tracks than they do overseas, with the one exception being skipper Steve Smith.
His career average is 59.66 with 68.65 at home, and 53.95 overseas – mighty impressive across the board.
But the rest of the top five have stark differences.
Warner’s career average is 47.94, with 59.21 at home, and 38.25 overseas.
His opening partner Renshaw’s career average is 36.64 with 63.00 at home, and just 25.67 overseas.
Khawaja’s career average is 45.47 made up of 63.73 at home, and just 27.21 overseas.
But the widest margin belongs to Peter Handscomb with a career average of 53.07 including a Bradmanesque 99.75 at home, and 34.40 overseas.
But what about the Ashes chances?
The Australian attack is in fine form, especially Starc with his record-setting hat-trick in each innings against at Hurstville last week.
Pat Cummins and Hazlewood will share the pace duties, with Starc leaving offie Nathan Lyon to complete a four-man attack.
The only spot left is the keeper which should see Peter Nevill recalled as the most reliable gloveman in the country, the most vital criteria of all.
Let’s get rid of the ‘keeper must bat’ selection folly, it’s highly unlikely another Adam Gilchrist will surface in the foreseeable future – and there are certainly none available now.
So the only spot up for grabs is number six in the batting line-up.
For mine, despite the side issues, Jake Lehmann is the most deserving.
DaveJ
Guest
Blimey, we’re comparing cricket to that Mickey Mouse sport rugby league now? And bringing in David Lloyd, the Basil Fawlty of English cricket. Part of that great English lineup of 1974-5, along with Keith Fletcher, Mike Denness, the pensioned off Colin Cowdrey etc.
bearfax
Guest
I think you've stated it nicely here Trenno but for one issue. Cartwright has played only 25 first class matches, has played 2 tests and is aged 25. His present average is 47.7. Lehmann has played 29 first class matches and is 25 and averages 44. So if Cartwright has already played tests, there's no way that it is 'too early' to select Lehmann. He's as ready as Cartwright is. But I agree Maxwell has done so far what is required of him and if he makes some steady scores over the next 3 matches he will be No 6. Cartwright is marginally ahead of Lehmann because of a slightly superior average, he's played 2 test and he bowls a bit. But likewise the next three matches may change this significantly. Also Patterson and Head may still have some ammunition left yet to make a play in the next few matches. At this stage though I think only these five are in the picture.
Johnno
Guest
Chris Anderson dropped his son Ben for the 1999 NRL GF in his Storm side. In cricket David Bumble Lloyd picked his son Graham Lloyd from memory and also dropped him to I think..
Trenno
Guest
I think it comes down to three players and Jake is now one of them. Maxwell has done what the the selectors have asked of him and played a steady hand in his two 50+ contributions this round. Cartwright is the incumbents and averages over 50 in first class cricket but two ducks don't srean pick me. Jakes form this round has him in the frame, averages 44 and could be a long term prospect but the question remains whether or not it's too early. Who ever they pick I think needs the knowledge that they are there for the whole series so that they can just go out there and play their game without fear of reprisal. I think I would pick Maxwell but who they go with hopefully will be the answer long term.
Ken
Guest
I think the side looks good with Bancroft at 7/wk. He's probably a better bet than any of the others. My team would be; Warner Renshaw Khawaja Smith Handscomb Lehmann Bancroft Starc Cummins Hazelwood Lyon
Simoc
Guest
Typical Lord nonsense. I guess Darren bought you a beer and you need to repay a favour.
spruce moose
Guest
Indeed...but Pagan only played but a few games and wasn't picked again in the remaining years Denis Pagan was coach. Npr did Ryan Pagan follow him to Carlton. He was just a player that wasn't good enough for senior football after being tested in it. He's like 60 other drafts every year. Nepotism would be if he continued to be selected after it was clear he wasn't AFL grade.
John Erichsen
Roar Guru
Yep. I hear you.
John Erichsen
Roar Guru
Cartwright- 2016/17 861 runs @ 53.81 2015/16 409 runs @ 68.16 Maxwell- 2016/17 129 runs @ 25.80 2015/16 392 runs @ 56.00 Lehmann- 2016/17 692 runs @40.70 2015/16 623 runs @ 44.50 This summer Cartwright 99 runs @ 24.75 Maxwell 151 runs @ 37.75 Lehmann 212 runs @ 53.00 I do believe, as test incumbents, Maxwell and Cartwright are ahead of Jake Lehmann but Lehmann's performances over the past two years and current form place him justifiably in the conversation. Dismissing two years of decent performances as a "modicum" is pretty harsh. Personally, I think Cartwright's career average, despite taking a dent in this last game, is most impressive in an era where very few average 50 for more than a season. Even the best of our experienced domestic players average low 40's. Maxwell has the weight of his Indian test century behind him and rightly so. Lehmann is staking a strong claim at a time when selectors are watching very closely. Travis Head is a player flagged as one to watch 2016/17 645 runs @ 43.00 2015/16 721 runs @36.05 This summer 79 runs @19.75 K Patterson 2016/17 668 runs @ 44.53 2015/16 737 runs @ 53.64 Thus summer 116 runs @ 29.00 N Maddinson 2016/17 338 runs @33.80 2015/16 488 runs @ 30.50 This summer 43 runs @ 10.75 P Handscomb 2016/17 410 runs @ 68.33 2015/16 784 runs @ 43.55 D Hughes 2016/17 543 runs @ 36.20 2015/16 425 runs @ 38.63 This summer 90 runs @ 30.00 Last summer, I think its safe to say that Maddinson was undeserving of his test selection. This summer, the non-selection of Cowan so that Hughes can press his claims is just as silly. Either selectors are smoking some good sh*t or the test skipper needs to be removed from influencing selection. Could be both when one considers that Wade is the test keeper.
armchair expert
Guest
Dennis Pagan was accused of nepotism by the chairman of selectors when he selected his son Ryan to play at North Melbourne.
Mattyb
Guest
Andrew Gaze also seemed to do pretty well while his father was coaching in basketball also. Sometimes these things have a feel good element if authors aren't searching for the negative. As the more intelligent comments suggest there are plenty of these good examples that David has seemingly ignored.
Aidan
Guest
Good luck finding anyone who has cracked 1000 runs in a Sheffield shield multiple years in a row. It doesn't happen anymore, it hasn't for a long time.
Hughster
Guest
Another nonsense click bait article. JL is certainly in the mix but to suggest suggestions of nepotism are the defining issue is ridiculous. The defining issue is whether DL has done enough to warrant selection and the notional incumbents (Maxwell and Cartwright) have performed sufficiently poorly to merit demotion. Another example of the author's obsession with stats over context.
Ross
Guest
Why would we lose one of the best coaches in the world for this, his son can play under him without a problem
Ross
Guest
What I liked best about lehMan was how much he looked like his dad in terms of batting style and he looked very comfortable against a strong Victoria attack
Ross
Guest
Just read that the entire Nsw pace attack is resting so it's renshaw best chance to get a big one. Also bird is resting so he will be the back up bowler
Tanmoy Kar
Guest
Yes, same thing happened to all-rounder Stuart Binny, when he was selected in the Test side, his father was a selector of the Indian team, later-on he was dropped due to poor performance.
Jameswm
Guest
This night be inferred, but Darren Lehmann will have to be out of the room when they talk about Maxwell and Cartwright as well, seeing as they are fighting Jake for the same spot. With all this pressure and opportunity - if he comes out and scores a chanceless 150 next game, he deserves it. This is test match type pressure for those gunning for the spot. He's be playing against WA in Perth, so Behrendorff, Mackin, Richardson and co. Will not be easy. Just scored runs against our test attack.
Tanmoy Kar
Guest
In that case, Darren should resign for the future of his son Jake Lehmann.
Bob Sims
Guest
Can't agree with the reasoning, but I don't think Lehmann will get the nod either...yet! I expect the selectors to cut Renshaw and Maxwell some slack for one or two Tests, but they must perform. Wouldn't be surprised if Bancroft bolted in as WK.