When the Australian national selection panel discuss the team for the first Ashes Test this afternoon in Brisbane, they have one large problem to overcome.
One replacement can’t fill two positions.
Across the first three rounds of the Sheffield Shield, only Cameron Bancroft has put his hand up to challenge for the wicketkeeper or opening position.
The Western Australian is trying for both and – given his unbeaten double century yesterday for the Warriors, finishing on 228 not out – doing a damn good job of it.
Double ton gives Cam Bancroft one foot in the door for Ashes selection
Unfortunately, that leaves Matt Renshaw and Matthew Wade in need of being replaced.
It’s clear Bancroft should play in the first Test. I was happy to call him the wicketkeeper in yesterday’s article, but after another abject failure from Renshaw, I’m not so sure.
Plenty want to see the Queenslander retained, and he may well survive purely because no one has scored runs, but the stats are pretty damning.
In his six Shield innings this season, Renshaw has averaged a tedious 11.66, scoring just 70 runs. He has looked all at sea, unable to handle a swinging new ball.
On a likely green Gabba deck, the notion that James Anderson and Stuart Broad aren’t going to be hooping the ball around corners is rather silly – the experienced English duo will give the Australian batsmen hell.
The only other opener across the country who has made runs is Shaun Marsh, who has gone past 50 twice in the first three rounds of the Shield, despite only getting 17 yesterday.
Yet this would be a massive step in the wrong direction – by now you’d think the selectors were smart enough to realise they need to blood young talent, rather than go back to Marsh again.
AAP Image/Dave Hunt
The problem is, while Bancroft is doing it at Shield level, the selectors would be hesitant to throw him into the cauldron of Test cricket as both keeper and opening batsman
It may be better to put up with the lack of production from Wade behind the stumps than stick with Renshaw, particularly given there are precious few other options as keeper.
Peter Nevill again failed with the blade for the Blues, making just 17 against Queensland.
Hoewver, South Australian Alex Carey has made a positive start to his innings – sitting on 26 not out at stumps – and would do his chances no harm with a big score.
Essentially, Bancroft will be in the side for the first Test, it’s merely a question of whether Wade or Renshaw will miss out, based on team needs.
Elsewhere, little was learnt in the battle for No.6. Neither Glenn Maxwell nor Hilton Cartwright – presumed to be the two front-runners – made any impact, with Cartwright bowling two overs for 20 runs against South Australia.
Another half-century continues to show Usman Khawaja’s form and at this stage he looks to be the most in-form of any Australian batsman.
Steve Smith, David Warner and Peter Handscomb looking scratchy, with none reaching 50 in their most recently completed innings. It’s been a lean start to the summer, with Smith reaching the half century twice and Warner once.
In a communication breakdown, the fast bowlers were sat out of the final round of the Shield, before being told they had to hold back in the nets. Bowling at each other rather than a local net batsman must be a sure way to wasting a training session, and it appears Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Patrick Cummins did exactly that yesterday.
Nathan Lyon, meanwhile, picked up his third wicket of the match, getting rid of the dangerous Khawaja.
While the bowlers are locked in, the batters sure aren’t. Two spots have turned into three over the course of the summer, and chances for those vying to be in the Ashes squad are running out fast.
Simoc
Guest
Its true. Cowan is quite an intelligent soul and writes very well. He is a cut above the other boofheads which probably doesn't sit well with the boys club of coach / selectors.
Simoc
Guest
Paine is also the current Australian T20 keeper so is being watched closely. Prior to his injuries he was next in line.
AREH
Roar Guru
A part of me would just love to see Tim Paine get another chance at test level, but I can't see them going back to him. IMO he is as good a pure keeper as any other contender, and has notched up a couple of 50's in the last week for the CA side and Tas. However he isn't even keeping for his state, although I'm sure if Tasmania could have it their way, he would be. One can dream
Brasstax
Guest
I would stick with Renshaw for the first 2 tests. Some players perform better at the highest level. Its well known in India that Sehwag used to almost bat disinterestedly in domestic cricket and look scratchy but would blitz an international attack as a test match opener the next day.
Guru murthy
Guest
Doesn’t Tim Paine deserve one more chance to play test matches for Australia? He scored a half century against a quality bowling attack in tour match against England and also he has scored 71 against in his most recently completed innings . He seems to be batting well than wade and needless to say , he is also a better wicket keeper than wade .
mrrexdog
Roar Guru
Tim Paine was 71 not out when Tasmania declared
Don Freo
Guest
Curious George hasn't picked up the tone of this site yet. I shudder to think which sites he has been exposed to previously.
dave
Guest
A lot of highly rated test batsmen would like to have an Indian test century on their cv. He was played behind the wicket keeper in his shield team and will always be playing with the knowledge that one bad innings and he could be gone.Imagine If Mitch Marsh scored a ton in India.
dave
Guest
Could be more to this story.A spicy dinner might be in favour of Maxwell.
Doctor Rotcod
Guest
I think the selectors will keep Renshaw,as witness his net session against the Aussie quicks,Maxwell will be at six and Bancroft at seven and keep. Only Carey and Bancroft have let through no byes in this round at least, so Bancroft will get first bite
matth
Guest
Maxwell and Cartwright have effectively come out at the same time in two different games, so the final bat-off is on!
matth
Guest
He did ok last year and in fact every year at home. The guy is has the best average as an opener for us since Hayden, so just lay off.
Matt P
Roar Rookie
In his first stint, yes, he shouldn't have been in there. That was years ago though. Using those three tests against him is misleading. His current form has been enough to warrant maintaining his spot in the side. Let him play out this series at home, then you can judge his test credentials however you wish. I happen to rate SMarsh as well and think he's better than people give him credit for, so there's that.
Dogs Boddy
Roar Rookie
OK I understand the "Big Show' has loyal fans, but he is certainly not a test player yet. He's played 7 tests, 14 innings for an average of 26. 13,8,10,8,37,4,104,2,8,45,23,14,39,25 doesn't exactly make for great reading. It's not just the low scores, but the methods of dismissal. Playing expansive shots the moment he hits the crease when the team has collapsed again. To compare S Marsh (23 tests, 42 innings average 36) first 14 innings looks like this (average 35); 141,81,18,44,0,0,3,0,11,3,0,148,44 How is one rocks and diamonds and the other just misunderstood and a great bat because he managed 100 in India??
Ironmonger
Guest
Som Tum on the table?
Joe Bell
Roar Rookie
Gun
Ironmonger
Guest
Wayne Phillips
Jameswm
Guest
Not Wade. Struggling with Renners now too. Then Bancroft fills 2 holes in one.
Ben
Roar Rookie
He did have the temperament to play test cricket in India and get a 100.
Matt P
Roar Rookie
He scored a test century in India, and he's averaged 37 in the four tests since his recall. Seems to be doing alright. I get that people have this predetermined image of Maxwell in their heads that can't be shaken, but he's got a superior FC record to most of the other players being touted around at the moment. He's the incumbent and deserves that chance. Plus, he hasn't had the luxury of home tests yet.