The selectors sit around a table. A stack of papers – statistics – remains untouched and forgotten.
Trevor Hohns, their chairman, looks up from his crystal ball. He leans forward slowly with a confident grin on his face.
“Cameron White?” he asks. The rest look at each other and nod. “Cameron White,” they reply in unison.
White’s inclusion in the one-day squad is the latest offbeat choice by selectors that has caused a stir. The Victorian’s Big Bash form has been excellent, with 285 runs at an average of 142.5, but the Twenty20 format and one-dayers aren’t the same thing. One doesn’t necessarily transfer to the other.
White has played only four 50-over games in recent times – in the JLT One-Day Cup – and while he smashed 165 in one knock, he managed only a further 34 runs in the remaining three fixtures. Hardly a rich vein of form.
There is more to selecting a player than on statistics and form alone. Those entrusted with picking a squad also consider team fit, fielding ability and other qualities, like leadership. And White ticks these boxes. He:
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But have the selectors used enough foresight picking White? The 2019 World Cup is 16 months ago. Are they backing the 34-year-old to perform consistently over that period and sure up the middle order?
There’s no doubt that the man is capable. White was once one of Australia’s most consistent performers in his heyday, though that was many years ago.
While the White decision may turn out to be the right decision, the selectors must tread lightly. Their selections this summer have paid off – to the surprise of most. For once the inboxes of Hohns and Co aren’t filled with hate mail.
But what happens when a left-field decision fails to pay off? Then the selectors won’t have a player’s statistics or good form to fall back on. They’ll be left to defend themselves with a shrug and a remark, “It felt like the right decision at the time”.
How many times has that statement held up in court?
Don Freo
Guest
Smith has rarely been found wanting. He is exactly the right player...but so is Cam White, Shaun Marsh, Callum Ferguson, George Bailey, Travis Head, Peter Handscomb...we have stacks of them. Steve Smith is the best of them.
Naresh Kumar Sharma
Guest
Australian team needs a batsman like Michael Bevan, Hussey or former skipper like Clarke to anchor the innings and let big hitters impose themselves on opposition bowlers.Especially, the number four position is of vital importance. The present incumbent Travis Head is not a quality player he is one-dimensional player who only makes big hits in the mid-wicket region and lacks acumen to score all around. Not only this, Aussie skipper Steve Smith may be world's best batsman at the moment but needs to reinvent his game in ODIs and T20 as he has been found wanting to score quick on various occasions due to his inability to launch into big hits.
Harvey Wilson
Roar Rookie
Australia have always picked on potential...Shane Watson, Glenn Maxwell..... They had/have something...but not 'it'
Don Freo
Guest
White plays the same game as Steve Smith. Takes a long time to get his eye in. Only room for one of them. Smith does it better. I hope Cam mixes a nice cordial. Maxwell or Agar should have White's spot.
Don Freo
Guest
Head is terrific and has done really well with the bat. I'm with Matth.
Perth Wicket
Roar Pro
I agree, Wayne. Age shouldn't be an issue. Yet the selectors have made it clear in the past that age is a factor so what has changed? Last summer Ed Cowan's four-day form was red hot yet younger talent got the nod. Where's the consistency?
Perth Wicket
Roar Pro
My thoughts exactly, Michael. The issue is the lack of consistency. I think it contributes, in part, to the spectator's lack of trust for the selectors.
Perth Wicket
Roar Pro
Good call, Saurabh. There's definitely a lot of 'grooming' with Travis Head.
matth
Guest
Travis Head is a specialist number 4, who just happens to bowl a bit. He is not an all rounder. Is he the best middle order bat in the country? Well that is entirely another question.
Wayne
Roar Guru
He is 34 so should not be picked? If Australia keep picking on potential, and not based on actual form they will getting sued for Age Discrimination. If White can provide a rock that the other players can build/mature around, then all for it.
Michael Keeffe
Roar Guru
While the selectors have obviously nailed the test selections this summer overall they seem a little unsure about what direction they are heading in. If Cameron White is good enough now why wouldn't he have been selected a little less than 12 months ago rather than Sam Heazlett. I like Heazlett he's a good young player but still a long way off being good enough to play for Australia. Whilst I applaud the selectors for getting it right in the test team this summer I do wonder if they know what their strategy is. Last year it seemed like pick youth for the future and now it seems like pick experience.
Saurebh Gandle
Roar Guru
It's right if they pick him to play just benchig him makes no sense at all.Why not have a specialist at no.4 over part timer like Travis Head.