The Roar
The Roar

Advertisement

The batting was poor, but heads shouldn’t roll just yet

Australia's Usman Khawaja has been under pressure to perform this summer. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft, File)
Roar Pro
4th April, 2018
31

The Australian cricket team have just capped off a disastrous series, with the 492-run annihilation in Johannesburg their heaviest loss in 90 years.

While the team as a whole was poor, with just one batsman averaging above 40 (Tim Paine’s 43), and one bowler averaging below 30 (Pat Cummins’ 21.45), the majority of the criticism has been directed at the batsmen.

The batting numbers aren’t impressive, with Paine’s average buoyed by three not outs, and suspended opener Cameron Bancroft the highest run scorer with 223 at 37.16.

Former vice-captain David Warner is the only other Australian to average above 30 (217 runs at 36.16), with Steve Smith (142 at 23.66), Mitchell Marsh (176 at 22), Usman Khawaja (165 at 20.62), and Shaun Marsh (147 at 18.37) all enduring a poor series.

The performances of Joe Burns (46 runs at 23), Peter Handscomb (24 at 12), and Matt Renshaw (13 at 6.5), however, are of limited concern, with the trio only playing the final match in the absence of the suspended batsman.

While the numbers are far from inspiring, it’s simply too soon to consider a complete overhaul of the batting line-up. To holistically assess the series it’s important to split it into two parts: before and after the ball-tampering incident.

With Bancroft caught during the Proteas’ second innings of the third Test, the series can be split between the first five innings, and the final three.

Cameron Bancroft

Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images/Getty Images

Advertisement

During the first five innings, Australia averaged 26.3 runs per wicket, and South Africa 28.5. The Proteas were marginally on top, in a series where bowlers had slightly outshone batsmen.

The final three innings were where Australia completely capitulated, averaging just 14.9 runs per wicket. By contrast, the South Africans averaged a whopping 46.3 in this period.

It would not be an exaggeration to use the phrase ‘dead man walking’ to describe the entire Australian team as the scandal unfolded. While the wound was undoubtedly self-inflicted, with Smith, Warner, and Bancroft responsible, the entire squad suffered during a rare and devastating period of Australian cricket.

Warner’s press conference presented more questions than answers, engulfing the entire side in a shadow of suspicion, with the flat mood exacerbated by the emotional scenes of their tearful teammates and resigning coach addressing the media.

It would therefore be grossly unfair to drop players based on their performances during this time. While the start of the series didn’t see brilliant Australian batting either, the two teams were relatively competitive in conditions slightly favouring the ball. The situation was hardly disastrous, or in need of overhaul.

Put simply, if the series is judged purely on the first five innings, there is little need for drastic change.

[latest_videos_strip category=”cricket” name=”Cricket”]

Advertisement

Realistically, Burns, Renshaw and Paine are safe. The two openers would be incredibly unlucky to be dismissed after a one-test stint, particularly given they were fighting off jetlag, while dropping the newly appointed captain would be unfathomable.

However, the Marsh brothers, Khawaja, and Handscomb may all be scapegoats for the poor series. But who would replace them?

Glenn Maxwell would be the obvious alternative, having scored 707 runs at 50.5 in the Sheffield Shield, with Cameron White (574 at 52.18) the only other batsmen not currently in the Test side to average over 50 from more than three Shield matches.

Other options include Callum Ferguson (780 runs at 48.72), Travis Head (738 at 46.12), and Jake Doran (756 at 44.47).

In short, no one is really commanding selection, particularly given that Shaun Marsh (445 runs at 74.16 in the Ashes), Mitchell Marsh (320 at 106.66), and Khawaja (333 at 47.57) all had a better or at least comparative summer playing at a higher level.

Handscomb doesn’t have the same recent credits in the bank, and having batted just six times in first-class cricket in the past 120 days, it’s an unsurprising fact that he’s both rusty and out of form. As such, he remains a candidate to be dropped, but the Marsh brothers and Khawaja should be retained for now.

Since their respective recalls last summer, Shaun Marsh averages 42.3, while Mitchell Marsh averages 45.1. Despite their poor series in South Africa, it would be misleading to describe their latest recall as unsuccessful.

Advertisement
Shaun Marsh reacts with brother Mitchell

AAP Image/Dave Hunt

In Khawaja’s case, his 171 in Sydney significantly boosted his Ashes numbers, and he has been poor overseas, averaging just 25.25 away from home in his Test career, but he still has enough upside to be persevered with.

With Smith and Warner gone, the Queensland captain is a requirement in Test matches on Australian soil, averaging 59.38. In the past two summers he has made 779 runs in the Sheffield Shield competition, at an average of 77.9.

If he were to be dropped to state cricket, he would easily earn his place back, and it would therefore be better off giving him continuity at the highest level. He is too strong for state cricket, but hasn’t yet cemented himself in the international game.

While players should not be retained indefinitely due to one good Ashes series, Khawaja and the Marsh brothers both have enough credits in the bank to survive the axe for now.

Credits have an expiry date – for this particular trio, that should be some time next summer.

close