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.
Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images/Getty Images
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.
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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.
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.
W G GRACE
Guest
I suggest any colonial convict that can hold a bat and even bowl a bit join a cricket side not far away from where your selectors live. Never know they might just see you play and you can get called up to play in your national colonial convict side. Your colonial convict side will be a like a revolving door with players out and new ones in after every test or so after your heavy defeats.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
Good pick.
dan ced
Guest
This is a golden opportunity to remove the shaky ground. (byebye Khawaja, Handscomb, S.Marsh). I'd actually rather Wildermuth/Cartwright over M.Marsh but I won't drop Mitch quite yet. I'd also prefer Carey over Paine but Paine is now the golden child, and only injury will oust him. I'd try an Ahmed or Holland over Lyon, he just seems to go through the motions, I want him to re-prove himself domestically (or in county). While we're at it let's give Hazelwood a rest and Tremain a go. Just gut the team. Things need to change.
dan ced
Guest
Khawaja can no longer be trusted, has been given almost as many chances as Shaun Marsh. Neither should be persisted with anymore. Handscomb's frustrating technical flaws leave him out too. Callum Ferguson in for Khawaja, Head, Labushagne or KLINGER!? for S.Marsh I think Burns was the wrong choice. I'd give Daniel Hughes a go opening with Renshaw. Burns didn't have enough time back from injury to prove himself worthy above others who weren't injured. As far as the replacement for Smith, that's the Big Show, easy. I'll give Mitch Marsh yet another chance. Paine stays in unless injured (then it's Carey). Sick of Lyon, bin him. Renshaw, Hughes, Maxwell, Ferguson, Head/Lasagne, M.Marsh, Paine, Cummins, Tremain, Starc, Ahmed
JohnB
Guest
I'd actually thought Jimmy Matthews - dead, sure, which puts him a bit behind your suggestions, but which team doesn't need a leggie able to take 2 hat-tricks in a test? Glenn Maxwell could be a fall-back if the lack of animation is an issue. Salutary lesson - always re-read your rambling posts before posting!
Pope Paul VII
Guest
Sure would. No one would be game to sledge him either.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
update
Arcturus
Roar Rookie
I was looking at it from what happened after the ball tampering. Only Khawaja, Burns, Paine and Cummins got any runs. Everyone else capitulated. I agree Khawaja's average is rubbish but at least he appeared to be trying. Hanscomb looked out of depth, the Marsh brothers just seemed to give up.
beepee
Guest
Hey Pope! My vote is for Leigh - anyone that can snap a point post off single-handedly should be able to add some stiffness to the middle order.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
Matthews will come in for Handscomb? Is that Greg, Chris or Leigh?
JamesH
Roar Guru
Why do people still question Smith's technique? If you look past the pre- and post-delivery idiosyncrasies, it is actually a really efficient technique that plays to his strengths and rarely ever costs him his wicket. Using the traditional MCC technique is not the only way to bat. Bradman didn't use it and Smith based his technique on Bradman: https://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/how-steve-smiths-batting-resembles-don-bradmans-20171201-gzwllc.html The last thing we want to do is be condemning individual techniques that actually work and don't open up clear vulnerabilities. Think what would have happened to great players like Lara, G Smith and Chanderpaul had their coaches tried to force them to 'correct' their technique.
JamesH
Roar Guru
Lol seems to have been fixed now!
JohnB
Guest
I'm going to disagree about heads rolling, or even roling. To me, each of Khawaja, Handscomb and Shaun Marsh must be on shaky ground. Khawaja was generally ordinary in the Ashes, saved by one big innings in a dead rubber. Add a series where he's averaged 20, and that puts him in trouble. It may be that other players being in line to be dropped before him and the absence of a clearly better replacement at 3 saves him for now. Handscomb was possibly lucky to be on the SA tour (and then managed to be a bit unlucky to play when he did). However, the quirks in his technique that caused him problems and saw him dropped seem to be still there. Shaun Marsh is 35 and averaged in the teens in a big series. When you're 35, what you've done in the past starts to mean less and less and one bad series is enough to put you in bother. It starts to be much more worthwhile to take a little short term pain to bring on a potential long term player when the aging incumbent only offers marginally (if at all) better performance in the short term. Who would come in? Matthews seems obvious, for Handscomb. Personally, I'd go for a younger bloke, Doran or Turner, for Marsh, but I think Travis Head is more likely to be picked (he made about as many runs as Doran and a lot more than Turner, but I think he made a lot of them when the pressure was off, and not many when it was on. However, he's done the traditional apprenticeship through the one day side). I don't think Ferguson's figures from last year were as good as others appear to. A good slice of his runs came in one big hundred, and that was his only hundred of the season, and he'll be 34 by next season. Cameron White's figures were better - but he'll be past 35 by next season. You could justify bringing in an Adam Voges at 35 because he'd come off a 1300 run Shield season (about the same as Ferguson and White managed between them this year). Ferguson's and White's runs aren't enough to overcome their ages. And while Mitch Marsh made the match winning score in the first SA test and went well in the Ashes, you don't get to rest too long on your laurels if you keep producing series averages of 22 with the bat and 42 with the ball.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
He should open. He averages 224 there.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
You still have to pick the blokes most likely to succeed. Over the longest sample period Khawaja and S Marsh are easily below Warner and Smith but easily ahead of the rest of the pack. It's not by accident or luck. They are just a bit better. If it was easy everyone would do it. Regardless of how they might do overseas, they are still most likely to succeed be it at home and abroad. Better bats regarded as legends had struggles as well. A certain I M Chappell scored 0 13, 0 14 (at no 3) 34 0, 17 14 (at no 4) in the 1970 SA 4 nil drubbing. By early 1971 he was rock solid at no.3 and Australian captain to boot. Ricky Ponting had several consecutive horror tours of India. Yet they weren't abandoned. In a time of crisis you don't drop your two best bats. There are no adequate replacements at present. Unless they have horror Australian summers they will be off overseas again to try their luck in 2019. Maxi will come back. Joe Burns looked good. I reckon Renshaw was a bit more jetlagged so his performance is barely relevant. Plus the Aussies fielded for about 18 hours in that test. They were out on their feet. SA had 'em on toast from the toss.
DaveJ
Guest
Suspect you are right. Harsh to judge these guys on the last two Tests. I also reject the idea that Khawaja showed more “fight” because he stayed in longer. None of these guys ever wants to get out. Khawaja also almost never shows more technique. But some of the others minds’ may have been a bit befuddled. The first move is no doubt Maxwell for Handscomb, but Khawaja must be under threat looking ahead to the Ashes, given his poor form away from home. And with the big series next year being against India, his poor record against spin won’t help. But no doubt he’ll be there vs India if he makes some runs vs Zim or Bangladesh. But you just can’t replace Smith and Warner. Batsmen who can average in the 50s and 60s don’t come along everyday. Though it’s possible that Maxwell could be a late bloomer and Renshaw has the talent and mental grit to be a big success.
jameswm
Guest
Lehmann and Cartwright hardly scored a run in the 2nd half of the Shield season.
Akkara
Roar Rookie
Great read! I suspect we may be missing quality batting coaching. From our top batsman, Smith, Hanscomb and to a lesser extent, Warner, are batsman with raw talent, but questionable technique when compared to Indian bats such as Koli, Sharma, Pujara etc. However, we have exceptional ability to produce great pace bowlers, with perfect technique, such as Stark, Hasselwood and Cummings. While Sheffield shield is one of the best 1st class cricket arenas, there is still a significant gap between 1st class and test cricket. For a batsman, it can take significant time to grow into the test arena. It took Steve Waugh 4 years to make his first test century. The main arena for this growth is actually playing tests. So if the selectors cannot have a medium term view of a player and persist with them, this growth does not occur. khawaja is a classic example of a player that stands out at Shefield shield level, but has had a disrupted path in test cricket rarely given 3 tests in a row in his early years, and continuously under the threat of being dropped. This brings the dilemma of selections based on actual performance vs investing in potential (which is highly subjective).
Mario Lia
Guest
Where is the fight that Kahawaja showed, besides making 2 half centuries in 6 other innings he made 14 or less . He averaged about 22 for the series. In the Ashes take away his 177 in Sydney he averaged about 25 for the rest of the series. He should be the first one dropped. For a no 3 those stats are terrible.
Kaushik
Roar Rookie
Disagree. Khawaja should be solely used at home, and nowhere else. He hasn't had a decent knock anywhere outside Australian shores, and he's had numerous opportunities. While it'll be tough to drop him given they're already missing their two best batsmen, they should take the next 2 series as a trial to try out new batsmen like Lehmann, Maxwell, Cartwright and Ferguson and give them chances to cement their places.