Australia once again find themselves in a situation where they are searching for a new opening batsmen following the failures of white ball specialist Aaron Finch.
Since the suspension of openers Dave Warner and Cam Bancroft, Australia have experimented with Matt Renshaw, Joe Burns, Finch and Usman Khawaja against the new ball.
Despite the calibre of these players, none of them have been able to hold their spots. With the exception of Khawaja, who has moved to his more favoured position at number 3, the chopping and changing from the selectors indicates the shortage of quality openers available to them.
They originally thought Finch was the best option following some decent starts in the UAE, however it is unlikely that form can be replicated in Australia, with the new ball moving significantly more and more bounce in the wickets.
Even his own state opts to bat him in the middle order rather than opening because they understand his weaknesses against the moving red ball.
Aaron Finch opens for Australia in the first Test against India. (Photo by Daniel Kalisz – CA/Cricket Australia/Getty Images)
Ricky Ponting recently questioned Finch’ s position at the top, saying after he got out in the first innings “the shot we saw today is not what a good Test match opener would do”.
This statement by the former Test skipper questions: what makes a good Test match opener?
Looking at some of the best Test openers at all time including Graeme Smith, Matthew Hayden, Virender Sehwag, Justin Langer and Alastair Cook. All these batsmen are able to pick the length of a delivery know when to block, punch and drive and can rotate the strike without taking risks.
Finch’s lack of experience opening was evident through his decision to drive a delivery clearly not full enough, if it were Graeme Smith or Virender Sehwag they’d pick the length of the ball and instead of driving it they would punch it, and not try to smoke it through the covers as if it was a limited over game.
Also, these elite batsmen mentioned above were able to keep pressure on the bowlers by rotating the strike.
This applied pressure gives the bowlers the impression that what they are doing is not working, making them more likely to change what they are doing and bowl and bad ball which gifts the batsmen 4 runs.
Although Finch scores at a good clip in shorter forms, many of his runs are from risky shots, giving the bowler confidence that a wicket could come soon of the back of a miscued dangerous shot.
The batsmen at the top level are able to score the runs from risk-free shots, which ultimately keeps them in for longer periods translating into more runs.
For the next Test, Justin Langer and co. need to decide who is the right man to open the batting for Australia.
Marcus Harris deserves another shot of the back of his brilliant performances overtime in shield cricket. Finch is the real head scratcher though, do the selectors move him down the order to hide him from the new ball?
Or should he be out of the team altogether? Australia must find ways to improve their obviously struggling top 6.
Joe Burns could be the one to regain his opening position averaging a modest 35.2 in his 10 innings in Shield cricket so far.
Maxwell Charlesworth
Roar Rookie
And would you look at that. When you give the batsmen more than 1 test to form an opening partnership they go on to a 100+ opening stand. We Australian cricket fans cry foul when the selectors drop our favourite player when they are in a rut because they need more opportunities, yet when a guy who scored scores of 62, 49, 36 and 32 in his last 2 tests has 1 bad test its time to show him the door. The same can be said about Head. He played a crucial role in saving that UAE draw and then he followed it up with 2 30+ scores in the next test, but no he should be dropped because he doesnt have the goods. Guess what? The selectors showed faith in him and he single handedly dragged Australia back into the Adelaide test with a 72 that if he didnt score would see us facing a possible 100 run deficit. Faith needs to be shown. It doesnt matter if the person chosen isnt your favourite batsmen and you would rather have a person who hasn't scored a shield ton all year in the side instead, he has been picked and needs the backing of the fans and the media alike.
mavric21
Roar Rookie
Let's face it - Finch is simply a placeholder until Warner comes back. If he comes off, he will get shuffled down the order or be next in line when Shaun Marsh retires. The same will happen with either Handscomb or Head when Smith comes back. I love Joe Burns as a cricketer, but his best position would be number 5. He only started opening for Qld because they had no other opening bat except for Renshaw. Renshaw should be the man going forward. He has the patience and technique of an opener and with a little persistence, he will be a long term test batsman. He is not exactly out of form as he scored a triple century in club cricket before the last shield match.
Ben
Roar Rookie
42
IAP
Guest
Finch has to go. His technique and temperament are not up to test level. I'd bring in Burns; he doesn't have the greatest technique, but he's the best we have at the moment and he's in form. And I'd leave him in for the rest of the series. My team for the next test would be: Burns Harris (I like the look of him) Khawaja (has to play at 3) S Marsh (he looks great in Australia, and is a quality batsman once he gets set) Head Maxwell (yep, get him in. He's got too much talent to let it go to waste) Paine Cummins Lyon (he deserves to be further up the order) Starc Hazelwood Maxwell can be the 5th bowler. Depending on the state of the pitch I'd be tempted to bring in a 4th quick for Lyon, just for Perth.
Rob
Guest
What is Maxwell Shield average this season?
Munro Mike
Roar Rookie
Harris was NOT selected on overall FC average. He WAS selected on the back of 2 quality seasons and an excellent start to this season. Over that time frame he was a short half head in front of Burns - and both had a similar benefit from one BIG unbeaten 200+ score. For Harris that was his proof that he's able to kick on with it now - at Shield level at least. It IS handy to keep tabs on the actual form lines of players. Don't just rely on career averages. Look at recent/current history/form. Look for players who have overcome weaknesses to learn and modify there game.
Munro Mike
Roar Rookie
#Frankie Hughes His overall first class record is distinctive for the actual lack of first class matches. At 3 years old er and he has less FC matches (81) than a guy like Joe Burns (102). The schedule induced lack of continuity is a major factor - the selectors selectively understand that and at other times selectively discriminate irrespective (Maxwell). Finch DOES though have more ODIs than FC matches, and has 11 ODI hundreds and the experience of captaincy that I would suggest is valued by the selectors to assist Tim Paine. (Of course that doesn't dictate he should open - although it still disappoints me that Finchy didn't just run with the review for the catch off the pad). And I agree that Maxwell in particular has been poorly treated in 2018, meanwhile Burns and Renshaw have had multiple opportunities and are still on the look out for another chance. We assume Renshaw's time will come. Patterson fell away after a good year (and Maddinson somehow got ahead of him a couple of years ago) but has hit form this season.
Munro Mike
Roar Rookie
Well - it looked okay for a while - he was able to keep his head whilst those around him...
Ouch
Roar Rookie
Awesome use of the Heavens Gate reference. That guy was a crazy mofo.
Bucks
Guest
Only need 3 changes for Perth. Handscomb out, Burns in, Finch down. 1.Harris 2.Burns 3.Khawaja 4.SMarsh 5.Finch 6.Head, Paine & bowlers.
Harvey Wilson
Roar Rookie
If your last name is Marsh, its fine :)
Spanner
Roar Rookie
You left out our best batter from Adelaide - have another think, matey
Spanner
Roar Rookie
True Mike, although it was beautifully bowled by Ishant. I thought he looked a genuine test cricketer in the first dig (and in the UAE), so I hope he blossoms and doesnt get thrown on the scrap heap !
Munro Mike
Roar Rookie
#Spanner Actually - re Head - his inability to cope with the short ball in the second innings was a concern. If the Perth stadium has had a pitch designed to 'channel' the bouncy WACA characteristics - then I worry for Head.
Munro Mike
Roar Rookie
They picked the squad - rightly or wrongly for the first 2 tests. The irony of the criticism in this article is that outside of a really nervous shot in the first innings and equally nervous start to the 2nd saved by the no-ball - - that from that no-ball on that Finch looked fine. He clearly had a plan - and he was executing very well via good leaves, and full face of the bat and a more positive movement of the front foot towards the ball. It was the spinner who got him (by hook or by crook as it was). The commentary of some on theRoar sounds like people who didn't actually sit down and watch. Sure - if Finch had of looked all at sea in that 2nd innings and sure had the LBW been a legal delivery - so, it's as always a fine line. What we do see though is just how nervous our test players can be. We know that Shaun Marsh is a horrible starter too. It ain't easy. I'm more concerned about the shot selection of Uzzie once he's set (a bit similar to how India would have been dirtiest about Rohit Sharma's get out shot in the first innings). The main question for Australia is whether we assume that Warner, Bancroft and Smith will be in the squad for England. If so - whomever opens this summer is a stop gap.
Simoc
Guest
Maybe you haven't played cricket Chris. If you had you'll know selectors pick the team and the skipper decides the batting order. Given the elevated status of the coach these days the decisions are generally made in consultations with the coach.
Spanner
Roar Rookie
"he's not worthy either" - serious mate - did you even watch the first test ? Head looked a clsss above the other batters and was the only good news story from 2 batting disasters. Get a grip !
Kopa Shamsu
Guest
"there is no better alternative to him in Australian cricket at the moment. That’s reality." Let's assume that, it was a sarcasm & have a light laugh :-)
Kopa Shamsu
Guest
No one is championing anyone tom. And No one can be as ordinary as sir marsh jr. Do we know Stoinis is going to perform? No. My suggestion is based on what I have seen from him, decent & clever 5th bowling option & someone who can switch gear . He played building & finishing role in last t20 series. However t20 series is no measure for test cricket. Aussies have got some decent option in spin bowling all rounder but pace bowling all rounder is very short. So my suggestion is give them 1 series & see if they can give output. You can not keep experimentin forever. Give them 1 series & make it clear to them what is on the line.That UAE tour was a missed opportunity for me. If Smith & Warner was not suspended & the spotlight was not on marshes, they would have kept playing for eternity .
Alex MacGill
Roar Rookie
He actually averaged 60 last season which is all the more impressive