Prior to this summer, Australia had changed their batting line-up ten times in their previous 14 Tests.
During that tumultuous period, which started when Steve Smith and David Warner were banned, Australia incredibly used 15 different batsmen in their top six.
Smith, Warner, Aaron Finch, Marcus Harris, Joe Burns, Matt Renshaw, Cameron Bancroft, Shaun Marsh, Mitch Marsh, Peter Handscomb, Marnus Labuschagne, Travis Head, Matt Wade, Usman Khawaja and Kurtis Patterson all had a crack.
Throughout this time there was a heavy focus on Australia’s reliance on Smith and Warner, the former in particular. Yet the continual chopping and changing made it very difficult to build any stability around that star pair.
Now, however, due to the emergence of Labuschagne as a high-quality Test batsman, Australia have a very strong core. This gives them the luxury of affording a longer leash to Joe Burns, Travis Head and Matt Wade.
Fitness permitting, that trio all should be locked in for Australia’s next series in Bangladesh in June. And unless they perform horrendously in that two-Test series, they should be retained for next summer’s blockbuster four-Test series against India.
Having built some impressive form, with an 8-2 win-loss record in their past 11 Tests, Australia should now seek stability.
Australia fans have grown so accustomed to the side’s batting selection lottery that many constantly call for change. Even as Australia have gone 4-0 this summer against Pakistan and New Zealand there has been regular speculation about dropping Burns or Head or Wade or Tim Paine.
Why, exactly? And for whom?
Burns averaged 44 in Tests this year and has a career Test average of 39, including four tons. Head has made a fine start to his Test career, averaging 43 after 16 Tests. Wade, meanwhile, was handed the huge task of becoming a specialist batsman in the UK, a graveyard for Aussie stroke makers, and managed to score two tons in that Ashes before now averaging 49 in four Tests this summer.
Considering all that, and with Warner, Labuschagne and Smith purring along, there is no need to consider dumping any of Burns, Head or Wade.
A large segment of Australian fans seem to want batsmen to either dominate or disappear. How else do you explain the amount of disrespect directed towards Head, a young batsman with a better record after 16 Tests than all-time greats like Ricky Ponting, Matthey Hayden, Justin Langer, Steve Waugh, Michael Clarke and Smith?
Or the lack of appreciation for Burns and Wade? It is not as if Head, Burns and Wade are keeping proven stars out of the team.
(AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
The only accomplished Test batsman on the sidelines is Usman Khawaja, who was justifiably dropped and has since had a shocker in the Sheffield Shield, averaging 17 from eight innings.
Aside from Khawaja, Will Pucovski and Nic Maddinson are battling mental health issues, and Patterson has been held back by injury. Beyond that trio, there are no other batsmen pressing strongly for Test consideration.
Burns is not in peak form. Yet he’s still scored 198 Test runs at 33 this summer, hardly grounds to axe him for the umpteenth time after just four Tests back in the team. Give him time, he has earned it with his previous Test and Shield performances.
The alternative is to fire up the opener’s merry-go-round yet again and go back to Harris or Bancroft, or punt a debutant.
And if Wade or Head are punted, what does their replacement have to do to be considered worthy? Average 50-plus? How about we just calm down for a while, forget about axing this bloke or that fella, and appreciate the fact that the Australian side is in good nick.
Australia are fortunate that their Test top six is finally in healthy shape, arguably stronger than it has been for a decade. That may take a while to sink in for some fans.
Ernest
Guest
I am a Joe Burns fan, but in my opinion he isn't an opening bat at test level. He would have made an excellent number five bat. Joe now has had 35 test match innings, where he hasn't reached twenty runs in nineteen of them! Always been a very nervous starter, and very suspect against the new ball that moves away from him early on. Interestingly though, Joe has now accumulated the second most opening partnership runs with David Warner since he was partnered with Chris Rogers. Warner/Rogers - 41 innings - 2,053 runs at 51.32. 100's together - 9 50's together - 7 Warner/Burns - 26 innings - 1,258 runs at 48.38. 100's together - 5 50's together - 2 Warner/ Ed Cowan - 28 innings - 1,256 runs at 44.85. 100's together - 3 50's together - 6 If Australia bat again in this Sydney test (which I don't think would be the plan); sadly Joe may well be playing for his test career. If he fails again, only big shield runs in the back half of the season may give him a chance to continue playing at the highest level.
Jared
Guest
Completely agree. The pressure on our batsmen to be Hayden’s, Waugh’s etc and average over 50 is ridiculous. That was an amazing golden era of batsmen. Part of the reason was the depth, with Lehman, Law, Maher, Love all averaging close or over 50 in shield and getting no or limited cracks in Aus colours now. We don’t have that depth. So the comments to ‘give someone a go’ who is averaging 30 in shield is crazy. Give burns the same chance that others have been afforded. Even the greats get the chance to find their feet. Not 14 tests over 5 different recalls.
Jared
Guest
When renshaw debuted it was well noted here in Brisbane that he was actually a big hitter who had been dominating t20 grade cricket. There was a lot of talk about his other gear. So he’s always had the shots. The commentary was based around, as it still is, he has no middle gear. He’s either hanging around (tests) or slogging (t20). The way he has moved through the gears in one of his big bash innings this year was perfect. He’s only young and his time will come. T20 will help. And - also helping his bowling.
Marty
Roar Rookie
So picking players with proven track records in particular conditions is stupid? As opposed to taking a punt on guys that have had a good start to the shield season (wasn’t Shaun Marsh the leading run scorer?). In the ideal world you would like all of your players in form all of the time however this simply isn’t realistic. Who would you have picked instead? It’s easy to pick out the short comings of particular players, not so easy to provide an alternative.
Waxhead
Roar Rookie
All sporting teams need to be picked on CURRENT form. It's just stupid imo to be picking players on form and reputation from 6 months ago or 1-2 yrs ago. Where do you draw the line on past form? Is a good average from 1 yr ago enough? How about 2 years or 5 years ago?
The Late News
Roar Rookie
Gotta be better than last year!
Sgt Pepperoni
Roar Rookie
Happy New Year mate! Hope it's a cracker!
Graham
Roar Rookie
I am not sure any of those three could be considered lock-ins but they should be right till the next domestic season. I am sure the selectors are still looking for a quality allrounder so neither Head or Wade should consider their position safe. Also Burns has really only had an average summer so far so I don't think he has tied up his position just yet.
Marty
Roar Rookie
So you leave out a guy who averages 60 in Australia because he had a bad tour of England? Burns has been in and out of the side for years so I’m not sure how his selection was favouritism, he was next cab off the rank. Starc only played 1 test in England and had an impact when he did. And how have they performed this summer? As I said previously, what’s the alternative? Take a gamble on blokes who might do well at the expense of blokes who have a proven track record in Australia? Imagine the selectors had done that and we were beaten, they would have been crucified.
Waxhead
Roar Rookie
On form before this Aussie summer neither Burns, Warner or Starc deserved their places in the Aust 12 imo. They had poor tours of England and poor Shield form prior to the Pakistan series. They were picked on favouritism and lack of stand out options then did ok mainly cos they're playing IN Australia. They are Australia specialists like most of the current squad.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Agreed the some consistency is a huge benefit, and the double whammy is that consistency comes from form. Glad for Head and he should now be at #5. Can't hurt too much to stick with Burns for a while and give him some more time. Keeping Wade is compounding the error of selecting him in the first place. Whenever I hear about his performances in the Ashes I am reminded that his scores came on the back of Steve Smith grinding the opposition into the dirt and domination was easier. When we were in a bit of trouble and needed an important contribution he didn't deliver. We need a new face at #6 and hopefully a genuine all-rounder emerges. Perhaps Carey at 6 when Paine calls it a day.
Michael Keeffe
Roar Guru
Spot on Ronan - Burns, Head and Wade all deserve to keep their spots and let the team keep building. If Burns was dropped again anytime soon particularly after he's been unfairly treated earlier in his career it would be very harsh and foolish. The only scenario where Burns shouldn't open at the start of next summer is if he badly fails in the second half of the shield season, fails in Bangladesh and fails at the start of next summers shield season. And by fails I mean lots of single digit scores and average under 20. And if Renshaw, Harris or Bancroft totally dominate at the same time. Otherwise leave him alone and let him play with some security of being a lock in the team. He's performed solidly over his test career and solidly over the last few shield seasons. With Warner, Labuschagne and Smith there solid is all we need.
Micko
Roar Rookie
You mean in 2021?
Noah Barling
Roar Pro
Obviously that is the main issue and sacrifice. It depends on the character of the person, and I am an ardent believer that CA and other bodies should set aside a form of funding program for players who do such a thing. I note it would not fully compensate for not playing T20 cricket, but it is something that would provide and incentive and allow players to take a few seasons out of T20 cricket to build their red ball game and adapt from there. Just an idea
The Late News
Roar Rookie
Happy new year Sargeant! Hope it's a beauty!
The Late News
Roar Rookie
Well put Ronan! Stability in selections is a key to long term success. That builds confidence. The selectors always need to consider if any changes make the team better. Right now I say no. Happy new year to you all!
gatesy
Roar Guru
There used to be a saying that it was harder to get out of the Australian team than it was to get in. You have to let people settle in and prove themselves. That will always ensure that the up and comers have absolute hunger to get invited into the inner circle and that hunger is manifested by unarguable performances in Sheffield Shield and, latterly T20. Simples!
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Like your thinking Jeznez. Given recent problems with fitness and mental health Pucovski and Patterson need to come back and average >50 for a season to unseat Wade if he struggles (or if he nears retirement). Likewise one of the 2-3 decent younger openers need an extended run of good form for questions to be raised about Burns. No changes in the short to near term but the challenge delivered to the next generation to earn the right for a discussion
jeznez
Roar Guru
I think the point Paul is that we’ve got six guys for the first time in a long time all going all right or better. None of them is having an absolute shocker. Let’s give them time to settle in further and see how they go. It will also tell the blokes outside the group they need to step up if they want to break into it. Hopefully let’s us get away from trying guys with FC averages in the 30’s and hoping they pull a Labuschagne
jameswm
Roar Guru
Trio. And the 3 of them are probably our best prospects.