I was watching some of the highlights from the recent Marsh One Day Cup match between Western Australia and the Vics. For those of you who haven’t seen it, do yourself a favour and watch the innings from Josh Inglis.
I watched that innings on live stream and the commentators made the very good point that Inglis was a pure hitter, who played very conventional shots. Granted, towards the end of his knock, cow corner got a fair old workout, but by and large, this was an innings full of excellent ‘normal’ cricket shots.
That led me to think about an innings Alex Carey played against NSW in the same competition a few weeks ago. He made an excellent 99 against an attack that included Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon.
Then there’s Josh Philippe and there are any number of highlight videos of his batting.
This made me wonder why the Australian selectors aren’t thinking about playing all three of these guys, at least in limited-overs cricket?
There’s plenty we can learn from England when it comes to playing more than one wicketkeeper. They’ve done so very successfully in both T20 and ODI cricket, so why shouldn’t Australia follow suit?
The first thing we all need to do, including selectors, is consider these guys as batsmen. Yes, they can all keep wicket, but that only applies when they’re fielding.
The following table is a quick comparison between the three keepers and Marcus Stoinis, who is currently coming in around number five or six for Australia.
In order to make similar comparisons, I’ve only looked at their numbers for domestic one-day and T20 games, given Josh Inglis has not played international cricket for Australia yet.
| T20 avg | T20 S/R | OD avg | OD S/R | Age | |
| Josh Inglis | 29.4 | 143.44 | 32.57 | 112.13 | 26 |
| Josh Philippe | 30.38 | 137.74 | 34.3 | 111.77 | 23 |
| Alex Carey | 30.15 | 128.14 | 34.21 | 86.49 | 29 |
| Marcus Stoinis | 32.24 | 132.84 | 32.18 | 87.46 | 31 |
On straight domestic numbers, all three players put forward a strong case for inclusion in either the ODI or T20 sides, given Marcus Stoinis appears to be almost a given to play in both formats for Australia.
Marcus Stoinis (Photo by Cameron Spencer – CA/Cricket Australia via Getty Images)
Philippe and Inglis are clearly very good hitters, with excellent strike rates in both forms of white-ball cricket. Carey is a steadier player, but in recent times, has really developed his batting, as the earlier video highlighted.
I’ve included player ages to point out how much time the three keepers have in the game.
Aaron Finch and David Warner both turn 35 this year, so their time in Australian colours is limited. Glenn Maxwell will be a youthful 33 and Steve Smith 32, so there is a reasonable chance all three could play together in the not-too-distant future.
There’s only one possible downside and that is none bowl, but with an attack that could include any of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Adam Zampa, Ashton Agar, Mitchell Starc, Jhye Richardson and Kane Richardson, why wouldn’t we play six quality batsmen and five quality bowlers?
We’ve also tried all sorts of players, including Ben McDermott, D’Arcy Short, Ashton Turner, Chris Lynn, etc. and none have quite made the grade.
Why not ignore the fact that these three players are wicketkeepers and focus on what they can do with the bat?
I can see a best Australian XII at the 2022 T20 World Cup including Warner, Finch, Philippe, Smith, Maxwell, Inglis, Agar, J Richardson, Cummins, Hazlewood, K Richardson/Starc and Zampa.
I could also see the following Australian XII winning the next ODI World Cup in 2023: Philippe, Marnus Labuschagne, Smith, Inglis, Maxwell, Carey, Cameron Green, J Richardson, Cummins, Starc, Zampa, Hazlewood.
And who’s to say we won’t see all three in a baggy green in a few years’ time, if they keep working on their red-ball skills.
Tony
Roar Guru
Agree. Fielding position shouldn't be an issue at all.
blanco
Guest
Stoinis and Henriques aren't particularly good fifth bowling options. The sooner selectors realise that the better. We have two batsmen who would potentially make handy fifth bowling options and that is Mitch Marsh , but right now I'll be looking towards Green( who is the second). Tough to fit Inglis in but we have missed a keeper bat who adds aggression to the lineup and Inglis does exactly that. Warner Finch Smith Labuschange Maxwell and Carey, almost pick themselves. So basically one position left. That must be filled by an allrounder( batsman who bowls- Green if not M.Marsh) in my opinion. Carey also plays spin very well, along with Labuschange, Maxwell and Smith. So I'd stick with those guys.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Imagine if you said this in the 70's? You'd be laughed out of your country.
Tempo
Roar Rookie
I think it's unlikely we'll see all three playing together for Australia anytime soon (at full strength at least), though I certainly think all three are good candidates at least for the white ball teams. At the moment, I don't see how you'd squeeze them into the top 6 (since we need a minimum of 5 bowling options). Hard to see any of them replacing any one of Warner, Finch, Smith or Maxwell in either format just yet. They could build a case as a trio over the next few years though, particularly as Warner and Finch wind down.
Tempo
Roar Rookie
Sorry to be nitpickity - but have Rishabh Pant and Wriddhiman Saha ever played a test match together? And KL Rahul has never kept wicket in a test match (and hasn't played one for nearly 2 years now). Agree they often play 2-3 wicketkeepers in white ball cricket (not always though - e.g., Australian ODIs), but they don't do this in test cricket. In fact, Australia have selected two wicketkeepers in the test team more regularly than anyone else in the last two years (Paine and Wade). Even for England, Bairstow has been in and out of the test side since the Ashes, often leaving Buttler as the sole wicketkeeper.
Paul
Roar Guru
They also seem to be pretty quick, so normal ground fielding would be a strength. I'd reckon they'd save plenty of runs.
JamesH
Roar Guru
I don't think it's the fact that they are all keepers that is stopping them from playing together; I think it's the fact that as a collective, they haven't (yet) earned it. You've said Ben McDermott hasn't made the grade at international level but he's played just 12 T20Is at international level (none at home) and no ODIs. And his numbers in T20s and List A are arguably better than any of these three, yet he can't quite squeeze into the Australian side. He also happens to be a capable wicket keeper, for what it's worth. Philippe has earned a spot in T20Is but isn't there in the 50 over format yet, with just 13 games under his belt. Inglis is close in both formats (all three, perhaps - I'm a big fan) but needs to show form for a little longer IMO. Carey has played 30 T20Is for an average of 12.5 and, outside of his stellar world cup, has a modest ODI record. In the next 12 months you could make an argument for Philippe in T20Is, and Carey (and maybe Inglis) in ODIs, but I don't see any justification for playing all three of them in either format.
Patrick
Roar Pro
In the ODI side, Warner, Finch, Smith, Labuschagne, and Maxwell all walk into the XI. Throw in a wicketkeeper, and four specialist bowlers, and there's only one position left. If a second keeper is picked, they come at the expense of the sixth bowling option. Of course with the next 50 over World Cup in India, Maxwell and Labuschagne may be a viable fifth bowler combination, but for now I'd prefer to have the bowling option of either Stoinis, M Marsh or Henriques. On another note, the other player I'd like to see in the ODI side is Peter Handscomb. In 2019, he had a 14 game stint in the ODI side, averaging 40.25 with a SR of 96.6. He was excellent against spin through the middle overs, and accelerated nicely at the back end of the innings. I can't see a place for him at the moment, but in the event of an injury (or player being rested) I hope he gets another opportunity. To me Indian conditions at the next World Cup will suit him perfectly. On the T20 side of things, there are only 6 batting spots available with Agar (or Sams if he improves his bowling) balancing the side at number 7. If we accept that Warner, Finch, Smith, and Maxwell once again walk into the XI, plus one keeper, then there's only one spot left. Two keepers is a possibility, but I'd probably rather one with Dan Christian picked as a death hitter and spare bowling option. I'm not opposed to multiple wicketkeepers (in fact I rate all three of the players mentioned in the article), but I probably wouldn't do it now. As the article alluded to, it's probably a post- Warner, Finch, Smith, Maxwell ploy. I'm pretty sure Finch and Warner aim to be at the 2023 World Cup though, so it may be a few years away.
Dwanye
Roar Rookie
Hi Paul. Yep, if the three of the top batsmen you picking from happen to also be a wicketkeeper, so what. I alway thought wicketkeepers would be ok at catching and slips and such so that’s help. Lol
Dexter The Hamster
Roar Rookie
I do like all three players you highlight here Paul, and am happy with any of them in the team. Inglis just looks like a cricketer (I heard a commentator in a Shield game mention he looks a bit like Brendon McCullum when he is batting and now that's all I can see....). I guess comparing them to Stoinis was a tad strange, given Stoinis offers much with the ball (granted you did also point that out). I can see a time when all four of these lads play in the same team.
Paul
Roar Guru
Australia got quite daring against the Black Caps and played both Wade & Philippe in some T20s and Wade & Paine have both played Tests, but the 3 guys I named could easily play together for Australia, if only the selectrs were brave enough to choose them.
Paul
Roar Guru
exactly. I'd happily have more wicketkeepers in rep teams if they were the best options in the positions where I needed them.
Paul
Roar Guru
I think what Kiwi selectors have done, is ask the only question that should be asked - who are the best players available to play for our country in the positions where we need them? In other words, they're not being constrained by the fact that these players are all wicketkeepers. I believe Aussie selectors are being way too narrow minded and should take a leaf out of the New Zealand selection manual.
Targa
Roar Rookie
NZ have 3 keepers in their T20 team - Seifert, Conway, and Phillips as well as 3 in the test team - Watling, Latham, and Blundell.
O M
Roar Rookie
You have to put your best Team on the Park, regardless of whether they sometimes wear gloves or not.
Paul Saikia
Guest
India anyways play 3 wicket keepers these days be it Rishabh Pant/Wriddhiman Saha/KL Rahul in tests or for the matter Rishabh Pant/KL Rahul/Ishan Kishan or Sanju Samson in white ball formats & how successful they are across formats !!!