Rachael Haynes has been opening strongly for Australia and was expected to do so Thursday 30th September for day 1 of the Test against India.
A Test match isn’t easy to find and not something a player just stumbles on, and unfortunately for Haynes her injured right hamstring she suffered over the weekend has rendered her unavailable for selection. A huge blow for Australia and Haynes who would no doubt be gutted to miss the opportunity. Australian selectors now have to decide who takes her place in the squad, the batting line-up and the vice position.
That last amendment was made, with Alyssa Healy named as vice for this match. A true champion and the obvious option to be by Meg Lanning’s side. Healy brings not just incredible talent but the leadership and drive that she shows from behind the stumps. Lucky for the viewers at home, we often get to hear some of it, too.
With Haynes out, someone needs to join Healy to open. We can assume that Beth Mooney will take that position as she did in the second ODI, and a good job was done at that. Expecting Mooney to push up the line, that leaves Alyssa Healy, Lanning, Ellyse Perry, Ashleigh Gardiner, Tahlia McGrath and Nicola Carey as Australia’s top 7, and a strong one at that.
McGrath has not only proven to the selectors what she can do with the bat, but her pace has been a much needed addition with the notable outs of Megan Schutt and Tayla Vlaeminck.
Although Sophie Molineux suffered a noticeable injury over the weekend to her face, she’ll be set to go and will have a few youngsters joining her in that bowling attack.
Another quick who looks to be in for the Test match is Annabel Sutherland. The 19-year-old has proven her form across the WBBL season and ODI matches against India. The all-rounder would be a welcome addition to the attack, particularly in the absence of Vlaeminck. Sutherland has proven herself and I hope to see her make her Test debut, and to do so with Georgia Wareham.
Wareham narrowly missed out on selection in 2019 and deserves her opportunity in a Test. It takes a lot to crack this strong Australian side, but with a few injuries to the squad, there are opportunities everywhere to be taken by these impressive young women.
Georgia Redmayne is another player I would love to see get her opportunity for Australia. The 27-year-old medical doctor has an impressive WBBL career, and resigned from her job in January to focus on her cricket.
The addition of Redmayne would be my decision, not just for her talent on the field but her experience and maturity that would help lead this young side. With Haynes flying home, Queensland Fire captain Redmayne would slot into the side seamlessly.
So, who makes the final cut? We expect the Australians to name their final side before the first ball tomorrow.
Clear as mud
Guest
Too many right arm "quicks", none of them bowling quick. Thank dog Ash and Mollers were able to hold things together, and then T-Mac bowled some nice stuff. So many players picked on potential. Generally I like it, but nobody has been picked for less than Campbell. Bowled a couple of nice balls. But should be working out how to take wickets in the WNCL. Sutherland bowled a nice spell in Game 3, but her career numbers are pretty underwhelming. I think she will evolve into a stellar batter with a handy ball. But she's nowhere near that. Yet. Meanwhile the obvious like for like swap with Haynes - Carey - misses out again. Dependable bowler and batter and great fielder. Sorry Nic you can play a test... never... 8 bowlers and never looked liked worrying India despite sending them in. Probably won't matter due to the weather. But it's starting to bug me. Erin Burns worked for 10 years to get into the squad. Cracks one game. Spends the whole WC cheerleading. Doesn't play a game. Summarily uncontracted. Sammy Jo. Best bowler for last 18 months. Does brilliantly in the Hundred. Couldn't be further away if she tried. Cheatle. Best of a mediocre bunch for Sixers/NSW last year. Offers a point of difference. Is about 30th in line. I wouldn't mind if our "fiery young quicks" bowled fast and hunted heads. But they look confused as to their function. And are all competing with each other, rather than against India. Lucky to crack 115 regularly although they are all capable of 125. Meanwhile, arguably the quickest and the stroppiest of the lot, Maitlan Brown, is the new Burns, leading the cheering. I mean, if we wanted 110km stump bowling, as well as Carey, we have Darlington, our own Shrubsole. Or Vakarewa, an incredibly brainy bowler. In the team recently, but mustn't meet the "pace" criteria. Reading the Matty Elliott story, the poignant bit is hearing how hard it is for older players to compete against "potential'. Because in a selector's mind, it's unlimited, and has no downside. I don't blame the players. Lots of talent and effort and I have met nearly all of them and they are great people. it's the selection. I mean, if you are going to pluck one player - Redmayne - into the top order from the WNCl/Hundred... and then not pick her for a Test when your other opener goes down????? It's Ashton Agarism, but squared. I feel like we are victims of our own success, believing our own publicity. Often it takes India to show us where we really are... Rant over. Brilliant by Mandhana. We should have had Molineux on about 6 overs earlier. Just for control. She is a gem. We have no slipper, which makes sense as there is no regular longform cricket. But Lanning isn't it. If I was India I would target quick runs between the rain, ensure Australia have to face Goswami in the night with the humidity. We could absolutely collapse. Will be compelling.