On the 17th of October, Tony Dodemaide was announced by Cricket Australia (CA) as the replacement for Trevor Hohns. This was a low-key announcement and most cricket fans would not have given it a second thought.
I’m guessing for many, like me, Dodemaide’s name conjures visions of the type of cricketer Victoria seems to produce in abundance, certainly in the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s. A talent with bat or ball, a good solid professional, but not quite in the elite class of most of his Test compatriots.
This characterisation is borne out by his record: ten Tests for 34 wickets at 28 and a first-class career in Australia and England, taking 534 wickets at 32. Throw in 24 international ODIs and that’s a career to be proud of, but not exactly top drawer.
There’s no doubt being an Australian cricket selector could be an arduous job, but at the time of his appointment, Dodemaide probably thought it was going to be relatively simple, at least for this Ashes series.
Most of the Australian side picks itself and the only real quandaries he needed to deal with was who’d open with Dave Warner and who’d bat at number five.
Thanks to fellow selector George Bailey, Dodemaide didn’t even have to make a call on the opener’s spot, which is seemingly Marcus Harris’ to lose.
There are also a number of quality players in form with the bat, so deciding the Test number five should be a difficult but pleasurable task.
Fast forward to the present and Dodemaide must be thinking his life as a selector got a whole lot harder in the space of a few days.
(Photo by Scott Barbour – CA/Cricket Australia via Getty Images/Getty Images)
Tim Paine’s resignation has opened up two new dilemmas: who will keep wickets in the Ashes and who will captain the Test team?
And once again, Dodemaide’s not been helped by one of his fellow selectors making comments about Tim Paine.
According to Paine: “JL told me he’s devastated (when told about Paine’s decision to resign as Test captain). He was pretty firm that he wanted me to continue as captain”.
This suggests Langer clearly thinks Paine is still the best choice as Test wicketkeeper. After all, how can he so strongly back Paine as Test captain if he doesn’t think Paine is good enough to be there as a player?
That then leaves Dodemaide and Bailey having to decide whether they back both Paine and Langer by keeping Paine in the Test team. If not, where does that leave Langer, who has strongly backed Paine?
(Photo by Matt King – CA/Cricket Australia via Getty Images)
And the selectors will have to expect all sorts of blowback, whichever way they go on the keeping role.
If Paine’s chosen because he’s considered the best keeper, apart from the howls about not giving a younger, possibly better player a chance, everything Paine does, on and off the field, will be under serious scrutiny and any tiny mistake will be magnified into some horrendous disaster.
If he’s not chosen to play, questions will be asked about the level of punishment Paine should be expected to endure over an incident that was dealt with three or four years ago.
Then there’s the issue Dodemaide was probably hoping he’d have to deal with later rather than sooner: the Australian Test captaincy.
If this website is any guide, only a select few think Pat Cummins should toss the coin as skipper in Brisbane.
Mark Taylor and others think Steve Smith is the better option but the reality is Australia’s Test captaincy stocks are currently thin.
Dodemaide and the other selectors would have wanted to see Paine play out the Ashes, allow guys like Travis Head, Cameron Green or perhaps Marnus Labuschagne to really settle into a role, then make a choice of captain for the Asian tours next year.
As it stands, the choice selectors make likely won’t be right one, at least according to 50 per cent of cricket fans.
And what of Paine? If he remains in the team, what leadership role do selectors see him having?
(Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Will he be the go-to person for the skipper when a decision about a DRS review needs to be made? Will he still be expected to offer advice about field placings and bowling changes?
And should he move the field, for example, the media will be asking who is leading the side, Paine or the bloke who replaced him?
There’s also potentially the longer term issue with Tim Paine. Now that he’s not Test captain and if he has a super Ashes series, he might choose to continue to play first-class cricket and make himself available for the Asian tours in 2022?
Where does that leave Dodemaide, Langer and Bailey?
Tony Dodemaide has built up an extremely impressive resume in cricket administration, not only in Australia but as the MCC’s head of cricket.
He seems very well suited to the role he’s taken on, but will need all his skills to make the right calls over the next few weeks.
For many though, the right call will actually be a wrong call.
Welcome to the big leagues, Tony.
JamesH
Roar Guru
"Everything Paine does, on and off the field, will be under serious scrutiny and any tiny mistake will be magnified into some horrendous disaster." So, basically situation normal then?
Paul
Roar Guru
I think Khawaja has done a terrific job captaining Qld in the Shield. Granted he's had a very useful side, but if he was leading Australia, he'd have a much better side. I suspect if things got really tough, he'd be a captain much in the mold of Temba Bavuma. I was super impressed with the way he handled himself at the World Cup and I think Usman has the same sort of qualities, that would help him manage tough times well.
Peter Farrar
Roar Pro
That's a sound analysis Paul. I do note Pat Cummins has a positive disposition and expresses himself well. Whilst a lot more is required, those are useful and fundamental qualities for a leader to bring to the field. It must demand more of Justin Langer to support a new captain. I though Marnus may be offered the vice role with a strong suggestion it would be a platform to iron out some of his on field antics. Before your article I hadn't really considered Travis Head and hoped this season he may achieve progress on what seems to be making good starts but not staying out there. My only question of Khawaja is whether he will have the demeanour to lift the team when they are under pressure. I of course can't pretend to know, it's not like I carry in the snacks at the lunch break and see what's going on. People however sometimes surprise you by responding well to challenges when you don't expect them to. Interesting times.
Mike
Guest
I agree Jeff. When I say Bailey is the wrong man for the job, I am talking about from the point he started having business dealings with Paine. Not just now. In my opinion it is an unacceptable situation for any selector ever to be in a business partnership with a current player. Of course, if Paine is dropped then there is no more problem but the reality is the issue has been there for quite some time, and has had the potential to become problematic for all of that period. This has nothing to do with whether Bailey is honourable or not - in fact, I'm sure he is. Why am I caring about it then? Because it sets a precedent and in the future we may have a man in the same position who we don't think is honourable. Bailey should have been told at the outset that you can't have a career as a selector if you have business dealings with a current player who may came up for test selection. Is it appropriate for a selector to approach a current player and propose a business venture together? I'd say absolutely no. Then why is it fine if the venture already exists? Same result. If this isn't a conflict of interest then nothing ever is! As chairman of selectors his job is to select with out bias, without any perception of bias and without any financial connection or potential for financial gain. The fact he will step aside from the decision is not honourable at all. It actually means he's not honouring his duty and performing the job he's being paid to do. He may well never have to step aside as the decision may be unanimous but that doesn't change anything. We have a chairman of selectors who has acknowledged that it is inappropriate for him to make a certain decision if it arises.
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
I believe it was Smith on the last tour of India? Kohli expressed displeasure.
Kalva
Roar Rookie
I think its a joke that Bailey says that he won't be involved in any decisions regarding Paine as he's too close to him. Geez! Why take the job in the first place then? Imagine if Steve Waugh felt the same when he was captain and selector on tour with his brother's place in doubt? what about the Chappells? Bailey's decision is a cop out.
Paul
Roar Guru
At first class level - no way should the coach be a selector. I see people involved in cricket having quite distinct roles. Players play, captains play & lead the side, the coaches coach and the selectors select. I hate coaches getting involved in cricket selections For sure, selectors must go back to the coaches and/or captain for advice, but at the end of the day, they have one, distinct role - selection. The aspect of selection that's never mentioned is the time selectors need to take to explain selections not only to the media, but to players. Is it better for George Bailey to sit for a few hours with a shattered Travis Head and explain why he missed Ashes selection in favour of Usman Khawaja, or should Langer get dragged away from his coaching duties at a critical time, to do a job someone else can easily do?
Jeff
Roar Rookie
"Marnus is one of the few established players with a long term future in the Baggy Green" Agreed. But that shouldn't qualify him for leadership. Just longevity.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
I thought Bailey’s comment re “it could go either way” – overly favour or be overly hard – was the telling one. I think it was unwittingly said on Bailey’s part, but he got it right re judgement potentially being affected. George may well go the “other” way re being too hard, but that doesn’t make it right either in terms of best selection. – I don’t want to go “old skool” re being hard-nosed, but IMHO it’s best for all if there can be as much distance as possible being put between selectors and those they are selecting. I think this relationship is too uncomfortable close to avoid even unconscious bias playing a part.
maverick
Roar Rookie
@Paul, do you think the coach should be a selector? A coach's main job should be preparing the players. Instead, Langer is losing his hair because of these selection nightmares.
Paul
Roar Guru
I'm not sure what the answer is TB. On the one hand, do we go with older generation ex-players like Hohns or guys who have just finished their careers, so have a much better appreciation of what's happening across the cricket world, thanks to their current relationships. There's good & bad in both. Right now, we're seeing on of the bad aspects. As for Bailey, I guess only time will tell if he's a good or not so good selector. His real test will come when he has to help choose squads for the overseas tours next year.
Paul
Roar Guru
Didn't Steve Smith get hammered for doing that before he lost the captaincy? Or was it Tim Paine? I know one of them decided looking for help from the grandstands on reviews (?) was the way to go - until they got caught.
Paul
Roar Guru
I've heard it said that anyone who wears the baggy green is a potential captain. That said, he might not have to show his potential for quite a while.
Clear as mud
Guest
And they should be allowed to get rapid guidance on DRS too After all it’s meant to prevent bad decisions
Clear as mud
Guest
He went a bit loopy when they plucked all of Finch, Head and Labuschagne for the UAE tour
matth
Roar Guru
I assumed the selectors must have already discussed Harris
13th Man
Roar Rookie
I'd be stunned if Green was an option, has never really held any leadership role in WA Cricket, apart from school, and is finding his way into the Team.
JGK
Roar Guru
England is already doing this with their signals. Frankly, the only decision the on field captain has to make without getting some guidance from the coach is DRS and the occasional strategic field setting.
JGK
Roar Guru
Exactly. If Head was cemented in at No 5, he'd be captain for sure in light of his Australia A captaincy last year.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Green has typically been so young coming through the ranks that captaincy hasn’t been an option. However is was captain of Scotch College which is one of the big private schools and a high calibe cricket focus. His temperament has often been acknowledged as being one that is measured and mature for his age.