If Australian cricket’s goal is to be the best in the world in all three formats, it cannot accept mediocrity and keep making the same mistakes at the selection table.
Friday’s fifth Ashes Test in Hobart is a dead rubber but qualification points for the World Test Championship are on the line and the selectors have to drop Marcus Harris and retain Usman Khawaja while they should also play the long game by resting Mitchell Starc after an arduous summer.
The Australian men’s team missed out on making the World Test Championship final after being docked points for slow over rates. It’s history now that New Zealand took their spot and won the trophy over India earlier this year.
Australia would have been underdogs against India but at a neutral ground like Lord’s anything is possible and after winning the T20 World Cup in November, they could theoretically be two-thirds of their way to world domination.
After being shuffled in and out of the line-up for his first 10 Tests, Harris has had four matches in a row to establish himself as David Warner’s batting partner. He has not done so.
A not so grand total of 179 runs at 29.83 means he cannot complain if left out of the XI for the series decider. He’s had 14 chances to wear the baggy green cap and his 79 in Sydney against India in 2019 is his high watermark.
The Victorian left-hander has had 26 innings without a ton and there have been several Australian players who took even longer to make their first Test century like Bob Simpson (51), Ian Redpath (48) and Steve Waugh (41) but Harris is 29 and highly unlikely to have a career anything like these three past legends.
By no means should his cards be marked never to play again, but let’s not forget he’s only been in the side since Will Pucovski was unable to suit up for the final Test of last summer’s home series against India and has been sidelined this season with concussion-related problems.
Mitchell Starc (Photo by Jason McCawley – CA/Cricket Australia via Getty Images)
If Pucovski had produced middling numbers like this, there’d be a case for keeping him in the team on the promise of his potential ahead of Khawaja.
And Khawaja could not have done more in his comeback Test than his crucial 137 in the first innings at the SCG and then adding an unbeaten 101 in the second dig.
He has modestly stated he was still expecting to miss out in Hobart with Travis Head returning from his COVID-19 infection but Khawaja can not only be a decent opening partner to Warner but thrive in the position.
The Queensland skipper is by no means a specialist opener but he has played five Tests at the top of the order, making 484 runs at 96.8 with centuries against South Africa in 2016 and Pakistan two years later.
National selector Tony Dodemaide told reporters on Tuesday that the panel chaired by George Bailey constantly had the World Test Championship in their thinking but did not give any secrets away about the team for the final stoush with England as Australia look to wrap up the series 4-0.
“That was just a phenomenal performance from Uzzy,” he said. “Having said that, there are a lot of conversations to be had over the next couple of days. It’s a very difficult one.
“You need to consider all the options and that’s probably the benefit of having three sets of eyes and three minds.
“There’s any number of left-field suggestions you come up with and what George has said, and I agree with as well, is ‘let’s not just think of the obvious’.
“Have the what-if scenarios … however left field or peripheral that might be, let’s just toss it around and see if there’s any merit.”
With first-choice seamer Josh Hazlewood already ruled out due to the side strain he suffered in the opening Test at the Gabba a month ago, Dodemaide said the selectors would wait until they receive advice from the medico staff before finalising their attack.
Young all-rounder Cameron Green, who has bowled well in each Test and found form with the bat via his 74 in the SCG second innings, could be rested as he continues his comeback from a serious back injury.
“We’ll see how he pulls up,” Dodemaide said. “It was a terrific innings … and his bowling is really exciting. We do have to be mindful that he’s still a very young man … you’re always conscious of bowlers and their physical development.”
With the final Test being a day-nighter, it increases the reluctance to rest Starc, who has the world’s best record for bowlers with the pink ball.
He looked cooked at the SCG after playing four straight matches in the condensed schedule, taking 1-114 across the match.
His record tends to blow out when a series stretches to five Tests – he has taken just six wickets in the three matches he has played in the fifth match of series at 52.66, nearly double his overall average of 27.51.
Last summer against India in Australia, the national selectors stuck with Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood in all four Tests and the attack looked flat as the series wound down with the hosts unable to get crucial wickets late in the third match in Sydney and the last game in Brisbane.
“It’s one of the conversations that we will have,” Dodemaide said of Starc’s fitness.
“He is a key asset for us with a heavy schedule coming up, not only in the white-ball [games] but also the tours that will come up soon afterwards.
“It’s certainly a conversation that we will need to have to see how he pulls up. He’s in some really great form both with bat and ball. So we’ll certainly take that into consideration.
“We haven’t seen the pitch yet … so we’ll take a few things into account.”
Jhye Richardson and Michael Neser, who played the day-night Test at Adelaide Oval, are keen for another crack at the Poms while Scott Boland is set to back up for his third match despite injuring his ribs after falling in his follow-through in Sydney on the way to taking seven wickets for the second consecutive game.
Republican
Guest
Khawaja is a greater asset batting where he is now. He will go cheaply if promoted in the order. I reckon Harris should be replaced though, with another batter waiting in the wings.
Munro Mike
Roar Rookie
Dingo.....Dingo......I wasn't accusing you of joining a bandwagon.........I was simply indicating that for myself - - rather than just jumping on with everyone else that I'd instead play devils advocate. I'm not attacking you. The irony of all this.......2018/2019 and they lined up together against India. Harris 258 @ 36.85 with 2 50s including the Australian HS of 79. Khawaja 198 @ 28.28 with 1 50. Now - my frustration with BOTH Harris and Khawaja. The 2 tests against a pretty weak SL that only got massively weak by the Canberra match: Harris 44; 11 & 14 Khawaja 11; 0 & 101* So........Khawaja salvages his entire summer by enjoying happy hour as Australia gave the bowlers a rest rather than enforcing the follow on (with a 319 run lead!!). For me - both back then needed to do more in the 1st innings. But gee - 101* helps boost those home track stats. Uzzie then followed that with 122 from 6 hits in England and quite rightly got the boot. That 101* was the abberation......the outlier. And of course Harris got the boot after just 58 from 6 hits. I'm not a big far of either of them. I'll put it this way - - - right now I'd be looking elsewhere (than either these two) for an opener.
Christo the Daddyo
Roar Rookie
Neser?
Ross
Roar Rookie
You don't rate his 9 hour 141 against spin against Pakistan in the UAE to save the match?
DingoGray
Roar Guru
I didn't answer it as it's completely irrelevant as it didn't happen. As for your claims of joining a bandwagon, they are not anywhere near the truth. I've been a Khawaja supporter from his debut Test. The fact he currently has a better Test average than players like Ian Chappell, Mark Taylor & Mark Waugh and yet has played half the test is appalling. It's amazing now how when there's pressure on a players spot there's all this talk of continuity and opportunity. Amazing that's now ideal. Usman could of very well done with a bit of his own continuity. If he had of been afforded that, I reckon you would have a players who's played 75/80 Tests and would have probably 20+ Test Hundreds. Especially when blokes like Marcus Harris who can't even average 30 in Test Cricket are playing in Front of him on a regular occurrence.
Pierro
Roar Rookie
it's interesting to break down mcg and scg form from rest of Australia actually . it is something I've been doing for a few years as it seems the form changes often as soon as they leave Adelaide pink ball test and go to mcg and scg and struggle more to get victory unless rotations are made in bowling . no doubt Harris performed better last two tests and I did not warner dipped and wasn't suprised with that as I'm weary of warner after uk ashes off the flat bouncy tracks . my point was labawchange.can open very well though accross the board and on foreign pitches and he's evidenced that really . it then comes down to whether khawaja and head in the team is better than Harris and head . I think the former actually at this point in time and on current form this summer
Pierro
Roar Rookie
I thought Harris innings at mcg was gritty for sure but it’s his home pitch he’s done nothing anywhere else really . I suppose khawaja is suited to scg as well but he’s been hitting big runs this season and very relaxed and did have severe family trouble several years ago . don’t mind the idea of trying hunt or street out at all. we need to build for foreign tours as warner is not the answer and doubt Harris is either abroad . 18 of Warner’s 24 centuries are in Australia and he’s probably past his best on timing and footwork for me despite some good innings this summer on his flat track bouncy pitches
Munro Mike
Roar Rookie
The irony of the last 3 innings regarding your comment: "khwaja fan from test one and can play with labuschange at opening as he had done it so many times due to Harris and co losing their wicket early anyway" Last 3 innings Warner has been first to go - 71 runs from 184 minutes. Labuschagne just 58 runs from 199 minutes. And let's not bring up 'lucky' because Marnus dined out on good fortune in the first 2 tests. And Harris - 141 runs from almost 9 hours at the crease in pretty testing conditions and circumstances (the 2 first innings in particular) at the MCG and SCG.
Munro Mike
Roar Rookie
If bringing a new guy in - - Hunt from SA might get a run as well. The notion that Harris 'got lucky' for his MCG 76...........while not acknowleddging that Uzzie was dropped by keeper/and Root in the same action when on 28..........Uzzie got ruddy lucky too. Harris played a superb openers innings in really tough conditions at the MCG - - the ability to play on line means openers will play and miss a lot when the ball moves sideways. That innings was worthy of triple figures. At this point too - - I don't rate any of Harris, Warner or Uzzie as a confidence inspiring tourist and especially not to any of Pakistan, India, SL or Bangladesh. That said - Pakistan has a great heritage of quick bowlers and we don't always get the dust bowls or desperate flat tracks (remember Faisalabad in the early '80s) that might get served up elsewhere.
Munro Mike
Roar Rookie
Mate - the easiest thing on Earth to do is to jump on a bandwagon. I'm always going to look at both sides - - and I suggest it's only fair that the case for the defence gets prosecuted. You might dismiss it out of hand if you wish - - I'm simply pointing out a couple of reasons why it perhaps shouldn't be regarded a fait accompli. btw - you never answered the question.........what if Root held that catch when Uzzie was on 28??
Pierro
Roar Rookie
u they are starting to talk about labuschange opening now and dropping khawaja down the list . looks like the penny is dropping with some long after I was suggesting it pre series and even last year. warner no good abroad now at 35 but solid enough at home but a few cracks there this series m Harris average 20s this series is lnt good enough to your abroad . it's why we needed to use 4th and 5th test to give labs a go up top and/or street a go but they are too slow to shift forward with selections and test experience pre foreign tours for my liking after we retained the ashes .
Pierro
Roar Rookie
the solution on khawaja is not to let him open drop him to 3 or 4 and let Labuschagne open as he has practically done so many times for Australia in any event . they are starting to talk about in media today long after I suggested it before this series and even last year . allows us to bulk the middle order up with talent
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Prez l wasn’t speculating your the one that suggested he should bat in the middle order l just pointed out the others in their respected spots. Selectors want him to open but as you suggest he needs to get his concussion issues on the right path. He has faced a zillion balls at his head didn’t think that’s the issue. By playing him lower down the order won’t protect him as you have pointed out. He has the talent the selectors want him in side they view him as a 10 year player
Brian
Guest
I agree for Asia because opening the best time to bat so Warner, Labs & Smith would be my top 3 with Head at No 4. Its not really the done thing though so as we need another opener and 29 y.o. Harris is more of a chance to find his feet then 35 y.o. Khawaja. Happy with Bryce too but surely they're not expected 36 yo Warner and Khawaja to suceed in India and England when they have failed there their whole careers.
Prez
Roar Rookie
Happy to give the selectors a wack but the only choice they had was Starc or Neser and Starc was having a great series upto the last test. They wouldn't want Green bowling too many more overs, so that would have ruled out a second spinner.
Prez
Roar Rookie
He is not ready yet, so no point speculating if he should replace any of those players. But 5 or 6 would be best position. Doesn't shield him from short pitched bowling or facing a second new ball, but its about playing the odds and the odds are that as an opener he would face the new ball 100% every time.
Prez
Roar Rookie
Not every one can make the jump from Shield to Test. It would be great to see Renshaw back, but you are down playing his form slump. There was no option but to drop him.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
If Richo was fit they may have rested Starc as Pierro has suggested they should but didn’t probably because of lack of available talent.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Prez apart from opening where? 6 Green 5 Head 4 Smith 3 Lab
Prez
Roar Rookie
Have seen this comment quite a bit, but with Hazelwood and Richardson unfit, who would have replaced Starc for the SCG?