As much as I would have loved to be travelling down to the big smoke with my Ashes tickets in my safest pocket and the fate of the Urn undecided, I forecast this reality so there is no disappointment. It would be nice to think that the Australian selectors will throw up a taste of the future but again, I doubt that.
From those who were in the squad for the 4th Test, obvious exclusions would be Harris and if Katich is fit, Hughes. Following the line that the selectors have taken, clearly Watson, Ponting, Clarke and Hussey will play but despite his encouraging second innings batting Smith will likely be 12th man and replaced by Usman Khawaja. Haddin picks himself leaving the bowlers as Johnson, Siddle, Hilfenhaus and Beer.
It's not the side I would pick. With the Ashes lost and Australia desperately needing to make a start on picking teams for the next five years, its time to move forward, which includes telling Ponting that his time with the (c) apendage is over. Big announcement, lots of sentiment, last day cavalcade, golden handshake but if you can't make up your mind we'll give you the Bill Lawry sendoff.
What of the future captain? The man I'd give it to would be Shane Watson but not just yet. In the interim for twelve to eighteen months, to allow a break between Ponting's legacy and Watson start, Simon Katich would the best choice. That would allow Watson to spend the intervening time learning the ropes as vice-captain. At the same time, I would place Watson in the middle order and give him more involvement in the game.
What of Clarke, the heir apparent? No thanks. He has always seemed too easily distracted from his cricket, too easily shaken by troughs in form and maybe he's just too nice a guy. Leading Australia is a big, bruising job and he hasn't cut the mustard other than his handling of Andrew Symonds misbehaviour. Besides, free of responsibility, he'll bat well for Australia.
My team for Sydney would include a couple of bolters who are in great form and will have a NSW bias because their form dictates it. Phil Hughes would be shelved at Test level for good but held for duty in the shorter stuff. If Katich is fit , he would open with Shaun Marsh, allowing Watson to drop down the order. I know, I know, if it ain't broke don't fix it and Watson opening has certainly been one of the few really good things about an Australian batting line up which has been otherwise brittle for some time but its a move into a new future. If Katich's ankle is still off with the Greek Gods, I'd replace him with Nick Maddinson. Khawaja would bat at 3, Ponting at 4, Hussey 5 and Watson 6 - dropping Clarke in the interim. Haddin at 7 and then my bowlers would start with Nathan Hauritz, who did nothing wrong before being dropped and has done everything right since. Peter Siddle has been the only bowler worth his place this summer so he would be retained and then two new caps would fight for the new ball with Hey Diddle Siddle. Mark Cameron who has done everything right opening the NSW attack and Chris Swan, who despite debuting into his thirties, is the most underrated swing bowler in the country. My 12th man would also be Steve Smith.
It's time for Hilditch and Co to open up the doors of the club, sweep out some of the old and let some fresh air into the building. While they are at it, Andrew, David and Jamie may as well walk out the door for the last time too. Let me extend an invitation to fellow Tragics to nominate their selection panel on the basis that we will retain The Man In The Hat, Greg Chappell. Click on "Comments" below and nominate your choice of three selectors to join Chappell in building Australian cricket's future.
It's worth pointing out that the ousting of selectors is not based on the Ashes result but a poor handling of transition over the last 2 years and more. To be fair, not all gambles have been disastrous. Watson going to the opening spot (albeit through dubious dropping of Hughes) and putting Clark in the 11 in the same series worked well. Persisting with Johnson and North while abandoning Hauritz has been the feather that broke the camel's back for me. Now Australian cricket is back to where it was 4 years ago and this was more avoidable than some may say. Players age and retire; while some are difficult to replace someone must take their place. Selectors have not demonstrated long-term vision when replacing players and the stop-gap measures have shown Aus wanting against Pakistan, India and now twice vs England.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, my ideal selection panel; Greg Chappell, Shane Warne, Allan Border, Steve Waugh.
Some short explanations;
Chappell: renowned for being strong and determined and a liking of giving youth a chance. He may be a little stubborn, which I think is Hilditch's main flaw, but would honestly do what he thinks is best to win a test match.
Border: hard-nosed, hard-arsed, hard everything. An old school thinker who approaches cricket simply; do whatever you have to to win. Turning a talented team into near-champions take some guts and in 1989 he started the ball of domination rolling. He will be a good ying for Warne's yang.
Warne: one of Aus' biggest concerns going forward is the lack of quality spin bowling. Certainly even if you considered Hauritz good enough to play there are few others with enough credits in their bowling bank to warrant a spot. Warne is a more lateral thinker than the older brigade and with recent experience in the baggy green brings contemporary approaches to winning test matches. Great knowledge of the game and a good communicator with players he would be the best suited to talk with the captain and others.
Waugh: yes, a bias here as he is one of my all-time favourite players. He got the most out of a basic technique and made adjustments to his game that brought loads more tests for his country. As an administrator he sits alongside Border as a tough and uncompromising character whose people skills may not be as personal as others but, like Border, will put Aus cricket first.
No bowlers in the panel! No, I don't agree with the adage of having panel members from a variety of disciplines. If this was to be a major concern I would happily have McGrath in place of Waugh.
Sorry your comment was delayed Leftie ... my excuse is I was at the cricket!
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