Oz selectors must keep their nerve

By the late Peter Roebuck

No dumpings for the sake of it – selectors, coaches and captain must keep their nerve - Peter Roebuck (his last column ever)

Australian cricket is lucky that it has a few days of respite between the dumbfounding events at Newlands and its next engagement. The break gives coaches, selectors and captain the breathing space needed to collect their thoughts.

The second Test gives the incumbents an opportunity to redeem themselves and the selectors a chance to study the trends. It’s no use ditching players for the sake of it, or in response to public demand. Apart from anything else the replacements might not be any  better, or ready.

One change is already inevitable. Shaun Marsh’s degenerative back problem flared in Cape Town and he was not able to field or bat properly in the second innings. It is a heavy blowfor a fine young batsman and for selectors trying to build a team.

Usman Khawaja will replace Marsh, and deserves the opportunity. It is the fate of the spare batsman on tour to miss a lot of cricket and it won’t be easy for him to find his form. Still, he is an impressive player and person, and will bring freshness and calm to the order. Otherwise the batting will stay the same.

Assuming Ryan Harris is fit, and he looked sore as the Proteas neared their target, the only other doubt concerns Mitchell Johnson, the most frustrating cricketer in the country.

Johnson bowled without pace or swing at Newlands and batsmen have rumbled him. Not until a handful of runs were required for victory did he attain full speed, 145.8km/h, or take a wicket as Hashim Amla drove loosely.

Since his inspired bursts in the Ashes Test in Perth he had not taken enough wickets to justify his retention. Nor has he scored enough runs since his blistering 123 in Cape Town 32 months ago to be deemed a handy lower-order batsman. Hopes have been dashed he might lead the attack until the next generation is ready.

John Inverarity and company do not take over duties until after the Johannesburg Test and by then Johnson’s fate might have been sealed. Although the existing selectors will be loath to make any important decisions for their last match they cannot duck their duties.

Michael Clarke, the captain and a selector, was singing Johnson’s praises a fortnight ago but his enthusiasm did not extend to the field of play. Trent Copeland and Patrick Cummins are the alternatives, a medium pacer and a rookie. In the longer term the new panel has more room for manoeuvre.

The collapses in Cape Town were no flukes. These Australians have been weak against swing because they chase the ball rather than play it under their chin. Some get into poor positions. Phillip Hughes is open-chested on the back foot, Ricky Ponting has been shuffling too far across his crease, making them vulnerable to late movement. Australia failed not once but twice, it’s just that Clarke saved them in the first innings.

Apart from technical flaws, the collapses raised even more fundamental issues. How long can Shane Watson continue as a front-line bowler and opening batsman? History provides few instances of a cricketer able to sustain both workloads. The time is ripe to put him in the middle order.

Hughes did his utmost in Newlands only to be removed by two deliveries that cut across him and took the shoulder of the bat. He has become a more compact player but his bat still slides sideways and his shoulders are square.

Ponting has been hitting the ball superbly in practice and has been countering the fastest bowlers with aplomb. In the middle he has been missing straight balls because he is hurried and out of position. He remains convinced that it is a bad trot, not permanent, but evidence to the contrary is piling up. He needs to score heavily at the Wanderers.

Brad Haddin also needs to rethink his batting. His reckless shot was a droppable offence and confirmed his confidence is in his boots. He, too, has a single match to turn around his fortunes. A new broom sweeps clean.

Ironically Johnson, a bowler, is the most likely player to be dropped. However the team for the first Test against New Zealand has become harder to predict. Mind you, a lot can happen in a week. It just did.

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