The Folly of Choosing a Test Team on One Day Form

Four weeks out from what shapes as a defining Ashes series in regards to Australia's future prospects in the next couple of seasons, and the tabloids and experts have thrown away common sense and sensible selection policy in the race to push forward any batsmen with a semblance of form in the current one day series, whether it be in the ODI series in India, or the shortened Ryobi Cup taking place in the suburbs of Sydney.

Now, perhaps those who are on the National Selection Panel (NSP) are taking a much more firm fisted approach to this, but the media has gone crazy, and it is difficult to find any degree of intelligent cricket journalism in the current climate.

Having just seen the destruction of our batting line-up in England by excellent seam, swing and spin bowling, there is little doubt that we need to ensure that our batsmen are fundamentally secure in defence, especially against swing and seam early and then spin later on, are canny enough to work the ones and twos to not only rotate the strike but to build the total calmly and sensibly, as well as being able to put the bad ball away to the boundary. It doesn't have to be pretty and fast (cue Chris Rogers efforts), and you have to be prepared that you are going to be knocked over by the odd unplayable delivery (cue Michael Clarke vs. James Anderson and Stuart Broad).
With this in mind, how on earth are our 'expert' cricket writers and commentators taking the efforts in these one day games as a serious pointer towards Test selection? In India, the wickets have been flatter than any seen in the Test series there six months ago, and the has been almost zero movement with the two new balls they have been using. The fields have been spread from the first instant, putting almost no pressure on the batsmen. After taking five or six overs to get the sheen off the balls, it has been pretty much open slather, as all bowlers fail to find a way to use their brains when it comes to bowling at batsmen who are just slogging over or to the fence.
"Aaron Finch a leading contender for Test openers role". "Faulkner and Maxwell fight for Test all-rounder spot". "George Bailey nails down Test Number 6 position". Seriously?!? Who the hell writes this crap? Has anyone had a peek at the recent first class records of these players? Finch and Bailey both averaged under 30 last season with the bat, perhaps showing that on flat tracks against motionless deliveries they can thrive, but on decks doing a bit they face the same traumas as everyone else. Faulkner and Maxwell are both looking at bowling positions, and while Faulkner has form on the board in both modes of cricket, surely Maxwell is a long way back in the spin bowling queue. Form in the ODI arena may well help with the individuals confidence, but if they cannot produce the goods on their return to Shield cricket in a couple of weeks then they SHOULD not be considered for that 1st Test squad.
It's the same back in Sydney. Shaun Marsh and David Warner have both scored centuries in the past week, and their causes have been pushed hard because of it. By scoring tons on flat decks and the miniscule boundaries of North Sydney Oval. Sure they've been entertaining innings, but did either look as though they were prepared to take on Anderson and Broad on a first day seamer at the 'Gabba? Nice to have some runs on the board guys, but if they fail in their chance at Shield level, can they honestly be chosen on the form from domestic one day cricket? And, given the case of pushing players on local form, then why haven't Michael Klinger and Cameron White been afforded the same opportunity? Klinger topped the aggregates in the Ryobi Cup with 380 runs, including two fifties and a century, while Cam White played five games, and scored five half centuries. Because of their age? Because it's just one day cricket? because they have been discarded from selection talk for good?

If I was a selector, I would be cautiously optimistic about the form shown by many of the batsmen in the one day series taking place. But, in the lead up to those all-important Sheffield Shield matches coming up, I would have the following thoughts beforehand.

David Warner. Has not only acted out of order off the field, but has been out of form on it in recent International appearances. Has been pinned to crease in last 6-8 Test matches which is leading to his downfall. I want to see him using the crease more, both forward and back, and not just shuffling, to offset the bowlers attack on him. His fielding has also suffered. He needs to rediscover his mojo before being given a chance to resurrect his Test career. Be positive in all movements at the crease without being arrogant.

Aaron Finch. Has shown he can play well in short formats of the game, but still yet to prove he can play long innings consistently at 4-5 day level. I want to see him see off a new ball attack, I want to see him survive the first session of a match, and I want to see him carry on after the break. Like Warner he is not a natural or classic opener, but he needs to be able to provide these attributes to prove he deserves a shot at the Test team.

Shaun Marsh. Was chosen two years ago after injury purely on form in T20 cricket, and then failed to reached double figures in four Tests against India. has been injured and in trouble off the field in the 18 months since then. His technique has been shown to be brittle, but also he showed in Sri Lanka he has the patience and ability to perform. NSP has noted him as their preferred option at opener. Runs and stability in Shield matches would likely see him in the 12 for Brisbane, but must show he can see off the new ball or it makes it difficult to choose him against England's seam attack.

Phil Hughes. Take him or leave him on trust. If you are not a fan of his technique and his way of going about getting runs, then you would never pick him again. If you are someone who looks past the technique and sees the timing of his stroke play you would pick him and look past the ugliness of some of his dismissals. Has had some tough calls against him. He looks to be behind others at the moment, but if he comes home from India and dominates in the Shield warm-ups he has to be seriously considered once again. I am an unabashed Phil Hughes supporter, because I cannot believe that someone who dominated at such a young age does not have the ability to do so now in his mid-twenties. Would need to prove worth with first-class runs to get that chance, however.

George Bailey. If Michael Clarke is unfit for Brisbane, Bailey becomes a big chance to play as an experienced middle order player with leadership experience, traits that in that instance would negate his poor recent first class record, though I would retain Brad Haddin as captain. If Clarke is fit then Bailey would be competing for the number six position, and like all other contenders would need to score big runs in the first class arena to force his way into the team. I would think his only chance is if Clarke doesn't play.

Usman Khawaja. Has played well in the Ryobi Cup, and has looked to be more attacking, which he failed to do in his opportunity in the Tests in England. However, he has still looked uncomfortable and clueless against spin bowling, which eventually cost him his spot in England. To be honest, despite his ordinary managing by team hierarchy and selectors over the last 12 months, in which he watched rather than played a lot of cricket, he needs another 12 months of heavy scoring to put himself back in the frame for the Test team, something he has admitted himself.

Cameron White. Not as far out of the reckoning as some may have him. His sensible and building form in the Ryobi Cup has shown he is still able to do the job required. Having been relieved of the Victorian captaincy, he seems to be benefitting from concentrating on his batting alone. The number six batting spot in the Test team is beckoning, and his experience would be very handy as well as his explosiveness in the middle order. A good slip fieldsman, a good head on his shoulders, plays spin well, and bowls an occasional rough leggie. If I was a selector I would be hoping to see him score a century in the Shield. If he did, he would be my pick. Once again, the Shield form will be the key to selection.

The rest, including Adam Voges, Michael Klinger, Matthew Wade, Nic Maddinson et al. Despite their form in the short game, all of these guys have something against them, whether it be age or no long-term runs or that one is supposed to be a wicket-keeper. Only a glut of runs will get them a shot at the team, but if they happen to do that, then their case would have to be seriously considered.

The bowling is not short on similar circumstances, but perhaps that is a story for another day.