Prior to the start of yesterday’s Sheffield Shield round three matches, there was differing levels of pressure upon the shoulders of the maligned trio of Matt Renshaw, Glenn Maxwell and Matthew Wade. One is a young opening batsman with the world at his feet, but in desperate need of one innings to restore his and the selectors faith in his ability. One is a maturing batsman who made his breakthrough in the Test arena this year with a century, but continues to polarise opinion as to whether he has the technique and headspace to be a Test middle order batsman. One is a team dressing room favourite who was chosen for his batting over his glove work 12 months ago, but has failed to score the runs he needed to gloss over the mistakes he makes behind the stumps. Despite this, 24 hours ago they were as likely as not to be selected on Friday in the Australian team for the 1st Test against England in Brisbane next week.
And then yesterday occurred.
There was no joy for these three men on the cricket field on the first day of their respective Sheffield Shield matches. Renshaw battled along to get to 16 before he was adjudged caught behind off Trent Copeland in Queensland’s match against New South Wales, though his reaction suggested that he at least didn’t think he had touched it. It was unfortunate timing, as is to be seen. Matthew Wade batted at five again for Tasmania, who again suffered a massive failure with the bat. Wade had struggled completely to make it to five runs, before he tried to pull a ball that wasn’t there for the shot and was bowled by Peter Siddle. Though his glove work was clean in the afternoon session, it is his continuing lack of runs that has taken the focus away from that part of his arsenal. Glenn Maxwell watched the carnage of the Tasmanian innings before entering the arena himself, and having made four runs was completely outdone by the same kind of outswinger he would face from England’s bowling attack which he edged through to the keeper in ungainly fashion. All three of these dismissals, and the lack of substance behind the innings themselves, have allowed the doubts that have been building about their ability to perform at Test level to reach a crescendo.
Even given these performances, one could sense that the selectors could look past them, and see what others may have forgotten. Renshaw was excellent in the back half of Australia’s Test summer last year, and his tenacity especially in India deserves to be recognised on his CV when it comes time to select the next Test team. Maxwell scored a pair of half centuries last week, and got starts against Bangladesh without making a bigger score, which in normal circumstances would leave him in good stead. Wade is popular in the dressing room, his keeping is better than it had been in his first appearance in the Test squad and he still should have the ability to make a big score based on his first class record.
And then yesterday occurred.
Cameron Bancroft isn’t now just knocking on the door to the Test squad, he has smashed a great big hole through it. He batted through the day in Perth to be 161 not out overnight, following on from his two superb innings against the New South Wales Test attack last week. It would be one of the most ludicrous selection decisions in recent times if his form was not rewarded with a Test spot come Friday. If indeed these Shield games were being used as a form guide for Test selection, then Bancroft has covered every question asked of him.
What becomes more intriguing is what spot he will be asked to fill in the Test team – as an opening batsman, which would mean Renshaw is dropped; as a number six batsman, meaning Maxwell would make way; or, heaven forbid, as the keeper-batsman, meaning Wade would return to Tasmania to see if he can hold his place in THAT team against Tim Paine. And the fate of several other cricketers around the nation rests with exactly this decision, as to what role Bancroft will fill.
Should Bancroft be selected as an opener, then Renshaw will go back to Shield cricket, and discussions will still be held over six and seven in the order. If it is as a number six, then Renshaw survives, Maxwell goes, and the keeper situation needs resolving only. If it is as the keeper Bancroft is selected, then it becomes even more interesting. Renshaw stays, but Bancroft could easily fill the hole at six, which could re-open the debate about an all-rounder being selected in the team to bat at seven and contribute valuable overs as an extra seam option. Such a move may well bring players like Marcus Stoinis or Moises Henriques back into the equation. As I said, where Bancroft is selected opens up some doors and closes some others.
Number six candidate Hilton Cartwright managed 35 yesterday which didn’t exactly help or hinder his cause in regards to selection, but Maxwell’s failure would only have improved his situation. He still seems to be firmly in the selectors minds for the number six position, and yesterday’s scenario would have only strengthened his chances. Callum Ferguson will be looking to post another big score in Perth to advance his claims to number six as well.
Peter Nevill and Alex Carey both kept well yesterday – Nevill with four dismissals again, including a peach of a catch off Joe Burns’ inside edge, again impressing with his quality keeping. Both will get to have a bat today, and given we have reached this ludicrous stage where our keepers are squaring off against each other with how many runs they score rather than how well they keep, then today’s innings may well be the most important of both of their careers.
Before yesterday’s play, you could have made a case that if one of the three of Renshaw, Maxwell and Wade was chosen on Friday on their current form, then all three should get that same privilege of trust. Cameron Bancroft’s efforts have single handedly blown that out of the water, and the game has changed because of it. With one man likely to have broken through into the Test team past this trio, it now opens up the way for others to do so as well. What was looking as though it would be a straight forward selection meeting on Thursday night for the National Selection Panel now looks as though it will be a much more interesting prospect.
No comments:
Post a Comment