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Rejects recalled as selectors try to halt downward spiral
A LACK of depth in Australian cricket will be highlighted today with selectors expected to recall four players who have been dropped during the past two Ashes series to save the side.
Mitchell Johnson and Ben Hilfenhaus, axed after the first Test this year, Nathan Hauritz, who was dumped for the fifth Ashes Test last year, and Phillip Hughes, dropped after the second Test last year, could be relied upon to turn Australia's fortunes against England in Perth next week.
Hauritz is favoured to oust young spinner Xavier Doherty, Johnson and Hilfenhaus are expected to return after the fruitless search for wickets in Adelaide, while Hughes comes in for Simon Katich, who will play no further part in the series after tearing a ligament in his Achilles tendon.
Steve Smith is another likely replacement for No.6 batsman Marcus North, although the young NSW all-rounder has never played in an Ashes Test.
Should the other four play at the WACA Ground, they must not only defy their own demons but transform the woeful form displayed by Australia in the second Test, which England won by a mammoth innings and 71 runs. It is an audacious request but one borne out of necessity.
No players are demanding selection with outstanding performances in the first-class scene, effectively leading selectors to choose from the best of a bland bunch.
Johnson, who has struggled for consistency with his line for 18 months, is expected to be recalled after a week of nets training that will have supposedly corrected the flaws.
The plan defies logic but these are desperate times for a side facing consecutive series defeats, and their first Ashes loss at home since 1986-87.
Johnson wanted to play in the Sheffield Shield for Western Australia but was told to stay with the squad and work on his action with bowling coach Troy Cooley. His performance in Perth will be telling for both men.
Doherty was thrown in the deep end far too early, and the batting-friendly conditions on the Adelaide Oval pitch exposed his lack of variation. While Hauritz has struggled to be a match-winner against good batting sides, he remains the most valid option for Perth.
His confidence was shattered after the debacle of the Indian series, and it is debatable whether he would have had any more success than Doherty in the first two Tests. But after taking a five-for and scoring a century for NSW recently, Hauritz's self-belief should be back to where it needs to be for the challenge ahead.
West Australian youngster Michael Beer has been suggested as the spinning answer by Shane Warne but like Doherty he is not experienced enough.
Selectors have to make changes but cannot pick players before they are ready, or else the scars of being battered can hamper their development.
Beer has good flight and bounce but Australia does not want another situation like Doherty, who will likely become the ninth spinner since Warne's retirement to be tried and dumped.
The lack of young contenders in superior form is a serious problem, and Australia cannot expect to fix these ills within two years.
On the other hand, England's greatest problem is complacency, which is a nice place to be.
''You've got to be careful you don't fall into the trap of too much back-patting too early,'' wicketkeeper Matt Prior said. ''We've played well, the tour's gone well so far but it's all in the past now. We're one-nil up. That's fantastic. We've got to make sure we go two-nil up.''
England has just one selection concern, with Stuart Broad back home after straining a stomach muscle in Adelaide.
His replacement will be one of Chris Tremlett, Tim Bresnan and Ajmal Shahzad.
Prior added: ''You can fall into a trap if you start looking too far ahead.''
Unfortunately for Australia, looking ahead means looking backwards.
http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket...y-to-halt-downward-spiral-20101209-18rgr.html
A LACK of depth in Australian cricket will be highlighted today with selectors expected to recall four players who have been dropped during the past two Ashes series to save the side.
Mitchell Johnson and Ben Hilfenhaus, axed after the first Test this year, Nathan Hauritz, who was dumped for the fifth Ashes Test last year, and Phillip Hughes, dropped after the second Test last year, could be relied upon to turn Australia's fortunes against England in Perth next week.
Hauritz is favoured to oust young spinner Xavier Doherty, Johnson and Hilfenhaus are expected to return after the fruitless search for wickets in Adelaide, while Hughes comes in for Simon Katich, who will play no further part in the series after tearing a ligament in his Achilles tendon.
Steve Smith is another likely replacement for No.6 batsman Marcus North, although the young NSW all-rounder has never played in an Ashes Test.
Should the other four play at the WACA Ground, they must not only defy their own demons but transform the woeful form displayed by Australia in the second Test, which England won by a mammoth innings and 71 runs. It is an audacious request but one borne out of necessity.
No players are demanding selection with outstanding performances in the first-class scene, effectively leading selectors to choose from the best of a bland bunch.
Johnson, who has struggled for consistency with his line for 18 months, is expected to be recalled after a week of nets training that will have supposedly corrected the flaws.
The plan defies logic but these are desperate times for a side facing consecutive series defeats, and their first Ashes loss at home since 1986-87.
Johnson wanted to play in the Sheffield Shield for Western Australia but was told to stay with the squad and work on his action with bowling coach Troy Cooley. His performance in Perth will be telling for both men.
Doherty was thrown in the deep end far too early, and the batting-friendly conditions on the Adelaide Oval pitch exposed his lack of variation. While Hauritz has struggled to be a match-winner against good batting sides, he remains the most valid option for Perth.
His confidence was shattered after the debacle of the Indian series, and it is debatable whether he would have had any more success than Doherty in the first two Tests. But after taking a five-for and scoring a century for NSW recently, Hauritz's self-belief should be back to where it needs to be for the challenge ahead.
West Australian youngster Michael Beer has been suggested as the spinning answer by Shane Warne but like Doherty he is not experienced enough.
Selectors have to make changes but cannot pick players before they are ready, or else the scars of being battered can hamper their development.
Beer has good flight and bounce but Australia does not want another situation like Doherty, who will likely become the ninth spinner since Warne's retirement to be tried and dumped.
The lack of young contenders in superior form is a serious problem, and Australia cannot expect to fix these ills within two years.
On the other hand, England's greatest problem is complacency, which is a nice place to be.
''You've got to be careful you don't fall into the trap of too much back-patting too early,'' wicketkeeper Matt Prior said. ''We've played well, the tour's gone well so far but it's all in the past now. We're one-nil up. That's fantastic. We've got to make sure we go two-nil up.''
England has just one selection concern, with Stuart Broad back home after straining a stomach muscle in Adelaide.
His replacement will be one of Chris Tremlett, Tim Bresnan and Ajmal Shahzad.
Prior added: ''You can fall into a trap if you start looking too far ahead.''
Unfortunately for Australia, looking ahead means looking backwards.
http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket...y-to-halt-downward-spiral-20101209-18rgr.html
