Brad Haddin is yet to confirm his place as Australia’s new Keeper.
While I grudgingly agree he has been the best performed domestic keeper over the last 5 years, so far his test career has looked far less assured.
He hasn’t made runs.
He has dropped a catch.
And there are a few byes floating around that he should have stopped.
Now he has broken a finger.
Mumbai’s reserve wicket keeper, Luke Ronchi, has been rushed over to be the spare man if needed, or if Tim Neilson wants to copy Braces.
Although Australia only copy New Zealand if their gambles take off, this one hasn’t.
I personally think Ronchi could be a better option than Haddin, which puts me in the minority.
People will say Haddin, with the better record for a long period has earned the job, I say, bullshit.
Tim Zoehrer deserved the wicket keeping spot far more than Ian Healy did, but Healy was a long term selection who ultimately justified his position.
If Haddin misses out, and Rocnhi hits one of those ADD afflicted hundreds he is so fond of, the selectors would be hard pressed to justify Haddin ahead of him.
But, if I am reading the selectors correctly, they will still pick Haddin.
Australian spots are no longer earnt, they are now promised.
Johnson gets one for showing potential.
Katich and Hodge get one because they were so long the next best batsman around.
And Stuart MacGill got one because 200 test wickets bought him one, not because his recent form justified it.
The Australian position has become the place for 30 year old professionals to cash in on early superannuation.
I say pick the best XI for now and the future.
If Ronchi takes his chance, then Haddin should have to wait until Ronchi fails or Haddin’s performances demand he gets the job back.
Australia isn’t good enough to guarantee positions based on the fact you are from New South Wales, or the fact that you have had a long and distinguished state career.
From now on they should be the best man for each individual job.
Well that should always be the rule, but anyway, lets see if they start it from now.
hmm so another Mumbai Indian gets a foot in the door. The other one being Jayasurya who got recalled for national duties.See I don’t just read your blog for hot guy info.I dilligently read ur krab chronicles as well. Word-by-word. I promise.
While I agree with the sentiment Jrod, I just don’t think the selectors will change their ways.Look at Hodge, Test double-ton and all, yet he still gets shunted as soon as the player he’s replacing gets remotely near fit. Something tells me that Golden Boy Watson will get a run in the Test team some time soon, because the selectors have always wanted him to be in the team, simple as that, sadly.
Firstly the best keeper must be picked. If he can bat then great but firts & foremost he’s a keeper.I have never been a fan of Haddin as a keeper. Competent would be my assssmentI agree there should be a long term view but having watched Ronchi for years ( I’m West Aussie) I think there is something missing.The occiaonal glittering innings rather than consistent performance.Although it hurts me to say this I think we should look east.Crossthwaite or perhaps the Tassie ladBy the way I loved Jaques comments on McGill. The Pav
Pav, Crossy, while being a favourite of mine is far more inconsistent than Ronchi and was dropped for most of this season. Paine and Clingfellow can’t even beat each other for the tassie spot. So its Haddin, Ronchi and then daylight. Leela, you can read the blog for any reason you’d like. CC, bloody watson.
Mumbai’s reserve keeper! Haha.. well put Uncle J. I like how u have also taken up to referring the players according to their IPL teams ;-)
However, if Ronchi fails we can blame the Mumbai Indians for contaminating him. Incidentally I also blame the Mumbai Indians for NZ following on, Anderson’s lack of talent, the new NZ pants and Monty Panesar. I do realize that none of the above relate to them, but it makes me feel a hell of a lot better when I do. Plus I am not wearing a bright pink uniform.
I don’t think now is the time to change selection policies. Australia have long picked the NSW man unless there was someone world class. It has proved to work through the history of cricket.I know that doesn’t explain Johnson. I am not sure anyone can explain Johnson when there is a perfectly acceptable left armer from NSW in Doug Bollinger.