SELECTORS FACE TOUGH QUESTIONS
AUSTRALIAN selectors will today decide what they’re willing to sacrifice for the Ashes — Matt Renshaw or an allrounder at No.6.
The West Australian run machine Cameron Bancroft cannot be denied for the first Test after turning his ton into an unbeaten double century at the WACA yesterday, and it’s now up to selectors to work out how to fit him in.
Bancroft is best suited as an opener, where he has amassed a stunning 425 runs at an average of 141.66 in just 2½ games this season, but that would require making the agonising call to axe an out of form Renshaw without giving him the chance he perhaps deserves to try to resurrect himself in Test match conditions.
Perhaps the softer option is to slot Bancroft into No.6, where there is a clear vacancy, but that would rob Australia of the preferred luxury of having an all-rounder who could take pressure off the precious pace attack, which is trying to get through a five-match series.
Selector Mark Waugh this week declared Marcus Stoinis the best all-rounder in the country, and he remains an option, as does fellow WA talent Hilton Cartwright, who could contribute a few overs.
It’s a massive poser but the simple fact is Bancroft has made himself impossible to leave out and, after demanding Sheffield Shield runs from their candidates, selectors must now fit the jigsaw pieces around the tenacious 24-yearold right-hander.
There is no perfect solution but it’s Bancroft or bust.
As if he hadn’t already done enough to cement a debut baggy green, the kid from Perth put it beyond any doubt yesterday when he grinded South Australia into the dirt with a superb 228 not out, which carried on from a 76 not out carrying his bat against a star-studded NSW attack the week before.
Experts rate his defence as good as any batsman in the country, yet he is also a run scorer with multiple gears and he can move the rate on as well — as he proved in a double ton featuring 22 boundaries and three sixes.
Renshaw was strangled down the leg-side for just one in Queensland’s match against NSW, continuing a run that has netted him just 70 runs from six knocks this season, with a highest score of 19.
It could be argued Renshaw has been unlucky this match with a dubious caught behind call in the first dig, but glaring issues of technique and confidence are difficult to ignore.
Cartwright averaged 50 last Sheffield Shield season but hasn’t fired when the heat has been on.
Selectors Trevor Hohns, Darren Lehmann, Greg Chappell and Mark Waugh will enter a room some time in the afternoon, and won’t emerge until nightfall, or when a squad for the first two Tests is chosen.
It’s believed Peter Nevill should reclaim the gloves despite an underwhelming 17 yesterday for NSW.
Former Test wicketkeeper and current Australian fielding coach Brad Haddin said the side doesn’t necessarily need a keeper who scores regular hundreds, just one who can bat to all situations.
“We had an exception to the rule with Gilly (Adam Gilchrist),” said Haddin.