Fine form broadens selectors’ options

A FORTNIGHT ago, Australian selectors were looking at the bottom of the barrel. Now, it’s overflowing with options.

Glenn Maxwell, Travis Head and Alex Carey have all found their timing in a cricket sense. But surely the trio are lamenting the timing of that timing.

All were touted as prospects for the Test series against England. All would have heard the selectors’ pre-Ashes messages loud and clear: make Sheffield Shield runs and you’re in.

But a month ago, Victoria’s Maxwell and South Australian duo Head and Carey couldn’t produce the weight of Sheffield Shield runs to demand Test selection. Yet since Australian selectors took a punt on Shaun Marsh, Tim Paine and Cameron Bancroft, the tide has turned for the trio of couldhave beens.

Since the naming of the Ashes side, Maxwell, who played Australia’s last Test before the England series, followed his career-best 278 with a 96 for the Vics. SA skipper Head, a contender for the No.6 Test spot taken by Marsh, has made an 80 and 132 for his state. And Carey has struck a century.

If those runs came a month ago, they all could conceivably be wearing a baggy green cap.

They’re not. But what they are offering is options for selectors, who were panned for their Ashes picks. The cricketers they chose – Marsh, Paine and Bancroft – have performed admirably and appear set for lengthy stints. But suddenly Australian cricket’s barrel has depth again.