Clark and Hauritz in Ashes Selection Shootout
Australia Must Decide Between Pace or Spin for The Oval Test Match
Aug 11, 2009
After drawing level at 1-1 in the Ashes, Australia appear back on track to retain the trophy with one match remaining at The Oval. And in less than three days of cricket at Headingley they also appeared to solve what had become a selection jigsaw puzzle that included all sixteen members of the touring party.
Rarely in recent times had so many varying options seemed genuinely possible heading into a Test Match for the Australians. Does Michael Hussey hold his place? Can Mitchell Johnson be risked again? Are Brad Haddin and Michael Clarke fit? Do Stuart Clark or Andrew McDonald need to be brought it? Will Phillip Hughes accidentally twitter away about all our secrets? All were valid queries. Only half of the side were certain to hold their place.
Batting and Bowling Solid at Headingley
How times change. Suddenly Australia look a settled unit. A thumping win can have that effect. All the bowlers at Headingly performed superbly. Shane Watson - in the side at least partly due to his ability to bowl some handy overs - was not even required. Nor was alleged 'all-rounder' Marcus North, who's gritty batting and conspicuous absence at the bowling crease are surely beginning to confirm him more as a specialist with every passing match.
The batting line-up does not appear under threat. Although Hussey continues to struggle, there are no genuine spare middle-order batsmen in the squad to replace him. Watson has looked comfortable at the top of the order and the rest, on form and reputation, pick themselves.
Fast Bowler or Spinner for Deciding Test Match?
Only one question remains heading to The Oval - whether to play the spinner or the fourth seamer? Does Nathan Hauritz return or does Stuart Clark hold his place? The case for Clark is strong after his disciplined, accurate and wicket-taking bowling in the first innings. Perhaps more significantly, his accuracy allowed others to feed off the pressure. Siddle and Johnson looked better bowlers for Clark's inclusion alongside them. That a few lower order batsmen took the long handle to Clark in the second innings will be of little concern to Ponting. The match was over by then and without pressure the tailenders swung freely. Clark had already proved his worth.
Hauritz, however, cannot be dismissed lightly. He was only dropped due to the expectation of pace-friendly conditions at Headingley. An expectation that was right on the money. Until that point he had been the proud holder of some of the best bowling figures in the series from either side. He had kept things tight and picked up more wickets than many assumed he was capable of in an entire summer. Moreover he provides his captain with genuine variety; something to turn to when fast bowling has failed. He also eases the stress of slow over rates.
No Place for Brett Lee
As much as Australia will chase victory hard, not content to simply keep the urn by holding on for a draw, the possibility of playing five bowlers nevertheless appears slim. Hussey would be the man to make way, but batting the undoubtedly talented Johnson at number seven would be risky at this stage. England weakened their batting in order to play Harmison and it backfired. The Australians will have taken note.
Is Brett Lee still in with a chance? Almost certainly not. Not long ago his return was widely anticipated as a potential saviour of the Ashes, but now it would be too harsh to drop Hilfenhaus, Siddle, Johnson, or Clark for a man with very little match practice under his belt. However, if Lee produces sustained aggression in the two-day tour match this weekend and takes a bagful of wickets, the selectors will have a very difficult decision to ponder. Even then it might not be enough for the former spearhead of the attack.
So Clark and Hauritz will battle it out for the final spot, both out in the middle and in the minds of the selection committee. The pitch and weather forecast will no doubt be significant. Traditionally a spinner must play. At this point Clark and Lee might both be desperately unlucky to miss out. A lot can change, though, and in a matter of days as we've seen.
