Tubby’s plea as Aussies mull change that could shake up Test team
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Former Aussie captain Mark Taylor believes there is still a place for specialist openers in Test cricket, and has implored selectors to find their long-term new-ball batters.
But he has cautioned against moving Matt Renshaw up the order for the second match in South Africa despite the Queensland leftie being the hot hand in the squad following a sensational outing in Durban.
Pat Cummins (left) and Matthew Renshaw. Getty Images
Taylor’s plea comes as Australia mulls where to slot Cameron Green into the order for the second Test, starting on Sunday in Gqeberha.
Green missed the series opener through injury but is likely to come straight back into the team – if fit – after scoring a century against Bangladesh in Darwin two months ago.
The only question is who makes way, with Nic Maddinson and Beau Webster the obvious options to drop out of the side that won by 214 runs on Monday.
Maddinson scored a painful 33-ball duck in his first Test innings in a decade, before saving face with an electric 48 that set up Australia’s second dig. It’s believed selectors have all but assured him of his place for the second match.
Towering all-rounder Webster scored 4 and 39 not out, and contributed one wicket from six overs bowled.
“I think it would be unfair if Nic Maddinson didn’t get a second game,” Taylor told nine.com.au.
“To me the options are, if Cam (Green) is fit and ready to play, he either has to come into the side and open the batting instead of Nic, or Beau Webster goes out.
“That’s the way I see it, unless Marnus (Labuschagne) wants to move up (to open) or something like that.”
Renshaw enjoyed a stunning return to the Test team, scoring 190 and 82 batting at No.5, as well as taking two surprise wickets.
The tall left-hander previously opened the batting for Australia and while Taylor agrees he could do that job again with aplomb, he believes Renshaw should not be moved just yet.
“I would be reluctant to move him now given the success he’s had in the first Test, so I wouldn’t be changing a winning formula,” Taylor said.
Cameron Green is hoping to return for the second Test. Getty Images
“But he’s someone who we might need to look at if he’s still keen to (open the batting). That might be something post this series and moving into the Australian summer.”
Taylor opened the batting in every one of his 104 matches in the baggy green.
The role has changed over the years and there is debate as to whether opening the batting is a dying art.
Australia has struggled to nail down its Test openers since David Warner and then Usman Khawaja retired. Travis Head has been moved up from No.5 and handled it well, but a number of other options have been cycled through with limited success.
Taylor wants selectors to figure out their long-term openers as soon as possible.
“I still believe there is room for out-and-out openers, and hopefully we do unearth one or two in the next few years and people like Ollie Peake might have an opportunity,” he said.
“You can see everyone is reluctant to do it. It’s not an easy spot (to bat)... at least people now are seeing the value of the opening batsman.
Oliver Peake of Victoria has been earmarked as a future Test player. Getty
“Everyone now wants to bat at five or six, when (the ball is) not moving around quite as much. I think there is still room for that type of player who wants to specialise in that area.
“I haven’t seen much of (Victorian young gun) Ollie Peake, but he might be one to look to moving forward. I saw Ollie Davies made 100 opening the batting for NSW the other day. Those sort of performances are what you need to see.
“The world of Test cricket now, they are all talking about flatter pitches, better batting conditions, longer games. So it might be a very good time to start looking at younger openers, because I think pitches might get a bit easier in the next few years.”
Davies, 26, belted 253 against Tasmania in the Sheffield Shield last week and averages 37.86 from his 26 first-class matches.
Peake, 20, averages just 25.22 from his 14 first-class matches but has already represented Australia in one-day cricket eight times and is earmarked as a future Test player.
