Cricket Update: Australian Selectors will face a tough task for team selections
Australian cricket is going through a phase where oldies are replaced by fresh faces. Steven Smith, Tim Paine and North were among the three new players that needed to spark in order to cement their places in test squad. North, who shinned in first test match because of his bowling, has failed to impress in rest of the series.
North was played in favour of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Usman-Khawaja-c2729, as a specialist batsman. Marcus North completely failed in batting department since he failed to impress in any innings of the series. Steven Smith and Tim Paine however have shown their presence in test series. Steven Smith was highly appreciated for his little performance in this series. Lords and Headingley pitch did not offer much for spin bowling, yet whenever Captain Ricky handed the ball to Smith, he did a decent job.
Smith scored a brilliant 77 in second innings of the test match to singlehandedly keep the match alive. Marcus, who failed to impress might be dropped for upcoming series. It may not be a right argument to push Steven on number six because of his only one performance against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 and selectors will have a difficult decision to make. Nathan Hauritz who will be fit for next series will most likely replace Smith, since Hauritz still remains the top spinner for Australia.
Australia only has two test matches before Ashes series and they need to sort out all their issues during these two matches. Australian media has suggested that Ricky Ponting will be released from his duty, if Australia fails to win Ashes at home. Ricky Ponting and head of selectors Andrew Hilditch will have to make some important decisions in coming days.
Smith is only 21, and has proved himself in shorter formats of the game. It will be interesting to see if he is deployed along with Hauritz for upcoming series. Simth averages 51.25 in first class cricket. He has scored 4 centuries and 2 fifties in his first class career of 14 matches. These averages speak volume of his potential as a batsman. Smith in his last innings against Pakistan thrashed nine fours and two consecutives sixes to provide Australia with something to defend on. Interestingly Marcus North also averages around 43 in first class cricket and has played 152 matches. North also, averages around 40 in test cricket but his recent form has come under criticism from some corners of Australian press. Marcus in the final test against Pakistan got out playing a ball well outside his off stump, providing his critics another chance to doubt his place in playing eleven.
Australian skipper Ricky Ponting thinks that Steven still has a lot of room for improvement, "He will just continue to grow with confidence and he will put more work on the ball as a result of that and he is just a great kid to have around the side. His enthusiasm is terrific and we did not see the best of him with the bat this game. He is a highly talented batter as well."
Selectors will have no option but to drop North, if he fails to impress in upcoming series. It will be difficult for selectors to drop Smith since he was seen doing a decent job with both bat and the ball. It will not be possible for Steven to replace Hauritz as the leading spinner but he might fancy his place as an all rounder.
Australia’s defeat in second test match against Pakistan is a wakeup call for team. Pakistan outclassed Australia in almost all formats of the game. Boys in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Green-c60723 defeated Australia in a test match after 15 years. Pakistan was hosting a test series in England because of security problems in Pakistan.
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