The Reverse Sweep

The Quest for the Holy Gilchrist

 
With all due reference to Romesh Kaluwitharana, Adam Gilchrist is to blame.

Ever since Gilchrist combined keeping wicket and opening the batting with quite devastating effect in ODI, pretty much very other country has tried to replicate the formula. However for the most part, the selectorial alchemists have only managed to make fool's gold.

The missing ingredient is that they all conveniently forgot that Gilchrist was brilliant enough to be picked for his batting alone. Instead. all manner of wholly unsuitable glovemen have been elevated above their station in a mostly forlorn quest to find a new Holy Gilchrist (see full list here).

Not many have been a success. Brendon McCullum has done reasonably well and the regal Kumar Sangakkara managed to score four hundreds in 19 ODI before returning to the middle order. Alec did it in 76 ODI and managed to average 35 - albeit at a pretty sedate run rate of 69.50.

But that is pretty much it. Australia have tried to shoehorn Brad Haddin and Tim Paine into the role since Gilchrist departed with limited success - surely Haddin in particular would be better suited to coming in at six and blasting some boundaries in the latter overs (especially when Australia has Shaun Marsh in reserve).

That serial underachiever Kamran Akmal has opened in 57 ODI and averages under 27 (as well as no doubt dropping numerous chances behind the stumps). Even Ridley Jacobs did it 26 times and three Kenyan keepers have combined to open in over a century of ODI.

Indeed only South Africa - never ones to follow the latest trend – have not joined in, perhaps sensibly concluding that Mark Boucher offered much more down the order than he would atop it.

But England are perhaps the worst offenders. Matt Prior, Stephen Davies, Phil Mustard, Craig Kieswetter and Geraint Jones have all been tried and none has convinced. They have 51 ODIs between them at the top of the order and the grand total of zero hundreds – Kieswetter’s hundred against Bangladesh came when Prior was wearing the gloves.

Yet, England seem rooted to the belief that their keeper – whichever misfortunate has been handed the task – should open the batting.

Prior is an excellent strokemaker down the order. But he isn’t an opening batsman and England should stop trying to make him one.

In the absence of a Marcus Trescothick type – a proper opener who could hit the ball over the top in the powerplay overs (Alex Hales is a long-term prospect here), one of the other batsmen (probably Ian Bell) or a pinch-hitter (Graeme Swann could be a good bet for the sub-continent) should be given the job.

Whatever, England’s quest for the Holy Gilchrist seems doomed to failure like that of pretty much every other team heading to the World Cup.  

Where next?

Reaction to England’s World Cup Squad – Prior the victor

Heroes: Adam Gilchrist

Zeroes: Kamran Akmal

What Cricket can learn from Football in staging a World Cup

All-time Australian Ashes XI - Wicketkeeper

All-time England Ashes XI - Wicketkeeper

Check out all our Reverse Sweep heroes and zeroes including amongst others Graeme Swann, David Lloyd, Channel 9, Charles Colville, Bob Willis and David Gower

Follow us on Twitter @thereversesweep

Ashes 100-1: 21 - Australia Ashes Squad Profiles

 
Yesterday we profiled the sixteen hungry men tasked with retaining the Ashes for England on Australian soil. Today, we look at their hosts who will be aiming to win their sixth successive home Ashes series:

Ricky Ponting – A fading force with the bat and a captain on the verge of becoming the first Australian skipper to lose three Ashes series. The next two months are likely to embellish or potentially curtail a fine career.

Michael Clarke – Was arguably the best batsman on either side in the 2009 series, but has looked out of sorts since his much publicised split with Lara Bingle. His press conferences are an unbeatable cure for insomniacs.

Shane Watson– Has proved an unlikely success as an opener - and as such is after Ponting, Australia’s key batsman - but is a walking LBW early on. Innocuous medium pace is more dangerous than it looks – just ask Pakistan’s batsmen.

Simon Katich – As difficult to dislodge as the most plucky of barnacles - until he reaches 80 or 90 that is. Not the prettiest to watch at the crease, which even the man himself acknowledged recently when he said that "I think more people get enjoyment out of watching me bowl than bat".

Michael Hussey – Only averages 34 in his last 28 tests and may be lucky to survive the series especially as Kamran Akmal will not be behind the stumps.

Marcus North – Just when you thought he was out for the count, North sprung back off the canvas (and not for the first time either) with a career saving hundred at Bangalore. That revival does not hide the fact though that North is another unlikely to last the series if Australia make a poor start.

Callum Ferguson – Has a “big chance” of making his test bow at Brisbane according to Tim Nielsen. But a first-class average in the mid-thirties will not have England quaking in their size nines.

Usman Khawaja – Immensely talented New South Wales batsman with a first-class average of 54 who could become the first Muslim to play cricket for Australia.

Phil Hughes – Tagged as the “new Bradman” when he exploded onto the test scene against South Africa in 2009 before being rapidly dispensed with. A first-class average of 60 suggests Hughes is better than his brief appearance in the 2009 series suggested.

Cameron White – Test career has been harmed by the fact that White is a blond Victorian who bowls a bit of leg-spin. An Australian middle-order with White at five would look a much tougher proposition for Strauss and co.

Brad Haddin – An exceptionally good number seven – albeit with a propensity for being over-reckless at times. Not so good with the gloves and his place must be under pressure from the impressive Paine.

Tim Paine – Impressed with bat and gloves in India and is clearly the long-term bet to cement a place in the test side. Will probably be Haddin’s understudy this time, however.

Nathan Hauritz – The nation that brought us Warne, O’Reilly and Grimmett now gives us the impotent Hauritz. In a contest between two evenly matched sides, the disparity between him and Swann could prove crucial in the final reckoning.

Steve Smith – If Australia choose to be adventurous, the young leggie could bat at seven ahead of four pacemen. But they won’t and Smith will start the series on the sidelines. A promising batsman, but significant work would appear to be needed on his bowling.

Xavier Doherty – A first-class average of 50 with the ball suggests his mention in dispatches is perhaps a ploy to wind up that habitual victim of slow-left armers – Kevin Pietersen. If he plays in the series, despite his impressive ODI bow yesterday, we will eat our collection of Wisdens.

Mitchell Johnson – His waywardness may make Harmison look metronomic in comparison, but he has an uncanny ability to take wickets with bad balls and is a different proposition on home pitches. England will underestimate Mummy’s Boy at their peril.

Ben Hilfenhaus – The best bowler on show on either side in the 2009 series is to some extent unproven on Australian wickets at the highest level having only played one of his 13 tests at home. That said, is a good bet to be the leading wicket taker in the series.

Doug Bollinger – The children’s TV lookalike (see Doug Bollinger's moonlighting again) is not as brave as Australian quicks of previous vintageif his absence from the final stages of the Mohali Test is anything to go by. Will test Strauss’ perceived weakness against left-arm new ball bowlers.

Peter Siddle – The man with the white lipstick is a solid if unspectacular performer and his recent injury problems mean he is likely to start the series on the sidelines.

Ryan Harris – A rag to riches tale has seen the late-blooming Harris emerge as an international bowler in the last 12 months. Another with recent injury worries.

Peter George – Innocuous on debut at Bangalore, but his height and natural bounce will be clearly more suited to home wickets should injuries give him an opportunity.

Tim Nielsen (Coach): The man who drew the short straw when taking over from Buchanan. His task of returning his charges to former glories looks a tougher one each day.

Where next?

Check out our full Ashes 100-1 countdown

England fly down under with hopes high

What can England learn from Australia's Indian woes?

 

India vs Australia: 2nd Test: Australia marks out of 10

 
So still no test victory for Ricky Ponting as a captain in India as Australia lost their third test in a row for the first time since 1988 - when they lost the first three matches of a home series to a great West Indies side. 

And yet again it was a dismal second innings batting display that did for them as Australia were dismissed for a paltry 223. Unlike at Mohali they didn't make India work for the win this time as some powderpuff bowling and strange field placings from Ponting saw India canter home by seven wickets.

So with Australia's next test being the first Ashes test at Brisbane on November 25th, how did the XI who played in Bangalore rate on the Reverse Sweep marks out of ten scale?

Shane Watson - 7: Gave both innings impetuous and a good start, but was unable to go on as he did in Mohali. Found some reverse swing on the fourth morning, but doesn't have enough pace to trouble the best batsmen.

Simon Katich - 6: Got starts in both innings but didn't convert in either. However, you just know that he will be a thorn in England's side come the Ashes. Bowled five ineffective overs.

Ricky Ponting - 7: Two scores of 70+ but will be disappointed not to have turned at least one of those into a big hundred. Has now only converted three out of 18 fifties into tons since scoring a century at the same venue in October 2008. Loses a point for some strange bowling changes and field placings, which suggest it is not just Ponting's batting that is on the wane. 

Michael Clarke - 3: Two more failures to cap a barren series for the captain-in-waiting, with the stumping in the second innings being a comically embarrassing dismissal. 35 runs in four innings is simply not good enough for such a fine player.

Mike Hussey - 5: Hit a breezy 34 in the first innings, which contrasted with his dour efforts at Mohali, but was unable to convert two more starts even into a fifty meaning that his four scores in the series ranged from 17 to 34. Will probably survive for the Ashes but for how long after that?

Marcus North - 8: Brave career saving hundred in the first innings - his fifth ton in 19 tests, before reverting to type and getting stuck on his crease in the second. Not guaranteed to survive the whole series with England but full marks for his courage here.

Tim Paine - 7: Looked good with the bat again especially in his first innings partnership with North and was tidy with the gloves. Has given the selectors a difficult decision ahead of the Ashes with Brad Haddin now fit again.

Mitchell Johnson - 5: Bowled reasonably in patches but throws in too many bad and truly awful deliveries for a top-class fast bowler. Could be a different proposition on home pitches though.

Nathan Hauritz - 2: Wasn't helped by Ponting's handling of him, which was bizarre to say the least, but match figures of 51.5-4-229-3 tell their own story. Simply dreadful. England's batsmen must be licking their lips at the prospect of facing such an impotent bowler.

Ben Hilfenhaus - 7: The pick of the Australian attack throughout the series and was particularly unfortunate to only pick up one wicket in the first innings after a skillful and wholehearted effort. The new leader of the Aussie attack and a top-class bowler.

Peter George - 5: Not a pitch to make your debut on as a fast bowler.George didn't carry much threat. But he did okay for one making his bow and was rewarded when a certain Sachin Tendulkar became his first test victim - albeit for 214 - something to tell the grandchildren. 

Where next?

All-time Australian Ashes XI: The Openers, Number 3, 4 and 5, All-rounder

Seven reasons why the Poms love Shane Warne

10 reasons why The Don is the greatest Ashes cricketer of them all

India vs Australia: 1st Test: Australia marks out of 10

A turgid game for three days sprung to life in the final two as conditions suddenly became more difficult for the batsmen (a lesson for the BCCI?) and the finish was truly memorable. Yet again Australia's propensity for batting collapses came back to haunt them as they went from 87 without loss to 192 all out in their second innings.

But despite not being a vintage Australian side, they do not lack grit and competitive spirit and it took a truly wonderful innings from their nemesis VVS Laxman in a magnificent ninth wicket stand with Ishant Sharma to deny Ricky Ponting his first test win as captain on Indian soil.

So how did the Aussies rate?

Shane Watson - 9: Continued his inexplicable success as a test opener with two contrasting innings, with his second test century being a particularly determined effort. Now averages over 50 as an opener - we may have been wrong to doubt Watson, but we still don't like him!

Simon Katich - 6: Failed in the first innings before a typically gritty performance in the second, which epitomised the workmanlike approach of this Australian side.

Ricky Ponting - 7: Won't score many easier fifties than he did in the first innings and will still be furious that he ran himself out. Failed in his second knock to a familiar foe in Sharma. Cut a disconsolate figure at the end.

Michael Clarke - 4: Was out three times for 18 runs if you include the no ball from Sharma in the second innings. A poor match from arguably Australia's best batsman.

Mike Hussey - 5: Occupied the crease for a long time in both innings but strike rate was painfully slow on both occasions. Unlucky to be given out leg before to Harbhajan second time around.

Marcus North - 4: He may have got the prize wicket of Tendulkar, but his test career is hanging by a thread after two disappointing performances with the bat. He may have got a dreadful decision in the second innings but it ended a painful knock where he struggled from first ball to last.

Tim Paine - 8: Desperately unlucky to  miss out on a deserved hundred and kept competently enough for one playing his first test on the sub-continent. If Haddin fails to recover from injury, the gloves are in safe hands.

Mitchell Johnson - 7: A typically inconsistent performance from Mummy's Boy saw a wonderful bowling display in the first innings followed by a wicketless second innings. In between, Johnson showed he can bat with a breezy 47 to add impetuous to Australia's first innings crawl.

Nathan Hauritz - 3: Went for over four runs an over and was horribly impotent throughout. The worst Australian test spinner since Murray Bennett?

Ben Hilfenhaus - 7: Poor with the ball in the first innings but came back well in the second with four wickets that seemed to have handed the momentum to his side. Should do well against England.

Doug Bollinger - 6: Bowled wonderfully on the final morning with his extra lift and three wickets looking like seeing Australia over the line. Didn't come out after lunch because of injury - they obviously don't make Australian fast bowlers like they used to. 'The Demon' Spofforth must be turning in his grave. 

Pakistan vs Australia - Australia marks out of ten & Ashes rating

It is probably not jumping the gun to suggest that the period of Australian cricket supremacy has come to an end. At times it seemed that the era would last as long as the Roman Empire itself, and continuing on that theme the fall of the Green and Gold's could be just as dramatic if the brief tour of England is anything to go by.

For the first time since 1977, an Australian touring side leaves English shores empty handed having lost the Nat West Series to England 3-2, been beaten 2-0 in the Twenty 20 series against Pakistan, and now with defeat at Headingley, only drawn the test series, also with Pakistan, 1-1.

As we outlined last week, the problems facing the declining Australians are stark with only a short two test series in India to go before the first Ashes test in Brisbane at the end of November. Groundhog day batting collapses, impotent new ball bowlers and question marks over a number of players due to injury and form are just some of the problems facing Ricky Ponting and Tim Neilsen.

So, how did the players who faced Pakistan rate on the Reverse Sweep marks out of ten scale? And what are their chances of retaining their place for the Ashes?

Shane Watson - 7 (64 runs, Average 16.00, HS 31. 11 Wickets, Average 10.63, B/B 6/33): Just as Twatto's beginners luck as a test opener seemed to desert him, the Pakistani batsman contrived to hand him two successive five fors. The honours boards at Lord's and Headingley will be hanging their heads in shame. Ashes selection rating - A certainty 

Simon Katich - 7 (187 runs, Average 46.75, HS 83): Is there a worse batsman to watch in test cricket today? Probably not, but what Katich's batting lacks in style he certainly makes up for in effectiveness. England will hope his two failures at Headingley are the start of a trend. Ashes selection rating: A certainty

Ricky Ponting - 5 (98 runs, Average 24.50, HS 61): It is sad to see one of the all-time greats struggling so badly; unless you are an England fan that is. For a time, it looked like Ponting was going to resurrect Australia in the second innings at Headingley with his ultra-competitiveness and typical battling nature. But then he got out to a horrendous shot on the third morning. Could we be nearing the end of Ponting's wonderful test career? Ashes selection rating: A certainty, but should he drop down the order?

Michael Clarke - 6 (139 runs, Average 34.75, HS 77): Like the rest of his colleagues, he looked like a beginner in the first innings at Headingley. But in the rest of the series, Clarke looked what he now is - Australia's premier batsman. May end up as captain of his country within a year unless Australia cure their current malaise. Ashes selection rating: A certainty, but should be move up to three?

Michael Hussey - 5 (69 runs, Average 23.00, HS 56*): In the first innings at Lord's it looked like Mr Cricket was going to continue to be the scourge of Pakistan. But 13 runs in three innings after suggests that Hussey has several chinks in his armour that England should be able to exploit over the winter. Ashes selection rating: Probably safe, but given his age for how long?

Marcus North - 4 (36 runs, Average 9.00, HS 20. BB 6/55): His surprising haul of six for 55 at Lord's should not detract from the fact that North's days as a test cricketer must surely be numbered. There are a number of options the Australian selectors could pursue, but none of them should include North in their Ashes XI. Ashes selection rating: Surely, North is a goner?

Tim Paine - 7 (104 runs, Average 26.00, HS 47): Looked very impressive (and far more assured than Brad Haddin) behind the stumps and looked pretty handy with the bat as well. Amidst the carnage of the first innings at Headingley, Paine stood out like a beacon from the rest, and in the second innings he was doing wonderfully well before being suckered by Kaneira into chasing a wide one. A promising start to his test career. Ashes selection rating: Will only play if Haddin's broken body doesn't mend

Steve Smith - 7 (3 wickets, Average 27.33, BB 3/51. 100 runs, Average 25.00, HS 77): Is clearly not the new Shane Warne despite the hyperbole, but considering his age looks a very promising leg-spinner/batsman. His 77 in the second innings at Headingley was quite brilliant - even more so given it was only Smith's second test - and nearly took Australia to the promised land. Ashes selection rating: May well play, either instead of Hauritz or even as a second spin option/number six in place of North

Mitchell Johnson - 2 (3 wickets, Average 72.33, BB 1/31): The ICC Cricketer of the Year clearly doesn't like playing in England and was to be frank, awful. No wickets and no control with only three victims for 217 and an economy rate of over 4.00 runs per over. And like Stuart Broad, any thoughts of Johnson developing as an all-rounder must surely now be forgotten. If Peter Siddle regains form and fitness, maybe Johnson should be the one to drop out? Ashes selection rating: A certainty for the Gabba, but will he last for the whole series?

Ben Hilfenhaus - 7 (8 wickets, Average 23.75, BB 3/39): Despite lacking some match fitness, Hilfenhaus was the pick of the Australian attack (although that doesn't say much). Didn't look quite as sharp as he did in the Ashes last summer but will be relishing the opportunity to cross swords with Strauss and Cook again at the Gabba. And if his batting continues to improve at the same rate, he could be opening in 18 months time! Ashes selection rating: If fit, a certainty

Doug Bollinger - 5 (5 wickets, Average 36.40, BB 3/51): Lacked penetration with the new Duke ball and will be looking to improve with the Kookaburra back in his hand. Always up for the fight though and bowled well on the last morning at Headingley. Alan Davidson is right to say that Bolly is a better bowler than Johnson. Ashes selection rating: Should be the second seamer on the list after Hilfenhaus

Nat West Series - Australia marks out of ten

Unlike England who played the same XI throughout the five games, Australia chopped and changed their line-up playing 15 men in the series for reasons of form and injury.

At first it looked like Australia were going to be humbled but with the introduction of the express Shaun Tait and some typically gritty performances, they managed to claw their way back to leave with a 3-2 defeat and arguably the momentum in their favour.

A 5-0 defeat may have left some scars that wouldn't have healed by the Ashes but a narrow series defeat with several key players missing and facing a buoyant England side, will give Ricky Ponting and his side some positives for November. However, the bragging rights are definitely with England for the time being.

So, how did the Aussies rate during the series?

Shane Watson - 7 (205 runs, avg 41.00, SR 85.06, 2 50s, HS 61. 2 wickets, avg 32.00 Econ 5.81 BB 2/55 Started the series as the only Australian in form but kept getting out when set much to his obvious disappointment. Bowling was pretty poor and the days of him being tagged as an all-rounder must now be gone.

Tim Paine - 6 (148 runs, avg 29.60, SR 63.79, 1 50, HS 54) A shadow of the batsman who shone in last autumn's series against the same opposition. Didn't score enough runs and those he did score were at too pedestrian a rate. Brad Haddin, your place is safe.

Ricky Ponting - 6 (144 runs, avg 28.80, SR 80.00, 1 50, HS 92) Unquestionably, the Australian captain is a player in irreversible decline as shown by his struggles in this series. But this was a batsman with the powers of Gandalf and this and his love of a fight, saw him set the foundations for his team's win at The Oval with an un-Ponting like 92.

Michael Clarke - 8 (220 runs, avg 110.00, SR 83.33, 2 50s, HS 99*) His 87 not out in the first match was not made at the pace his side required to set a winning target, but it is hard to criticise someone who had these stats for a one day series. His partnership with Ponting at The Oval was a matchwinning one however, even if it didn't give him the hundred he deserved.

Cameron White - 6 (145 runs, avg 36.25, SR 77.54, 1 50, HS 86*) A steady if unspectacular series for the normally big hitting White. It can't be often that his strike rate for a one day series is slower than Clarke's and his 86 not out at Cardiff proved to be too circumspect.

Mike Hussey - 6 (143 runs, avg 28.60, SR 97.27, 1 50, HS 79) Another Australian batsman who started the series in poor form and finished it close to his best. His 79 in the final match was a typical Hussey masterpiece and showed exactly why he is rated one of the best one day batsman in the world.

Shaun Marsh - 6 (59 runs, avg 59.00, SR 118.00, 1 50, HS 59) Just played the final match at Lord's and showed just what Australia had been missing. Could have played himself back into the team as Watson's opening partner.

James Hopes - 5 (2 wickets, avg 101, Econ 5.58, BB 1/30. 61 runs, avg 20.33, SR 103.38, HS 34) Reminds of one of the many bits and pieces cricketers England used to populate their one day side with in the nineties. Hopes' stats for the series bore this out too. His time must be nigh in this line-up.

Steve Smith - 7 (7 wickets, avg 26.00, Econ 5.05, BB 2/34. 94 runs, avg 31.33, SR 98.94, HS 41)Hugely impressive performance from the youngster especially as England would have targeted his leg spin as a weakness. Clearly he is no Warne, but he looks like he could have a long international career ahead of him all the same.

Nathan Hauritz - 5 (1 wicket, avg 100.00, Econ 5.55, BB 1/56) Played the first two matches before getting injured and must now fear that Smith will take his place in the test and one day sides. England would have been disappointed to see him go.

Doug Bollinger - 8 (9 wickets, avg 19.77, Econ 3.95, BB 3/20) Looks a very good bowler who wears his heart on his sleeve. Good performances throughout the series with wickets and a decent economy rate. Probably nailed on for a spot at The Gabba in November - form and fitness permitting.

Ryan Harris - 8 (10 wickets, avg 17.10, Econ 4.79, BB 5/32) Another impressive Australian bowler who bowls around 90mph, and despite playing four matches was the leading wicket taker for Ricky Ponting's men. Bowled beautifully at The Oval.

Shaun Tait - 9 (8 wickets, avg 12.37, Econ 3.88, BB 4/48) What would have happened if Tait had played the whole series? Must be the fastest bowler in the world at the moment and he combines taking wickets without leaking too many runs. Could be in line for a return to test cricket too - but is he fit enough?

Josh Hazelwood - 5 (1 wicket, avg 41.00, Econ 5.85, BB 1/41) The 19 year old made his debut at the Rose Bowl and seemed to do well enough, but was then never seen again. Did he get lost en route to Cardiff?

Clint McKay - 3 (1 match, 0/60) Also only played one match and didn't look much of a player on that showing. Strauss certainly punished his no-balls.