All-rounders vie for vacant Test spot

Written By Unknown on Selasa, 08 Januari 2013 | 18.48

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Battle grounds ... Dan Christian had a taste of Test cricket against India. Source: Gregg Porteous / News Limited

For Shane Watson the decision to take a break from bowling would have been heartbreaking.

For the likes of Dan Christian and Moises Henriques it's provided fresh hope of a maiden Test cap.

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Christian and Henriques, who have both played Twenty20 and one-day cricket for Australia, are among the list of all-rounders who have come into contention for the Ashes after Watson elected to focus on batting.

National selectors are expected to field a spinning all-rounder in the upcoming Test tour of India.

However, many pundits have called for a medium-pace all-round option for the Ashes battle that follows, with the feats of Andrew Flintoff in 2005 still fresh in their minds.

(2012/13 Sheffield Shield statistics so far) 

  • Moises Henriques (314 runs at 78.5; 13 wickets at 17)
  • Dan Christian (173 at 21.62; 9 wickets at 41.44)
  • John Hastings (200 runs at 33.33; 22 wickets at 19.09)
  • Luke Butterworth (150 runs at 30; 25 wickets at 17.72)
  • James Faulkner (169 runs at 28.16; 21 wickets at 21)
  • James Hopes (126 runs at 25.2; 10 wickets at 17.50)

Mitchell Johnson performed the role at the SCG Test, but some have questioned whether his batting will hold up against a more fearsome bowling attack.

It leaves an open field, even more so given Andrew McDonald's injury concerns.

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Henriques felt he was more mentally ready for the rigours of international cricket, but didn't want to get picked on potential.

"Whether you're a bowling allrounder or a batting all-rounder, you can't just be in the team as a bits-and-pieces player,'' the 25-year-old said.

"You've got to be good enough to be picked in the team as a bowler and a batter.

"I'm hoping, with some better performances after Christmas, that I can prove that.''

Christian, 12th man in two Tests last summer when Watson was sidelined, admitted he was a "bit disappointed'' to be left out of Australia's squad for the one-day series.

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However the 29-year-old was upbeat there would not be the same dearth of seam all-rounders in future Australian Test teams.

"If they are looking for that all-rounder position, I'd love to do it if I've got the runs and wickets behind me,'' Christian said.

"Personally I don't think a spinning allrounder is the best way to go. You need a seam all-rounder and there's quite a few of those around the country.''

Henriques impressed with a tally of 314 runs and 13 wickets from four matches in the first half of the Sheffield Shield season, but didn't want selectors to call him until he had a mountain of both.

"I'm 25 and happy to keep learning my craft ... as much as I'd love to play for Australia as soon as possible, I'm not in any great rush to get there,'' he said.

"If I do get there, I want to make sure I'm playing as well as I can.''


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