A 2-0 series win, one by an innings and the other by nine wickets, can cover a multitude of sins. West Indies don't have that many to cover, but there remain problems. But Zimbabwe can take few positives from a poor tour, and look nothing like a Test team.
The main problem for the visitors was their batting, in four Test innings they put up totals of 211, 107, 175 and 141. Only Tino Mawoyo made it to 50 in the series, and he could go no further, departing for just that. Brendan Taylor had a poor tour overall, and scored 72 runs at 18 in the Tests. Other than him, the biggest disappointment in the batting was Vusi Sibanda who hit some crisp strokes, made a start in all four innings, but failed to get past fifty once. His talent is such that he's worth persisting with for Zimbabwe, but he's got to start scoring big runs soon.
The visitors bowling was the reverse of the West Indians, with the seamers bowling well and the spinners struggling. Kyle Jarvis took a five-for in the first Test and generally looked threatening, whilst Tendai Chatara showed enough to work with. On the spin front, Ray Price was as reliable as ever and strangely dropped for the anaemic Prosper Utseya for the second Test. Leg-spinner Graeme Cremer took some punishment across the two Tests, and failed to get the help from the surfaces that was there, never spinning the ball hard enough.
Zimbabwe will never improve until the facilities are better back at home, and they get to play more Test matches. At the moment, they are barely good enough to be a Test nation, and unlike the likes of Bangladesh they don't have many big weapons in the one day game. The batting is weak, Brendan Taylor is no Andy Flower, and while the opening partnership has potential, the lower middle order looks poor. Kyle Jarvis needs a partner, and if Glen Querl wants to play for Zimbabwe that gives them another good swing bowler. Add a tall quick bowler from somewhere and there is the makings of something there, but the question on who's going to replace Ray Price in the long run is no closer to being answered.
On the bowling side of things for the West Indies, Shane Shillingford dominated, taking 19 of the 40 Zimbabwe wickets to fall in the series. Marlon Samuels picked up some 10 cheap wickets with his javelin balls, Sunil Narine must be kicking himself. Best and Roach were below par but Shannon Gabriel seems to have cemented his place in the team with some disciplined bowling at a sharp pace, and was unlucky not to have taken the new ball at any point.
Batting wise, they put up good totals first up in both Tests, and only Bravo and Powell missed out on significant scores in either Tests. Darren Sammy and Dinesh Ramdin turned the First Test with their partnership, but both may be batting a place to high when it gets to playing against better quality opposition.
That's the main problem the West Indies will have to deal with: team balance. Darren Sammy shouldn't get in the team as a player alone, his bowling has gone downhill, and his batting hasn't improved enough to make him a genuine all-rounder to bat at number seven. He's been an inspirational captain, but he's no Brearley, and against better opposition he will either negatively affect the bowling or the balance of the side. There's no easy answer, but the selectors will have to come up with one before the Pakistan series at home.
Zimbabwe's next assignment is a home series against Bangladesh, where they should compete more. Their comeback Test, back in 2011, was against the same team, and they fought out a convincing win. Bangladesh have improved since then, and Zimbabwe have gone backwards. It will be a tough test for both teams, and it's a shame it's only two Tests. In series between two evenly matched teams like these, there should be at least three, ideally four Tests. Neither team plays enough Test cricket, this should be their chance to change that. Unfortunately, money talks, and the series isn't a big enough draw to merit more matches.
Friday, 22 March 2013
Wednesday, 20 March 2013
Hometown glory for Shillingford
Shane Shillingford is not a glamorous spinner. He's never been picked in the IPL auction, he's never had overwhelming success at any level, but slowly and surely he's establishing himself as West Indies' premier spinner. He could have considered himself unlucky to have been dropped for the effervescent Sunil Narine, not long after taking the first 10 wicket match haul by a West Indian spinner since Lance Gibbs, but he looks set for a long spell in the side now after picking up 5/59 on the first day of the Test against Zimbabwe.
Shillingford teased the Zimbabwean batsmen with turn and bounce along with just enough flight. He had them playing back to full balls, bowling spitting cobras jumping off a length which weren't even the wicket-taking balls. His first and last came from doosras, bowling Masakadza and trapping Chatara LBW. In between he got rid of Brendan Taylor reverse-sweeping and playing on, Waller slogging one up in the air and Utseya LBW to an off-break.
It can be argued that West Indies erred by not picking a second spinner. Veerasammy Permaul was the other option in the squad and can generally be relied on to provide an accurate spell of left arm spin, albeit from a remarkably fussy action akin to Phil Tufnell on speed.
Perhaps a better option would have been Sunil Narine, who would have provided some of the same qualities as Shillingford, but would not have duplicated him. Most selectors are reluctant to play two spinners of the same ilk, but Shillingford and Narine are hardly the same bowler. Shillingford is more of a wristy off-spinner, whilst Narine bowls more of a finger-spin, and whilst both have doosras, Shillingford's is the back of the hand version, whilst Narine bowls the knuckle/carrom ball.
The depth in West Indian spin bowling is better than it has perhaps ever been. Even in the days of Ramadhin and Valentine, or of Lance Gibbs, there was little below that level. Now Shillingford, Permaul and Narine compete for the Test spots, whilst Nikita Miller takes bucketloads at First-class level, and Devendra Bishoo seems forgotten. Add the likes of Yannic Cariah, Odeon Brown and Ashley Nurse amongst others and the spin warehouse is well stocked.
This abundance of spinners makes it all the more impressive that Shillingford is on top – for the time being – and his experience has won out over the more green Narine. Shillingford is over 30, and after his first five Tests in 2010 brought him 14 wickets at 56.79, he came back in 2012, and in his last five (including the ongoing one) he's picked up 29 at 23.10. Now he's got to continue this success, West Indies' next Tests assignment should be Pakistan in June, and he's a certain pick for that series. After that his long term future is in his own hands.
Shillingford teased the Zimbabwean batsmen with turn and bounce along with just enough flight. He had them playing back to full balls, bowling spitting cobras jumping off a length which weren't even the wicket-taking balls. His first and last came from doosras, bowling Masakadza and trapping Chatara LBW. In between he got rid of Brendan Taylor reverse-sweeping and playing on, Waller slogging one up in the air and Utseya LBW to an off-break.
It can be argued that West Indies erred by not picking a second spinner. Veerasammy Permaul was the other option in the squad and can generally be relied on to provide an accurate spell of left arm spin, albeit from a remarkably fussy action akin to Phil Tufnell on speed.
Perhaps a better option would have been Sunil Narine, who would have provided some of the same qualities as Shillingford, but would not have duplicated him. Most selectors are reluctant to play two spinners of the same ilk, but Shillingford and Narine are hardly the same bowler. Shillingford is more of a wristy off-spinner, whilst Narine bowls more of a finger-spin, and whilst both have doosras, Shillingford's is the back of the hand version, whilst Narine bowls the knuckle/carrom ball.
The depth in West Indian spin bowling is better than it has perhaps ever been. Even in the days of Ramadhin and Valentine, or of Lance Gibbs, there was little below that level. Now Shillingford, Permaul and Narine compete for the Test spots, whilst Nikita Miller takes bucketloads at First-class level, and Devendra Bishoo seems forgotten. Add the likes of Yannic Cariah, Odeon Brown and Ashley Nurse amongst others and the spin warehouse is well stocked.
This abundance of spinners makes it all the more impressive that Shillingford is on top – for the time being – and his experience has won out over the more green Narine. Shillingford is over 30, and after his first five Tests in 2010 brought him 14 wickets at 56.79, he came back in 2012, and in his last five (including the ongoing one) he's picked up 29 at 23.10. Now he's got to continue this success, West Indies' next Tests assignment should be Pakistan in June, and he's a certain pick for that series. After that his long term future is in his own hands.
Sunday, 3 March 2013
Embrace the ambidextrous
Just imagine this. A crafty young mystery spinner bounces towards the crease. Think Akila Dananjaya. He's the Sri Lankan who claims to be able to bowl all the balls, and who knows, maybe he can. His ESPNCricinfo profile proclaims that he is "Able to deliver a legbreak, googly, carrom ball, doosra and a stock offspinner." What you don't know is that this mystery spinner can also do that all again left-handed.
Of course, the rules of cricket would demand that he inform the batsman each time he switches bowling hands. All mystery, and the element of surprise is lost. No wonder there are very few ambidextrous bowlers in cricket. Hanif Mohammed could bowl finger spin with both hands, and a few others are said to have bowled with their wrong hand at a point, generally as a bit of fun, not as a serious endeavour.
But it could be turned into a serious, if niche, endeavour if the law no longer required bowlers to inform the umpire in change of action. Bowlers could switch their action at will to adjust if the strike changes from a left-hander to a right-hander or just confuse bowlers who never know what angle the ball is going to come from and out of which hand as the bowler bounds to the crease. Spin bowlers could gain the most advantage from this, turning the ball both ways, using the same skill-set but different hands.
Ambidexterity is a skill rewarded in most other sports. Footballers who are genuinely as good with either foot are highly prized, rugby players are expected to be able to throw to either side, and there are no rules (as far as I know) preventing golfers driving in a right-handed stance before putting left-handed. Baseball players who can bat either handed are highly prized, and pitchers who pitch either handed rare but not prohibited.
Of course, the rules of cricket would demand that he inform the batsman each time he switches bowling hands. All mystery, and the element of surprise is lost. No wonder there are very few ambidextrous bowlers in cricket. Hanif Mohammed could bowl finger spin with both hands, and a few others are said to have bowled with their wrong hand at a point, generally as a bit of fun, not as a serious endeavour.
But it could be turned into a serious, if niche, endeavour if the law no longer required bowlers to inform the umpire in change of action. Bowlers could switch their action at will to adjust if the strike changes from a left-hander to a right-hander or just confuse bowlers who never know what angle the ball is going to come from and out of which hand as the bowler bounds to the crease. Spin bowlers could gain the most advantage from this, turning the ball both ways, using the same skill-set but different hands.
Ambidexterity is a skill rewarded in most other sports. Footballers who are genuinely as good with either foot are highly prized, rugby players are expected to be able to throw to either side, and there are no rules (as far as I know) preventing golfers driving in a right-handed stance before putting left-handed. Baseball players who can bat either handed are highly prized, and pitchers who pitch either handed rare but not prohibited.
Yet cricket promotes the inequality of batsmen being able to reverse-sweep and switch-hit, without bowlers able to counter with an innovation of their own. It's not like batsmen need more of an advantage in the modern game of big bats with edges as large as middles and postage stamp grounds with 60 yard boundaries.
Innovation has long been frowned on in cricket, when the googly was first invented it was derided and claimed to be morally wrong, tricking the batsman in such a way. There are palpitations amongst many about the doosra and its legality, despite the fact that several bowlers have been show to be able to bowl it without chucking.
It's time for cricket to embrace the ambidextrous, add another dimension to bowling and reward those who are, and those who can make themselves ambidextrous. Give it ten years and maybe the next generation of mystery spinners might come along and take the opportunity literally with both hands.
Friday, 1 March 2013
Australia's spin options for the second Test
Nathan Lyon
Pass.
The ghost of Clarrie Grimmett
Yes, he may not be able to take corporeal form, but even without a body, the legendary Australian spinner must be better than Nathan Lyon. Never played a Test in India, and he can rectify that now, if John Inverarity can conduct an effective seance.
Xavier Doherty
Wins one point for being called 'Xavier', and should be an automatic selection if you want to get Kevin Pietersen out for 227. Puts a lot of energy into his action, none of which is imparted on the ball
Steve Smith
Looks a little bit like Shane Warne, and bowls leg-breaks. Fuck it, let's play him
Glenn Maxwell
The big show. Could be the next Colin 'Funky' Miller, or the next Jason Kreizja. You'll only know if you pick him.
Fawad Ahmed
Quick, someone get him a passport. An Australian one, I'm sure he's already got a Pakistan passport. Just send Doherty home and give Fawad his passport.
Bryce McGain
Surely he deserves another chance. Hasn't played first-class cricket since October 2010, but he's not a bad bowler despite what people in South Africa might think.
Steve O'Keefe
Is it too late to belatedly fly the man nicknamed 'Sock' out to India. Well, unless the spinner has wings, which I assume he doesn't, yes. If O'Keefe does sprout a pair of wings, he should get them flapping in the direction of Hyderabad, as well as a spinner Australia could do with a flying fielder.
Adam Zampa
Ok, I'm taking the piss now. Not as good as everyone thinks he is, plus like O'Keefe and McGain he doesn't possess wings.
A wax sculpture of Shane Warne
Wait, that's the real Warne? What the fuck has he done to himself since he retired. He's not retired? Well, he wasn't that good in India, and was turd in the BBL.
I'd take my chances with a spin trio of the ghost of Clarrie Grimmett, Fawad Ahmed disguised as Xavier Dohery and flying Steve O'Keefe.
Pass.
The ghost of Clarrie Grimmett
Yes, he may not be able to take corporeal form, but even without a body, the legendary Australian spinner must be better than Nathan Lyon. Never played a Test in India, and he can rectify that now, if John Inverarity can conduct an effective seance.
Xavier Doherty
Wins one point for being called 'Xavier', and should be an automatic selection if you want to get Kevin Pietersen out for 227. Puts a lot of energy into his action, none of which is imparted on the ball
Steve Smith
Looks a little bit like Shane Warne, and bowls leg-breaks. Fuck it, let's play him
Glenn Maxwell
The big show. Could be the next Colin 'Funky' Miller, or the next Jason Kreizja. You'll only know if you pick him.
Fawad Ahmed
Quick, someone get him a passport. An Australian one, I'm sure he's already got a Pakistan passport. Just send Doherty home and give Fawad his passport.
Bryce McGain
Surely he deserves another chance. Hasn't played first-class cricket since October 2010, but he's not a bad bowler despite what people in South Africa might think.
Steve O'Keefe
Is it too late to belatedly fly the man nicknamed 'Sock' out to India. Well, unless the spinner has wings, which I assume he doesn't, yes. If O'Keefe does sprout a pair of wings, he should get them flapping in the direction of Hyderabad, as well as a spinner Australia could do with a flying fielder.
Adam Zampa
Ok, I'm taking the piss now. Not as good as everyone thinks he is, plus like O'Keefe and McGain he doesn't possess wings.
A wax sculpture of Shane Warne
Wait, that's the real Warne? What the fuck has he done to himself since he retired. He's not retired? Well, he wasn't that good in India, and was turd in the BBL.
I'd take my chances with a spin trio of the ghost of Clarrie Grimmett, Fawad Ahmed disguised as Xavier Dohery and flying Steve O'Keefe.
Friday, 15 February 2013
Ajmal is a genius
The 90s and the first half of the 00s were dominated, spin wise, by two geniuses. One was a genius of the mind, all smoke and mirrors. The other was a genius of the body, with a super flexing shoulder and wrist that fizzed and turned the ball more than any other before him. If Saeed Ajmal had come earlier to Test cricket, maybe he would have become regarded as in the same class as Warne and Muralitharan.
Still, he's indisputably the one genius spinner in the world at the moment. Graeme Swann is the consumate craftsman, honing and using traditional skills of turn, drift and bounce as a more or less conventional off-spinner. Ajmal however bowls like a supercharged mix of Warne and Murali, maybe not of the same class as either, but containing elements of both. He has a doosra like Murali and some of the freakish physical attributes in his wrist and shoulder that makes him able to bowl the doosra that made the Sri Lankan brilliant. Add to that the sense of bowling like a game of chess and his constant cheeky and irreverent presence and you see the echoes of Warne in him.
Today he bowled as well as he may have ever, constantly changing his pace and flight, and using the doosra only sparingly, he constantly induced false shots and prised out the entire top five of South Africa. All this whilst maintaining enviable accuracy. His fields were set well too, whenever he spun it too much down leg, a short fine leg prevented the get out show, and he had the mid on and off straight enough to cut off any drive.
Three of his wickets came from clever reviews, although one was controversial. Jacques Kallis refused to leave after being given out LBW on umpires call after originally being given out at bat pad. The decision seems to have been the right one, Law 27.4 states that an appeal "covers all ways of being out." The the playing conditions contradict this, stating that when the third umpire notices evidence to give it out in another than for what it was reviewed, the DRS will consider the umpire's call on that decision not out: "The process of consultation described in this paragraph in respect of such other mode of dismissal shall then be conducted as if the batsman has been given not out." The laws take precedent, though this is a situation that needs clarification.
The usual controversy surrounding Ajmal is usually a chucking allegation, but I'd like to withdraw my accusation from about this time last year of chucking. Like Murali, I accept now that it is an optical illusion caused by an "unusually high elbow abduction" and an brilliant wrist and shoulder. This along with the fact that he bowls with a bent arm does not mean he chucks if it doesn't straighten more than 15 degrees. If the ICC are satisfied he doesn't, so am I. I wouldn't want to see his career tainted with these accusations, he's too brilliant for that.
Ajmal bowled 25 straight overs from ten past two in the afternoon to stumps and didn't go through one without making the batsmen nervous, barely one without some half chance or false shot. He'll come back tomorrow with, whispers of the prospect of all ten. It could be possible, he is the only bowler who has threatened for Pakistan, and the tail will struggle against him if he continues bowling like this. As a spinner and fan of spinners, wouldn't it be lovely to add a third spinner to the only players to take all ten in an innings? Spinners do it better.
Still, he's indisputably the one genius spinner in the world at the moment. Graeme Swann is the consumate craftsman, honing and using traditional skills of turn, drift and bounce as a more or less conventional off-spinner. Ajmal however bowls like a supercharged mix of Warne and Murali, maybe not of the same class as either, but containing elements of both. He has a doosra like Murali and some of the freakish physical attributes in his wrist and shoulder that makes him able to bowl the doosra that made the Sri Lankan brilliant. Add to that the sense of bowling like a game of chess and his constant cheeky and irreverent presence and you see the echoes of Warne in him.
Today he bowled as well as he may have ever, constantly changing his pace and flight, and using the doosra only sparingly, he constantly induced false shots and prised out the entire top five of South Africa. All this whilst maintaining enviable accuracy. His fields were set well too, whenever he spun it too much down leg, a short fine leg prevented the get out show, and he had the mid on and off straight enough to cut off any drive.
Three of his wickets came from clever reviews, although one was controversial. Jacques Kallis refused to leave after being given out LBW on umpires call after originally being given out at bat pad. The decision seems to have been the right one, Law 27.4 states that an appeal "covers all ways of being out." The the playing conditions contradict this, stating that when the third umpire notices evidence to give it out in another than for what it was reviewed, the DRS will consider the umpire's call on that decision not out: "The process of consultation described in this paragraph in respect of such other mode of dismissal shall then be conducted as if the batsman has been given not out." The laws take precedent, though this is a situation that needs clarification.
The usual controversy surrounding Ajmal is usually a chucking allegation, but I'd like to withdraw my accusation from about this time last year of chucking. Like Murali, I accept now that it is an optical illusion caused by an "unusually high elbow abduction" and an brilliant wrist and shoulder. This along with the fact that he bowls with a bent arm does not mean he chucks if it doesn't straighten more than 15 degrees. If the ICC are satisfied he doesn't, so am I. I wouldn't want to see his career tainted with these accusations, he's too brilliant for that.
Ajmal bowled 25 straight overs from ten past two in the afternoon to stumps and didn't go through one without making the batsmen nervous, barely one without some half chance or false shot. He'll come back tomorrow with, whispers of the prospect of all ten. It could be possible, he is the only bowler who has threatened for Pakistan, and the tail will struggle against him if he continues bowling like this. As a spinner and fan of spinners, wouldn't it be lovely to add a third spinner to the only players to take all ten in an innings? Spinners do it better.
Monday, 11 February 2013
Scout Report: Odean Brown
At some point between the time Walsh and Ambrose retired and the last few years, the West Indies became a spinner's paradise. Of course, it had been like this before, Rahmadin and Valentine, Lance Gibbs had been the biggest weapons for the Windies during the 50s and 60s. Since then, and since Clive Lloyd settled on his pace bowling artillery, hard bouncy pitches proliferated and the West Indies went to top of the world on the back of furious pace.
It's not like there are no decent pace bowlers in the West Indies domestic scene anymore, but the last few seasons have been dominated by the spinners. One of those who has benefited is Odean Brown. He has 221 wickets in 56 First-class games at an average of 22.63. How do you put those figures in context though? Well, batting is desperately poor in this part of the world at the moment. Teams would be happy to have half their top six averaging over thirty.
So low averages for spinners (and fast bowlers) have to be taken in context. So Nikita Miller's average of 16.83 is probably worth 25 in any other country, Sunil Narine's average for Trinidad of 10.68 is truly exceptional but a small sample size, and in this context Odean Brown's 22.63 seems less impressive.
Still, Brown has a lot going for him, he averages a lot less than Devendra Bishoo (29.55) and has a better strike rate than his team mate Miller. He has a loose limbed action reminiscent of Anil Kumble, but loops the ball more than him, gets spin and bounce and has a good googly that almost bowled Kirk Edwards leaving the ball.
As well as the proliferation of spinners around the West Indies, the main thing counting against Brown is his age, having just turned 31. If a second spinner to partner Narine is ever needed for a Test match, Brown would be behind Bishoo, Shillingford, and Parmaul, but he's done enough and looks impressive enough to be part of the argument.
It's not like there are no decent pace bowlers in the West Indies domestic scene anymore, but the last few seasons have been dominated by the spinners. One of those who has benefited is Odean Brown. He has 221 wickets in 56 First-class games at an average of 22.63. How do you put those figures in context though? Well, batting is desperately poor in this part of the world at the moment. Teams would be happy to have half their top six averaging over thirty.
So low averages for spinners (and fast bowlers) have to be taken in context. So Nikita Miller's average of 16.83 is probably worth 25 in any other country, Sunil Narine's average for Trinidad of 10.68 is truly exceptional but a small sample size, and in this context Odean Brown's 22.63 seems less impressive.
Still, Brown has a lot going for him, he averages a lot less than Devendra Bishoo (29.55) and has a better strike rate than his team mate Miller. He has a loose limbed action reminiscent of Anil Kumble, but loops the ball more than him, gets spin and bounce and has a good googly that almost bowled Kirk Edwards leaving the ball.
As well as the proliferation of spinners around the West Indies, the main thing counting against Brown is his age, having just turned 31. If a second spinner to partner Narine is ever needed for a Test match, Brown would be behind Bishoo, Shillingford, and Parmaul, but he's done enough and looks impressive enough to be part of the argument.
Wednesday, 6 February 2013
What's wrong with Steve O'Keefe?
The phrase, 'lies, damn lies, and statistics' can be taken too seriously. I talked recently about the hunch selections of the past, your Michael Vaughan/Marcus Trescothick type, but the point that also needs to be made is that statistics can tell a lot.
Take Steve O'Keefe, and let me reel off a list of stats. Career First-class average, 27.33, season First-class figures 17 wickets at 24.29, last three seasons (including current) 48 wickets at 27.66. Better career economy rate, strike rate and average than Nathan Lyon. Most wickets for a spinner in the Sheffield Shield two out of the last three seasons.
Yet, he has not played a Test match for Australia, yet a host of men with far worse records than him have. Why? What hunch did the selectors have to pick Xavier Doherty over him for the 2010/11 Ashes, and then now again for India? O'Keefe had 33 career wickets at 25.18 at that point, and took 4/88 against England for Australia A, whilst Doherty had 82 at 48.80. Yet Doherty got the nod, and ended up with an average of 102 for the two Tests he played.
So, when Doherty was dropped from the squad, surely O'Keefe had a chance at some point in the rest of the series? But no, a player with 16 wickets at 39.93 with a best of 3 for 39, Michael Beer, was called up for the final three Tests, and when he got a game at Sydney, took 1/112 in the match and was quickly discarded again.
The next Test Australia played was in Sri Lanka, and O'Keefe didn't make the trip, Nathan Lyon, whose First-class record read 12 wickets at 43.00 before the tour began (compared to O'Keefe's 52 at 24.05), got the chance. This time, the hunch paid off and Lyon took 5/34 in his First Test innings. So that's the spinner's slot sorted for the foreseeable future? Wrong, Lyon, while bowling well at times after that, seems to have dramatically lost his flight and loop which got him into the team in the first place.
This Australian summer his returns have been poor, both in Tests (19 wickets at 41.74) and Sheffield Shield ( 6 wickets at 68) and his place has started to be questioned. I already addressed this in a previous blog post, and I do believe that Lyon should be given time and the tour of India to try and regain his form.
O'Keefe should be the second of the spinners going to Australia. Xavier Doherty is just not a Test bowler. Yes, we don't know if O'\Keefe is, but it'stime to find out. Sure Australia could take another punt, take Adam Zampa, Cameron Boyce, since punts worked so well with or pick somebody out of grade cricket or the Futures League, but at some point the selection committee is going to have to cede to cold hard stats and give Steve O'Keefe a well earned chance. It's several years overdue.
In the Cricket Sadist Hour, Jarrod Kimber put it that O'Keefe must have run over somebody's pet to not have been picked, and now injury appears to have been added to insult, as O'Keefe has injured the webbing on his had from, causing him to miss the Sheffield Shield match against Tasmania, one match after taking an eight wicket match haul against Western Australia. Adam Zampa has taken his place as the spinner and will of course take ten wickets and an emergency call up to the India squad. That's just O'Keefe's luck.
Take Steve O'Keefe, and let me reel off a list of stats. Career First-class average, 27.33, season First-class figures 17 wickets at 24.29, last three seasons (including current) 48 wickets at 27.66. Better career economy rate, strike rate and average than Nathan Lyon. Most wickets for a spinner in the Sheffield Shield two out of the last three seasons.
Yet, he has not played a Test match for Australia, yet a host of men with far worse records than him have. Why? What hunch did the selectors have to pick Xavier Doherty over him for the 2010/11 Ashes, and then now again for India? O'Keefe had 33 career wickets at 25.18 at that point, and took 4/88 against England for Australia A, whilst Doherty had 82 at 48.80. Yet Doherty got the nod, and ended up with an average of 102 for the two Tests he played.
So, when Doherty was dropped from the squad, surely O'Keefe had a chance at some point in the rest of the series? But no, a player with 16 wickets at 39.93 with a best of 3 for 39, Michael Beer, was called up for the final three Tests, and when he got a game at Sydney, took 1/112 in the match and was quickly discarded again.
The next Test Australia played was in Sri Lanka, and O'Keefe didn't make the trip, Nathan Lyon, whose First-class record read 12 wickets at 43.00 before the tour began (compared to O'Keefe's 52 at 24.05), got the chance. This time, the hunch paid off and Lyon took 5/34 in his First Test innings. So that's the spinner's slot sorted for the foreseeable future? Wrong, Lyon, while bowling well at times after that, seems to have dramatically lost his flight and loop which got him into the team in the first place.
This Australian summer his returns have been poor, both in Tests (19 wickets at 41.74) and Sheffield Shield ( 6 wickets at 68) and his place has started to be questioned. I already addressed this in a previous blog post, and I do believe that Lyon should be given time and the tour of India to try and regain his form.
O'Keefe should be the second of the spinners going to Australia. Xavier Doherty is just not a Test bowler. Yes, we don't know if O'\Keefe is, but it'stime to find out. Sure Australia could take another punt, take Adam Zampa, Cameron Boyce, since punts worked so well with or pick somebody out of grade cricket or the Futures League, but at some point the selection committee is going to have to cede to cold hard stats and give Steve O'Keefe a well earned chance. It's several years overdue.
In the Cricket Sadist Hour, Jarrod Kimber put it that O'Keefe must have run over somebody's pet to not have been picked, and now injury appears to have been added to insult, as O'Keefe has injured the webbing on his had from, causing him to miss the Sheffield Shield match against Tasmania, one match after taking an eight wicket match haul against Western Australia. Adam Zampa has taken his place as the spinner and will of course take ten wickets and an emergency call up to the India squad. That's just O'Keefe's luck.
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