The injury to Usman Khawaja for the next two Tests of the Australian summer has opened the door for a new batsman, unfortunately its probably Shaun Marsh in this case, to come into the Australian team.
Given Marshs track record, this hardly is an improvement to the Australian batting line up in the short or long term.
Khawaja has been in good form against New Zealand, even if he has been batting on tracks flatter than the reception to one of my "jokes", so should slot straight back into the Australian side once he is healthy again.
Which raises at least two questions:
1. Shouldn't the team be better off trialing a younger player in Tests against New Zealand and the West Indies?; and
2. Shouldn't the team look to include more of a Batsman-'Keeper (e.g. Chris Hartley) than a 'keeper-Batsman (e.g. Peter Nevill)?
The answer to the first question is, obviously, yes.
Cricket Australia (CA) should pick a young, exciting batsman for a tast of cricket, not the son of the former coach who has had multiple chances but never cemented his spot.
The answer to the second question is more complicated and dropping Nevill would certainly dent his self-confidence and faith in the system. It would, though, also send a message that runs are important and needed to be in the team.
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