The loss of Josh Hazlewood for the first Ashes Test could force Australian cricket selectors into a major re-think about the make-up of their playing XI. And it could spell bad news for Test hopeful Jake Weatherald.
Before Hazlewood was ruled out with a hamstring issue on Saturday – which saw him join fellow fast bowlers Pat Cummins (back) and Sean Abbott (hamstring) on the injured list – it looked like selectors were leaning towards handing Weatherald his Test debut to open alongside Usman Khawaja. But with three fast bowlers now unavailable, it could force selectors to play both all-rounders Cameron Green and Beau Webster for the extra bowling options.
Ricky Ponting (R) had called for Jake Weatherald, but that might change now that Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins (L) and Sean Abbott are all out. Image: Getty
If Green and Webster are both in the XI, it would likely mean Marnus Labuschagne opens and Weatherald misses out. Brendan Doggett is the man most likely to replace Hazlewood in the XI, but the issue with him is he’s coming off a recent hamstring issue as well.
Brendan Doggett is coming off a recent hamstring issue of his own. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)
Ricky Ponting had called for Jake Weatherald
If there are any concerns around Doggett’s fitness, the Aussies might need more bowling options and play both Green and Webster. That would go against calls from Ricky Ponting to hand Weatherald his first Test cap, and mean Labuschagne opens rather then being recalled at his preferred No.3 spot.
“It’s become clearer to me in recent days,” Ponting said last week on SEN radio. “There was a lot of backing for Weatherald. They love his method and the fact that he scores quickly.
“His two dismissals this week (in the Sheffield Shield) came after playing very aggressive shots, so it looks he might have been given the role to go out and be the one to put the pressure on the England opening bowlers.”
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If Khawaja and Labuschagne are the opening partners, the Aussies run the risk of getting tied down early. Weatherald is a free-flowing scorer in the David Warner mould, while Khawaja and Labuschagne both like to be watchful and see a lot of balls.
Tasmania teammates Jake Weatherald and Beau Webster appear to be vying for the same spot in Australia’s XI. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)
Australia set to play two all-rounders in first Ashes Test?
It appeared as though Weatherald was a certainly last week, but things have changed dramatically. Green made a successful return to bowling last week after back surgery last year, while Webster snared a five-wicket haul for Tasmania. It could convince the Aussies to use both all-rounders in the XI, with Green to bat at No.3 and Webster at 6.
One leading voice said on Saturday: “With Josh Halzewood ruled out, here’s the XI I think Australia will pick for Perth, with some extra bowling cover. Khawaja, Labuschagne, Green, Smith, Head, Webster, Carey, Starc, Lyon, Doggett, Boland. I wouldn’t open with Marnus but I have a feeling Australia will do that. Hopefully they go with Weatherald.”
Another person said: “Agree this is what they’ll do. It’s negative selection though. Picking both all-rounders as insurance for this new bowling lineup whilst what we really need is our strongest top 6 batting order and back the bowlers we select.”
Australia also have the option of using Michael Neser instead of Doggett, after he was brought into the 15-player squad when Hazlewood was ruled out. Neser doesn’t have the same recent injury cloud as Doggett, and is a stronger batting option down the order. With Lyon, Doggett and Boland, the Aussies have a very long tail after Mitchell Starc at 8.