I'm not writing him off, but picking Hughes right now is as absurd as picking Ferguson. North also has invaluable test experience and he's largely hopeless. It's about being in form right now and making runs, something he can't do right now.
Playing for another state. Serious. SACA breeds that sort of mediocrity. Perfect batting conditions and barely average bowlers in grade cricket coupled with, well, Adelaide Oval + an environment where said mediocrity is rewarded......
Difference is Clarke was picked after his first 2 seasons. WIth Ferg, there's 10 years of evidence which suggests he probably won't get much better so wouldn't be a pick on potential. Lots more room for development in early Clarke than Ferg now, who isn't doing enough to be picked on performance so he's no banker either.
I just don't think that's a good approach though. That's pretty much why Ferguson got picked - because he has been in good form lately. Yet we all know Ferguson is essentially a player with an average of 35, and nothing more at this stage. The North analogy isn't good either, because North shouldn't have been picked in the first place (as his FC record has never been that outstanding). The main fear I have with Ferguson, is that if he does happen to play in the Ashes he might be another case like North where he is retained in the team for far too long.
Clarke also put two good Shield seasons together, maintained those ODI performances for a longer period, hadn't just come off a year-long injury and, most importantly, was actually a bit of a flop in his first stint at Test cricket anyway. He scored that debut ton and then completely faded away to a point where he was dropped - he only became the batsman he is after going back and piling on the runs for New South Wales.
Exactly. Plus due to the strength of the NSW batting lineup at the time, Clarke didn't have full campaigns for his first couple of years, he frequently had to make way when the Waugh's, Bevan, etc came back from international duty. Once he actually established himself in their first choice side his numbers were alot better.
Clarke had 5 seasons before he got picked for his Test debut. Ferguson is going into his 6th now. So not much difference on that front, there is a difference in the age of their debut with Clarke at 23 while Ferguson will be 26 if he makes his one. 3 years extra for Clarke to develop. Essentially it means Ferguson can't afford to be dropped as if that were to happen he'll probably be 28 and by the time he has enough time to show his worth he'll be hitting 30. He would need Mike Hussey, Hayden or Katich like form to get himself back in plus the youngsters not making their mark.
Come on. M Clarke played in 3 Australian summers before being picked for Australia in Tests and was only a regular pick for NSW in 2 of them. Ferg has been a regular in the SA team for 5 seasons and has started this one.
O'Keefe missed the last round of Shield matches so NSW could play Hauritz....although the selectors would've known that was going to happen when they named the Aus A team. And Doherty has had a very good couple of weeks at exactly the right time...never mind the fact he averages 50 odd in FC cricket.
When the selectors mark you down as a future test player all those things you mentioned go out the window. I'm just pointing out where the selectors are coming from and the similarities between Ferguson being picked and Clarke. Personally I wanted Ferguson to have another season in FC before being considered for a Test spot which was before his injury and I still feel that way. But as I said the selectors really rate him so all that goes out the window.
Clarke played 7 games in 99-00, 5 in 00-01, 9 in 01-02, 11 in 02-03, 3 in 03-04, 12 in 04 during his English stint. So essentially apart from 00-01 hes played close to a full season the 03-04 is made up by his stint in County Cricket. That is basically 5 seasons of cricket before being picked for test debut.
Hughes is great, and should have been persisted with longer when he was playing, but as it is he's out of form and for his sake I think it'd be better to pick him when his back to his best not while in the middle of a slump. Ferguson shouldn't be in the squad, if they really think he's a future test prospect or talent then they should make him play shield matches and prove it.
IThis squad of 17 will be reduced to a 12 or 13-man squad at the conclusion of the next round of Sheffield Shield games and prior to the team arriving in Brisbane for the first Test. - Hilditch
I dunno, if Hughes was picked it might actually have boosted his confidence and helped him out of his 'slump'. He would feel pretty disappointed at the moment, that's for sure (especially seeing as though the squad named was a massive 17 players). I definately agree with you about Ferguson though.
