Prince EWS
Global Moderator
At least.
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Australian test selection 2020/21
- Thread starter Red
- Start date
Prince EWS
Global Moderator
On this, @Spark made the best argument for having Wade do it -- that it's basically a gateway to dropping him.
Spikey
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bevan averages 48 or above in literally every single possible timeline except for the one that actually happened, the poor angry bastard
Spikey
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haha yeah
Spikey
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Phil Emery, the keeper Australia rushed to Pakistan for a Test
A sudden call-up, a chaotic tour, a broken thumb - Phil Emery relives his momentous first and last Test for Australia in 1994
www.thecricketmonthly.com
emery in this piece argues that had the Pakistan tour where Bevan scored runs been broadcast into Australia, his career would have been different. I'm not sure I buy that, but to me, like Maxwell not getting a home test, Bevan's test career being over at 27 is absolutely nuts. Everyone else in that generation of australian batsmen who got games in their early 20s and basically failed to secure a place, got another chance down the track, except for Bevan (and I guess Law). Truly nuts
Prince EWS
Global Moderator
I absolutely agree that Bevan would've been a Test success with even slightly different circumstances. But it's not like they were ignoring him while cycling through failures; the blokes they picked in his place earned their call-ups and did really well.Phil Emery, the keeper Australia rushed to Pakistan for a Test
A sudden call-up, a chaotic tour, a broken thumb - Phil Emery relives his momentous first and last Test for Australia in 1994
emery in this piece argues that had the Pakistan tour where Bevan scored runs been broadcast into Australia, his career would have been different. I'm not sure I buy that, but to me, like Maxwell not getting a home test, Bevan's test career being over at 27 is absolutely nuts. Everyone else in that generation of australian batsmen who got games in their early 20s and basically failed to secure a place, got another chances down the track, except for Bevan (and I guess Law). Truly nuts
I find it hard to actually criticise his non-selection much even though I think he could've averaged 50 in Test cricket and very likely would've averaged at least 45. This feels like a really weird position, probably because it is, but I stand by it.
You could definitely argue that he should've got a recall instead of Lehmann or Mark Waugh or Blewett etc at various points but I don't think the selection itself was disastrous. You just can't afford to be unlucky when the competition is so good.
Red
The normal awards that everyone else has
Even though I'm not a Khawaja fan, surely a guy with an average of 40+ in test cricket (who I think averages something like 50 as an opener) has to come in just for some top order stability.
Although he's probably not doing himself many favours at the moment by criticising the Aust coaching set-up and saying it needs to be more diverse because it'd suit him better.
Although he's probably not doing himself many favours at the moment by criticising the Aust coaching set-up and saying it needs to be more diverse because it'd suit him better.
TheJediBrah
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Yeah mostly all this. It's not like Rob Quiney was being selected ahead of Bevan. Everyone who was given a run instead was just about as deserving.
I do think to some extent Bevan's cards were marked though, because there were quite a few occasions where he was overlooked for players of a similar or even probably slightly lower standard. Blewett and Lehmann as you mentioned, Mark Waugh for a while. Also when Love and Symonds were brought in Bevan would also have been a good option.
stephen
Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
Blewett was an excellent shield bat so it was also surprising he could never step up. Bevan was just unlucky with his timing. Almost certainly would have averaged 50+ of given a run later on. I mean can you imagine if he got the same chances as Steve Waugh got? But it didn't happen and remains one of the greatest "what if" scenarios of the modem era.
stephen
Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
But honestly, it's pretty hard to drop someone from a lineup like this:
Hayden
Langer
Ponting
Martyn
Waugh/Clarke
Lehmann/Katich
Gilchrist+
You're looking at possibly the only top 7 in history that all averaged 40+ over their careers (with Ponting, Hayden and Waugh averaging 50+). Not much room in there for trying new players.
Hayden
Langer
Ponting
Martyn
Waugh/Clarke
Lehmann/Katich
Gilchrist+
You're looking at possibly the only top 7 in history that all averaged 40+ over their careers (with Ponting, Hayden and Waugh averaging 50+). Not much room in there for trying new players.
ataraxia
International Coach
Hussey too.
stephen
Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
I excluded him because his time came when Bevan really couldn't push to be included due to age, but yes, as I said, ridiculous.
Jarquis
Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
There’s been at least one other more recently than that one tbh
stephen
Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
Maybe I should have clarified that they could bat outside the subcontinent
Jarquis
Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
Well they won an away series in Australia...Maybe I should have clarified that they could bat outside the subcontinent
ataraxia
International Coach
Clarke debuted in tests after Bevan played his last international as well FTR, but fair call.
On the top 7 40+, 1938 England qualifies.
stephen
Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
Never happened. Lies. Stop spewing your fake news that Australia played cricket during the year after Newlands.
TheJediBrah
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Martyn was the alternate timeline Bevan. Was recalled in 2000 and got a solid career in, which could easily have been Bevan instead