It’s a phenomenon that occurs world wide.
You know the feeling. You buy something that in hindsight you should have left on the shelf
Some call it buyers remorse.
In a traditional cricketing sense, it is clear that John Inverarity now has it, but is struggling to deal with it.
Much has been written about the selection of Shaun Marsh for the upcoming South Africa vs Australia Test tour.
A 31 year old bloke, with a Test average of 27.36 and a First Class average of 35.02 deserves to be sold at Walmart, not at Harrods. However, for whatever reason, the shiny gleen of Marsh’s smile attracted the attention of Chairman John. When he decided to throw out George Bailey in his search for greener grass, it seems he has stepped into a paddock full of blackberry bushes.
However, Chairman John had a way out. Marsh got injured and was removed from the squad. Instead of sending a second hand VN Calais to Johannesburg, Inverarity did the right thing and replaced it with a second hand 3 series BMW in Phil Hughes.
When first released in 2009, this BMW was perceived as flashy and new. However, 5 years later it is now no longer flashy. It is a mature and reliable quality piece of engineering. The VN Calais however, while still pretty to those who live in Blacktown, is still a 10 year old Commodore.
We must also remember that Moises Henriques was selected in the touring squad. His only legitimate reason for being there would be to replace Shane Watson in the case of injury. Well, the injury event has occurred and the insurance policy can be cashed in.
But wait! Marsh is now on a plane back to South Africa. A miracle recovery that saw him pile on an innings in the Big Bash final is now apparently enough to force your way into the number three slot against the best Test team in the world. Forget that Hughes is averaging almost 70 in Shield this summer and averages over 50 in South Africa. why, in this parallel universe, should this count?
What matters is that Chairman John cannot be seen to have made an error. Admitting that dropping Katich was a mistake is as far as he goes. The statute of limitations allows him to get away with that one. However, having seen that Marsh is obviously no longer injured, he had to put him back on the plane.
Invers had successfully avoided buyers remorse until Marsh’s physio proved he was a miracle worker
So now a fun game begins.
The fact that Marsh is on the plane tells us that he must be 100% fit. Therefore, he must play before Hughes on this tour else Chairman John will been seen to have made an error. The fact is, the Marsh selection is an error. So is the Doolan selection. Neither have earned their place. On merit, Hughes bats at number 3. Moises must also play at number 6 given he was selected on tour to be the reserve all rounder.
Wishful thinking on my behalf? Most likely.
If the concept of saving face trumps the concept of selecting the best team, then Australia have already lost this series. In England, and prior to that in India, the mix ‘n match philosophy was proven to be a fallacy. Like creationism, but with less proof.
So Chairman John. Save face or pick the best team?
Only time will tell
Will the “right decision” be made. As you say, time will tell, but past experience will induce low expectations.
We can only hope Steve. I suspect, as I predict in Ep 13 of Can’t Bowl Can’t Throw, that Invers will stuff it up