The thinking money has to be on Chris Rogers being in the frame to tour South Africa as his replacement as opening batsman.
If he doesn't, the genial left hander should realise his Test hopes are gone, as he could have done no more this year than he has to stake a claim.
His rivals would be Phil Jacques, Phil Hughes and Shaun Marsh. One would expect that Dave Warner's credentials lie in the short forms of the game, at least for now, and Marsh has had an up and down summer, averaging just 24 in the Sheffield Shield, while Jacques has hardly played after a serious injury, from which he is close to recovery.
Hughes has batted well in all forms of the game and at 21 looks a certain Test bat of the future. Michael Klinger could also have his fans, but has had several poorer seasons before averaging 90 this year.
Rogers is second in the State averages, with just under 83 an innings. If he made the South African tour and batted well, perhaps the Aussies may not want him playing County cricket and risking injury (although he may find fine form).
If Matt Hayden retires tomorrow morning Aussie time, I'd see if he fancied one more crack at the County game, just like his erstwhile opening partner Justin Langer. At 37 his anticipated retirement is only from Test cricket and he is still a very fine player. I suspect he'd love Chesterfield, with a quicker track and short boundaries and would give a great start in 20/20, as well as being an astute skipper.
Yes, Hayden would be my choice if we lost Buck. I hope we don't, but I fail to see how anyone could fail to be impressed by his form this season...
Hayden is a beast, imagine what he would do against 2nd division bowling and also the 20/20
ReplyDelete