How can there by any when the only thing left to do while packing one’s bags in the dressing room is to await the arrival of the chairman of selectors to decide if one is packing his bags for good?
Hayden’s been left off and Symonds and Lee were asking for the boot. In a rare show of faith, the selectors have decided to play on and let his recent slump not get in Matthew Hayden’s way. The two men though who were fighting for the lone spot now find themselves without a berth. Andrew Symonds and Shane Watson now join Brett Lee on the gloomy bench.
The debacle with South Africa running away with the series 2-0 was expected to roll a few heads. Admittedly none would come as a surprise. Brett Lee was already injured midway through the Test and it is likely to keep him out for anywhere between six to eight weeks given the nature of his stress fracture.
There were no surprises as far as Shane Watson was concerned either. The Rajasthan Royals player has been dogged by injuries right through his career and it appears once again that when he has made a stronger comeback and come into the reckoning for a place in the Australian team, injury has come in the way. Stress fractures in the back, like stress fractures in the foot for Lee, will keep Watson out of action, especially bowling, for a period of six months. How he copes with this break again will make or break Watson.
With Andrew Symonds, matters were a little more complicated. He was caught out like a fish out of water in light of his misdemeanours and post rehabilitation, Symonds has looked a pal shadow of himself. Unable to spark some form, Symonds also picked up a knee injury before the second Test in Melbourne and was going to be a doubtful starter for the third Test in Sydney. That now appears confirmed as the combination has ensured Symonds will indeed miss out on the Sydney Test. At least that Test will then not be as fiery as it was last year when Harbhajan Singh was framed with charges of racism which were later disproved.
Instead perhaps all rounder Andrew McDonald is likely to make his debut in Sydney, given his handy efforts with both bat and ball. Also, in the reckoning then are Ben Hilfenhaus and Doug Bollinger as expected. Which of the two will be picked to aid Mitchell Johnson and Peter Siddle will now be the question.
Hayden’s case is most interesting. Going against public outcry, the Australian selectors, headed by Andrew Hilditch, have decided to not only retain Hayden for the third Test but also, expressed hope that Hayden would not see this as a sign to use the opportunity in Sydney to announce his adieus.
Given the dearth in the Australian line up, and given the injury list, perhaps the selectors are not in the mood to bring about sweeping changes on a large scale. With Symonds scheduled for a knee surgery, Lee out for at least two months and Watson on a much lengthier break, the selectors have decided to hold onto faith and keep Hayden going, knowing there are more tests (pun intended) to come with the away series in South Africa and the Ashes in England coming up.
Brett Lee’s Infidelity Woes, Indifference, and Now Injury
Matthew Hayden: The Clock’s Ticking
Poor Ponting-Needs All The Support He Can Get
Lone Battles Waged as Australia ‘Siddle’ Up
South Africa Overcome Australia’s Target for Famous Melbourne Victory
