Australia’s thrashing by South Africa in Hobart, has left Australia needing a new direction and some new Cricket One Test wonders.
We recently questioned who was to blame, and the answer so far has been Rod Marsh and six of the current squad. Hard to argue about Marsh and some of the players.
Two of them may consider themselves reasonably unlucky, given just one test to prove their worth. And their one test is a small percentage of the rubbish being offered up by most of the squad for a while now.
But they now join the semi-elite club of Cricket One Test wonders.
They may well be joined by one of the six new faces called up for the upcoming test against South Africa in Adelaide.
The squad named is below, and features some expected names, and the cricketing version of the Origin Bolter. The Roar is usually a great place for sporting fallout, so visit the full story here.
Australia’s Test squad (one to be omitted)
Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), Jackson Bird, Peter Handscomb, Josh Hazlewood, Usman Khawaja, Nic Maddinson, Nathan Lyon, Matt Renshaw, Chadd Sayers, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade
One question though.
If the naming of this squad had to wait because of the all important Sheffield Shield, why then do Cricket Australia treat it like a poor cousin of a red headed step child at other times.
Instead of giving current, fringe and future test players a solid third of a season of proper cricket before the Test series kicks off, they stuff around with a One Day competition played in parks around Australia.
Now all of a sudden after a round or two of Sheffield Shield they are the answer to our mediocrity.
It took Matthew Hayden solid season of 1000+ runs to get his place into the Test side, now a glance at the Shield results and an average of 45 will get you there.
Hopefully a new selection team and playing squad will improve the culture and results.
Otherwise, will some of these players be banished and blamed for the next set of losses. Probably at least one.
Talking of Cricket One Test wonders, here is our list of our favourite from the past 30 years.
STUART LAW
The Sheffield Shield drought breaking captain only got one Test. But that was more of a matter of timing of his career than anything sinister. Stuart Law would be a stalwart of this era of Australian cricket.
He actually has the rare statistic of not having a Test batting average, as his only contribution to the Test squad was a 54 not out, which doesn’t give him an average.
His accomplishments for Queensland will always rate him highly here at The Gurgler. But it should not be lost that he average over 50 in first class, and was a very handy and versatile limited overs cricketer and handy part time bowler.
PAUL WILSON
The only entrant of our Cricket One Test wonders to become an official. Paul Wilson can be seen standing over the stumps every summer in his role as an Umpire.
His job is now to raise his finger, but unfortunately never got the chance to be on the receiving end of it in his only test.
His only test came in one of the most thankless places for a fast bowler – away in India.
His return of zero wickets and zero runs won’t have him remembered as a cricketing great, but he is a great story for the Cricket One Test wonder squad.
MATTHEW NICHOLSON
A bowler from Western Australia who got his only test at the best place possible. At the MCG. Against England.
4 wickets was his return, and wasn’t entirely terrible.
But never got the chance again, like so many back in that era. At least his only test gives him status amongst the great Australian Cricket One Test wonders.
DAN CULLEN
Australia tried many a spin bowling option after the retirement of Shane Warne and Dan Cullen was one of those.
In 2006 he received his only call up for Australia against Bangladesh. The same test series that saw the remarkable innings of 200 from nightwatchman Jason Gillespie.
Cullen’s contribution to that tour was far more modest, with one wicket at 54. He never got the chance to bat.
That was his only outing, as he disappeared from cricket by 2010 when South Australia dropped him as a contracted player.
A close second was Bryce McGain,
GRAHAM MANOU
The backup ‘keeper position on an Ashes squad is usually the best way to see the UK sights without the pressure of having to do anything. Possibly a tour game in Sussex, or maybe not.
The South Australian wicket keeper got the call on the Ashes Tour of 2009 when incumbent Haddin broke a finger.
Manou was always temporary, and some argued that Queensland’s Chris Hartley was the better option. And he was.
His contribution of 21 runs in two digs and 3 catches was satisfactory for someone who was always filling in.
Interestingly, is married to sprint star Tamsyn Lewis.
PAT CUMMINS
Hard to believe that this quick is an Australian Cricket One Test wonder.
Very few cricketers have the Saviour of Australian cricket tag as Pat Cummins has.
Even fewer would earn that tag with just one test. 7 wickets @ 16 for the debut is outstanding, especially as one of the youngest debutants in history.
One would say that he should add many more to his one test. But given his fitness, and the injury rate of Australian bowlers in general, it’s highly unlikely
