Cricket: Australia to rotate players to widen pool

Australia's new rotation policy will ensure that only fit players will be chosen. Photo / Getty Images

Australia are to introduce a rotation policy for picking their test team this summer.

Sound familiar? Australia, who have a new selection panel headed by former test player John Inverarity, could have been singing off the same sheet as Graham Henry when he pushed the rotation line for the All Blacks a few years ago.

This is a touchy area for the well-regarded 67-year-old Inverarity, just as it was for Henry.

The All Black test jersey and the Australian test baggy green cap is each country's most prized sporting treasure. But just as Henry saw the need to widen the pool of capped players to increase depth, so Australia are now promoting a squad system, partly to guard against weariness but also as part of an insistence that only fully fit players will be chosen.

"I think cricket has got to get used to developing a wider, broader base of players and rotating players through," Inverarity said.

"It's done in every sport, it's something we've got to get used to.

"The amount of cricket that's played now and the different formats, and with the IPL and the Champions League and the three formats for Australia ... things have changed."

Inverarity stressed there was no desire to cheapen the Australian cap, "but there are other priorities", including not overburdening them.

"The other thing is to invest opportunity wisely, so instead of having a squad of 15 or 16 players available at a certain level you might have a squad of 20 or more players who are there and ready."

Former Wallaby back Pat Howard, now Cricket Australia's general manager of team performance, said having players in "tip-top condition" was also a priority this summer.

"You don't want to cheapen the baggy green but ... we're taking the view over the summer of very much that squad mentality and building depth.

"Players are going to come in and out over that period regardless of who they are," he said.

All of which sounds very All Black, circa 2007 onwards.

Australia have four tests against India, starting at Melbourne on Boxing Day, to follow the two against New Zealand.

Even before a heel injury ruled him out for Brisbane, it had been flagged that 18-year-old speedster Patrick Cummins, man of the match in Australia's two-wicket win over South Africa in Johannesburg this month, would not be playing all six home tests, no matter his form.

The 12-man squad for the opening test, starting at Brisbane on Thursday, includes four debutants - opener David Warner, and three young fast-medium bowlers, Ben Cutting, Mitchell Starc and James Pattinson, aged 24, 21 and 21 respectively.

Throw in offspinner Nathan Lyon and No 3 batsman Usman Khawaja and half the 12 account for just nine caps.

While 36-years-young Ricky Ponting and wicketkeeper Brad Haddin, 34, are hanging on, along with Mike Hussey, also 36, the signs are clear: youth is on the rise.

"It's disappointing we've got so many injuries, but the injuries have created a wonderful opportunity for young cricketers," Inverarity said.

"The way ahead for Australia is to see how good these young players are. We were hoping that those pressing for selection would be in the younger-age bracket and that was exactly the case."

Stocky lefthander Warner has made his name as a blockbusting T20 opener. How - or if - he moderates his game will be intriguing.

The idea of Warner and the equally extravagant shotmaker, Brendon McCullum, going gangbusters at the start of opposing test innings would make for exhilarating viewing. The key point will be whether they are innings of substance or cameos.

The team
Australian first test squad: Michael Clarke (c, 74 tests), David Warner (0), Phil Hughes (15), Usman Khawaja (4), Ricky Ponting (156), Mike Hussey (64), Brad Haddin (37), Peter Siddle (25), Nathan Lyon (5), James Pattinson (0), Ben Cutting (0), Mitchell Starc (0)