Selectors catch Flintoff fever

Players such as Andrew Symonds and Shane Watson carry themselves well in the one-day arena, but does Australia really need an all-rounder in the longer version of the game, Joel Arnott thinks not.

Ever since the conclusion of the Ashes series, it has been a mystery, as to how players like Symonds and Watson made their way into the Test side, and the answer is “Flintoff Fever”.

Yes, Andrew Flintoff arguably won the Ashes for the English single handedly, but does Australia actually need an all-rounder in the Test side, the answer is clear, most certainly not.

Ever since September 12, the final day of the fifth Test match at Kennington Oval, the Australian selectors have been searching vigorously for an all-rounder.

The selectors believed they had found their man, Watson. The man they call “Watto” enjoyed an impressive one-day series against a World XI, a side that severely lacked drive and determination.

In Watson’s mediocre Test career, the blonde hulk averages a very poor 20.25 runs, and possesses the atrocious high-score of 31. While his stats with the bat in hand do not impress, neither does his bowling. Watson has taken two wickets in three matches, and holds the mammoth average of 61.5.

It is clear that Watson’s ability is substantially overrated, and definitely does not warrant selection in the Test team now. Until Watson starts performing brilliantly in the domestic arena, he does not deserve one solitary opportunity in the Australian Test side.

Players such as Mike Hussey and Brad Hodge toiled hard in domestic cricket for numerous years, Watson is no exception and needs to find his feet for Queensland, before ever pulling on the baggy green again.

Whenever Andrew Symonds pulls on the baggy green, thoughts of underperformance fill the mind of every Australian supporter. Symonds has been inconsistent throughout his, albeit short Test career, and needs to finish his cricket on a high, which means staying away from the Test arena.

Before the first Test against South Africa in Perth, “Simmo” had held the very poor Test batting average of 10.5, with his highest score being a laughable 24. The curly haired larrikin definitely has not impressed with the ball in hand either, possessing the atrocious average of 82.

It is blatantly obvious from the above figures that Symonds warrants being dropped from the Test side.

In addition, we know that the selectors are looking for the clone of Flintoff, part of the puzzle still remains unsolved.

Symonds, an all-rounder, was only brought on to bowl midway through the last session on the fifth and final day of the first Test against South Africa.

If Symonds is purely a batsman in the Test team, then how is it possible that he has been chosen in the squad for the second Test against South Africa, ahead of formidable batsmen Michael Clarke, Simon Katich and the forgotten Damien Martyn?

Australia have only lost two Test series in the past nine years, and the closest thing we have had to an all-rounder has been Steve and Mark Waugh.

Until an all-rounder in the class of Flintoff is found, then it is obvious an all-rounder is not needed.

And selectors, the solution is simple, just drop Symonds.

•  Have a view on this story? Send us your feedback!