The PlanetCricket View: The end of Hauritz?

[PlanetCricket]

Article by Sylvester -

Recently I posted an article saying the selectors wouldn’t make any changes but to my surprise they have ended their love affair for Nathan Hauritz. Xavier Doherty is next in the long line of spinners used since Shane Warne.

Just before the naming of the squad, the speculation of Hauritz being dropped reached full throttle. Among the main source causing this speculation was a ten minute chat which Ponting was seen to have with Hauritz. Upon leaving Ponting, Hauritz was pale white indicating the bad news had been delivered. While Ponting and co denied a meeting between the two, clearly this meeting had taken place.

It became public knowledge that there was a rift between Hauritz and Ponting during the tour of India. Ponting wanted Hauritz to bowl more like
Harbhajan Singh which resulted in him being tonked all over the park. Hauritz then came out in public saying he would bowl his own way. This was the first signs of trouble for Hauritz, when you lose the faith of your captain you don’t last long as another spinner in Jason Krejza found out.

Hauritz return to Shield Cricket resulted in him going at 7 an over including being taken to by Michael Hill who isn’t known for his playing of spin. He fared better in the second innings taking a couple of wickets. His second match for the NSW Blues was against his now former captain. In the match he only bowled one over and dropped two catches including one that could have won the match. He also scored a duck in the match and the icing on the cake came with the news being delivered from Ponting after the match.

Hauritz career has always been under?scrutiny. From his Test debut in India where he got the wicket of Tendulkar but was outbowled by the now vice captain, Michael Clarke. As Warne was still around, Hauritz was only a temporary replacement

He fell off the radar after his Test debut including being dropped from the Queensland starting 11. Unhappy with his position in Queensland cricket, Hauritz decided to take a huge gamble by moving to Sydney with no contract from NSW Cricket. He was in a fight with Beau Casson and Stephen O’Keefe for the sole spinning spot. While he managed to overtake O’Keefe he never got infront of Casson. However after the selectors decided Casson’s left arm wrist spinners weren’t their cup of tea for India, he fell off the radar just like Hauritz.

In a major surprise, Hauritz was selected in the 2nd Test against New Zealand back in 2008 even though he was playing for NSW 2nd 11. His return didn’t last long as Jason Krejza reclaimed his spot in the next series against South Africa. However after one Test, Krejza was out and Hauritz back in.

Since then he was seen as the number one spinner although he was?specularly?left out of the 4th and 5th Ashes test for Stuart Clark in particular the 5th test which was a major turner.

He finally claimed his first ever 5-fer in First Class cricket when he played Pakistan last summer. He then backed it up with another 5-fer. His next two series against New Zealand and India saw him return an average over 60 in both series, with an economy over 4 in India.

The series to India could well mark the end of Hauritz’s career. While he still has a few more years in his career, it is hard to see him making enough of an impact for NSW to get himself back into the team.?Doherty will want to perform because Stephen O’Keefe has started his career with a bang and continues to press his case.



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[War]

It has to be the end really.

Only way he can come back is if he takes alot of wickets in sheild cricket over the case of a couple of seasons, proving he bowl on teams on last day wickets. If not he should never play for AUS again in tests. His ODI spot also should go to Doherty.

Overall though i expect Doherty & O'Keefe to struggle like Haurtiz in tests. So i'm just waiting until Krejza gets recalled.

 

[aussie1st]

Given he only has three 4-fers ever and his two 5-fers were against Pakistan that doesn't seem likely. Him being dropped from ODIs would actually help him get back into the Test side as he will get more Shield games rather than getting the specialist ODI tag.

 

[Left_Hander]

As I said in another thread, I think he won't play again under Ponting. Seems like they've had a falling out. Only if he takes lots of wickets in Shield/OD cricket should he be considered again.

 

[War]

Given he only has three 4-fers ever and his two 5-fers were against Pakistan that doesn't seem likely. Him being dropped from ODIs would actually help him get back into the Test side as he will get more Shield games rather than getting the specialist ODI tag.

Yea but would NSW make him their main spinner over O'Keefe at this stage even?.

Best NSW with all the main test players gone this season:

Hughes
Jaques
Forrest
Khawaja
Warner
Smith
Nevill/D Smith
O'Keefe/Henriques
Starc
Cameron
Copeland

Of course Clark being skipper he will play somewhere. But i'm not sure how Hauritz even fits into that side.

 

[aussie1st]

Maddinson would be in before Warner and right now Rorher has been picked ahead of him.

Good point regarding Hauritz struggling to make the side but I've got a bad feeling Hauritz will be in over O'Keefe just like Copeland was left out despite his brilliant record.

As I said in another thread, I think he won't play again under Ponting. Seems like they've had a falling out. Only if he takes lots of wickets in Shield/OD cricket should he be considered again.

Agree, Ponting was given the final say and he isn't the man that u-turns on his decision very often.

 

[sifter132]

I don't think it's the end for Hauritz - unless he's had some kind of argument with Ponting/selectors that we don't know about. Reason? Because he's an Aussie spinner. At present, ANY spinner that shows even a hint of performance is getting a run in the national side. Doherty's played what, 5 Shield games in the last 2 years for Tassie? And he in - #1 spinner! O'Keefe's played a similar amount for NSW, and he's the 2nd stringer!

Will be interesting to see how much this decision is based on arms. Everyone is quickly spruiking the Doherty vs KP matchup and he'll be handy against the other 4 right handers too, but we've been here before with handedness. Stuart MacGill missed India tours because he spun the ball the same way as Shane Warne. Would Doherty have been picked if we were playing a country with more lefties in the lineup? Or is it because Marcus North is the backup and he's an offie and it's good ying to Doherty's yang? What if Steve Smith takes North's spot by the end of series? Does Doherty keep his spot because then both spinners would be taking the ball away? Anyway, I HOPE the choice is not based on which arm he bowls with. Because that could open up a can of worms. And if so, why aren't we picking right handed middle order batsmen to combat Swann's love of left handers?

I've been defending Hauritz lately, partly because he was outbowling Swann only 15 months ago in the Ashes, yet pre-series here he's been completely written off. And now he's been dropped, I feel a bit for Hauritz since he's had very little chance to clear his name after the India Tests. Look at Hussey. He's had about 10 innings since the India Tests to score runs and finally in his 10th he gets the 100 he needs to survive. I wonder what Hauritz would have needed to do to retain his spot? Hauritz has only bowled in 3 OD matches, and a couple of odd overs in 2 Shield games. The only time he's had a 'proper' bowl was against Victoria. Of course he wasn't effective in the first innings, but from all reports his 2nd innings was pretty good. And I liked what he did in the 2nd ODI when Tharanaga tried to go after him straight away, but didn't get much joy. Hauritz controlled him pretty well, and if not for his last over he would have had good figures. Anyway, so much for good Ashes prep, in 6 weeks he's had one good bowl. I think he should have played Australia 'A', and play O'Keefe for NSW because I don't think he's quite ready to be selected for Australia yet. Oh well, what's done is done.

All that said, I'm really looking forward to seeing how Doherty goes It's always exciting to see someone new in the side and he seems like a good kid. Hopefully he rips through 'em. Unlike other fans, I'll support anyone with a baggy green on. North, Hussey, Johnson, Clarke, Hauritz - all get my support

 

[Biggy]

He'll probably struggle for a gig with NSW given O'Keefe is playing so well.

 

[lethalhughes]

I don't think it's the end for Hauritz - unless he's had some kind of argument with Ponting/selectors that we don't know about. Reason? Because he's an Aussie spinner. At present, ANY spinner that shows even a hint of performance is getting a run in the national side. Doherty's played what, 5 Shield games in the last 2 years for Tassie? And he in - #1 spinner! O'Keefe's played a similar amount for NSW, and he's the 2nd stringer!

Will be interesting to see how much this decision is based on arms. Everyone is quickly spruiking the Doherty vs KP matchup and he'll be handy against the other 4 right handers too, but we've been here before with handedness. Stuart MacGill missed India tours because he spun the ball the same way as Shane Warne. Would Doherty have been picked if we were playing a country with more lefties in the lineup? Or is it because Marcus North is the backup and he's an offie and it's good ying to Doherty's yang? What if Steve Smith takes North's spot by the end of series? Does Doherty keep his spot because then both spinners would be taking the ball away? Anyway, I HOPE the choice is not based on which arm he bowls with. Because that could open up a can of worms. And if so, why aren't we picking right handed middle order batsmen to combat Swann's love of left handers?

I've been defending Hauritz lately, partly because he was outbowling Swann only 15 months ago in the Ashes, yet pre-series here he's been completely written off. And now he's been dropped, I feel a bit for Hauritz since he's had very little chance to clear his name after the India Tests. Look at Hussey. He's had about 10 innings since the India Tests to score runs and finally in his 10th he gets the 100 he needs to survive. I wonder what Hauritz would have needed to do to retain his spot? Hauritz has only bowled in 3 OD matches, and a couple of odd overs in 2 Shield games. The only time he's had a 'proper' bowl was against Victoria. Of course he wasn't effective in the first innings, but from all reports his 2nd innings was pretty good. And I liked what he did in the 2nd ODI when Tharanaga tried to go after him straight away, but didn't get much joy. Hauritz controlled him pretty well, and if not for his last over he would have had good figures. Anyway, so much for good Ashes prep, in 6 weeks he's had one good bowl. I think he should have played Australia 'A', and play O'Keefe for NSW because I don't think he's quite ready to be selected for Australia yet. Oh well, what's done is done.

All that said, I'm really looking forward to seeing how Doherty goes It's always exciting to see someone new in the side and he seems like a good kid. Hopefully he rips through 'em. Unlike other fans, I'll support anyone with a baggy green on. North, Hussey, Johnson, Clarke, Hauritz - all get my support

I agree this isn't the end for Hauritz.I never really felt he was as bad as everyone was making him out to be, he did spin the ball( I know thats hard for some to believe but he did).Stats aside i do think Hauritz is a better bowler than O'Keefe.But who'll be Nsw number 1 spinnner?Very interesting.I agree with selectors going for Doherty cause Hauritz form is just horrible right now and I've liked what I saw from Doherty so far.Good to have a very aggressive spinner in terms of body language, something I think Hauritz lacked.Still can't understand why Hauritz gets the axe and both North and Hussey keep their spot but thats for another discussion.

 

[TumTum]

Hauritz

 

[War]

I don't think it's the end for Hauritz - unless he's had some kind of argument with Ponting/selectors that we don't know about. Reason? Because he's an Aussie spinner. At present, ANY spinner that shows even a hint of performance is getting a run in the national side. Doherty's played what, 5 Shield games in the last 2 years for Tassie? And he in - #1 spinner! O'Keefe's played a similar amount for NSW, and he's the 2nd stringer!

.

Such a reasoning from the selectors is problem with the AUS selection with spinners since Hogg/MacGill went off the scene in 2008.

Haurtiz has already been a failure @ test level. So unlike other useless tweakers who could get a call-up. Hauritz would have top the shield averages & really show he has transformed his ability to spin out teams on turners to ever be considered for AUS again. Until such dramatic improvement is seen IMO, he certainly should never play for AUS again.

Will be interesting to see how much this decision is based on arms. Everyone is quickly spruiking the Doherty vs KP matchup and he'll be handy against the other 4 right handers too, but we've been here before with handedness. Stuart MacGill missed India tours because he spun the ball the same way as Shane Warne. Would Doherty have been picked if we were playing a country with more lefties in the lineup? Or is it because Marcus North is the backup and he's an offie and it's good ying to Doherty's yang? What if Steve Smith takes North's spot by the end of series? Does Doherty keep his spot because then both spinners would be taking the ball away? Anyway, I HOPE the choice is not based on which arm he bowls with. Because that could open up a can of worms. And if so, why aren't we picking right handed middle order batsmen to combat Swann's love of left handers?.

Firstly on MacGill. He didn't exactly miss tours to IND because he spun the ball the same direction as Warne.

- For 2001 tour to IND. Miller arguably was in better form during the home season vs WI 2000/01. So he got the not based on form, although him being an offie helped things too.

- For 2004 tour. Him being exlcuded was just plain dumb (even though he had some issue in the year vs IND 03/04 & SRI 03/04 againts good players of spin) No way should Hauritz & White toured & on that Mumbai dustbowl when Hauritz struggled to use the conditions. MacGill certainly would have made the difference.

Can't answer the rest of the points here. So is the predicament the AUS selectors have put themselves in.

I've been defending Hauritz lately, partly because he was outbowling Swann only 15 months ago in the Ashes, yet pre-series here he's been completely written off. And now he's been dropped, I feel a bit for Hauritz since he's had very little chance to clear his name after the India Tests. Look at Hussey. He's had about 10 innings since the India Tests to score runs and finally in his 10th he gets the 100 he needs to survive. I wonder what Hauritz would have needed to do to retain his spot? Hauritz has only bowled in 3 OD matches, and a couple of odd overs in 2 Shield games. The only time he's had a 'proper' bowl was against Victoria. Of course he wasn't effective in the first innings, but from all reports his 2nd innings was pretty good. And I liked what he did in the 2nd ODI when Tharanaga tried to go after him straight away, but didn't get much joy. Hauritz controlled him pretty well, and if not for his last over he would have had good figures. Anyway, so much for good Ashes prep, in 6 weeks he's had one good bowl. I think he should have played Australia 'A', and play O'Keefe for NSW because I don't think he's quite ready to be selected for Australia yet. Oh well, what's done is done.

Would have to fundamentally disagree my friend.

No way was Haurtiz outbowling Swann in the Ashes. Swann did his job for ENG in the key moments int he 4th innings @ Lords's & the Oval respectively, whiel Hauritz failed to do his @ Cardiff.

Swann has gone from strenght to strenght producing some of the best off-sin bowling by an Englishman argubaly since Jim Laker. While Hauritz has simply regressed.

Since Hauritz made his test debut in IND 04, since his recall vs SA 08/09 he hasn't improved one bit. So his dropping right now for me is just a culmination of 2 years of failures @ test level. So regardless of what the selectors is behind axing him now, its great that they finally have got rid of him.

All that said, I'm really looking forward to seeing how Doherty goes It's always exciting to see someone new in the side and he seems like a good kid. Hopefully he rips through 'em. Unlike other fans, I'll support anyone with a baggy green on. North, Hussey, Johnson, Clarke, Hauritz - all get my support

. Admirable trait to have my friend.

 

[khalek]

I am sad, I really liked Hauritz as a player on the field. Whenever he got wickets and scored runs for Australia, I don't know for what reason I used to feel really happy.

Hope he can bounce back and come back as a better bowler.

 

[lethalhughes]

I am sad, I really liked Hauritz as a player on the field. Whenever he got wickets and scored runs for Australia, I don't know for what reason I used to feel really happy.

Hope he can bounce back and come back as a better bowler.

I really love the look of Doherty .But I'm also feeling bad for Hauritz the more I think about it.He did his best thats for sure and he was very consistent too, just that I agree with War , his inability to take big halls and most importantly bowl teams out in last innnings was a problem.His lack of form added to those things i've mention I tend to agree with the selectors decision also.The question is though is Doherty likely to bowl teams out in last innings?A spinner should be able to do that imo.I love Doherty's confidence and aggressive attitude, I reckon and can be wrong but he might just be exactly what this Australian team needs.

 

[pcfan123]

Hauritz should never have had the job in the first place. He wasen't even in contention for his state side when the Aussies gave him his Test debut.

 

[Slowcoach]

Hauritz did a job for the team for over a year, and now we are all pleased to see him go?
To be replaced by who? Someone who has never done a job for the team and probably never will?
So we're going to play musical chairs and merry go rounds with every other spinner in the country before we decide Hauritz was actually the best that we had, but then be too pig headed to pick him again because it means we were wrong about all the other crap spinners we tried instead?
Sorry to say it, but the sad fact is that Hauritz is the best spinner we have, and randomly giving everyone else a chance to prove otherwise is just a waste of time.