Greg Blewett says Australia A’s class of 2018 can seize Test spots with success in India.
Greg Blewett says Australia A’s class of 2018 has best chance in 25 years to grab Tests spots.
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A quarter of a century after headlining the emergence of a golden generation, Greg Blewett sees parallels with the bounty on offer for Travis Head and Australia A in India.
Blewett plundered 256 one-day runs at 64 when an Australia A unit featuring Matt Hayden, Justin Langer, Ricky Ponting, skipper Damien Martyn and Darren Lehmann upstaged Australia, England and Zimbabwe in a quadrangular series during 1994-95.
Blewett notes Langer, now Australia coach, says performances on Australia A’s current tour of India will shape selection for next month’s Test series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates.
“Especially with what has happened with the players out there are spots up for grabs,” said Blewett with Australia hosting India in a four-Test series on return from the UAE.
Australia will be without banned batsmen Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft against Pakistan. Key speedsters Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood won’t be rushed on return from back injuries.
“They have picked a full strength A team. There is no hiding behind the fact there are opportunities around the corner,” Blewett told The Advertiser.
Blewett struck an unbeaten Australia Day Test ton (102) on home debut after excelling for Australia A, cashing in when it counted.
“I know from personal experience you really have to make the most of your opportunities,” said 46-Test batsman Blewett.
“It depends how they play in the UAE and then the start of the domestic season but you would love to be top six or seven (batsman).”
Test incumbents Peter Handscomb and Mitch Marsh have toiled for touch in India. Head contributed a match-wining one-day ton (110) leading Australia A against South Africa A at Bangalore then top scored with 87 on Tuesday in the first-class clash against India A at M.Chinnaswamy Stadium
Usman Khawaja made 127 in Australia’s first innings 274 but Redbacks skipper Head could be closing on a reserve batting berth against Pakistan.
“There is so much upside in Trav’s game especially in first-class cricket and possibly Test cricket which is really exciting,” said Blewett, a key member of Channel 7’s Summer of cricket line-up.
“He has a great power game, is a busy cricketer, great around the team, is a good leader. He has a hell of a lot going for him and another that can have some great opportunities going forward because of what has happened.
“He loves the game and it is really up to him to knock the house down.”
Left-hander Head is a one-day fixture for Australia and can transfer that talent to the Test format with judicious shot selection.
“He knows more than anyone you have to keep performing and shown he is capable of performing at that level,” said Blewett of Head.
Chris Tremain, Jhye Richardson, Michael Neser and left-arm tweaker Jon Holland are positioning for tour call-ups in spin friendly Dubai and Abu Dhabi with Hazlewood and Cummins out.
“We struggled the last time we were in the United Arab Emirates against Pakistan, there’s everything to play for,” said Blewett.