Ian Chappell: Gabba win is great but Aussies made strategic blunder by not playing Will Pucovski

The make-up of the other five batsmen for the Gabba Test against Sri Lanka was largely irrelevant — the only presence that really mattered was Will Pucovski. IAN CHAPPELL says his absence was a major strategic blunder.

Will Pucovski had to run 12th man duties at the Gabba.

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After Damien Martyn announced himself internationally with a scintillating one-day half-century at Lord’s, an egg yoke and ketchup tie member enquired; “How do you Australians keep producing good young batsmen?”

“Because we play them,” I replied brusquely.

That was back in 1993, but it’s obviously an out-dated concept in Australian cricket.

Will Pucovski had to run 12th man duties at the Gabba.

Otherwise how do you explain 20 year-old batting prodigy Will Pucovski being selected in a 13-man squad to face Sri Lanka but then being rejected as one of six batsmen to play in the Test?

Pucovski has impressed with two large three-figure scores in Sheffield Shield cricket. There now only remains one question; is he good enough for the next level? The only way to answer that question is to play him in Test matches.

It was imperative that Pucovski play at the Gabba with an Ashes tour looming and two star players returning from suspension to be considered for that touring party.

The make-up of the other five batsmen for the Gabba Test against Sri Lanka was largely irrelevant — the only presence that really mattered was Pucovski.

His absence was a major strategic blunder.

There have been explanations about players having to ‘earn’ their place in the Australian team and that concept is generally true. However there are exceptions to every rule and occasionally a talent comes along that defies the concept of having to ‘earn’ a place.

Marnus Labuschagne found some good form at the Gabba.

Those exceptional young talents - think Doug Walters, Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke and more recently David Warner - need to be tested at the highest level because of what they’ve displayed rather than what they’ve achieved.

Once players of that talent have shown their hand briefly they are not going to prove anything by remaining at Shield level, churning out multiple centuries. That method of ‘trial by time’ is for the mere mortal players.

It was mere mortal batsmen Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head who provided the foundation for Australia’s rare venture past the 300 mark at the Gabba.

They are part of a group of batsmen who currently provide useful scores which only help win matches (against good opponents) if they are complemented by big scores from other players.

Australia will soon have two players - Steve Smith and Warner - who keep opposing skippers awake at night because they score quickly and big. It’s to be hoped that Pucovski will develop into a third one of that type.

The importance of Australia establishing a stable and strong batting line-up before the upcoming Ashes series was emphasised by what happened to England in Barbados.

Ben Stokes was part of the England procession in Barbados.

Bowled out by the West Indies for a paltry 77 in the first innings, England have plenty of their own concerns with a top order that has been misfiring for a while.

With Australia possessing a strong attack, England is ripe for picking but only if Tim Paine’s men produce worthwhile first innings scores.

The strength of Australia’s attack was enhanced when debutant Jhye Richardson displayed few nerves and plenty of skill to help bowl out a moderate Sri Lankan line-up cheaply.

Richardson booked his ticket to England where his swing and pace will trouble a fragile home line-up. His presence in the squad will also ensure the ‘big three’ are constantly at their best and if they’re not, or one is injured, Richardson is the perfect replacement.

A strong attack is highly dependant on a good slip cordon and the current one is shaky.

The biggest concern is most of the young batsmen recently introduced to the side are not natural slip fielders. Of the current team only Labuschagne potentially fits that description, so Smith will be a welcome addition to a lacklustre cordon.

New caps Kurtis Patterson and Jhye Richardson celebrate Australia’s big win.

Australia’s previously sagging confidence will be boosted by a good all-round performance against Sri Lanka at the Gabba. The encouraging debut of Richardson, the continued outstanding form of Pat Cummins and the runs provided by young players in Labuschagne, Head and to a lesser degree Kurtis Patterson, all provided for a large exhale of breath and a rather more relaxed Australian dressing room.

However the smiles could have been so much broader and the confidence further boosted if Australia’s success had included a good contribution from Pucovski.

Now the big question for the selectors is; “How do they intend to fit him into the side for the Canberra Test?”

Originally published as Ian Chappell: Gabba win is great but Aussies made strategic blunder by not playing Will Pucovski