Picking fighters and scrappers could be the solution for changing Australia’s fortunes, writes Chris Rogers

HOW can the Aussies get out of this slump? Former test opener Chris Rogers says the team needs to pick more fighters and scrappers to have a chance.

Can Matthew Wade save Australia? Picture: Zak Simmonds

WHEN Australia cricket’s head coach admits to a team in crisis, change seems afoot.

The high-scoring days of last summer are long gone and it seems our batsmen are always batting in crisis situations — and not doing very well.

After a dismal First Test against South Africa, the selectors finally lost patience and axed allrounder Mitchell Marsh.

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Now coach Darren Lehmann has portrayed his besieged side as a team at the crossroads.

Rightly or wrongly, the decision to drop Marsh came after the players were seemingly guaranteed to play in the first two Tests of the summer.

It hinted at a frustration borne of enough opportunities and not enough returns.

A poor weather forecast and a green tinge to the Hobart wicket were the reasons for the change to six batsmen, as opposed to five and Marsh’s all-round talents.

But the message it sent to the Australian change room was clear … ‘Perform or you’re out!’

Adam Voges may be playing his last test for Australia. Picture: AAP

With that in mind, Adam Voges might have one more innings to save his late-blooming career.

More than anyone, he will be aware of what awaits him should he fail with the bat in Australia’s second innings.

And he could quite possibly get that chance on Monday.

I am a champion of Adam’s role and importance in this relatively inexperienced side, but the selectors have shown their hand.

And while Callum Ferguson has been drafted in for the difficult conditions in Hobart in an effort to add steel to the middle order, he might be the latest member of the One Test Club.

I’m not a big fan of only having one chance to impress, as befell me in Perth in 2008, but I do not believe the selectors have given up on their search for an allrounder to balance out the side and give it a greater sense of longevity.

The selectors have backed themselves somewhat into a corner with recent decisions, and perhaps the best way to get themselves out of it is to identify two or more younger players with ‘character’ and stick with them, offering an explanation that it is a work in progress.

The argument is they attempted this with Mitch Marsh and it hasn’t worked till now. But at least with younger players, the selectors will be given a measure of patience if they adequately explain their position.

Talking to colleagues still with a close eye on state cricket, a number of names from the Sheffield Shield seem to be shared.

Do the Australian selectors need to look at Matthew Wade?

Peter Handscomb, Cameron Bancroft, Kurtis Patterson, Travis Head, Marcus Stoinis and Matthew Wade allegedly possess the fight and resilience qualities Australia are seemingly struggling with at the moment … the ability to get stuck in when the going gets tough.

Perhaps a middle order of Patterson or Handscomb at five, Stoinis at six and Wade as wicketkeeper is not far off.

Whether it’s right or not, we can’t possibly know at the moment. But maybe it’s worth the punt.

They will bring strengths and weaknesses — in Wade there’s a perception his keeping still needs work — but at least the selectors could justify their choices and point to a need for some fighters and scrappers.

Sitting in a commentary box with renowned Aussie rules expert Gerard Whateley, it’s clear he feels footy operates under different guidelines.

He suggested during the First Test that losing is far less accepted in footy and change was necessary.

He suggested six changes throughout the Test summer, which would culminate in a vastly different side come Sydney in January.

At the time I laughed at Whateley’s apparent fanciful comment, but it might very well come to fruition.

Will Callum Ferguson hold his place in the Australian team? Picture: Getty Images

It seems obvious Jackson Bird will get another crack at the top level, while Steve O’Keefe is pushing Nathan Lyon for the spinner’s role.

Dave Warner’s opening partner isn’t quite settled yet and offers a way in for Bancroft unless Joe Burns continues his development, or Shaun Marsh overcomes his injury burdens.

I don’t always support the push for youth and there are still a few worthy veterans putting their hands up in Cameron White, Michael ‘Maxy’ Klinger and George Bailey to name a few, but the feeling of ‘been there, tried that’ is evident.

If the selectors have lost patience and want to usher in change then it’s important they have a plan.

My only suggestion is forget what they look like and pick the guys who get the job done when the going gets tough.

Because a crisis is when these guys thrive.

Originally published as Picking fighters and scrappers could be the solution for changing Australia’s fortunes, writes Chris Rogers