Michael Hussey shocked at changes in the Australian squad for the 3rd Test

Former Aussie middle order batsman Michael Hussey was bemused with Australia’s changes in the squad for the 3rd Test against South Africa at Adelaide and said guys like Callum Ferguson and Joe Mennie were really unlucky to lose their spots after playing only a single Test. Hussey “can’t believe” that how many first choice players were axed from the 12 member squad to meet South Africa in the dead rubber at Adelaide.

Interim Chairman of Selectors Trevor Hohns named a 12 member squad for the 3rd Test, dropping as many as 6 players from the original squad.

“Wow! I’m in a bit of shock,” Hussey told the Unplayable Podcast when he first heard the third Test squad.

“I can’t believe there’s been so many changes. The selectors have really wielded the axe.”

“They’ve not taken the two losses to South Africa very well and they’ve cut quite a few players and picked a whole range of new guys.”

Australia already surrendered the 3 match Test series to South Africa after suffering crushing defeats at Perth and Hobart. While the hosts lost the first Test by 177 runs, South Africa ran riot in the 2nd Test securing victory by a huge margin of an innings and 80 runs. This was Australia’s 5th successive defeat in Tests that sparked the clean out of most members from the Playing XI who had lost full faith and confidence in themselves after suffering five straight losses.

Though Captain Steve Smith, Coach Darren Lehmann and chief executive James Sutherland have made wholesale changes in the wake of the Hobart debacle, Mike Hussey was adamant that the Aussie selectors needed to pick the best squad available for the 3rd Test, regardless of age. The selection panel went with a bunch of youngsters with vice-captain David Warner (30) being the oldest in the squad.

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Hussey felt for the two players Callum Ferguson and Joe Mennie who were dropped from the squad only 8 days after making their Test debuts.

“I’m not sure I would have gone for that many changes, personally,” Hussey said.

“I’m sure the selectors would have had a lot of discussion leading into these decisions and there’s some really tough calls been made there.

“It’s a very tough call on players like (Callum) Ferguson and Joe Mennie who were just given one opportunity.”

“I thought Joe Mennie (1-85) bowled quite well in the Test match in Hobart.”

“He’s well within his right to feel a little aggrieved.”

“And Callum Ferguson, he’s pretty unlucky.”

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“It was tough conditions for batting (in Hobart); he was run-out in the first innings and a pretty unlucky dismissal in the second innings.”

“He’s got to find himself a little bit unlucky to be given just one opportunity at Test match level and find himself back in Shield cricket.”

Matthew Renshaw replaced Joe Burns for the openers slot while Peter Handscomb and Nic Maddinson replaced Callum Ferguson and Adam Voges. Burns has been brought as a cover for the injured Shaun Marsh so it becomes interesting to see whether Renshaw will play only for a couple of matches or will he get an extended run.

“The question I have is what’s going to happen when Shaun Marsh is fit again?,” Hussey said.

“Are they going to (take) Renshaw back out or are they going to give him a good opportunity and a good run at it as well?

“There’s more questions there that need to be answered.”

While Hussey was surprised with the squad selection, he was happy for Peter Handscomb who worked well with him during his stint with Australia A earlier this year.

“Handscomb, what about the timing?” Hussey said.

“With the Australian team battling a fair bit, to score a double-century against NSW in front of Steve Smith definitely got him over the line to get picked for Australia.

“He is a very good young player and I know he’s been identified for a period of time now.

“He’s been the Australia A captain throughout the winter.“I just really hope now that they’ve given him an opportunity they stick with him for a while and give him a good opportunity to grow into the role and not cut him as well if he has a couple of ordinary Test matches in a row.

“I just really hope now that they’ve given him an opportunity they stick with him for a while and give him a good opportunity to grow into the role and not cut him as well if he has a couple of ordinary Test matches in a row.

“It’s important to give these guys an opportunity”, the southpaw concluded.