3 minute read
Scott Boland is at risk of joining Jason Gillespie and some other notable Australian Test cricketers who were axed after a superb performance.
AUSSIES RECENTLY AXED AFTER AN IMPRESSIVE TEST
Simon Katich (2004)
Celebrated his maiden Test ton, top-scoring for Australia with 125 in their first innings at the SCG then adding an unbeaten 77 to thwart India's bid for victory. Selectors opted to blood Andrew Symonds in Katich's place on the ensuing tour of Sri Lanka, even after the incumbent scored a tour-match hundred in Colombo.
Jason Gillespie (2006)
The paceman's 71-Test career ended with a bang in Bangladesh. Gillespie's maiden century was a magnificent, unbeaten 201 that set a record for the highest score by a nightwatchman. It was enough to earn man-of-the-match honours and praise from cricket tragic John Howard, who said the knock proved "anything is achievable". Stuart Clark was picked ahead of the South Australian throughout the ensuing home summer.
Jason Krejza (2008)
The offspinner snared an astonishing 12 wickets and man-of-the-match honours on Test debut in Nagpur; Bob Massie is the only Australian to have banked better figures in his first Test. Krejza twice dismissed VVS Laxman and Sourav Ganguly in a match haul of 12-358. Australia opted for an all-pace attack in their next Test, at the Gabba. Krejza was recalled later in the summer for one Test then never donned the baggy green again.
Nathan Lyon (2013)
The offspinner snared match figures of 9-165 in the final Test on Australia's 'homeworkgate' tour of India, including seven wickets in the hosts' first innings. Lyon was a shock omission at the start of the Ashes tour that followed, paving the way for Ashton Agar's debut.
Shaun Marsh (2015)
The left-hander's highest Test score was a knock of 182 against West Indies in Hobart. Marsh shared a 449-run stand with Adam Voges, falling two runs short of the highest-ever Test partnership for Australia (Don Bradman and Bill Ponsford in the 1934 Ashes). Usman Khawaja's return from a hamstring injury prompted selectors to dump the West Australian for the Boxing Day Test.
Joe Burns (2019)
The Queensland opener's career-best knock of 180 came at Manuka Oval. It was the final Test that Steve Smith and David Warner missed while serving year-long suspensions, while Kurtis Patterson celebrated his maiden Test century in the same game. Burns and Patterson were omitted from the Test squad despite the tons.