Boof to bow out?
Australian batsman Darren Lehmann, known for years as "Boof", has suggested stepping down to allow Michael Clarke the opportunity to stay in the Australian team when injured captain Ricky Ponting returns.I have always been a big fan of Boof. For years he looked like getting the unenviable title as the best batsman never to play test cricket in Australia. The selectors finally recognised his plethora of runs and allowed him the honour of playing test cricket for Australia at the age of 27.
Lehmann has not disappointed. His test record is impressive. His batting average is 49.37 with 5 centuries and 8 half-centuries. He also bowls left arm orthodox spin (dubbed "straight breaks" by Kerry O"keefe) and has taken 13 wickets with an average of 23.15
Lehmann's suggestion shows he has the best interests of the game and the Australian team at heart. I can see his point, but would hate to see Boof leave international cricket. he is too good a batsman and too good a team player to leave the team. It's times like this when you realise how tough it is to be a selector. Do you drop a player with an average of almost 50, who excels against spin bowling in favour of the new star?
Unless the Indians and the ICC allow us to have 12 players, the decision will need to be made soon. Clarke deserves a spot in the team, but so does Lehmann. It is only a matter of time, but just as the Australian team dropped Healy for Gilchrist, Lehmann will also have to stand aside for the younger Clarke. Ponting's return may mark the end of Lehmann's test career.
If it does, cricket will be much poorer for the loss of a talented batsman and more importantly, the loss of a genuine nice guy.
posted by Kevin Paine @ 10:40 am
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