FORMER cricket selection chief Trevor Hohns is back in the game and he believes it’s time to forget about discovering another Shane Warne.
Hohns was appointed as Queensland’s chairman of selectors and state talent manager for 2011-12, five years after he stood down as Australia’s selection panel boss. In 10 years in the top job, plus three more on the panel, he presided over Australia’s most successful period of Test cricket.
It featured 35 series wins, six losses and five draws, as well as two 50-over World Cup triumphs as Mark Taylor, Steve Waugh, then Ricky Ponting ruled the No.1-ranked side.
Australia’s ranking has slipped to fifth this year and selection inconsistencies have been highlighted by the use of 11 spinners since Warne retired in 2007.
Without wanting to criticise national successor Andrew Hilditch, Hohns felt it was time to learn from mistakes and be more consistent in the selection of spinners
A former leg-spinner himself, who played 100 first-class matches before making his Test debut, he hinted there was too much pressure on new tweakers to thrive immediately.
“There can be no doubt we’re trying to find a spinner or a couple of spinners to take us forward,” he said.
“But let’s face it – if anyone is thinking or hoping that another Shane Warne will come along, he won’t.
“We probably have to change the make-up of our side and the way we play our game accordingly.”
Nathan Lyon and Michael Beer, virtual unknowns last year, are the two slow bowlers included in Australia’s Test squad for this month’s tour of Sri Lanka.
Since Warne and Stuart MacGill retired, Brad Hogg, Beau Casson, Cameron White, Jason Krejza, Nathan Hauritz, Bryce McGain, Xavier Doherty and Steven Smith have been used and discarded.
Hohns, who stood down due to family and business reasons in 2006, didn’t rule out a return to the national arena down the track.
“Right now, of course, my main focus is here in Queensland and trying to put forward players that we consider here would be knocking on the door for national selection,” he said.
Now the golden eras have well passed, Hohns felt a turnaround for both state and country was not far away.
“No.5 (in the world) is disappointing but, at the same time, we shouldn’t be that bad,” he said.
“I can see us starting to climb that ladder in the next couple of years.
“We’re just going through that period right now and, if the talent we have in Queensland is consistent throughout Australia, then I think Australian cricket could be in for a pretty good period in the near future.”
As state talent manager, Hohns will work closely with national counterpart Greg Chappell.
He replaces former Queensland wicketkeeper Ray Phillips as Bulls selection chief but Phillips will remain on a four-man panel. (Sydney Herald)