The devaluation of 50-plus averages

The last decade or so has fuelled a global desire for a higher standard of living that is less tolerant of what was deemed "acceptable" not so long ago. The rise and rise of the vast economies of China and India especially provide an insight into our modern expectations, demanding a materialism that would in some previous era have been seen as a luxury or an indulgence, a bonus even. The current debate around Michael Hussey's position in the Australian Test team reflects this new economic reality in some senses. It's a sign of the times, and perhaps a sign of the fact that bat dominates ball to such an extent that here is a man who is virtually averaging 50 throughout a reasonably long career and yet there are strident calls for him to be axed. Quite amazing really.

In times gone by, not so very long ago, a Test average of 50 was generally acknowledged as the benchmark for 'greatness'. The few players who inhabited this elite club were venerated and were pretty much left to pick their own swansong date. Sometimes, that moment was pressured ever so slightly be advancing years or a temporary form slump but it was usually the case that even when Allan Border, Mark Taylor and Steve Waugh were nearing the end and subtle hints were being thrown around, their standing in the game (and Taylor only averaged 43 but he was treated as a member of the 5-plus club), they were allowed to exit with dignity. Hussey may not necessarily be allowed that luxury which is more a sign of the times than a reflection of his legacy.

The sheer numbers of players averaging 50-plus in Test cricket are much higher these days. When I was a young lad growing up in the 70s and 80s, those in the club were revered as rare gems. I immediately think of Richards, Gavaskar, Boycott, Border, Miandad and Greg Chappell but I cannot readily remember too many more. No doubt I've missed a few notables but that's almost the point - these are the only names that readily spring to mind for me. Most countries had only one – maybe two if they were lucky – of these great batsmen playing at any one time. The modern game, despite higher standards of fielding and bowlers with more stamina and increased fitness levels, seems to be producing batsmen who average in excess of 50 with monotonous regularity, thereby creating an environment where a player like Hussey is under severe pressure to hold his spot. That sort of pressure only seems to happen in countries where the recent past has produced so many quality batsmen that when players start to show a form slump, the cricketing public are merciless. Players like Rahul Dravid and Hussey would be the first players selected in many of the teams who don't have an honour roll of these batsmen in their ranks.

I remember the times when to have just one black and white television in the house was an untold luxury, something to boast about at school. Now, my children are apt to complain if the satellite signal is temporarily disrupted or if they are forced to watch a DVD on any of the other four televisions dotted around the home. That's all they've ever known. That may be similar to the situation Hussey is facing now, partly a victim of a team that is going through an inevitable rebuilding phase but with public expectations that do not allow for this regeneration process. It is no doubt compounded by the fact that all of this coincides with an Ashes. Australians are less likely to be forgiving right now, such is the nature of a home Ashes.

Many Test playing countries now have two or three players in that club. India's top six are virtually all in that bracket, quite an amazing statistic really. No wonder that they are ranked No. 1. With that sort of pedigree, there should be a public inquiry if they weren't on top of the rankings. Sri Lanka has at least three batsmen who average more than 50, Australia's recent past is littered with batsmen who scaled those heights and South Africa have a couple already in the club with Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers not far from joining in. Depending on the current politics in Pakistan cricket, they could potentially have a few who fall into that category too. That leaves just West Indies (Chanderpaul apart), England, New Zealand and Bangladesh who don't have a top order full of 50-plus 'averagees'. Of those teams, I think it's reasonable to suggest that it maybe only England, who have a strong all-round unit, would spurn someone like Hussey. Jonathan Trott, who hasn't really played enough Test cricket to justify inclusion in this durable list, is the only current England batsman to average in excess of 50. Hypothetical question: if Hussey was not selected for Australia, would England happily swap him for say, Ian Bell?

Can anyone think of another Test batsman who averaged 50-plus who was actually "dropped" from the team, rather than being pressured to retire gracefully? I'm sure there will be some names thrown up but I can't think of any off the top of my head. Yes, I'm sure Pakistan cricket might provide a few exceptions but often, those non-selections were not necessarily based on pure form but also linked to various other power struggles and temporary splits in the camp. Even when Greg Chappell went through that horror patch in the early 1980s, there was no serious talk of dropping him and it was generally accepted that he would eventually come good. Great players always do.

Perhaps there have been the odd instances of players dropped temporarily, just to allow them to get a bit of form back, with an unwritten assurance that they'd be given the armchair ride straight back into the team when they found their mojo again. If Hussey does get dropped this time around, I'm not convinced that he will necessarily be given any such assurances. Not unless he repeats what he had to do in order to break into the team in the first instance - just score heavily in domestic cricket and force his way in when injury or some other unusual situation presents itself.

Personally, I've got a lot of time for Hussey, as a cricketer and as a person. I know him reasonably well from some dealings I had with him ten years ago and I can vouch for the fact that he is indeed a gentleman of the highest calibre. He may just be the victim of an era where Australian cricket demands a level of performance that may be unrealistic in the next few years, as they rebuild after a long period of churning out all-time greats. In any other period, Hussey's position in the side would never have been called into question but that's the downside of being at the end of a halcyon period. I'm not convinced Australia has the depth of batsmen that young India seems to have, to warrant throwing Hussey out just yet. The man himself must be hoping that Bob Dylan's timeless classic, The Times They Are a-Changin' will prove prophetic for him these next few weeks.