Can Krabs jump?

Phabulous Phil Jaques was Australia's opening batsman.

He wasn't perfect, his technique was similar to a drunken squash player, he lost patience at times we wished he wouldn't, and he wasn't pretty, in any way.

But he made runs, a hundred in his last innings, and he averaged 47 and we were starting to like him.

Mostly.

The Krab Katich however, had been tried, and tried, and tried.

The selectors kept him on as long as they could, then eventually with a heavy heart they got rid of him, but now he is back, and he has entrenched himself into the top order like a tick with the 2 hundreds on his matthew hayden is injured tour.

Now it seems that in India the Krab is to be Hayden's partner.

For the last and most important warm up game, katich has been chosen.

If that isn't saying what i think it is saying, then it's no more cheese and crackers for Jaques.

He has been usurped by his team mate, his friend, his fellow weirdly techniqued batsman.

Why?

Did Jaques underperform?

In the Windies he made one hundred, and one 70odd, to Katich's two hundreds.

Is it because Katich is a better player of spin?

Perhaps...

Is it because Katich can bowl something resembling spin?

Possibly...

Is it because the selectors have a hard on for Katich that could bring down sky scrapers.

You bet it is.

Sorry Phabulous, you thought you were the new opener, it looks as if you were warming the seat for the Krab's magnificent return.www.cricketwithballs.com... Aussie Haiku straight to your box