Alex Doolan
A DECADE after starting Alex Doolan off on his top-flight cricket career, Peter Faulkner believes it is time national selectors completed the job.
The former chairman of Tasmanian selectors said Doolan's impressive form leading up to Tuesday's 87 for the Prime Minister's XI against the West Indies should be enough to earn him a baggy green for this year's back-to-back Ashes series.
``I would have Alex in the Ashes tour and it would not be based on subjective analysis, it would be based on numbers and fact,'' Faulkner said yesterday.
``Alex surely must be a very good chance to go on the Ashes tour. To get 160 against South Africa (for Australia A) and then another 90-odd against the West Indies, playing against the best in the world, just puts him right up there ahead of the rest of the pack.
``I would hope he would be selected, he's done everything right.''
Faulkner will be one of three Launceston dads watching their sons playing for Australia in tomorrow's one-day international against the West Indies, but believes Doolan has the potential to leapfrog his son James Faulkner and also George Bailey and Xavier Doherty.
During his 12 years as Tasmania's chairman of selectors, Faulkner received a phone call from Tigers coach Brian McFadyen seeking suggestions for a second XI top-order batsman.
``I told him, `I'm watching him now,' '' Faulkner said as he recalled watching the former Scotch Oakburn student batting for Launceston.
Doolan duly made 48 batting at No. 3, which Faulkner saw as a clear indicator of his ability.
``I think if you know your stuff it should only take 10 or 15 minutes to tell whether someone has got it or not and he clearly had the ability.
``He's a measured, cool, calm cricketer, which seems to be the trademark of Tasmanian cricketers.
``His technique is fantastic. He really has shown that he can handle things and perform at the highest level he has been selected for, and as a selector that's what you want to see players do.
``When he's got an opportunity to play against South Africa and the West Indies and scored runs, selectors should sit up and take notice.
``They would be in contact with the state coaches but I think it may well be a case of needing to see it to believe it so you make sure you strut your stuff in front of at least one national selector and there would have been national selectors there [in Canberra] for sure.''
Faulkner's comments echo those of Ricky Ponting who captained Doolan on Tuesday.
``He's got class, time, a simple technique and is a good striker of the ball,'' Ponting told The Examiner last month. ``He never seems rushed and that's always a sign of a good player.''
The pair enjoyed three century-plus partnerships in the Sheffield Shield this season before Doolan, 27, hit his career-best 161 not out against South Africa's much-hyped attack.
With their own sons already enjoying national one-day and Twenty20 selection, John Bailey and Mike Doherty endorsed Faulkner's view on Doolan.
``Alex is going very well but you could say the same about Jimmy, Xavier and George,'' Bailey said.
``Alex is in a good spot. With the retirement of Ricky Ponting we are crying out for a quality top-order batsman and he's leading the way.''
Doherty added: ``Alex is close. He's serving his apprenticeship and if he got the nod he would certainly do the job credit. He's a stable character and team oriented, which goes for all four.
``Alex is in the queue and if he got the opportunity through injury or selection I reckon he would do pretty well and I would love to see him there because being around that type of group would lift his game to another level.
``He was patient waiting his turn for Tasmania and is going to be a fantastic player in the longer format.''