Pulling the trigger too soon on Hughes

So it has come to this: Phil Hughes, Australia's bright star, has been dropped after two test matches in favor of a man who can't be counted on to remain injury free on the team coach as it makes its way to Edgbaston, who has not batted higher than #6 in tests, whose opening experience is limited to one-day internationals. Given that there is little chance that Watson will be axed after one test, (though he will probably be injured soon enough) I would say this move potentially knocks Hughes out of the Ashes.

To say that I'm surprised is an understatement. As selectorial moves go, this one reeks of panic. Hughes didn't appear short of confidence in his innings, and I'd have backed him to have come good soon enough. The correct move would have to replace Mitchell Johnson with Stuart Clark, but it seems Australian selectors are doomed to make the mistakes of 2005 in reverse, where they showed excessive faith in Hayden.

I don't know if the wheels have fallen off but there are a few struts lying around on the road.