If building a winning cricket team were simply a matter of examining statistics, we could give the job to a computer and let algorithms dictate the composition.

But a cricket team is not a spreadsheet. It is a complex, simmering dish that requires a master chef’s intuition. You cannot simply throw the most expensive ingredients into a pot and voilà … out comes a delicacy.

From experience, I learnt that the role of a selector extends far beyond identifying talent. It involves spotting outstanding players at the beginning of their journey, those with significant potential for growth.

The selector’s task is not to find good players who are at their peak and have only one direction to go. The job encompasses knowing when to select them and, crucially, when to drop them.

This means looking beyond the obvious and recognising the potential for improvement in an individual.

The obvious choice might be the youngster who has matured physically earlier than his peers and can hit the ball harder than others. However, this can be misleading, as that person is often at their peak with limited growth potential.

The triumphant Ashes-winning Australia team at the SCG on Thursday.Credit: Getty Images

Counterintuitively, the smaller player, who has had to fight for his runs against bigger opponents, is often the one most likely to develop further. Because they lack raw power, they have learned to battle hard for their runs.

They have been compelled to adopt better positions at the crease to maximise their limited strength, becoming adept at finding gaps and running hard between the wickets. Their mental resilience is strong, and they can concentrate over extended periods.

To put it simply, they have acquired the most essential skills of batting. Once the smaller player grows and gains more power, they typically surpass the power player.

As players progress, it is vital to observe whether they are learning from their experiences. Every young cricketer makes mistakes. They are an integral part of the learning process. What selectors must avoid are players who repeat the same errors.

Experience........

© The Sydney Morning Herald