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My Australian team for India

Roar Rookie
13th February, 2013
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Roar Rookie
13th February, 2013
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When I glanced at the 17-man squad selected for the Indian tour, it actually gave me mixed feelings.

I did not have any problem with the fast bowling picks, but there was little concern about spinners and a huge concern about batsmen!

It’s actually unfortunate that Michael Beer was injured, since he has the ability to do what Monty Panesar did to the Indians.

Why was Steve O’Keefe left out despite showing so much promise?

There’s no better place than the sub-continent for him to showcase his skills.

Coming to the batsmen, I have some serious concerns about the selectors’ ideas.

For sub-continent, you need to pick batsmen who play spin better.

If some blokes have shown that ability in the past, why not go for them? Inclusion of Brad Haddin/Tim Paine as a batsman would have been a big boost.

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Both are excellent players of spin. Paine especially was good in the last tour in 2010.

We assume Haddin was left out because of his age, but what about Paine?

He has years of play left in him!

Paine also proved in 2010 that he has the important virtue needed in the sub-continent, “patience”.

Paine’s selection would also be justified on the grounds of a “spare keeper” role!

Another who should have been considered is George Bailey.

His his ability to play the ball is essential on the slow wickets of the sub-continent. He should have been considered.

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The XI for the first Test should not include Usman Khawaja because of his discomfort in playing spinners.

Steven Smith or Glenn Maxwell will be more suited, given the fact that both play spinners well, at least better than Khawaja. It would be a risk to name Usman as a first choice in the XI.

So, my XI would be as follows:

Ed Cowan, David Warner, Phil Hughes, Shane Watson, Michael Clarke, Matt Wade, Steven Smith, Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle, James Pattinson, Nathan Lyon. 12th man: Mitchell Starc

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