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When was the Australian XI last this stable?

Roar Rookie
27th December, 2013
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Australian batsman Ricky Ponting (right) and Mike Hussey make their way from the ground at tea
Roar Rookie
27th December, 2013
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Australia’s Test team has so far remained unchanged for the 2013/14 Ashes series, but when was the last time the same Australian XI played four Test matches in a row?

Remarkably, one has to trawl back almost a decade to late 2004, when Justin Langer, Matthew Hayden, Ricky Ponting, Damien Martyn, Darren Lehmann, Michael Clarke, Adam Gilchrist, Shane Warne, Jason Gillespie, Michael Kasprowicz and Glenn McGrath won four Tests together on the trot against New Zealand then Pakistan.

Why has it taken so long to establish a relatively stable Test side?

In recent years, Australia’s bowling rotation policy has definitely played a factor. With the Ashes secured and a retinue of eager young quicks on the sidelines, resting Ryan Harris for the Boxing Day Test seemed like a favourable option for the Australian selectors.

But already Harris’ inclusion has proved pivotal, with two key dismissals in England’s first innings, hopefully putting an end to the thought process behind the continual changes to Australia’s bowling attack.

Retirements and lack of form have also prevented much stability in the Australian Test team. 46 cricketers have debuted for Australia since the side last remained unchanged for four Test matches.

The 46 debutants previous to that streak in 2004 debuted over a period of 22 years, from 1982.

It’s also likely Australia’s three victories leading into Boxing Day played a part. That said, however, the Australian XI was still chopped and changed during its record-equaling 16 Test match winning streak from December 2005 to January 2008.

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Perhaps only now the Australian selectors have re-learnt ‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’.

And what if Australia again keeps the same Test team for the New Year’s Test in Sydney?

The last time the Australian XI remained unchanged for five consecutive Test matches was way back in 2001, consisting of Langer, Hayden, Ponting, Mark and Steve Waugh, Martyn, Gilchrist, Warne, Brett Lee, Gillespie and McGrath.

This team won one Test then drew three before being selected together for a fifth Test in a row.

It would also be the first time Australia has played the same XI for an entire series since December 2011 against New Zealand, although that was only a two Test match series.

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