The Roar
The Roar

Advertisement

My Australian team to play New Zealand in the first Test

11th August, 2015
Advertisement
Tasmania's Jordan Silk. (AAP image/Rob Blakers)
Roar Guru
11th August, 2015
9
1444 Reads

With the Ashes lost, Michael Clarke retiring and a good portion of the squad set to be dropped, it’s time to look at what the Australian team will look like in the first Test against New Zealand this summer.

David Warner
Still one of the most damaging cricketers in the world, Warner has started to show he can bring a lot more to the table than just bludgeoning bowlers around the park.

Cameron Bancroft
Bancroft made three hundreds and three fifties in last season’s Sheffield Shield. A right-hand batsman from Western Australia, he played several Test and ODIs for the Australia Under-19 cricket team where he impressed with his high scoring ability, scoring three centuries at an average of 50.90.

Joe Burns
The selectors got it completely wrong when they dropped Burns after just two Tests, especially after he just scored half centuries in both innings (58 and 66). Burns should never have been overlooked for the Ashes, having played in English conditions for the last three years. A right handed opener, he can bat anywhere.

Steve Smith
The new permanent Australian captain must drop himself down to number 4 to add stability to a young team. Was found out by the moving ball in England and needs to work on his technique if he is to rediscover his rich vein of form this summer. Still one of the world’s best batsmen.

George Bailey
At 32 years of age, the former Aussie T20 captain is a must pick in the middle order. Bailey is another player who was never given the chance to establish himself in the Test arena.

He will be badly needed to give Steve Smith another brain to pick. His record is far from outstanding in the longer forms of the game but can be equally patient and destructive in situations when it’s required.

Jordan Silk
Here’s a name from left field. Beating out Moises Henriques, Peter Forrest, Alex Doolan, Glenn Maxwell and Usman Khawaja for the last batting spot. It’s all about the future and what a future he will have. The 23-year-old right hander from Tasmania is starting to look the goods.

Advertisement

There is debate as to whether it’s too early for him, but it would be worth a shot.

Peter Nevill
Australia’s new gloveman, it will be interesting to see how he plays. An incredible batsman in his own right with a top score of 235* and an average over 40. Nevill is another player who came through the under age squad he has toured with the Australian team before in 2012 when he went to the West Indies. He should fit in quite well and be given plenty of time to settle into his role.

Mitchell Johnson
Over 300 wickets for the big ‘Chomps’ and more to come. Will be 34 and may well be his last summer for Australia in Tests before becoming an ODI and T20 specialist.

Johnson has given great service to his country for a decade and one last go around could have the Kiwis shaking in their boots.

Mitchell Starc
The left arm heir apparent. Still has his best days ahead of him which is great news for the Australian team. He can swing the ball and get sharp bounce which means trouble for any side.

Josh Hazlewood
There is so much upside to this kid. Tall, young, fast and a future new ball bowler. Hazlewood was the youngest ODI player to ever debut for Australia in 2010, and we all know why. He still has things he needs to work on, but has shown he has all the qualities needed to be a successful cricketer on the biggest stage.

Nathan Lyon
Australia’s most successful off-spinner of all time with over 150 wickets and at just 27, he should be around for some time to come. He had an unconventional introduction to cricket but leap-frogged all others to become the number one spinner.

Advertisement

Travis Head
The South Australian all-rounder has quality written all over him. The youngest South Australian captain of all time at the age of 21, he captained SA to the Under-19 National Championship title in 2012-13 and was named Player of the Championship.

Head is a left hand batsman who can hit the ball a mile. His off spin bowling needs some time, needing to work on his variation mostly, but he’s young and has performed through all the national under age championships with class and ease.

close