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This summer, Australia faces the very real prospect of losing a home Test series against New Zealand for only the second time in cricketing history.
Most will scoff at this exaltation, but reality might laugh loudest.
A team in transition after some big-name retirements means there are some massive holes for the Aussies when they face a very talented, well marshalled and balanced Kiwi line-up.
The biggest concern is the key departures of Michael Clarke, Chris Rogers and Brad Haddin. Australia are left with a top seven bereft of batting class and experience. Only Steven Smith and Dave Warner are proven Test batsmen.
However Warner has lost his long-term opening partner in Rogers, who shared a synergy with Warner at the top of the order, his dour batting providing balance to Warner’s marauding style as well as his calming influence.
As for Smith, after averaging 58.72 in 13 innings at number three, he has intimated a desire to move back to four. The move is sure to heap further pressure on the newly formed opening partnership by reverting to the ‘musical chairs’ demeanour of the crucial three position, which saw 13 players tried and fail after Ricky Ponting’s retirement until Smith assumed the role.
At a time when the batting line up needs stability and support, this potential move is cricketing insanity.
Of greater concern is all the possible candidates to fill the breaches are likely to be speculative selections. Few, if any, have the performances in first-class cricket to fully justify their elevation to the Test team.
It sets up a recipe for disaster against a high-quality New Zealand bowling attack, containing the new-ball combination of Tim Southee and Trent Boult, who have combined for 223 wickets at an average of 27.34 since 2012 in the infancy of their careers. With both approaching their bowling prime at the tender age of 26 and having the perfect balance of left and right-hand varieties, they are likely to make a real mess of the Australian batting.
Factor in other quality bowlers like Doug Bracewell, who has already shown his calibre on Australian pitches, and there are plenty of reasons for Aussie fans to furrow their brows.
This potential batting malaise puts a huge emphasis on the excellent Australian bowling attack, that has carried the team for too long, to take on a greater burden.
Home comforts will make the pace trio of Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood a fearsome prospect supported by the wily and ever reliable off-spinner Nathan Lyon. But can they perform well enough to make up for the likely failings of the batting?
They will have to be at their very best against New Zealand’s batting, highlighted by two of the best young batsmen in Test cricket in Kane Williamson and Tom Latham, and supported by the very able and dangerous Ross Taylor and Brendon McCullum.
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