The Roar
The Roar

Advertisement

Pick your Australian XI for the first Test against South Africa

26th October, 2016
Advertisement
Mitchell Starc should be saved for Test cricket. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)
26th October, 2016
70
1673 Reads

With just a week to go until the first Test between Australia and South Africa, conjecture is rife about who will be wearing a baggy green when the two teams walk out at the WACA.

So we’ve decided to ask the people who matter most: you.

All you have to do is follow the prompts in the form below; select two openers and three middle order batsmen (some players appear in categories – given cloning isn’t too big in cricket yet, it’d be great if you don’t pick the same player twice), one all-rounder and wicket-keeper, and four bowlers.

While all of the Test match regulars are there for you to pick, we’ve also tried to list as many players as possible to give you as much freedom in your team selections as possible.

Hell, if you think the Australian selectors were onto a winner with their bowling attack for the recent tour of South Africa, you can even pick Joe Mennie, Chris Tremain and Daniel Worrall without having to resort to the dreaded “other” option.

That said, if you reckon Rob Quiney is primed for a Test recall, you will be forced to select ‘someone else.’ Sorry about that.

To make things easier, here’s a quick run-down of the main contenders.

Opening batsmen

Advertisement

David Warner
As the vice-captain of the side, Warner is almost certain to be selected. He also boasts a phenomenal record at the record – his two highest Test scores have come at the ground.

Shaun Marsh
Marsh has been in and out of the team for much of the past five years, but opened alongside Warner during Australia’s last Test in Sri Lanka and did his chances no harm with 130 in the first innings. Concerns surround his fitness after a hamstring injury.

Joe Burns
Was a constant presence in the side last summer, but was dropped during the recent tour of Sri Lanka. He’s a far better player of pace than spin, though, and a Sheffield Shield century won’t harm his chances. Can also bat in the middle order.

Usman Khawaja
Like Burns, Khawaja was dropped for the last Test and is more accustomed to pace than spin. Batted at number three last summer, but has been touted as a possible opener.

Other options
Cameron Bancroft, Michael Klinger.

Middle order batsmen

Steve Smith
Australia’s captain and best batsman (and he piled on a century in the Shield on Tuesday). A sure-fire selection, unforeseen injury notwithstanding.

Advertisement

Adam Voges
Voges has been a superb performer over the last couple of years, but he’s getting on in age. Is it time for a younger option?

Moises Henriques
A fine batting all-rounder in state cricket, Henriques was picked as a specialist batsman for the last Test against Sri Lanka but failed to fire. May be better suited to playing as an all-rounder.

Shaun Marsh
See openers.

Usman Khawaja
See openers.

Joe Burns
See openers.

Michael Klinger
Can’t stop scoring in first-class cricket, but is hardly a forward-thinking option. Can also open the batting.

Nic Maddinson
A promising youngster, questions surround Maddinson’s patience and suitability for the longest format of the game

Advertisement

Peter Handscomb
Another young talent, Handscomb has been touted for national honours and did his chances no harm with a good knock for the Vics in the Shield.

Other options
George Bailey, Alex Doolan, Travis Head, Kurtis Patterson.

All-rounder

Mitchell Marsh
The incumbent, Marsh has impressed with his bowling but his batting needs some work at the number six position.

Moises Henriques
See middle-order batsmen.

Marcus Stoinis
Stoinis scored plenty of runs for Victoria last Shield season and is a serviceable bowler.

Other options
Ashton Agar, Glenn Maxwell.

Advertisement

Wicket-keeper

Peter Nevill
Hasn’t really been challenged for the national spot, but Nevill’s poor batting record is starting to become a concern. A fine gloveman, though.

Matthew Wade
Hasn’t played a Test for years, but Wade’s batting is considered a step up on Nevill’s. Some serious questions surround his keeping.

Sam Whiteman
One of Western Australia’s promising youngsters, Whiteman has impressed plenty with his tidy keeping and batting. This could be a step up too early though.

Other option
Tim Paine.

Bowlers

Mitchell Starc
He’s been sidelined by a gruesome leg injury, but Starc is the unquestioned leader of Australia’s attack.

Advertisement

Josh Hazlewood
Not as quick as Starc, but Hazlewood has already established himself as a fine paceman and should enjoy the return to Australia’s bouncy pitches.

Nathan Lyon
Lyon is the highest wicket-taker in the history of Australian off-spinners, and will almost certainly retain his spot in the side. However, would a more attacking tweaker be preferable?

Peter Siddle
Siddle is one of the front-runners for the third paceman’s spot, but he hasn’t played much cricket recently. Looked good in the Matador Cup, however.

Jackson Bird
He’s a similar bowler to Siddle, but Bird comes in with the opposite form line: he’s undoubtedly fit but didn’t look great in the Matador Cup.

Jason Behrendorff
A bit of a smokey here, but Behrendorff has been one of the more consistent bowlers in state cricket for some time now.

Pat Cummins
Cummins marked his Test debut with a five-for against South Africa five years ago but hasn’t donned the Baggy Green since. Looked great in the Matador Cup, but probably doesn’t have enough cricket under his belt to warrant selection.

Other options
Scott Boland, Jon Holland, Joe Mennie, Chris Tremain, Mitchell Swepson, Daniel Worrall, Adam Zampa.

Advertisement

So, who’s in your Australian XI? Have your say, and let us know in the comments below.

We’ve now stopped taking responses – you can check out the results here.

close