- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Another summer of cricket around the corner and it has been a controversial squad selection to some for the first Test against South Africa in Perth.
It’s that time of the year where we all become experts and give our opinion on what we think should be happening in the Test side and that’s exactly what I am about to do.
When picking this XI, I’ve given some thought to what will be happening next year in February. With the Aussies set to travel to India to face them in another grueling Test series, the selectors had to look beyond the first Test against South Africa.
This is how I would have lined up on Thursday with India in the back of my mind. Here’s my Test XI for the summer leading into India.
Shaun Marsh: I like Joe Burns and he has a fantastic Test career ahead of him, but it’s hard to discount the ton that Marsh made against Sri Lanka in the final Test back in August.
He’s also in red-hot form if the first round of the Sheffield Shield is anything to go by.
Scores of 73 and 110 representing Western Australia helped him secure his spot against South Africa.
Hopefully he can secure that opening spot in the Test side which will leave him in good stead come the first Test in India.
David Warner: One of Australia’s main men with 16 Test hundreds. He continues to grow in stature and opposition sides no doubt are starting to see that. He will be key if Australia are to have any success this summer, but he will be even more key to whether the Test series in India is a success or not.
Steven Smith: The captain and arguably the best player of spin Australia have. Has done extremely well for someone who was apparently never technically correct enough for Test cricket. He has made the doubters eat their own words with 15 Test hundreds.
It’s important he has a solid summer with India on the horizon and he has started very well scoring a ton for New South Wales in the opening round of the Sheffield Shield.
Usman Khawaja: For someone with so much flair and talent, he was poor in Sri Lanka and he will be first to admit it. Despite that, class is permanent and Khawaja certainly has plenty of that. On the eye, there aren’t many better to watch and I’m backing him to have a successful summer which will hopefully lead into India.
Callum Ferguson: To some, dropping Adam Voges will be controversial and it’s a fair enough opinion. But, I can’t see Voges making the difference in India and with age against him, I would be inclined to give Ferguson his chance.
Why? Because he’s a quality batsmen who’s in form and can play spin bowling better than most in this country. Coming off 101 for South Australia in the first round of the Sheffield Shield is a sign of the type of form he is in and it’s a selection like Ferguson which could really enhance Australia’s chances in the subcontinent.
James Faulkner: I feel as if this man offers a bit more consistency than Mitchell Marsh. For me, Faulkner is the best all-rounder in Australia. His batting and bowling have proven over the years to be really solid. His bowling for me could be quite an asset in India.
His variety could suit subcontinental wickets which makes him more of a threat than Marsh. I do feel as if Marsh does cop some unfair criticism, but he hasn’t done enough in his short career thus far which is why I would give Faulkner his chance now building into India.
Peter Handscomb: There’s a few building a case for Handscomb and it’s one more should be on. Peter Nevill has done well ever since replacing Brad Haddin, but he simply hasn’t offered enough with the bat.
No doubt, Nevill’s wicketkeeping is superb, but it’s a well known fact that wicketkeepers need to be multidimensional. Nevill certainly can bat, but Handscomb’s runs back in state level really have been impressive.
Also, he’s another one of those players that can play spin, some even referring him to the ‘best player of spin Australia have’. Get him in now and get him prepared for India.
Mitchell Starc: One of those bowlers who you can just put your faith in. Has become Australia’s main weapon and will be looking to be the difference this summer and in India. When fit, there really are none better in the Australian ranks.
Peter Siddle: You probably would say that Siddle is the easy option when it comes to dropping a bowler in favour of another spinner, which will more than likely be the case come India, but playing two spinners in Australia would be a waste of time.
I would expect him to get the nod ahead of Joe Mennie come Thursday. If he can impress this summer then it will be difficult for the selectors to ignore him in India.
Josh Hazlewood: Despite playing a completely different format in South Africa just recently, he was dearly missed. Such a crucial figure in the Test XI these days. I’d expect him to have a fantastic summer.
Nathan Lyon: Would have learnt a thing or two in Sri Lanka. He wasn’t at his best, but now a campaigned figure in the Australian dressing room and will be the No.1 spinner in India as expected.
He could be the difference if he gets it right. The two Test series against South Africa and Pakistan is about finding rhythm and confidence to take to India.
Build your own fantasy cricket team and put it to the test with Draftstars daily fantasy competitions. Pick your match, pick your team and watch the points roll in to take out cash prizes on each match. What are you really gambling with? Set a deposit limit.