There are still four Tests to be played, half a first-class season remaining here at home and 194 days until next year’s Ashes series begins.
So when you’re on holidays and it’s 40 degrees in Perth, what better way to spend an hour than gazing into a crystal ball and trying to frame a squad to tour the Old Dart.
Let’s start by assuming that the National Selection Panel goes with a 17-man touring party and let’s begin with the batting.
There are some obvious must-picks starting with skipper Michael Clarke who has taken his personal game to a new level since being elevated to the captaincy.
In his 20 matches at the helm he has scored eight centuries and averaged 71.4.
And aside from his form with the willow he has proven to be an innovative and aggressive skipper who is willing to gamble with declarations and the use of his various bowling options.
Interestingly, whilst his 1595 runs in the calendar year is a new Australian record, the second most prolific batsmen in world cricket through 2012 has been his England counterpart Alastair Cook, who amassed 1249 runs.
The form of both will have a large bearing on the outcome of the series.
Age proved a factor for Ricky Ponting this summer, but not so Michael Hussey, who at 37, has scored three centuries.
He is the anchor of the middle order and his ability to bat with the tail will again be crucial.
While some people are still unconvinced by David Warner’s place at the top of the order long term, there is no debating that he is the best of the current openers in Australia.
On the small English grounds he could prove a major thorn in the English side.
I would also be imploring him to work on his part-time leg-spinners as much as possible given England’s historic struggle with wrist-spinners.
Shane Watson will definitely be chosen to tour but what role he fills is still largely undecided.
It was stated by CA’s high performance manager Pat Howard a few weeks ago that to be selected he had to be able to bat and bowl.
Perhaps it is time though to ask him to focus entirely on his batting given his predilection to breaking down with ball in hand.
For mine, he would be best suited to opening alongside Warner for it is where he has produced his best and most consistent performances.
If he is still chosen as an all-rounder, Ed Cowan is likely to get the nod to remain at the top of the order despite a rather lacklustre showing through his first nine Tests – 474 runs at just 31.6.
He will turn 31 during the campaign and given his first-class career average is just 40.1 his longevity in the line-up has to be questioned.
His next four Test outings may decide his fate, either way, pre-Ashes.
Usman Khawaja deserves another opportunity, as highlighted by his selection once again as cover for Clarke for the SCG Test.
At 26 and with a first-class career average of 43, he is one of the more successful fringe players in the country.
The fact he has already tasted the pressure of the Test arena will also be in his favour.
Phil Hughes will also get the nod and will be desperate to atone for his last tour where he was cast into the international wilderness.
He has made slight technical adjustments to his game and seems to be heading in the right direction, running between the wickets aside.
The selectors know what he can do when on song – two centuries in his second Test versus South Africa is testament to that – and he will be very much in the mix for the number three slot.
A large problem confronting the selectors is the current dearth of batsmen in Sheffield Shield ranks who are demanding consideration.
On that basis, I would take Alex Doolan, who has had a fine season, boasting a first-class average of 81.4, including a knock of 161no for Australia ‘A’ against the world number one Proteas.
As the second all-rounder, I would lean in favour of Andrew McDonald.
A ‘veteran’ of four Tests he is a true all-rounder with a first-class average of 39.8 with the bat, including 11 centuries, and 201 wickets at 28.6.
His high-arm action and ability to swing the ball could be handy, if required, in England.
At 25, and still learning his game, I would leave Moises Henriques at home in favour of McDonald, a more seasoned campaigner.
In a similar vein, I would choose Brad Haddin as the second ‘keeper.
He has displayed fine form with the bat for New South Wales this season, averaging 67.4.
If Matthew Wade fails to perform behind the stumps it is imperative that an experienced man takes his place, hence for mine, no Tim Paine or Chris Hartley.
A lack of quality spin options in Australia at present sees Nathan Lyon chosen as the only specialist.
Now, to the quicks.
The major problem here is fitness and injury concerns.
With that in mind, one of either James Pattinson or Pat Cummins is worth the risk.
Given Cummins has hardly bowled a red ball in anger since his Test debut two years ago, it has to be Pattinson.
From seven Tests, his 31 wickets at 22.1 proves he is a potential match winner.
Warhorse Peter Siddle is a certainty, so too in my mind are Mitchell Starc and Jackson Bird.
Starc could be a massive handful with his left-arm in-swing and Bird has shown over the last two seasons, and one Test, that he has the makings of a long term member of the Australian attack.
Don’t be surprised if he is Australia’s most successful Ashes tourist.
That leaves the fifth pace position.
Mitchell Johnson will get the nod of approval despite his disastrous showing last time around.
In two Tests this summer he has shown what he is capable of – 102 runs at 51, 12 wickets at 20, a man-of-the-match at the MCG and two Sri Lankan broken hands.
But, he will be given little margin for error.
If he plays early in the series, bleeds runs and lacks penetration, he will be quickly discarded.
So there you have it.
It is a somewhat dicey prospect choosing a squad this far out especially with the Australian rooms often looking like a triage ward.
But, if I get it horribly wrong (read – probably will!), I will just blame the fact that my crystal ball had a crack in it!
So, my 17 – Clarke, Watson, Hussey, Cowan, Warner, Hughes, Khawaja, Doolan, McDonald, Wade, Haddin, Lyon, Siddle, Pattinson, Starc, Bird, Johnson.
Over to you Roarers!
Dylan
Guest
My squad for England Cowan Warner Hughes Clarke (C) Finch Doolan Forrest Ferguson Wade Paine Lyon Maxwell Siddle Pattinson Bird Johnson Faulkner Would wait until Australian ashes for Cummins so he can have a couple of shield matches before the series. Watson is injury prone when he bowls and has only 2 test centuries from nearly 40 tests. Warner has played about 15 and has 3 Wade is 9 and has 2. People have seem to have forgot about Forrest. He has a good first class record and almost played test cricket for Australia last summer.
Dan Ced
Guest
I'd almost call that standard Redbacks treatment, but I'm biased, and they gave Blewett and Gilly a couple of chances. I think Boof was a bit hard done by. I think Klinger has been pretty unlucky since he joined the Redbacks not to get in one of the AUS sides. I hope he is in their thoughts for T20 selection with his very solid Big Bash campaign so far.
jameswm
Guest
George Bailey in the test team? Ask Warnie what he thinks of him.
Bob
Guest
Perhaps Watson could give up T20 and ODI cricket. that would certainly improve his test performances. Best thing the captain ever did was to stop playing T20.
MrKistic
Guest
I'm not suggesting that who they're selecting is right, I'm just saying that not picking Khawaja in this test is not bad in terms of his overall development given that he'll be playing in Hussey's place in the following test. Sure he could get some batting time there but he will play Shield again before the next test. And he hasn't been robbed of 11 caps any more than other players who've been dropped and have come back were robbed. It's all part of the process.
Red Kev
Guest
So you think it is smarter to play 5 specialist bowlers for a side that just lasted 75 overs over two innings and will be without their best bat? Or do you think it is better to gift Maxwell a massively undeserved cap? It is criminal to pick anyone other than Khawaja. Herath on a turning SCG is good prep for an India tour. Giving Khawaja time in the middle that isn't hit and giggle is important. Showing him some faith and belief is important. He has already been robbed of 11 caps by the screwing over the NSP gave him with Marsh-Quiney debacles.
MrKistic
Guest
Unless something phenomenal happens in the remainder of the Shield matches, he is pretty much guaranteed a spot in the squad as a direct replacement for Hussey. Not playing him in Sydney, while Hussey is still playing, is not even close to criminal. He'll play the next test after Sydney and many more thereafter I would say.
MrKistic
Guest
Ah, Chris Rogers, my favourite Western Australian Victorian Sydneysider.
Ian M
Guest
I don't know if I'd be more amazed if Watson doesn't make the Ashes squad as a specialist batsman or if England produced rank turners and played two spinners in their home series. All the talk of Watson not being good enough begs the question "Good enough for what?", The Aussie team of 5-10 years ago? Definitely not. Of the past 2-5 years? Maybe. The current team? I think he should be a shoo-in. The question marks over his fitness are diminished for me if he is not required to bowl 10-15 overs in a day and is fielding as a slip catcher. He's one of the few players left with experience, he's the vice-captain and 23 50+ scores suggests to me it his concentration and not his technique that's the problem. Being a specialist bat he should be more focused on the task in hand at the crease. England won't play two spinners for three reasons - 1) Anderson is their best bowler, turning pitches will take away a lot of his potency. 2) England will be (and should be) confident that their bowlers can bag 20 Aussie wickets more cheaply than than the Aussie bowlers can get 20 Pommy wickets if like for like '3 seamers - 1 spinner' selections are made. 3) Admittedly still a long way out, but at present Finn looks like the other form seamer and behind him, Graham Onions. England won't play Anderson, Finn/Onions and Panesar in the same team as it would push Swann up to 8 in the batting order and effectively leave nothing beyond Prior at 7. That's why I reckon they'll go with Broad, Swann, Finn and Anderson. If you think Australia have got batting problems, tune in to SA v NZ test matches. I'll happily eat my black cap if I'm proved wrong with that statement.
MrKistic
Guest
I think M. Johnson should always bowl like he did in 2009 but that doesn't mean it's actually going to happen. Mitch is a bowler who occasionally comes good with the bat and/or ball.
Atawhai Drive
Guest
Yes, Chris Rogers.
Red Kev
Guest
I agree, if the selectors play anyone other than Khawaja it will expose them as incompetent at best and at worst deliberately sabotaging a quality young batsman's career over personal dislike. Khawaja was injury cover for Ponting 3 times in the last 18 months and injury cover for Clarke twice this summer. He was also the guy who just missed out to Hughes as Ponting's replacement. With Hussey retiring and Watson unavailable, noy playing Khawaja borders on criminal from the NSP. The guy is all class.
pope paul v11
Guest
Did I hear Mickey Arthur murmuring about playing Johnners at 7? Getting a bit carried away. Anyway, just to bang on about it a bit more, play Khawaja at Sydney. It is bordering on insanity to leave him out given the retirements of Ponting and Hussey and the conjecture on whether Watto can cut it as a batsman only. Oh and they are playing India and England away. 3 seamers and Lyon are plenty for the weakened Lankans. 3 Seamers and 2 spinners or 4 Seamers and 1 spinner is total .overkill. The Ashes xvii Cowan Warner Hughes Khawaja Clarke Watson Burns Doolan Wade Paine Lyon Beer Bird Johnson Siddle Starc Pattinson subject to fitness and form of course bound to be a battery of back up players of all description lying around the old dart anyway
pope paul v11
Guest
Rogers i think
ANZ
Guest
My Squad: Batsmen: Michael Clarke (C) Ed Cowan David Warner Usman Khawaja All Rounders: Mitchell Johnson Mitchell Marsh Shane Watson (VC) Wicketkeepers: Tim Paine Matthew Wade Bowlers Jackson Bird Patrick Cummins James Pattinson Peter Siddle Mitchell Starc I think M. Johnson should play as an all rounder instead of a normal bowler.
Red Kev
Guest
Who captains the thunder?
Atawhai Drive
Guest
Adam Zampa is selected for the Sydney Thunder as a specialist bowler. The Thunder bowl 19 complete overs as they lose yet again. Zampa is given one over. Yes, one over. Haddin tonks the first ball for six. But the next five balls go for two singles. Three dots. Zampa bowls two wrong'uns that are not picked. I hate the cliched WTF, but WTF?
Bob
Guest
Wondering if it may not be worth playing both Haddin and Wade as our batting against spin is very poor without Hussey (apart from Clarke). We need someone who can sweep the off spinners and is quick on their feet and someone experienced in English conditions. Christian and Ferguson come to mind (as well as Haddin).
Trev
Roar Rookie
Cowan Warner Hughes Khawjiwa Clarke Wade Johnson Siddle Pattionson Harris Lyon Doolan Strac Bird Holland Hartley Might be a bit harsh on Watson but his batting has been a massive let down and is injury prone. I've lost patience, I don't care about his bowling because he is a top order batsman and therfore his main job is too score runs which he hasn't done enough off. Our batting is a real problem and I'm not sold on Hughes still or Khawjia. We aren't going too dominate the English bowlers so our best hope is too dominate their batsmen. Johnson batting at 7 does make the batting line up look weaker but I think it gives us enough variety in the bowling attack too make up for it.
Red Kev
Guest
Did his chances no harm tonight with an unbeaten 66 off 47 for the Thunder.