We may have thumped Sri Lanka, the batsmen may be scoring runs, the bowlers taking wickets and some of the fielders snaffling catches. But the giant elephant in the room remains.
We are in no way, shape or form ready for the Ashes.
Ed Cowan continues to speak highly of his increased drive, understanding and comfort in his Test role. However his batting average hovers precariously at 32.66, well below par for any Test match opener.
Shane Watson, the star all-rounder, has through the media been turned into a poor man’s Jacques Kallis, who doesn’t bowl or score enough runs to warrant his place.
Michael Hussey’s exit leaves a gaping hole of experience and runs in the Australian middle order. He’s as irreplaceable as any retiring great.
Matthew Wade’s glove work continues to draw criticism, as names like Tim Paine and Brad Haddin are touted to be hot on his heels.
Mitchell Johnson appears to have recaptured his best form, at least it looked that way throughout the Perth and MCG tests. Again in Sydney however, when promoted to all-rounder status, he has lacked penetration with ball and runs with bat.
Our fast bowling contingent is heavily depleted and the injury ward overflowing. Patrick Cummins, James Pattinson, Ryan Harris and Ben Hilfenhaus are all part of a group of Test match bowlers to have spent significant time on the side lines recently.
Spinner Nathan Lyon hasn’t been able to produce the big day five hauls, heroics and match winning efforts which Australians expect of their front line spinner. His is increasingly being criticized for an inability to finish sides off.
So we have problems, all of them are significant. I don’t know all the answers, but I’ll try solving some for us right now.
Looking ahead to the Ashes, cricket’s Holy Grail, what do we need to do? A team reshuffle is high on the agenda and will address many issues raised.
The Australian side lacks balance, consistency, experience and clear player roles, so I have rejigged the side in an attempt to alleviate some of these issues and hopefully bring clarity to team.
My touring party to India and England will consist of 17 players. My starting XI is as follows.
1. David Warner
2. Shane Watson
3. Phillip Hughes
4. Usman Khawaja
5. Michael Clarke (C)
6. David Hussey
7. Matthew Wade (wk)
8. Peter Siddle
9. James Pattinson
10. Nathan Lyon
11. Jackson Bird
Warner has proven to be highly effective at setting the tone of an innings straight off the bat. He has a world class batting average for Test match openers and can set you flying high towards victory in the first session of a Test.
The enigmatic and often self-absorbed Watson has his flaws no doubt, however it is undeniable that his quality straight driving and powerful technique provides him with tools to set Australia off to many a solid start. His record at the top of the order is as good as any. His bowling should be approached as a last resort, a luxury and used sparingly.
Hughes has begun his reincarnation to Test cricket promisingly, with two half centuries. He was often exploited by the brand new ball, and number three protects him slightly from this, however that doesn’t mean he doesn’t possess the ability to handle things at 1-0.
Furthermore, Hughes is better suited to facing spin bowling than Watson and Warner and thus protects them a bit more if he is the one to bat at three.
Usman Khawaja is the next most talented batsman in the country. He has a good first class record and is in excellent form. Many believe his inclusion to the Test side is inevitable and I’m happy to have this classy player forming part of the Australian middle order.
Michael Clarke, enough said.
David Hussey brings as close to a like-for-like match to his brother as any cricketer in the world – a proper professional with a wealth of experience, particularly in English condition. Hussey has the first class pedigree to prove he is capable at the highest level and has another two good years of cricket in him. Ample time for another young batsman to step up.
Matthew Wade is on notice. His batting continues to instigate a wagging tail and scoring runs will always be a strength of his. Wade’s glove work has been under immense pressure, but I’m willing to persevere as I’ve seen him play Ryobi Cup and know he is better than he is showing.
Peter Siddle is one of the first two picked these days and walks straight into the touring party as the spearhead of the attack.
James Pattinson has impressed many with his aggressive brand of fast bowling. He brings the in-your-face mentality many of us love. Pattinson will need to cage some of that energy and focus on ripping the pegs out of the ground but his short Test career has demonstrated he has a canny ability to get wickets.
Nathan Lyon’s confidence has taken a shot of late but a tour to India might be the perfect thing for him – rank turners are expected to be a major feature of the landscape on the sub continental tour. Lyon still has far and away the best Test match record of any Aussie spinner since the retirement of Shane Warne and will continue to grow in the role as time progresses.
Jackson Bird has risen quickly from Sydney club cricketer to Test match bowler. He has dismantled the Sri Lankan line-up in two Tests already and has a year and a half of first class dominance under his belt. Bird adds a huge amount of balance to the side – his consistency is something that has been lacking a lot lately and will prove invaluable against a world class batting line-up like England.
I have left out Ed Cowan as I believe he really isn’t up to the standard of Test match cricket. His record is poor and he never displayed the first class dominance in the Sheffield Shield that indicates he would be successful at the highest level.
The remainder of my touring party consists of Alex Doolan – as the in-form, next in line spare batsman – Tim Paine the reserve keeper, Michael Beer as a second spin option who brings the variety of left-arm orthodox to the fore and the fast bowling contingent of Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Johnson and Ben Hilfenhaus.
The two Mitchells miss out on starting positions because of their tendency to leak runs and inconsistent form. If an injury occurs they will slot in nicely but I don’t consider them among the top three fast bowlers in the country at the moment.
And for the record, Johnson is as much an all-rounder as Matthew Wade is a fast bowler. He’s a good number eight, nothing more.
Ben Hilfenhaus has a solid record in England and will come in almost seamlessly if required.
So there we have it. The reshuffle is complete and I believe we now have a balanced side as ready as possible to take on India and England.
Finny92
Roar Rookie
Bresnan was a flash in the pan. He bowls 75mph cannon fodder. Broad has a foot injury? Not he was destroyed by the South Africans and has since be exposed as the village bowler his is. Bell is cack. He’s got the mental toughness as a paper bag in the rain. So Cook averages 90 as captain, so what? 2 hundreds vs Bangladesh and 3 lucky ones against a terrible Indian side. Amla and Pup are all time greats. Cook will end with an average if 45. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bresnan is a low 80 mph bowler for a start, and is very good under English conditions, he doesn't start any more anyway! And also is more than handy with the bat He sustained it between the West Indies series and SA series and was dross in the SA series. Bell Averages 44 in aus and 54 in Eng, which is more than most of your batsmen! What about the 127.66 he averaged last time out down under? If you don't rate Cook you're clueless. I look forwards to the whitewash you will get :)
Frankie Hughes
Guest
Bresnan was a flash in the pan. He bowls 75mph cannon fodder. Broad has a foot injury? Not he was destroyed by the South Africans and has since be exposed as the village bowler his is. Bell is cack. He's got the mental toughness as a paper bag in the rain. So Cook averages 90 as captain, so what? 2 hundreds vs Bangladesh and 3 lucky ones against a terrible Indian side. Amla and Pup are all time greats. Cook will end with an average if 45.
Finny92
Roar Rookie
Cook is currently averaging 90.40 under his captaincy and Clarke 69.45. Bell gets runs anywhere apart from the sub continent. Trott has a great record vs Aus, he averages 86.42 with 3 tons in 6 games. The same Bresnan who was excellent down under? You haven't seen Finn bowl then. Broad has been injured for a while, he's usually 85-7 mph but has been down to the high 70's due to a foot injury.
Finny92
Roar Rookie
They're ranked 8th in the world and are mediocre. That was on a day 5 pitch when most of the green had gone from the track and he just could hit through the line (still a great innings no doubt)
Frankie Hughes
Guest
Think you'll find it's Amla and Pup are the top dogs. Cook ain't in their class. Period. England are a team of overrated players. Bell?? He only gets runs when everyone else does. Trott was a flash in the pan. Bresnan is cannon fodder. Finn isn't fit to lace Pattinson's boots Broad medium paced dobber
Frankie Hughes
Guest
Tasmania last year, green top against avery good Kiwi attack, 100no.
Finny92
Roar Rookie
England will not play 2 spinners at home, I can tell you that for a fact.
Finny92
Roar Rookie
Wade averaged 30 against the Saffers, he's no where near as good as prior.
Finny92
Roar Rookie
Let's see Warner bat on pitches that aren't complete roads and the ball moves about first, as in the most recent ODI series he struggled. I'd have broad in my team over siddle, better bat and in England a better bowler. 2-1 England is a bit optimistic for your lads isn't it?
sittingbison
Guest
Guys, we cannot afford TWO allrounders in the top six. We can only afford ONE because Wade is solid with the bat, otherwise the all rounder would bat at 7. Husseys spot should go to Khawaja. Johnson is a well credentialed 8 not a genuine all rounder. Either go for an all rounder who can bat better than Johnson, or a genuine pure batsman (from the Sydney team). Watson is the conundrum. As he is now retired from bowling, is he good enough as a pure batsman? Eternal debate, my answer is "No". His temperament is in question with his conversion rate an propensity to get out around breaks in play. His technique is in question with getting bowled or LBW at every opportunity. He has averaged 23 over two full years since 2010 Boxing day test with no hundreds. He averaged 24 in 2011 when opening. His recent innings are terribly out of form, he was put down on 30 by replacement keeper Sangga (who dropped a sitter) in last innings then holed out slogging after scratching to 84. Cowan is the other perplexing issue. To be frank, he just isn't up to it. His sole century was at the 'gabba on a road where SA scored 450 (two centuries) and we scored 565 (two centuries and a double century). Other than this he simply gets out regularly for his average of low 30s. BTW discussing replacement openers like Lynne, or bringing in experienced David Hussey/Klinger (experience? how many tests have they played), or all rounders like Maxwell or Faulkner, or middle order batsmen like Burns or Doolan, or bringing in bowlers like Cutting etc etc none of whom have played test cricket shows just how badly we have been served by the selectors. Its a fiasco.
sittingbison
Guest
Watson averaged 23 over past two years since 2010 Boxing Day test - 12 tests. Averaged 24 as an opener in 2011. No centuries. 21 fifties and 2 centuries speaks volumes about his limitations as a pure batsman compared to an allrounder.
sittingbison
Guest
the problem is you have two all rounders in the top six! I understand The argument he is a batsman who bowls a bit, but he is not really a genuine batsman, and neither is Watson.
Frankie Hughes
Guest
Don't be silly. Cook has had more than his fair share of luck during his purple patch. He's technically limited and Bird will have him in his pocket. Bell is a fair weather batsman. Only gets runs when everyone else does. Trott was a flash in the pan. Nothing to fear. We'll hammer the Poms easy.
Paul
Guest
Prior underrated? Prior averaging close to 50? I'm sorry but I agree with the young Justin's view about Wade, if he can iron out the technical defeciany to spin bowling he's just as good as prior if not better. Prior: 62 tests, 92 Innings, 3326 runs, AVE: 43.19, 100's: 6, 50's: 24 Wade: 9 tests, 16 Innings, 510 runs, AVE: 42.56, 100's: 2, 50's: 2 Perhaps it won't be such a surprise if Wade outbats Prior in the Ashes?
Rhys
Guest
I know this article is looking at the possible Australia squad but it's always worth noting who their likely opposition players will be. Don't be surprised to see an England XI, at some point during the series, that would look like this - Cook - in supreme form & second only to Clarke with bat Compton - inexperienced but signs of being a bit of a street fighter Trott - finally rediscovered form late in India series, and will be hungry for runs Pietersen - enigmatic player who if produced his best can single handedly swing a game Bell - woeful against spin in recent times, but quality spin which Australia is lacking Prior - averages nearly 50 in Tests, very underrated in my view, and can fill the much troubled #6 slot Broad - a bit like Pietersen, when he's on he's on, will likely fire up to prove the doubters wrong Swann - class act who can land it on a dollar coin all day, miserly but can produce jaffas Bresnan - will likely take back seat to Finn, but though lacking the pace of Finn, offers metronomic line length & batting Panesar - proved in India that he is far from a spent force, probing bowler who worked well in tandem with Swann Anderson - still the master of the swinging ball and will ask big questions of the Aussie top order
TheGenuineTailender
Roar Guru
David Warner would open over Compton. Peter Siddle is better than Broad and over the next few years we'll see James Pattinson and the young battery of quicks ascend to the top of world cricket. Currently, I'd agree England are the far better side. I expect the poms to get the job done at home, but the return trip to Australia will be a very hard fought and close series.
TheGenuineTailender
Roar Guru
I'm thinking 3-1 or 2-1 to England. Especially with the squad the way it is now. We're unbalanced and under prepared.
TheGenuineTailender
Roar Guru
Thanks, appreciate the positive feedback.
TheGenuineTailender
Roar Guru
Australia doesn't primarily need experience. The main thing we need is our six best batsmen, our best keeper, our three best fast bowlers and our best spinner. Brad Haddin doesn't fit into any of those categories. Especially not specialist batsmen.
Finny92
Roar Rookie
Being English I'm obviously loving the state of our Cricket atm! In my opinion I believe although you have decent fast bowlers none of them would get into our team, as with the batting order (exception of clarke, but he has something to prove batting over here against the moving ball) Personally I think It will be 3/4 -0 England.