Despite England retaining the Ashes this week, the series is far from dead from an Australian point of view.
There are players in the side who have more than pride to play for and will be looking to establish themselves so they play a prominent part in the Ashes back home from late November.
For starters, opener Chris Rogers played beautifully but will be disappointed he didn’t nail the hundred he should have.
He has got a few starts this series. But one gets the feeling, at 35 years of age, unless he gets a big score, he is going to be under a little pressure to keep his spot in the side.
Usman Khawaja
Undoubtedly talented with the bat, and was clearly unlucky in the first dig at Old Trafford. Showed some good signs in the second innings but could have been stumped off Swann.
With two Tests left, the fact is, he needs a big score to prove his talent to everyone and to justify his place in the side, which will silence some doubters.
Steven Smith
Has been encouraging with bat and made the most of his luck in the first innings.
I would encourage him to really to work on his spin bowling so that he has the other string to his bow. We don’t want him to turn into another Cameron White, who started his career as a leggie and is still a talented batsman, but then dropped off with the ball and has all but given it up.
Back in Australia, where conditions will be different, Smith could play as the sole spinner/fifth bowler at the WACA to give the team more flexibility.
Nathan Lyon
I am a fan of his bowling, and sometimes he gets harshly treated in the media. He bowled well at Old Trafford without a lot of luck.
But the bare facts are that England play spin much better than the Aussies do at the moment. Lyon was starting to cause a few worries on day five and bowled well at the lefties in the first dig.
What we need to see from the selectors is that they put faith in him as Australia’s number one spinner and give him every opportunity for the rest of the series.
Shane Watson
Let’s face it, the only reason he is in the team at the moment is because his good bowling is keeping him in there. The stats don’t lie: Watson’s numbers batting in the top six are too low so he can’t remain in the eleven based on that alone.
However, it’s been a win/win at the top of the order this series as we are discovering his true worth in that position, and obviously if he keeps struggling, a change will have to be made and he may well slip down the order this Test.
There is massive pressure on him, with all-rounder James Faulkner in the wings, who is a superior bowler and developing well as a batsman.
I have had my reservations with Watto at the top of the order, and at this point in the series, I have been proved right. In my view, David Warner should open in the fourth Test and Watto should slip down the order where he will hopefully make a positive contribution.
The Aussies had a great Test at Manchester and would have won had the rain not come along. Let’s hope that with similar form from the team, they can play well and win the fourth Test.
ak
Roar Guru
Nice article.
Jason Gillespie
Guest
Thanks Loz!
buddha9
Guest
Well twodogs my point is you learn it as much as anything and while I agree with you about whats needed at 3, its a steep learning curve for Usman K because he's learning how to play test cricket and learning how to bat 3, all in the same breathe -- that would be tough for anyone , boon ponting who ever
Loz
Guest
Good piece. Very well written and agree completely with your thoughts.....
JMW
Guest
Spot on BF
twodogs
Guest
Gday Jason, I have noticed over the years of playing and watching that, a no.3 should always be an 'authoritive' figure amongst the top 6. Ricky Ponting immediately springs to mind here. The one who sets the tempo for the remainder of the innings if the openers make at least a fair start. Khawaja seems not to have this energy and I do not believe you can 'attain' it. As good as Clarke is, he does not have 'it'. The only one in this side who has it is Warner. (or hughes when not confused about footwork) If Usman is to continue at no.3 I do not believe the team will prosper although much happy if he proves me incorrect. Clarke by far the best bat but we must have an 'authoritive' figure to drain the confidence from the attack. Geez, by the way the poms attack crumbled the other day, we aint that far away:-):-):-):-):-):-)
Jason Gillespie
Guest
:)
Jason Gillespie
Guest
I understand your point re wickets and it is valid. I am just pointing out that having a 4th seam bowling option who bats in the top 6 is the reason he is playing. Stats over time don't lie- watto needs to bat and bowl a lot better if he is to have a test career in 3 months time.
Jason Gillespie
Guest
I am a big khawaja fan. I have no doubt he will be given time. The reality is that he will be judged on his output and the doubters will be silenced when he gets a big score. Calm looking 30's and 40's simply won't do.
Johnno
Guest
I just want to say, how good is this to have someone of Dizzy's calibre write for the roar. This is awesome.
Hookin' YT
Guest
+1
AnthonyDarcy
Guest
I think this match is Khawaja's if we bat first. Supposedly a good wicket for seam that should be good for batting too. Known for his work against pace. Let's hope he can ton up!
GiantScrub
Guest
Australia also need a second, third, fourth and fifth batsman who average 40+ in tests, but who's counting?
James of Fremantle
Guest
Excellent summing up of the situation. But, with respect Dizzy. Can you please go back to Yorkshire and concentrate on getting us the County Championship?
Bearfax
Guest
I would also list Warner and Hughes in that group, though I think Smith is fairly safe now.. Warner certainly has the credits but he must show greater consistency. I think he's got the talent to be an outstanding Sehwag type opener but he needs to concentrate like Steve Smith does. Hughes is an enigma and I am still convinced he will eventually become one of Australia's foremost batsmen, but he must get that mojo back, that confidence he had as a 20 year old when he seemed invincible. The latent talent is there, it just has to be believed Watson in my mind is the one who I think will drop out in the next few tests. He's an outstanding bowler and that's what is holding him in the team. But Australia needs a sixth batsman who can average in tests at least 40+.
GiantScrub
Guest
Watson's real reason for being in the team at the moment is that he can "bowl time". Hold up an end and give the actual good bowlers like Harris a rest, without taking up a bowling slot. Truth is that this isn't anywhere near enough reason to play anybody. I think actually the most like-for-like swap if Australia needs a batting allrounder that bowls containment is Moises Henriques, and I suspect he'll get a game or two in the return series if Watson continues to be rubbish. As far as this tour goes, though, we do have a recognized batsman in the team who bats better than Watto and bowls just as fast. Matty Wade for allrounder at the Oval?
Stu
Guest
I keep hearing/reading people say Watson remains in the team because of his bowling. He's taken one - ONE! - wicket in three tests. Sure, he's keeping the runs down and maybe building pressure at the other end, but when you're an all-rounder and you're neither making runs nor taking wickets, questions have to be asked WHY are they still in the team? We're now in a dead rubber situation, so let's dispense with the deadwood (Watson) and bring in some younger players.
DingoGray
Roar Guru
I agree with 3 of the 4 listed here needing to shine. I hope Khawaja and Lyon especially come up with something special to deflect the unfair criticism being levelled at them. I think Steve Smith certainly done enough to secure his spot in the side. Yes given be great if he could continue his great form and even turn one of those good scores into a big hundred. But if was to have a poor test, I think he's earnt enough credit over the last 2 tours t keep spot for a little while yet.
Praveen
Guest
Good point Buddha, I am sure khawJa will succeed in the coming tests, 3 is a tough position but he can do it, also expecting the other batsman to kick on tmr
Sydney Kiwi
Guest
My advise for Khawaja would be bat as much time over the next 4 innings as possible while turning over the strike. I don't discount a big score won't help him but the pressure to make one will not help him considering the faith he has been given in the past. Although Watson isn't batting well at all I don't see Faulkner as a replacement for him in the top 6. However I do see merit in trying Faulkner instead of Starc - actually I was surprised he didn't get more thought last game due to Starc getting picked to rough up the pitch for Lyon. With Smith I would bowl him more but not to the extent of the sole 5th bowler, I think without Starc the tight overs from Watson are less required and comes down to Smith / Clarke / Warner to give the quick's a break. On the subject why hasn't Warner been bowled? He's a pretty handy part-time leg spinner. The team I'm hoping for later today after hearing there will be no changes to the batting: Warner, Rogers, Khawaja, Clarke (but they will play Watson at 4), Smith, Watson, Faulkner, Haddin, Siddle, Bird, Lyon. Plenty of batting right down to Siddle, Plenty of bowling options on another dead track, a left armer for variety and foot marks for Lyon.