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With the Ashes return bout coming to Australia’s shores, Australia will need to pick an XI that can win the Ashes.
The XI I have named would be captained, of course, by Michael Clarke. There are few surprises and I will explain my omissions after the main XI.
I may be young (16), but I do know a lot about cricket and I know what I am talking about, so please take this seriously and agree or disagree and share your thoughts.
1. Chris Rogers
His form in England showed that the Australian selectors should have picked him earlier. At 35, he may not even last beyond the World Cup, but at the moment, he is by far and away the best opening batsman we the country have at the moment.
2. Phillip Hughes
A shock, maybe. But this is Phil Hughes best position to bat in.
Batting, at times, in England, he showed that he can hang around at the crease and show he can tough it out (even though he only makes one he is there for 25 balls). He needs to be left in the Australian team for at least the next 20 Tests.
3. Shane Watson
His tight bowling is invaluable to Michael Clarke when he is trying to attack from the other end. His batting in the final Test at the Oval and in the ODIs was very good and very aggressive.
If he can get a good couple of scores to start the home series, he will then get better as the series goes on. Loves batting in Melbourne and Perth.
4. Michael Clarke (c)
Obvious choice as no.4 and as captain. Australia’s best batsman over the past two and a half years and a very attacking, strategic captain. Unknown how his back will hold up.
5. Steve Smith (vc)
He had a good Ashes series. He made a good fifty in the first Test and threw away his first century and then made his first Test century in the next Test.
Has more shots in his repertoire than any of the palms and his leg-breaks are more than handy. He would be my co-vice-captain with Brad Haddin.
A big series would go a long way to cementing a spot in the Australian team for the next ten years.
6. Moises Henriques
I know, highly unlikely, but he would be my first choice all-rounder to back up Shane Watson. His batting has come a long way for NSW and his bowling is his main focal point.
Batted like a champion in tough spinning conditions in India and got dropped. (What the?) Has three Sheffield Shield matches to stake a claim for a place. Wickets or mainly runs are what he needs to put his name in front of selectors.
7. Brad Haddin (wk, vc)
Unfortunately, his batting has faded significantly since his last stint as Australian Wicket-keeper (apart from 71 at Trent Bridge). Would still be Australia’s best wicket-keeper and Australia’s co-vice-captain. Needs to bat really well with Henriques at 6.
8. Stephen O’Keefe
This guy would have to be one of the most under-rated cricketers in Australia and even the world.
Spins the ball, gets drift, dip and can score handy runs. He is Australia’s Daniel Vettori to be truly honest.
I don’t understand how the Australian selectors, media and society can be calling for spinner ever since Warnie, but apparently a 25-wicket season is not enough to warrant selection (it’s not great, but as well as scoring runs and giving up the captaincy to focus on getting a place in the Australian Test team, is a very good season).
He is the best bowler in Australia and bats at eight anytime.
9. Mitchell Johnson
This is a massive risk, although he took nine wickets in his last two Tests (against Sri-Lanka). He is one I don’t really want to play, but he is left-handed and bowling very fast. As soon as he goes badly though, he is out of my team and Australia should not risk him again until Perth.
10. Ryan Harris
Leader of this attack through an amazing winter in England. 23 wickets in four Tests is an amazing return for a guy who was not even supposed to be fit. If he plays every Test this summer, Australia are very good chance of winning the Ashes.
11. Josh Hazlewood
A shock, maybe. And yet another Blue! Tall, has pace, bounce and gets movement and swing. And he is young. And he is not injured. And Pattinson is injured.
So for me, he takes Peter Siddle’s place as the first change seamer. He could be great for Australia, and why not blood him when we can pump him up in an Ashes series. He is a must for me.
12. Shaun Marsh/Joe Burns
Both of these blokes are batting pretty well. (Burns has been playing County Cricket before coming home with injury).
Burns needs to be more consistent and Marsh needs to not be injured. One or both of these guys would be on standby for Michael Clarke.
Notable Omissions: Peter Siddle
Finished the last three Ashes Tests with six wickets (including a 4fer). Looked good and was bowling great form the start of the series but then dropped off well and truly before the end of the series. Misses out to in-form Hazlewood.
David Warner
Simple. Don’t like him, can’t bat against England’s strong attack and doesn’t deserve a place in this team.
Nathan Lyon
Good bowler. But not good enough.
Fawad Ahmed
I’m sorry, but does not even get a look into this side. Hasn’t done anything to warrant selection, whereas O’Keefe, Hazlewood and co. have.
Steve Smith’s naming as vice-captain would just be a development plan designed for the future and the coach and Clarke should give him some tips on captaincy, give an opinion and a say during a game, because Haddin is 35 and can’t be vice-captain forever, so Smith gets a training series in captaincy and tactics from a very good captain and a very good coach.
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