Options at number six for Australia in upcoming Ashes

Bearfax hit the nail on the head. I reckon Hughes, Khawaja and Maddinson have the front running. Depends on Shield form and the subjective decision of who the selectors think will go better.

A great show in this ashes can earn clarke 'great' status

On the contrary I think Cook is potentially the equal of Hayden, in terms of final averages. Very different types of players but excellent openers who ensure their team gets off to a strong start most of the time. Trott is already a 50+ batsman and I like Bell, who I think will probably hit the 50 mark before he retires. Not sure that any of them will get into the Lara, Tendulkar, Ponting, Kallis class and in today's teams Alma looks the most likely to head for greatness . Clarke's back will probably stop him achieving the 'great' status

That's my point. It takes time, and it's in the latter part of a career that we all realise. Take Cook. He's only 28, he might be playing another decade. He's already got 25 Test hundreds, his average only has to pop over 50 and you're into Sachin territory by the time his career reaches its late stages. Now I can well imagine the face you're pulling as you read that, but it's worth bearing in mind. Then look at the start Pujara has made to his Test career and imagine that carrying on. I would guarantee there will be players playing now we regard as just good who we'll be landing as a great by the time they finish. We just don't know who yet.

I dont know that the names you've mentioned stand out as so iconic as those I've mentioned. Maybe in a couple of years, but not now

By the very nature of things, we tend to only recognise people as greats towards the end of their careers. Chanderpaul is still playing, as is Sangakkara; we might say the same of Cook in a few years, AB De Villiers, Shikhar Dharwan and any number of younger players making their way in the game.

If so, the game has lost yet another great batsman. The batting coffers are beginning to look rather empty with so many champion bats retiring such as Dravid, Ponting, Lara, Chanderpaul and now Tendulkar gone. Not many who could get the great tag yet left. Amla, Kallis, Clarke. Cupboard is pretty bare

First round of Sheffield Shield (all teams) on 30 Oct to 2 November. Second round 6-9 November. Third round 13-16 November. Matches are played pretty tightly together this year

Sachin announces retirement

Aus cricket association are not doing a gr8 job to say the least.

Llate Oct I think. Most Aussies only get two or three FC games. First test about 17/11/13. Once again Eng get 3 FC matches warm up and will arguably go in better prepared.

When does the shield start?

OK I get your point. If we go by averages, First class and last season.. Cosgrove should be in, but they won't give him a slips position. I don't really know why Hussey was dropped in the first place, they dropped him at a point where he seemed to be one of our best T20 and ODI batsmen. That was the precursor to our team turning into a steaming pile of wasted potential. Using the AUS team to groom potential superstars is a dangerous idea.

Firstly first class averages dont drop until they usually get beyond 35. If anything they should be increasing. During their twenties their averages usually rise from mid 20s to 40+ and by the time they are 30 they are closing in on 45-50 average if they are good enough, Usually in their 30s there are not major movements one way or the other until they reach their late 30s. What I'm saying is that 30 years of age is usually when a batsman is reaching their peak. Opportunities have nothing to do with it as David Hussey, Hodge, Siddons, Bevan etc showed. All excelled in their 30s. The fellows you are identifying may have an occasional 'hot'' period but usually they will then drop back to their level as shown by their average. The problem about promoting these guys is that once they are in, its hard to get them out when another better batsman is available. Take Marsh and particularly Cowan. Both had hot periods played one of two good tests and then dropped back to their average. It took 19 tests to get Cowan out despite consistently averaging in the low 30s. Further T20s and ODIs are not like test cricket it seems. The number of fielding and bowling restrictions and limitations allows the flamboyant batsman free rein. In test cricket you need someone who is dogged and protects his wicket. Someone who can defend against constant attacking bowling and fielding that is practically sitting in the batsman's pocket. Those batsmen you've mentioned, other than David Hussey, do not seem to have the perseverance to handle that game by game. As for David Hussey, I would have him considered for a test spot. He has a high 40s first class average. Regrettably he had a poor Shield season with the bat last year, as did Bailey, Voges, Quiney, Klinger, Shaun Marsh and Ferguson. Batsmen like Hughes, Khawaja, Burns, Warner, Smith etc were criticised for performing below their usual averages in the last Shield comp. But they were 10-20 runs average better for that season in first class cricket, than most of the others mentioned

Well said bearfax, agree 100%

My issue with your viewpoint is that people plucked out of domestic cricket at the height of their form basically have their unrealistic first class average preserved. If they were never called up to the AUS team they would be playing more cricket and their inflated averages would probably drop. I suppose you could say I'm making excuses for certain players like Hussey, Ferguson, Bailey, Klinger. Klinger is in red hot form fresh from all 3 forms of county cricket and continuing it in Ryobi. He was one of the more reliable T20 openers for the Strikers last Big Bash season also. This should be taken advantage of by the selectors, in my opinion. You have to take a punt on form.. our international teams have been performing very poorly.

This lull before the commencement of the Shield is driving me nuts. I want action.

In my mind Doolan, though in the mix, has a lot of catch up before i would consider him for a test spot. He's still young but almost 28. Yet his average at first class level is around only 38. Forget one season wonders, he's been around long enough now to start making a surge in averages. Still young enough I think, but he's competing against younger batsmen with better averages. He needs a big Shield season to demand consideration

For mine forget Bailey, Quiney, Klinger, Ferguson and White. They are all about 30+ in age and have had plenty of time to prove their worth but all are well under 40 average at first class level. Sorry, but an occasional good score isnt good enough and neither are One Day results which is a different style of batting that does not translate easily to first class cricket. Ask Smith and Warner about their struggle regarding the adjustment and they've both good mid 40 averages at first class level. In my opinion if you cant get a 40+ average at first class level by the time you're 30 years old, you're very unlikely to be test standard. I consider the contest for the 6th spot to be between Hughes, Khawaja and Maddison. Burns and Doolan are outsiders but in the mix and good early Shield form could improve their case markedly if the others fail to produce. On current form Maddison looks the goods but he'll need to continue his good form in the Shield. Otherwise it again comes down to Hughes and Khawaja, both talented young batsmen who've lost confidence in themselves, probably partly because of selection bungles. I suspect if one of them shows enough at Shield level, they will be first picked for the 6th batting position

I don't think Warner really has a spot anymore. Klinger in Clarkes vacant spot for Tests if his back is still shite, I don't think they will consider him for ODI's or T20 despite form in both formats.