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The return Ashes series Down Under begins in just over a month at the Gabba in Brisbane. With that in mind, here’s what I think should be the team for the 1st Test.
I have picked this team on the basis of form and the players who are most likely to be unfit for the 1st Test miss out.
1. Michael Klinger
My pick to open in the 1st Test. He has got a classic textbook technique and is a real Test batsman, unlike David Warner, who is not suitable for Test cricket (because of his off-field antics) and is struggling with form at the moment.
I think Australia really need batsmen who can apply themselves at the crease for a longer duration.
2. Chris Rogers
He has proved and shown the world that he can still do well at the highest level.He needs to find out a way to play against Graeme Swann and try to rotate strike more often when Swann is bowling instead of playing/defending/struggling for six balls during the over.
3. Shane Watson
He needs to score consistently.
4. Michael Clarke
He is our best batsman and the whole country expects him to score well. A 500-runs series is what he should be aiming for.
P.S. All this drama about him being unfit for the 1st Test is only a way of keeping the BCCI quiet.
5. Steve Smith
A really good player of spin and plays with an attacking mindset.
Doesn’t look the most comfortable player at the crease, but can score quickly, and has time and again shown that he can play well under pressure. I’d like to see him bowl more frequently.
6. Joe Burns/Nic Maddinson/Callum Ferguson/George Bailey
There are almost eight batsmen who are in contention for this spot, but my pick will be either of the above four.
Burns He’s one of the better players in the country right now. If he scores well in the early Shield games, he’ll be my pick for the 6th spot.
Maddinson He is one of the best young batsmen in the world right now. He’s a batsman with an attacking mindset and can be a real asset to the team.
Ferguson Good composure, great technique, but not many runs under his belt in Shield cricket. But if he performs well in the India series, he can crack the squad.
Bailey He’s the most improved batsman in the recent past. But this improvement that he has shown is in the shorter formats. If he scores well in the Shield trophy then i’ll pick him for his leadership qualities, his composure and consistency. If he plays, he’ll bat at five and Smith will come at six.
7. Brad Haddin
Needs to bat better and not throw away his wicket like he usually does.
8. Mitchell Johnson
He is Johnson 2.0 now. This version is better because it’s less erratic and more threatening than the old Johnson. Can bat as well.
P.S. And who doesn’t want to see the Barmy Army singing funny songs about him?
9. Peter Siddle
He has a habit of performing well in the 1st Test of a series and hopefully he’ll do the same this time around too and help us win the opener.
10. Ryan Harris
He’s one of the best in the world. Can seam, swing the ball both ways, has a great bouncer and is a genuine wicket-taker.
I said it before and i’ll say it again, if Harris plays all five Tests (and batsmen do their job properly), the chances of Australia winning the Ashes become 50/50.
11. Jackson Bird/ Chadd Sayers
If Bird is fit, then he should play and if he isn’t, then Sayers deserves a chance.
I know I’ll get some stick for not including the fan favourite Nathan Lyon, but he hasn’t impressed me much to give him a place in the squad.
It’s not an overkill with four pacers plus Watson, but the way I see it is the four best bowlers available plus Watson.
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