Ashes: Few surprises in Australian squad

Australian Test captain Michael Clarke suggested earlier this week that despite no longer a selector, he thought the team for the First Ashes Test in Brisbane next week would contain eleven “no-brainer” choices.

Selection Chairman John Inverarity confirmed that line of thinking in Brisbane today, naming a 12-man squad that every man and his dog saw coming.

The debates will rage, no doubt, and some players will be viewed as being unlucky to have missed a berth.

I don’t particularly agree that that’s the case; I think this is a squad that largely picked itself.

Here’s my two cents:

Chris Rogers: It’s hard to believe that in the space of just five Tests Rogers could become the second most valuable batsman in the side behind Michael Clarke, particularly given he how far off the radar he was this time last summer.

Rogers is now the rock of the top order though, and while Warner and Watson around him are more than capable on their day, runs from Rogers are a much more bankable commodity. Good starts to each Australian batting innings will be crucial this series and Rogers is much more vital in this requirement than even his opening partner.

David Warner: He was apparently miffed as to why his Test place was in question earlier in the summer, which is astounding in itself after consecutive series in India and England didn’t break the 200 run aggregate, or average more than 25. The fact that he now has a new opening partner despite Ed Cowan doing better in India should’ve been the eye-opener for Warner, but evidently that wasn’t the case.

Regardless, after something of a stuttering start to the summer, Warner solidified his once-tenuous claims on the other opening berth with four hundreds and a fifty in his last nine outings for NSW. Considering he could hardly find a run as late as a month ago, it’s been a pretty fair turnaround.

However, he must now continue in this vein of form, and ensure that he make the most of the rock solid support he’ll get from Rogers at the other end. Warner can be a match-winner on his day, but those days need to come more regularly if Australia is to regain the Urn.

Shane Watson: Eleven months ago, almost to the day, I wrote a column highlighting the angst the Australian selectors cause for themselves.

“The selectors have brought a funny situation upon themselves over time. Their insistence on playing an all-rounder evidently comes at the price of imbalance when theoretically it should be helping the balance of the team,” I said last November.

Fast-forward to now, and once again the balance of the side for Brisbane is under something of a cloud again, but not because of Watson’s form, but rather his fitness. It will be confirmed one way or the other if he’ll be able to bowl next week, and if that’s the case, his place in the side comes into question again. His 176 at The Oval in August was a superb knock, but it shouldn’t excuse the length of time that passed since his last hundred prior, certainly not for a top order batsmen.

When fit and bowling, Watson is vitally important to Australia’s chances, and that remains the case this coming summer.

Michael Clarke (C): His latest back flare-up seems to have subsided for the moment, and he moved pretty well in the couple of the Shield games in Sydney and Melbourne.

He may or may not maintain that the Ashes won’t define him as a Captain still, but his own form will certainly help frame Australia’s chances in this series. His Captaincy in England was quite good overall, but he will need to be more conscious of England’s slowing tactics if they happen to hold the upper hand at any stage. Australia will need to try and dictate the terms of the series, and Clarke holds the firmest grasp on the ability to do that.

Steven Smith: Perhaps the surprise packet of the series in England, where after initially being overlooked for the squad, was elevated after strong performances on the Australia A tour of southern Africa. Made the breakthrough hundred in the last Test at The Oval, bringing up the century in fine style, lofting Jonathan Trott back over his head for six.

Since then, he batted – and captained – strongly for NSW during the Ryobi Cup, and followed that up with a well-made hundred last week in the Shield game in Melbourne. His Test career is literally there in front of him for the taking, and he’s a vastly improved player than when he faced England at home in 2010/2011.

George Bailey: Let the debate begin, or perhaps continue. Bailey’s form in the coloured gear in England and especially India has proven irresistible, and regardless of whether you agree with picking Test players on one-day form or not, he is in the batting form of his life.

Bailey will bring a determined stubbornness to the lower order, something that’s been missing now for some time. Since the retirement of Mike Hussey, the middle order has collapsed way too easily and way too often. Bailey’s First Class performances have been well documented and long argued, and Australia need him to be one of these players that performs better the higher the level he plays.

Brad Haddin (VC): At 36 years of age, and with visions of playing on until the 2015 World Cup at the end of the next Australian summer, Haddin simply cannot afford another lean period. With other, younger ‘keepers around the country in arguably better form with both gloves and bat, Haddin needs a big series.

The other point here is that the emergence of George Bailey as a leader, a senior player in the team before he even gets his Baggy Green, Haddin’s status in the team as the calming over-figure is no longer as secure as it was in England. Performance is his only currency from now until the rest of his career, and the likes of Paine, and Hartley, and Wade are snapping at his heals.

Peter Siddle: In 2010/2011, Siddle opened the Ashes series in superb style, taking a hat-trick on the first day in Brisbane. He’s gone on to become the mainstay of the Australian attack since then, and the lack of meat in his diet hasn’t held him back at all.

While Ryan Harris might get all the headlines, Siddle remains the reliable presence among the band of Australian leather-flingers, standing strong and running in all day while all other crumble around him. The reappointment of Craig McDermott to the Test coaching team is a big plus, too, and Siddle rocketed to the elite status of International bowlers under McDermott’s last tenure.

Mitchell Johnson: The Barmy Army will be rapped that they already have the full array of Johnson songs at the ready, and you just know that the first Johnson ball even slightly off-target will have them firing up “He bowls to the left…” yet again.

Johnson is a much improved bowler since England last saw him though, and his pace and rhythm in India was right up near the best it’s ever been. The critics will be circling Johnson already, and only he can control how valid their concerns might be. Well, him and McDermott, I suppose. I’m looking forward to seeing what McDermott can do with Johnson though, and if they can get it right, then Johnson could certainly be a handful on the faster, bouncier Australian decks.

Ryan Harris: Like a Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier, one of the very best red wines in Australia (seriously, do yourself a massive favour), Harris gets better and better with both age, and with every new vintage. Just as you think he might be coming toward the end of his powers, or peak physical health, he returns fitter, stronger, and better than before.

He finished the 2010/2011 series with eleven wickets at 25.5 from just three games, and the recent series in England with 24 wickets at 19.6 clear as Australia’s best bowler despite playing only four Tests. His importance to Australia’s chances cannot be understated, and no expense can or should be spared in keeping him fit between Tests.

Nathan Lyon: For all the Agars and Ahmeds, and even the Hollands that might emerge in the selectors’ periphery, or indeed, take temporary focus, Lyon remains toiling away in the foreground, just doing what he’s always done.

Inverarity and Clarke admitted at the announcement in Brisbane today that Lyon’s selection is due reward for consistency, and while the start of each new series sees the spin bowling debate continue, Lyon remains the best tweaker in the country.

Lyon seems an easy target in this unrealistic post-Warne era or analysis, but his record sits comfortably among the very best off-spinners to have donned the Baggy Green.

James Faulkner: Holds his place in the Test squad after making his debut at The Oval, and even if it might be as the likely twelfth man for Brisbane and secondary cover for Shane Watson, it’s a not undeserved selection in its own right.

Faulkner possesses a remarkable First Class record, and like Bailey and Johnson, comes into the side on the back of strong one-day form in India, including a spectacular maiden internationally century. A feisty left-armer with subtle variations, Faulkner wouldn’t let anyone down if called upon during The Ashes this summer.

Notable omissions? Not really. Perhaps Alex Doolan, and I did think he would be named in a 13-man squad, but Watson’s prognosis must be better than is being let on. I’m sure if Watson was in any doubt, the extra batting cover would’ve been there.

Doolan would look to be the next in line though, and even in making just 31 last week for Australia A, he was best of the young contenders. Jimmy Anderson may not bowl a better ball this summer, than the ‘jaffa’ that got rid of Doolan.

Bowlers like Josh Hazelwood, and Ben Hilfenhaus, and perhaps Ben Cutting might have been in the frame, but again, I’ll point to Watson being a better chance of being fully fit than we know.

Now, on to Brisbane.