Australia are about to begin a Test cricket schedule which will see them taking on Pakistan in the UAE, a home series against India, and finally the quest to retain the urn in the Old Dart.
Last time Australia met Pakistan it was on English soil, and a hard-fought 1-1 series played out.
This will be a far greater task on the turning UAE decks and Michael Clarke’s men will need some strong performances if they are to reclaim the number one test ranking back from South Africa.
The recent Australia A fixtures have provided cricket fans with a glimpse into the minds of the selectors.
The batting line up, while performing well individually over the past 12 months, still needs some rejigging in order to combat the greener English decks.
Chris Rogers will be 38 by the end of next year’s Ashes tour, so unless he has a bumper summer suitors will be lining up to take his spot. The heir apparent appears to be Alex Doolan, who batted well opening for Australia A, has a watertight technique and calm nature, which would serve him well against the swinging Duke ball.
Shane Watson for me either bats at three or is out of the side. The caveat here is that he needs to make runs, and his bowling if available is an added bonus. At 33 a critical summer awaits and he must convert starts into big scores, otherwise the likes of Jordan Silk, Glenn Maxwell or Peter Forrest could end his Test career.
Phil Hughes made a bucket of runs for Australia A, but he needs a full season of shield cricket before he can be trusted in the baggy green again.
Clarke and Steve Smith at four and five are no brainers, and they are the likely captain and vice-captain.
The number six position however is up for debate. James Faulkner made 94 batting five for Australia A recently, clearly a directive of the selectors that he be pushed up the order to see if his batting is top-order quality. Don’t be surprised to see him batting four or five for Tasmania throughout the shield season.
Faulkner is not just a T20 slogger either, as he plays both sides of the wicket well and could potentially fill the all-rounder role for years to come. For me he bats six and if he is successful will heap pressure on Watson.
Brad Haddin has been a magnificent servant to Australian cricket but he’s turning 37 in three months. A tour of the UAE followed by the Australian summer will likely see him out.
The bowling stays largely unchanged from the last Test, except that Ryan Harris may struggle to continue with the knees of a man twice his age. I have put a line through him for the Ashes. I hope he proves me wrong.
Mitchell Johnson and James Pattinson will send down the 145 kilometre rockets, Peter Siddle will keep it tight, and Nathan Lyon will continue to improve and learn in his role as Australia’s spinner.
| Last Test vs South Africa March 2014 | Ronan O’Connell’s side vs England July 2015 (selected Dec 2013) | My Australian side vs England July 2015 |
| Chris Rogers | Jordan Silk | Alex Doolan |
| David Warner | David Warner | David Warner |
| Alex Doolan | Alex Doolan | Shane Watson |
| Michael Clarke | Michael Clarke | Michael Clarke |
| Steve Smith | Steve Smith | Steve Smith |
| Shane Watson | Chris Lynn | James Faulkner |
| Brad Haddin | Tim Paine | Sam Whiteman |
| Mitchell Johnson | Mitchell Johnson | Mitchell Johnson |
| Ryan Harris | Peter Siddle | Peter Siddle |
| James Pattinson | James Pattinson | James Pattinson |
| Nathan Lyon | Nathan Lyon | Nathan Lyon |
Tim Paine is my back-up keeper, while the fast bowling cartel would be supported by Mitchell Starc as another tearaway quick, Ben Cutting to provide a consistent line, and Chadd Sayers.
On the batting front Mitch Marsh covers as an all-rounder and potential number six, while Nic Maddinson could be a smoky as the reserve batsman should he get runs early. But this spot is wide open, particularly if Glenn Maxwell’s county form translates into big shield runs.
Finally the reserve spinner should be a young kid who has some solid figures rather than a hopeful punt, as Ashton Agar was. The two young leggies Cameron Boyce and James Muirhead will be fighting for this final tour spot.
The first side is sorted, and boy does it look strong. Only 12 months away – bring on the Poms!
Broken-hearted Toy
Guest
I sincerely hope that isn't the team. The batting looks fragile to put it mildly but then with Watson in there, it does too, espeically in live matches.
Bucko
Guest
I think the side will look like this; (17 Man Ashes Squad) 1.Warner 2.Doolan 3.Hughes 4.Clarke (c) 5.Smith (vc) 6.M Marsh 7.Whiteman (wk) 8.Johnson 9.Harris 10.Pattinson 11.Lyon Subs; O'keefe, S Marsh, Maxwell, Paine, Cutting, Starc.
shivam mishra
Guest
whiteman replce by wade
shivam mishra
Guest
this is a good team lynn,cummins to selected 15 player and faulkner make select playing 11
shivam mishra
Guest
nick butler team is a good team
shivam mishra
Guest
1.HUGHES 2.WARNER 3.SMITH 4.CLARK 5.LYNN 6.WATSON 7.WADE 8.FAULKNER 9.JOHNSON 10.PATTINSON , 11.LYON THERE ARE THE BEST TEAM AND EXTRA PLAYER MAXWELL,CUMMINS,STARC,RICHDERSON
Brains of a bimbo (Atgm)
Guest
This is brilliant https://mobile.twitter.com/stevesmith49/status/497583718970560513?p=v
Drop Watson
Guest
Watson is definitely not a number 3. His batting isn't even good enough to be at six. Can't rely on his bowling as he breaks down too often. Faulkner should be the all rounder. Undecided on 3. That spot remains our biggest issue IMO.
Bakkies
Guest
Two things that may affect the squad is age profile and injuries to the younger bowlers like Pattinson and Bird. Both have missed a lot of Cricket in recent times. With just under a year away we don't know how the older players bodies will hold up. Johnson seems to be the fittest of the many 30 plusses which is important. All rounders need to be managed to get longevity out of them. England only got a few years out of Flintoff at his full potential. Then he broke down, the long spells he bowled wouldn't have helped. Early in his career he was very inconsistent and out of condition. He has tried to make a comeback but out injured again. I have no issue with Watson batting at 6 particularly facing the second new ball against fatigued bowlers. He has the aggression to cash in. Ryan Carters had a useful season for NSW with back to back hundreds. Only 24 Haddin sticking around for as long as he can will give the young keepers more time to get experience. India have unearthed a new bowler Aaron who can bowl 90 mph and moves it well. Took a couple of wickets late and did Bell a few times for pace. This is a good sign with England still struggling against the short ball and quicker bowling. Cook was looking better but got done hooking. Dhoni looking to attack forced the English bowlers to mix their lengths. Against the batsmen looking to survive England had it hooping around at a full length. To me England's best bowler is Broad and he is due for a knee operation. His recovery from tendonitis will be key to England. Over the past year he has picked up big bags cheaply, jags it in and bowls well overseas. Anderson is dependent on the overhead conditions and ball make. Broad is more adaptable and has two good Ashes Series in a row under his belt.
deccas
Guest
Faulkner has scored ODI hundreds, in fact he has the fastest by an australian. but batting at 7 in the shield is a bit too low for him to make 100's and he has only had 3 seasons. He was moved up to 6 at the end of last season, and i look forward to watching his batting develop. He will probably never average 40 but I can definitely see him averaged 35 batting at 6 or 7 for Aus, which when combined with his bowling which is very good, in fact a case could be made for him being the best left armer behind Mitchell Johnson and our very strong batting tail makes sense for me. As it is right now I think Henriques has the form and runs on the board and should be the next fast bowling allrounder used for Australia. But Maxwell is probably one of the better players of spin, and we might well need him against ajmal in the UAE so he would get my nod at 6. If he plays well and shows he deserves it he may well keep his spot. Mitchell Marsh Faulkner and Maxwell are in competition for a place, so watching thier shield and ODI performances over the next couple of years will be very interesting. My team for the 2015 Ashes Warner Silk Hughes Smith Clarke (Henriques or Maxwell) Whiteman Johnson Pattinson Harris (please!) Lyon Fast bowling is a little different because fitness is so variable but I don't doubt we will name a strong fast bowling line up
Gav
Guest
Looks like his on the mend Played IPL earlier this year Suspect the will bring him along slowly, would be surprised if he gets selected this summer against India cause of his age. If he has a solid injury free domestic season I'd recon he'll be on the plane to England.
Nudge
Guest
Yeah ATGM, I hate looking at the cricinfo live scores and seeing it under 30. Need another 5/6 runs or so without a wicket and it's back to 30 where it belongs. India need to somehow get to 200 roll england for 300, make 320 themselves and roll the poms for 198 and win by 22 runs
Brains of a bimbo (Atgm)
Guest
I wonder what India 8-4 breakfast #IndvsEng
Brains of a bimbo (Atgm)
Guest
James Anderson currently averages 29.98 with the ball. That's under 30. #ripleysbelieveitornot
We cant be friends if you dont follow Cricket
Guest
James Anderson currently averages 29.98 with the ball. That's under 30. #ripleysbelieveitornot
Gav
Guest
Good to hear Bearfax I wonder what other concerns the selectors have on him or are waiting to be disproved. I can only imagine its a matter of time with the weight of runs behind him. Hard to imagine he could be much more confident having scored so heavily When he does get his next go, I'd be surprised if he doesn't nail it.
Nudge
Guest
What's interesting is that he's never really had a problem facing spin in Australia. Not in the shield or test matches, though don't think he's played too many tests in Australia. Only in India and against Swann in England that that weakness has been shown up.
Nudge
Guest
Yeah bowled well mate in helpful conditions. If India can get through to lunch just 4 down, I'm still giving them an ok chance.
Tom from Perth
Guest
England are destroying India at the moment 4/19...
Tom from Perth
Guest
Yeah fair point.