2019: A Test odyssey

My favourite types of cricket articles growing up were the ones that speculated on the makeup of future Australian Test teams. Not in three months or next season, but five years from now.

Generation next, if you will.

With this in mind, and a seemingly endless fervour for all things Ashes, let’s jump ahead to 2019.

Five years from now, I’d imagine a number of current players will be spending their days in the commentary box or on the golf course, while a few batsmen will probably be continuing their therapy to cope with a new form of PTSD, also known as post-traumatic spin disorder.

Before getting to my Test side for the opening match of the series, let’s firstly look at my squad and its support staff. Barring any major flameouts, there’s a pretty strong chance Darren Lehmann will still be coaching the side, with Mike Hussey his assistant and imminent successor.

Batting coach Brad Hodge and bowling coach Stuart Clark are the other notable names here, along with fielding coach and consultant Ricky Ponting.

Here is my 17-man squad for the tour.

Steven Smith (c), Sam Whiteman (vc), Pat Cummins, Jake Doran, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Moises Henriques, Phil Hughes, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Ben McDermott, Chadd Sayers, Jordan Silk, Mitchell Starc, David Warner, Adam Zampa

Perhaps the toughest picks here are the all-rounders, as we have a strong crop coming through. Henriques gets my nod as the back-up to Marsh, due to his ability to bat in the top six, and a medium fast bowling style well suited to English conditions.

Whiteman is the clear favourite to replace Brad Haddin in coming years, and his backup will probably depend on which young keepers get a run at state level in coming seasons.

My fast bowling group was picked with variety in mind, with plenty of options for the selectors to choose from, depending on the conditions for each Test. Spinners are also a tough call.

While Nathan Lyon is the incumbent right now, but in a few years he could either be firmly established in the Test side or hosting a podcast with Nathan Hauritz. Adam Zampa is the front-runner among young spinners in my eyes, and may well assume Shane Warne’s former role of terrorising English batsmen in years to come.

Batting wise, I believe a few young guns in or around the side right now will be entrenched and wreaking havoc by 2019. Steven Smith is maturing at a quicker rate than anyone had imagined, while Warner will be continuing to club bowlers around the park in his brutal fashion.

Usman Khawaja is re-emerging as a long-term option at first drop, while Phil Hughes will probably have at least two 1000-run Shield seasons under her his belt by then, forcing the selectors’ hands.

With my squad outlined and hopefully reasonably well justified, let’s take a look at the 11 players I believe will take on the Old Enemy in the first Ashes Test of 2019.

Here’s my side: Smith (c), Whiteman (vc), Silk, Warner, Khawaja, Hughes, Marsh, Starc, Cummins, Hazlewood, Zampa, Head (12th).

Making up my top six, we have the finesse of Silk and the brutality of Warner kicking things off, forming another classic left-right hand opening combo. Khawaja follows them and provides the elegance and grit needed for success at first drop.

Captain Smith is next at number four, bolstered by his rise to number two in the 2019 Test batting rankings. Middle order mainstay Phil Hughes comes in at five, fresh from another dominant summer with the Redbacks, and is followed by all-rounder Marsh to round out the middle order.

Vice-captain and gloveman Sam Whiteman is a lock for the wicketkeeper’s spot, while the rangy Mitchell Starc will be established at eight as a bowling all-rounder. The rest of the attack is made up of the sheer pace of Pat Cummins, the awkward bounce and wily lines of Josh Hazlewood, and the turn and control of leggie Zampa.

I predict a 4-1 victory for my boys, who will come back strongly after an upset loss in the first Test. Ok, Roarers, what do you think? Am I way off the mark or should I be the head selector of the next NSP?