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Australia could make as many as five changes to their side for the first Test against India in a month’s time.
Brad Haddin, Nathan Lyon and Peter Siddle are all at risk of being dumped in the aftermath of Australia’s 2-0 slaughter at the hands of a resurgent Pakistan side.
Given Glenn Maxwell should make way for Shane Watson and Mitchell Starc has a history of playing one Test and then being dropped, there is a chance Australia could make up to five alterations for the Brisbane Test.
Meanwhile, Chris Rogers’ grip on the opening role has loosened and Michael Clarke is amid an extreme and prolonged form trough.
After entering the series against Pakistan with startling momentum following seven wins from eight Tests, Australia’s side now is in tatters. Only three players are cemented in the line-up by virtue of form – David Warner, Steve Smith and Mitchell Johnson.
Mitch Marsh, who was widely expected to return to domestic cricket once Watson became fit, was the next-best performer during the debacle in the UAE, with 164 runs at 41. He deserves to hold his spot after a measured and mature double of 87 and 47 at Abu Dhabi.
But the experienced trio of Haddin, Siddle and Lyon are all treading on wafer-thin ice. Since his heroic efforts with the blade during Australia’s 5-0 Ashes romp, the veteran wicketkeeper’s batting has disintegrated.
His past five Tests have seen Haddin compile just 71 runs at the miserable average of 9. In South Africa, he was vulnerable against pace. In the UAE he floundered against spin. After keeping neatly last Australian summer, his glovework is also on the decline.
For 37-year-old players, it is not easy to survive a lengthy form slump. Chris Rogers, who is the same age as Haddin, also cannot allow his poor returns to continue into the Indian series or his late-blooming career could be culled.
One thing working in Haddin’s favour is that he is a valued ally and sounding board for Clarke as vice captain. But working against Haddin is the fact that Australia has a glut of talented ‘keeper-batsmen, several of whom are in wonderful touch.
Queensland’s Chris Hartley cracked 142 not out in the Bulls’ opening Shield match against South Australia and has 545 runs at 61 for his state in all cricket so far this summer.
New South Wales gloveman Peter Nevill was the Blues’ leading runscorer in the recently completed one-day cup and made an impressive double of 87 and 45 not out against Victoria in the Shield.
Victorian Matthew Wade, a favourite of the Australian selectors despite his shoddy keeping, made 59 in the Shield match against NSW and has a chance to press his case in the upcoming home ODI series against South Africa.
And the youngest keeper in the Shield, WA’s Sam Whiteman, is also a huge chance of succeeding Haddin after making 687 runs at 46 in the Shield last summer and then smashing 174 for Australia A against India A four months ago.
Just as at risk of losing his Test place is off-spinner Lyon, whose recent figures do not make for bedtime reading. In his past six Tests, Lyon has snared just 14 wickets at the inflated average of 61.
He was blunted by Pakistan’s batsmen in the first Test and dismantled by them at Abu Dhabi. The 26-year-old will be better suited by the harder, bouncier Australian tracks against India but is no certainty to play in the first Test.
His NSW teammate Stephen O’Keefe was unfortunate to be dropped for the second Test against Pakistan after bowling no worse than Lyon at Dubai. Lyon’s woes at Abu Dhabi could open the door for O’Keefe to return.
The only member of Australia’s attack guaranteed of playing in Brisbane is spearhead Mitchell Johnson. Fellow veteran quick Siddle was handed a reprieve by the selectors on the back of his increased pace, but that extra velocity disappeared over the course of the series. At Abu Dhabi, his average speed was the decidedly medium-pace figure of 131kmh, a full 10kmh slower than Johnson or Starc.
Given the premium coach Darren Lehmann places on speed, it would seem unlikely Siddle will retain his spot after taking 2-217 in the series against Pakistan.
Similar to its wicketkeeping options, Australia have a raft of pace bowling talent. Champion quick Ryan Harris is expected to soon return to action in the Shield.
South Australian Chadd Sayers took 9-82 in the opening Shield round and has a sensational first-class record, although he is no sharper than Siddle.
If Australia seek pace as a priority it would seem that youngsters Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Coulter-Nile will be the leading candidates. Either of those players could earn a Test debut in Brisbane.
After a shocking performance in Pakistan it looks as though Australia’s line-up could be overhauled for the series against India.