Australian cricket is coming into an era of change and a lot of that will revolve around our batsmen.
Chris Rogers is nearing the end, the career of Shane Watson could be over anytime as a result of form and injury, while Michael Clarke is perhaps finished.
Meanwhile, the Marsh brothers have yet to prove themselves (especially Shaun) and Brad Haddin is not far off retiring.
That means there is up to four spots and a keeper available in the top seven at the moment. So who are the contenders and who are the pretenders if Australia was to make further changes to the side?
FOLLOW LIVE CRICKET SCORES OF DAY THREE BETWEEN AUSTRALIA AND INDIA
I am starting today with the opening position, in an effort to replace Chris Rogers.
I have looked at the performance of the contenders in Sheffield Shield cricket over the last 18 months and have looked at their average, strike rate, conversion rates of innings into 50s and hundreds and of course age.
I’ve have come up with a list of four contenders to open the batting instead of Rogers – Marcus Stonis, Ed Cowan, Ryan Carters and Rob Quiney.
Pros
Stoinis has averaged almost 56 over the last 18 months, and is interestingly averaging over 50 without factoring in not outs (the only player to do so). Amazingly, Marcus has managed to make 50+ in 50 per cent of his innings. He is currently in great form, having scored 99, 90 and 84* in his last four matches.
Stoinis only just turned 25, giving him plenty of scope for a long career in the creams. With a strike rate of 59 he has the best of the opener contenders, and 8.3 per cent of balls he faces go for four or six, which is a better record than other opening contenders
Cons
The major cons for Stoinis are that he has only played 14 first class matches, and only has one hundred in first class cricket despite regularly reaching 50
Pros
As we know, Cowan has a bit of Test experience, with 18 matches under his belt. Since being dropped from the national side, Ed has averaged 48 in last 18 months.
A common complaint about Cowan was his slowness at the wicket, and he has clearly looked to address that. He has lifted his strike rate to 51 in last 18 months after a striking at just 41 in Tests.
Has hit five centuries in the last 18 months, really showing he can go on with making a big score. Four centuries this summer also indicate he’s in great form. It’s also indicative of his form that he plays most of his cricket on a Bellerive Oval pitch that is known to do a bit off the seam.
He also has experience in UK and India, and has a career average of over 41.
Cons
Cowan is 32, and has perhaps had his chance. He didnt’ have great success in Test cricket, averaging only 31 in his 18 matches. He was picked under former Australian coach Micky Arthur, but when Darren Lehmann came in as coach he dropped him from the side very quickly.
Pros
Carter has averaged 52 in last 18 months, and is only 24 years of age
He has demonstrated he can make big scores, making 198 against an admittedly weakened Queensland attack.
He was a wicketkeeper, and could add a real dimension for the Australian side if he kept and played in top six.
Cons
Other than the 198, Carters has struggled this year to back up a great year last year. He has a Very slow strike rate of only 44, which is comparable to Ed Cowan’s former figures. He also has racked up the lowest number of boundaries per 100 balls of all the candidates, which is reflected in his strike rate.
Pros
Quiney has averaged 47 over the last 18 months, consistently reaching over 50 (41 per cent of innings). He also adds the versatility of being able to play at three or open.
Cons
He has a similar issue to Cowan, in that he’s 32 years old and he failed in his only couple of Tests. He has a slow strike rate of only 45, reflected in the fact that he doesn’t hit many fours or sixes, and averages just 37 across his career.
So what should happen? Well, in my opinion Rogers won’t make it to the Ashes
So I would take two of these to the UK – Ed Cowan to regain his position in the team with Marcus Stonis to continue to developing and go as the third opener for the Ashes
What do you think?
Ken
Guest
Nic Maddinson.
Bucks
Guest
What about Joe Burns?? Really, he could do the job as opener or in the middle order. Could play the next teats in melbourne and should be touring England next year!!
Stan McCan
Guest
Not a good bloke?
Baggy_Green
Guest
Agree totally Ronan..no point now in going back 2 steps Though no one mentions, think Jordan Silk wll be the eventual and permanent option in the Aussie batting lineup But just have a look at the middle order options - Burns Lynn Maddinson Patterson Carters Handscomb Head Nick Stevens. Bancroft Stoinis also would be in frame for opener\middle order slot The major\generational changes would happen only after the Ashes next year
Craig Watson
Guest
Marcus Stoinus has been flying under the radar. They are very good FC figures. Is he a regular opener? I have watched him in short format cricket and he hits the ball as cleanly as any player going around. Carters has had a rather moderate start to this summer after a superb 2013/14. I believe his 198 in the last shield match will turn his season around. His ton (111) was scored when the Bulls had their full contingent of bowlers. You failed to mention that he had to maintain his temperament over three rain-affected days to get that mammoth score.. Something I am sure the selectors have taken note of. You left out Jordan Silk who has had a very good last 12 months in FC cricket...though is struggling a little this summer. He will come good. Another player the selectors probably have in their little black book is Cameron Bancroft. Is scoring a mountain of runs at present. Could be a bit green though. Saw Bancroft in the 2012 U19 World Cup and was mighty impressed. His captain and team mate in that side..Will Bosisto is another to keep an eye on.
art pagonis
Guest
the only 2 players who address the methodology and the age and the performance criteria are Cameron Bancroft from WA and Ryan Carters. The rest are either too old, don't have the body of work and don't work with great opening batsmen as their coach.
ozinsa
Guest
I don't have the details at hand but Cowan was in great form when picked the first time around. If selectors can justify picking guys on stats that stack up then I'm always happy. Except Marsh of course - he needs no form or even fitness. If there's an inkling of an open spot call the Marsh home number and see how he's tracking. If he's not in a hospital ward then get him in.
The Bush
Roar Guru
Odds?
The Bush
Roar Guru
Don't be ridiculous, next you'll be suggesting things like not picking on BBL form or picking a team without three all-rounders - sacralidge!
Col in paradise
Guest
You Mean Maxie...Mr NO Show..or Little Show.....nowhere near Test Material....don't even think he is one day material...
Tom from Perth
Roar Rookie
No chance
Rellum
Roar Guru
That could be just a result of his growing maturity and ability as much as his moving to opening, which only really happen in the second half of last season. I don't think the selectors will pick Cowan either as it I have heard from a couple of media outlets that the current Aus management don't like him, he doesn't get on with them or senior team members. I don't know who I would pick right now but I am still sure that Finch will get the gig if he keeps getting one day hundreds. The selectors don't seem to care about FC performances as much as any international runs and Finch is killing it lately in ODI's.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
Burns has made 1200 runs at just under 60 in FC cricket since the start of last season, when he made the move to opener. He can bat anywhere in the top six which will be a huge advantage to him in terms of Test selection. If Rogers struggles for the remainder of this series and the selectors look to replace him, the question then is do you want to select a soon-to-be 33yo in Cowan to add to an already old side.
Rellum
Roar Guru
I suspect the selectors see him as a middle order player, so I don't think Burns would be a long term opening option.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
No Burns?? The likes of Stoinis and Bancroft are promising but in the absolute infancy of their career. You need an opener who makes hundreds and that pair have just 3 first-class tons between them compared to 7 for Burns. Burns has had a proper apprenticeship at Shield level and, with 3000 runs at an average of 43 he has been successful over several seasons. Stoinis, Bancroft, Carters and Silk...these guys all look great prospects but the first two need to finish off this season strongly and then do well again next season before being considered. Carters and Silk are closer to being ready for Tests but need a really good second half of this season to be considered. Right now there are two standout options - Burns and Cowan. I'd prefer the younger man but Cowan's form certainly warrants a recall.
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
The difference is, Warner had trouble convincing the NSW selectors he was worth giving a go in the Shield, but once they did he pretty much did well from the very start. I believe he averaged over 50 after his first half-dozen first class matches. Finch is an enigma. It's not unusual to have players doing better in short form cricket than first class cricket, but to be a truly world class 50-over and T20 batsman and such a poor First Class batsman is almost unheard of. If you are good enough to plunder T20 hundreds against international attacks, surely you should be able to do better than that in first class cricket! But alas, he hasn't, and because he's been so poor for so long, he needs a lot more than a few good games, but needs to string together a couple of good seasons of first class cricket to even be in the conversation.
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
If Cosgrove was actually able to shed the weight and keep it off, get fit and keep scoring runs, then he might have a shot, but Greg Ritchie, Darren Lehman, Boonie, Taylor - none of these players commonly thought of as slightly on the chubby side were ever as big as Cosgrove, and these days of even higher professionalism that wants cricketers to also be athletes, he's in with even less chance.
Red Kev
Roar Guru
I got $10 that says the selectors go with Glenn Maxwell
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
Shaun Marsh selection was diabolical, but with his brother injured, and I think highly unlikely to play on Boxing Day, I'd think Burns would be a serious chance to slip into that #6 spot. Marsh's injury also probably provides a reprieve for Watson!
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
With Mitch Marsh highly likely to miss the next test, I'd think Burns could be a serious chance to debut at #6 on Boxing Day.