Following the second straight Test victory over a determined India side, all talk should be about the possibility of a clean sweep, or at last winning the third Test to wrap up a series victory.
Instead talk has shifted to whether Shane Watson deserves to be retained for the remainder of the series after yet another disappointing Test with the bat.
With Ryan Harris increasingly likely to come back into the side for the Boxing Day Test, the fates of both Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood are also up for debate.
I’m of the opinion that Watson is still among our best six batsmen. He has incredible talent and surely a big score is right around the corner, but his temperament is just not right for a number three.
His average is just over 30. I couldn’t name too many long-term number threes with an average as low at Watson.
In 50-plus Tests Watson has only the four centuries.
Quite frankly, Watson gets plenty of starts but fails to convert to big scores. Twenty-two half centuries, four tonnes.
Watson, if he is to hold onto his spot in the Test side, needs to drop to number six and bowl. If he is unable to contribute with the ball, I’d look to finding a genuine, long-term number three.
The most obvious candidate is the supremely in-form, newly appointed captain Steve Smith.
Smith could very easily move to number three and I believe he would dominate. He’s arguably the most in-form batsman in the world. His scores so far this series, combined with his almost lone hand in the UAE, and incredible Ashes series late last year mean he is likely to pick up the Allan Border medal next year.
Other candidates include the in-form Ed Cowan, who continues to score runs for fun in Sheffield Shield cricket, or perhaps even Alex Doolan.
I would give Watson the rest of this series, there is no point in wholesale changes when you’re two-nil up, but if he doesn’t pile on the runs, I’d look at moving Smith to three or look at bringing Cowan back in.
Mitch Marsh has a spot parcelled up, if fit, however, he may miss the next Test. I would bring Cowan in at three and move Watson to six. Shaun Marsh would retain his spot for now.
In terms of bowling, Mitch Johnson and Ryan Harris will be selected as long as they are fit. Likewise Nathan Lyon. His efforts so far this series are his best in Test cricket.
The third quick, based on his seven wickets on debut, would have to be Josh Hazlewood. I’m a big fan of Starc, but he bowls too inconsistently with the red ball to secure a spot long-term.
As far as wicket keeping goes, Brad Haddin is still the best gloveman in the country. He is terribly out of form with the bat, however has done more than enough to earn a reprieve until the end of the next Test series.
There are plenty of options should Haddin, as expected, retire at the end of the Ashes campaign, but for now, Haddin’s spot is safe.
In my opinion, in terms of available players, this is the Test XI I would name for the third Test.
1. Rogers
2. Warner
3. Smith
4. Cowan
5. M. Marsh (S. Marsh if not fit)
6. Watson
7. Haddin
8. Johnson
9. Hazlewood
10. Harris
11. Lyon
Obviously Michael Clarke would come in at four if fit, that is without doubt, however the above is based purely on who is likely to be fit.
Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and James Pattinson are the future of the Test side. Hazlewood should hold onto his position despite Siddle’s record. Pattinson and Cummins, when fully fit, will battle it out once Harris retires.
Watson’s spot is under increasing doubt, especially with the emergence of Mitch Marsh. Watson will need to contribute with bat and ball to hold onto his spot past this series, with Cowan in red-hot form in the Shield.
I’m not a fan of overreacting, especially while you’re winning, but with another Ashes series around the corner, every decision should be made with that in mind.
shivam mishra
Guest
I agee this team but where are warner he is best batsman in last year
shivam mishra
Guest
tringular series aus vs ind vs eng 15 player bailey,warner,watson,maxwell,finch,wade,m.marsh,smith,faulkner,richderson,pattinson,cummins,lyon,boyce,hazelwood haddien take some rest and fresh played by w.cup,wade take some chance johnson is oour main bowler take some rest no more injury refresh w.cop
shivam mishra
Guest
i think 3rd test team selected team 1.warner 2.rojjers 3.burns 4.smith 5.marsh 6.watson 7.haddien 8.jhonson 9.starc / harries 10.hazelwood 11.lyon starc,harried played only this test series next test series by asheh please called JAMES PATTINSON,PAT CUMMINS
The Bush
Roar Guru
Horrible batting line-up. Why would you select an opener, Cowan, at number 4 - opener's open, it's a skill. I don't even like the idea of them batting at No3, but at least that has some similarities. As for Watson, what is the point, he won't make any runs no matter where he bats, but if we have to carry him, may as well do it at 3 so we don't have to hear all the whinging about how many more runs he'd be scoring if they just let him bat in his "preferred" spot up the order... Watson should do Australia a favour and retire after the World Cup so that it's taken outta the selectors hands. He was a great T20 player, so do a KP and sell yourself around the world for a few years. As a final note, forgetting the crazy decision to bat M Marsh at 5, why would S Marsh be his likely replacement? He's turning 32, has played nearly 100 FC matches and he averages 36 - what about him makes you think he can be a star? Must have been his impressive performance last week in the field and with the bat.
Matt
Roar Rookie
Have to disagree, Doolan's selection was based on the selector's tendency to pick good stroke-players rather than consider how often they actually do make good on their stroke play. The guy is 29 and has played shield for quite a while, that's not a 'potential' pick any more than Shaun Marsh is. The NSP needs an overhaul to get guys like AB back who realise that stroke play is probably the least important aspect of batting.
Crispy
Guest
Daniel is deluded if he honestly thinks Haddin is the best gloveman in the country. For a change I've actually been impressed with his glove work this series, but his 9 dismissals in Brisbane were all regulation and any of the keepers currently playing first class cricket would have taken them keenly. He's a realist and he will know that he has two tests left to register a decent score, otherwise it's all over.
Daniel Nichols
Roar Guru
Doolan's suggestion is based on his form over the past few years and his potential, more than current form
bigmick1
Guest
1. Rogers /Cowan 2. Warner 3. Burns 4. Smith 5. ? 6. Watson /M Marsh 7. Haddin /Wade* 8. Johnson /Cummins 9. Harris /Pattinson 10. Hazlewood 11. Lyon** /xx = post-Ashes. ? = Chris Lynn, Cam Ferguson, or similar. * = Not a fan of Wade, but his FC record edges everyone else (Paine, Whiteman, Hartley). Looked to turn a corner against SA last month. **= Interested to see how the "spin twins" (Muirhead, Agar) go for the Scorchers. Langer and Hogg could be good for Muirhead.
dan ced
Guest
I want Ferg to get a go in the test team. Cooper and or Klinger need a go in the ODI team.
dan ced
Guest
Have you been watching shield cricket mate? He is the obvious choice for opener if Warner is injured. 4 centuries this season thus far at a more than acceptable strike rate!
dan ced
Guest
If you go by shield form Hopes would probably be ahead of all those candidates right now! I wouldn't stretch that far though. Dan Christian got a century last shield match and always bowls OK. You'd probably assume he'd get as many runs as Watson at the moment but I consider him to be a bit volatile! Henriques too early back from injury, Faulkners batting might not be up to snuff for tests. How about Ronnie McDonald.. he was back bowling last night for the Thunder, and has been batting OK for The Redbacks this season :)
dan ced
Guest
I may have posted in comment sections of Foxsports articles (mostly writing the name Klinger over and over again last year). I have not, however, joined The Crowd.
dan ced
Guest
You never know.. Watson might re-find his form batting lower. He still looks good when he makes starts.. and he is making more runs than the more experienced Haddin. I'd rather bet on him getting more runs then replace him with Henriques or someone like that.
Bearfax
Guest
I want to see Lynn score a few more heavy innings Matt before I jump on his bandwagon. Good player, but his average was boosted by quite a few not out scores. He has only scored 4 centuries and 9 fifties in 52 innings which is good, but not what I would call test quality at this stage. Compare that with Burns with 7 centuries and 17 fifties in 78 innings. Effectively that means Burns scores centuries every 11.1 innings and fifties every 3.25 compared to Lynn 13 and 4. Khawaja is 11.6 and 3.6. Someone like Warner is 5.8 and 2.7 and Smith 7.9 and 2.9. In my mind a test player should be scoring centuries at least once every 10-12 innings, a good one under 10. Lynn is 13. but he's still young and will improve. Mind you Shaun Marsh is aged 31 and is 14.2 innings per century. That Is why I dont think he's test material
Bearfax
Guest
I'm all into conspiracy theories too Matt. Its got me perplexed how they acted so logically this time
Matt
Roar Rookie
Even if Doolan's FC record did convert to test ability, he'd still be mediocre. I'm glad his name has been out in the discard pile for international duties, but really Shaun Marsh's name should be there as well. And yes Mitch Marsh is barely a number 6. If he wants a batting spot he needs scores, and he doesn't have them in shield or for Australia
Matt
Roar Rookie
I agree, Lynn was red-hot prior to his injury, hopefully he forces his case once more in Shield. Now if only Ferguson can get back into the ODI team, then the selectors will have gained some credibility back.
Matt
Roar Rookie
It's almost worrying how logical this selection was. It makes me uncomfortable that they didn't choose an inconsistent 30 year old with an average in the mid 30s. Or an untested 'talented' all rounder whom they will promptly drop and forget about forever.
Matt
Roar Rookie
Yep, none of them are candidates but Whiteman. All this emphasis on glove work is ridiculous - there are any number of keepers with gloves good enough to play for Australia. The difference maker is runs, and for a young guy who is improving Whiteman can get runs. Carters is also a good keeper and an outstanding batsman, he would be my pick. Dunk would be a handy lower order player with his hitting ability as well. If glove work is the main factor, then Tim Ludeman walks in ahead of them all, with Hartley ano Paine a close second. But like you said the runs matter as well
Mitcher
Guest
Yep. Mitch Marsh is not a Test 6. So yeah. Not even close to a 5. Tho in a straight swap for his brother I guess it's a net gain. Glass half full!