With the series wrapped up in the West Indies, selector’s minds are surely turned to the upcoming Ashes Series. With Ryan Harris set to join the team, Josh Hazlewood’s current form and Peter Siddle having been overlooked for the two-match series against the West Indies, big questions are sure to arise before game one.
With both Mitchell Starc and Mitchell Johnson performing well, and the spinning duties locked down with Nathan Lyon, the bowling attack is almost ready to go.
Both Ryan Harris and Peter Siddle have experience playing in England and are some what familiar with the English conditions. Last season for Nottinghamshire Siddle played 11 games and bagged 37 wickets at an average of 31.48.
Harris bagged 24 wickets at an average of 19.58 in his last Ashes campaign in England in 2014, but I bet he is just itching to be back with the boys and back doing what he does best.
So where do we stand? Do we look and put in an experienced English conditions campaigner like Siddle, does Harris slot back into the team with his toughness or do we continue with the rise and current form of Hazlewood who is yet to play in a test match in English conditions.
With this decision ahead, the two four-day games against Kent and Essex before the first test will be a big indicator so see who the third quick will be in our Ashes line up.
Zim Zam
Roar Rookie
I reckon start with Johnson, Harris and Hazlewood, and if Johnson is ineffective or Harris injures himself, give Starc a go. Agree with Jameswm, I'm not sure if replacing Hazlewood with Starc in the event of an injury is the best idea - replacing line-and-length consistency with slightly-erratic strike bowler seems to knock out the balance a bit.
Jameswm
Guest
As others have said - we have four who have really put their hand up and Starc is the most likely to miss out. However if Hazlewood got injured, I wouldn't put Starc in. I'd go Siddle (well, I'd go Bird, but that's another story).
Death by Watson
Guest
So long as Watson keeps getting picked why argue about which great bowler to pick? It is our batting which struggles, relying on Smith and Clark. We only pick 5 batsmen and need 6. When will it end? -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
Siddle is no chance of playing in the Ashes unless at least 2 of the fast bowlers ahead of him get injured. Harris will definitely come in and Starc will almost certainly be the unlucky one to get squeezed out, but him sitting their on the sidelines also puts pressure on the others, particularly Harris and Johnson, to make sure they perform well if they are to keep their place ahead of him. As some have pointed out, there's a good chance that Harris especially may not play all 5 tests, meaning Starc is likely to probably get one or two games, but I'd be incredibly surprised if Siddle played any part short of 2 others falling to injury.
Harvey Wilson
Roar Rookie
I dont really think lack of experience in English conditions is a problem. Hazlewood might as well get experience now, no point returning to Siddle.