Australia’s Test team looks set to be packed with rookies against Bangladesh in October following skipper Michael Clarke’s decision to retire at the end of this Ashes series.
Shaun Marsh and Adam Voges may also be finished as Test cricketers if reports are correct, opening up three spots in Australia’s middle order.
In the same article in which he broke the story of Clarke’s retirement, News Ltd journalist Ben Horne also suggested the Test careers of Marsh and Voges were over.
“Selectors are left with the stark reality that of the Ashes squad they selected, Clarke, Fawad Ahmed, Brad Haddin, Shaun Marsh, Chris Rogers, Peter Siddle, Adam Voges, Shane Watson and the already retired Ryan Harris are all finished as Test cricketers,” Horne wrote.
Former captain Ricky Ponting has also stated that eight members of Australia’s Ashes squad may never play again, although he refused to name each one.
It would come as no surprise were the selectors to officially move on from the likes of Voges, Marsh and Siddle.
Since his ton on Test debut, Voges has floundered and at 35 years old was never going to get much grace from the selectors.
Marsh, meanwhile, has only had one Test in this Ashes but during it his propensity for low scores was again highlighted.
Quite incredibly, of his past 23 Test innings, 11 of them have seen him score between 0 and 3.
At 32 years old he seems unlikely to suddenly locate the consistency which has been absent throughout his cricketing career.
The hint that Siddle may also be done as a Test cricketer makes sense. Since losing the best part of 10kmh of pace about two years ago his penetration has waned markedly. Meanwhile, Australia keeps producing impressive young quicks.
All this means that Australia’s side will be nigh on unrecognisable when it trots onto the field in Bangladesh.
Almost two-thirds of the side which thrashed England 5-0 and then upset the Proteas in South Africa look set to be absent.
The only certainties, barring injury, are David Warner, skipper-to-be Steve Smith, new keeper Peter Nevill, tweaker Nathan Lyon and pacemen Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc, and maybe veteran quick Mitchell Johnson.
A new opener will be partnering David Warner, while Australia could also have three fresh faces in the order from four to six.
Australia A captain Usman Khawaja, South Australia strokemaker Callum Ferguson, and Queensland young guns Chris Lynn and Joe Burns probably are the frontrunners among that group.
If the selectors decide to play without an all-rounder in Bangladesh, like they did in this fourth Test, as many as four of that seven could find themselves in the Test team in just two months’ time, with Burns a big chance to take Rogers’ spot.
It is entirely possible that for the first Test against Bangladesh, Australia’s top seven could look like this:
1. David Warner
2. Joe Burns
3. Steve Smith
4. Usman Khawaja
5. Callum Ferguson
6. Chris Lynn
7. Peter Nevill
After an era which has been dominated by experienced players and familiar faces, that would be a truly strange line-up.
Stirred by Hurricane Broad, the winds of change are blasting through Australian cricket.
Matador
Guest
What a great test line up FRESH FACES IS ALWAYS A GOOD THING I will be tuning in to watch if those batsmen get selected Im Mclovin seeing Uzzie there!
Rellum
Roar Guru
Quitwhinging , interesting that now you value their opinion but for a guy say by the name of Hazelwood you are suddenly not so keen on their opinion.
Zim Zam
Roar Rookie
It'd be pretty ironic, wouldn't it? To be honest though Watto hasn't actually been in bad form. He didn't do any worse than anyone else in Cardiff and he's got runs in each of the tour games so far. It'll be interesting to see what happens this last tour game, anyway.
Andy
Guest
I like the look of your top 7 for the first Bangladesh test Ronan, but I suspect the selectors will stick with M Marsh at 6 given recent comments on selection from Boof. Here is my XI for the first Bangladesh test: Warner Burns Smith Khawaja Ferguson M Marsh Nevill Johnson Starc Hazlewood Lyon Depending on conditions, you could swap Hazlewood or Starc for O Keefe or Agar. I like Ferguson at 5 because he has a bit more experience and has shown previously that he can make the step up from Domestic to International level (at least in the 50 over format). His past two shield seasons have been really solid too. Bancroft for me needs another solid shield season to prove his worth. Lynn could be an option but seems he is not in favour with selectors, having missed the 4 day squad for the A tour of India.
craig watson
Roar Rookie
Spot on BHT. Please not more of the old caper of picking blokes on short format form. The lesson must now be learnt and heeded. Even though Khawaja has not been killing them in the red ball matches in Chennai. I believe he should get another crack at tests. I would even have him at first drop. My side for Bangladesh tour. Warner Bancroft Khawaja Smith Burns M Marsh Hands comb Cummins Hazlewood Johnson Lyon Res. Sandhu, Agar/SOK, Ferguson, Stoinis.
craig watson
Roar Rookie
Can not see how Chris Lynn could be in your side. Needs at least a full shield season und re his belt first. Would have him in ODI squad against Poms though. Khawaja is not exactly setting Chennai on fire at present. But reckon he needs another chance at the big time. I would bat him #3 and Smithy put himself back to four. Mitch marsh has to be persevered with.
Bucko
Guest
Tests @ Bangladesh Warner Burns Smith (c) Khawaja Lynn M Marsh Nevill (wk) O'keefe Starc Cummins Lyon 12th: Agar Maxwell Rest Johnson for Bangladesh series but bring him back for O'keefe for the gabba. Also I'd like too see Maddinson go big in the shield and bat at 5 some time soon.
Bearfax
Guest
Khawaja has only just come back from injury. He's performed remarkably well given that fact. He's also done a damn good job as Captain. They are undefeated over there at present winning both tests and now 3 one day games. I noticed that Lehmann and Rod Marsh have finally admitted that they made a mistake with their selections and should have been givning the young players a chance. Burns, Khawaja, Bancroft are likely to be the three new bats they will pick as well as retaining Mitch Marsh. Likely team could be Warner Bancroft Khawaja Smith Burns Mitch Marsh Neville Starc Hazlewood Cummins Lyon Lets see how close I get.for Bangladesh first test.
Bearfax
Guest
But Zampa, who didnt get a wicket, saved Aust A from defeat with a rear guard 54.
Broken-hearted Toy
Guest
Khawaja was not killing it in the unofficial test matches for Aus A. The only Aus batsman you could say who did was Bancroft. Khawaja has done well in the one dayers over there for sure, but we really need long form players. Picking people off one day cricket will just lead to more of the same.
Broken-hearted Toy
Guest
Wouldn't be surprised if that happens purely based on his experience in international cricket. Rather stupid that they finally get round to dropping him for mediocrity only to bring him back for other reasons but needs must.
Broken-hearted Toy
Guest
Agar has taken a five for in the current A series one day match v India. That's encouraging.
Greg Ryan
Guest
Talking of all-rounders, what about Ashton Agar? Justin Langer has spoken about him being as talented a batting prospect as he has ever coached. I would love an Australian team for the next Ashes series with Agar at number 7 and a four pronged pace attack (Patterson, Starc, Cummins and Hazelwood). Imagine Cummins, Patterson and Starc running in and letting in rip with 3 over spells with Hazelwood and Agar to bowl longer spells. Agar would perform an Ashley Giles like containment role. Hazelwood, Starc, Patterson will be aged 27 by the next Ashes with Cummins 24. Those above guys have all won man of the man awards at Test level and can even hold a bat. I don't think even Joe Root would cope with that combination on fast Australian pitches.
Bobbo7
Guest
Hope this happens as NZ is due a test series win over here
Zim Zam
Roar Rookie
Yeah - a cricket team's more than just the sum of the numbers of each individual player. I think that's what's let us down this series, among other things - particularly in the bowling, we just didn't have an attack that was used to each other. They could never work together to build pressure for any length of time - they just weren't used to how the others bowl, weren't used to bowling for each other and backing up each other's plans and working as an entire unit. To be honest, and I'm probably alone here, I'd have Watson back in the team for a while, as someone who's got the experience of having been in the team for the last ten years, and has actually been in pretty decent form. And after all, it's not like Mitch Marsh has covered himself in glory so far.
Drak
Guest
NZ twice, Bangladesh and WI. Shame we aren't playing any stronger sides to test out these young guys.
The real SC
Roar Rookie
This is my team for the tour of Bangladesh 1. D Warner 2. C Rogers 3. S Smith 4. A Voges 5. M Marsh 6. B Haddin 7. M Johnson 8. P Cummins 9. M Starc 10. J Hazelwood 11. N Lyon
13th Man
Guest
actually, didn't even think about Lyon as an option. He is a great choice.
Bearfax
Guest
I cant speak to whether Wade's keeping is good or not, Deep Thinking, and there is no effective quantifying measure to determine it. I look at his performance and see a competent keeper, but I'm no expert and if those better qualified in cricket are suggesting he has a problem, who am I to challenge it. Easier with batting and bowling because we have stats that give us a pretty decent idea. So I cant argue one way or the other with any worthiness. Looks OK to me but who am I. However your point about 'herd behaviour' is quite valid and the argument in general terms is worthy. People are easily swayed, even subconsciously, to the majority opinion. It is almost genetically encoded because of our need to be socially linked. We dont like being isolated, we like to belong. So we can quite easily be swayed to believe in things that are not true, if we dont think through issues carefully. We are all susceptible to delusion...and its quite natural. I mean I'm deluded into thinking I'm right most of the time. What's your thoughts?
blah
Guest
Yeah its a pretty crap lineup. But i'd posted too early so i decided to roll with it Swapping ferguson for Mitch Marsh or Someone like Stonnis might be Wise. I just figured screw it we're in bangladesh lets bowl lots of Spin