With the Ashes lost, Michael Clarke retiring and a good portion of the squad set to be dropped, it’s time to look at what the Australian team will look like in the first Test against New Zealand this summer.
David Warner
Still one of the most damaging cricketers in the world, Warner has started to show he can bring a lot more to the table than just bludgeoning bowlers around the park.
Cameron Bancroft
Bancroft made three hundreds and three fifties in last season’s Sheffield Shield. A right-hand batsman from Western Australia, he played several Test and ODIs for the Australia Under-19 cricket team where he impressed with his high scoring ability, scoring three centuries at an average of 50.90.
Joe Burns
The selectors got it completely wrong when they dropped Burns after just two Tests, especially after he just scored half centuries in both innings (58 and 66). Burns should never have been overlooked for the Ashes, having played in English conditions for the last three years. A right handed opener, he can bat anywhere.
Steve Smith
The new permanent Australian captain must drop himself down to number 4 to add stability to a young team. Was found out by the moving ball in England and needs to work on his technique if he is to rediscover his rich vein of form this summer. Still one of the world’s best batsmen.
George Bailey
At 32 years of age, the former Aussie T20 captain is a must pick in the middle order. Bailey is another player who was never given the chance to establish himself in the Test arena.
He will be badly needed to give Steve Smith another brain to pick. His record is far from outstanding in the longer forms of the game but can be equally patient and destructive in situations when it’s required.
Jordan Silk
Here’s a name from left field. Beating out Moises Henriques, Peter Forrest, Alex Doolan, Glenn Maxwell and Usman Khawaja for the last batting spot. It’s all about the future and what a future he will have. The 23-year-old right hander from Tasmania is starting to look the goods.
There is debate as to whether it’s too early for him, but it would be worth a shot.
Peter Nevill
Australia’s new gloveman, it will be interesting to see how he plays. An incredible batsman in his own right with a top score of 235* and an average over 40. Nevill is another player who came through the under age squad he has toured with the Australian team before in 2012 when he went to the West Indies. He should fit in quite well and be given plenty of time to settle into his role.
Mitchell Johnson
Over 300 wickets for the big ‘Chomps’ and more to come. Will be 34 and may well be his last summer for Australia in Tests before becoming an ODI and T20 specialist.
Johnson has given great service to his country for a decade and one last go around could have the Kiwis shaking in their boots.
Mitchell Starc
The left arm heir apparent. Still has his best days ahead of him which is great news for the Australian team. He can swing the ball and get sharp bounce which means trouble for any side.
Josh Hazlewood
There is so much upside to this kid. Tall, young, fast and a future new ball bowler. Hazlewood was the youngest ODI player to ever debut for Australia in 2010, and we all know why. He still has things he needs to work on, but has shown he has all the qualities needed to be a successful cricketer on the biggest stage.
Nathan Lyon
Australia’s most successful off-spinner of all time with over 150 wickets and at just 27, he should be around for some time to come. He had an unconventional introduction to cricket but leap-frogged all others to become the number one spinner.
Travis Head
The South Australian all-rounder has quality written all over him. The youngest South Australian captain of all time at the age of 21, he captained SA to the Under-19 National Championship title in 2012-13 and was named Player of the Championship.
Head is a left hand batsman who can hit the ball a mile. His off spin bowling needs some time, needing to work on his variation mostly, but he’s young and has performed through all the national under age championships with class and ease.
Bert
Roar Rookie
Some nice left fielders with Silk and Bailey. Not sure selectors would go with Silk at 6. Also Bailey struggled to make a first class run last season and is 32. No doubt Head is one to keep an eye on -heaps of talent. Just needs to translate starts into 100's
blanco
Guest
Brancroft is the future.The kid has a double and a 150 already at such an early stage.When you combine the fact he is patient and can bat time, that is exactly what Australia need. I'd definitely take a punt on Bancroft. Burns would be in my team too. He was inexplicable dropped after showing something. He should be given the number 3 spot, whiles Smith goes back to 4. The number 5 spot is perhaps the hardest to decide on who.The options are S.Marsh, Voges, Lynn( Is the best perform batter in Shield cricketer outside of Smith and Warner), Ferguson( he always seemed like a test cricketer to me every time i've seen him play.I'm not sure who should get it, but your brains says pick Lynn he has the record. Mitch Marsh should be given the Vice captain role, he is class and should come good if given a decent shout. Bancroft Warner Burns Smith Lynn M.Marsh Neville Johnson Pattinson ( Starc unlucky, but Pattinson has all the attributes. Patto should be the first picked bowler when fit) Hazlewood Lyon
Trev
Guest
Warner Burns Smith Khawja Handscombe M.Marsh Nevill Johnson Pattinson Hazelwood Lyon Strac 12th
Michael Bovell
Roar Rookie
Decisions over the last 5 years don't leave many alternatives, though. I can't remember a time in the last 20 years when we'd be picking players as inexperienced as Burns, Khawaja, Nevill, Ferguson and Mitch Marsh (as an example) in the same team... let alone in the same top 7! It says it all that even though some are agitating that Warner doesn't deserve to be vice captain, there's virtually no alternative. The last 5 years has just seen such a chewing up and spitting out of players that no-one has been established as a long-term test player.
Grand Armee
Guest
The Kiwis would be laughing all the way to the bank against that team. A lot of pain for Australian cricket is coming up.
Bovs
Guest
Bancroft - No thanks. I'm always a supporter of WA talent, but picking players based on 1 good season is hugely risky. Khawaja. Warner - Yep Burns - Yep Smith - Yep (c) Bailey - Toss-up between him and SMarsh (if Marsh can score runs at The Oval or in Bangladesh, he gets picked) Silk - No. Terrible 2014-15 season. We need a fifth bowler. MMarsh, Agar, Faulkner or Maxwell at 6 or 7 Nevill - Yep Johnson - Yep Starc - Yep Hazlewood - Yep Lyon - Yep Head - Happy for him to be in and around, but I'd have Ferguson or Lynn ahead of him So I'd be taking Bancroft, Bailey and Silk out of your team. Then I'd put Burns to open. Then bring in Khawaja, SMarsh and MMarsh, Agar or Faulkner (possibly with Nevill batting at 6). Other names to consider for the batting are the guys you've brought up plus Ferguson (I'd have him very close to edging out both SMarsh and Bailey), Handscomb, Lynn, Voges and Maddinson. 17 year old Jake Doran is one to keep an eye on as well. I'm with you keep the 4 bowlers as is. Behrendorff, Cutting, Sandhu, Bird, O'Keefe and Ahmed all come into consideration though if any of them perform poorly. Cummins and Pattinson to get some shield cricket under their belts hopefully.
Edgar Slosh
Roar Guru
I like it, but they wont drop Lyon and they have Travis Head stuck in their head. Its going to be interesting to see who they go for, as long as they dont go for Hussey or a bunch of 30+ year olds
Arthur Pagonis
Roar Guru
Edgar...you weren't sloshed when you wrote this were you? No.... pretty good team in many respects! But try this.... Bancroft, Warner, Smith, Khawaja, Burns, M Marsh, Nevill, Johnson, Starc, Cummins, Zampa. Hazelwood 12th 2 left arm quicks, 2 right arm. I leg spinner. Burns, Warner bowl medium pace. Smith extra leggie. 7 right hand bats, 4 left hand. Great wicketkeeper. Excellent fielding team. the future is now.
Steve
Guest
Needs more Khawaja.