The innings of Adam Voges and Shane Watson at Northampton could be a direct play off for who fills the only spot up for grabs at the forthcoming Oval Test.
The rest of the team picks itself. It will be an unchanged team other Mitchell Marsh replacing his brother Shaun, who is clearly on the outer and not under consideration given he is not playing at Northants.
The Voges-Watson selection dilemma is an interesting one and arguably the last chance for either to play Test cricket again. One of them will play and the stakes are high.
With the transition to a new era and with the need to inject youth into the middle order, the Australian selectors still may be tempted to shore up the middle with some experience. Runs at the Oval for either Voges or Watson could see one of them maintained for the Bangladesh series and beyond.
The case for Voges is possibly stronger than Watson’s given the relief many felt when Watson was dropped after the Cardiff Test. A feeling that he had been given a good run and just hadn’t produced enough throughout his career.
However, he is an experienced cricketer, a safe first slipper and can still provide some control with the ball. He also has an impressive record at the Oval. His big hundred on the last Ashes tour with an overall average in his two Oval Tests of 69, plus 158 runs at 40 in ODI cricket.
The selectors may also apply the logic, like it seems they have with the ODI squad that a balanced transition is needed. Who is to say Watson could not still fill the role of senior pro?
The case for Voges is he is coming off a fighting 50 at Trent Bridge and faith should be maintained in their horses for courses selection. There may also be sympathy that he is a cricketer that deserves an extended run and could still blossom akin to Chris Rogers.
But he needs runs. His current average of 21 in the series is poor. Added to that, he is not the best catcher in the side and any runs for Watson puts his spot in jeopardy.
Voges or Watson? A tricky one but one thing for sure Wantage Road will be the death knell for one of them.
dan ced
Guest
Who has been in England all county season dominating? Who recently won T20 big bash MVP? Who has 7 centuries across the 3 formats this county season so far? The selectors clearly do not have a clue, and or are idiots. They are out of excuses for not picking the bloke!
Disco
Guest
Who was the batsman that batted for time and took the Edgbaston Test into a third day?
mactheblack
Guest
Can't understand why Usman Khawaja not in the Ashes squad. He typifies the grit and perfect qualities for mixing aggression with caution that is seriously needed in Aussie set-up. Not sure why Watson is failing like this; it's been happening over a long period - nor Adam Voges a bet for the future. Won't be surprised if that's the end of their Test futures. This dead rubber is more about the future; not about the present. So changes can be made, I feel. Glen Maxwell should come in and is a handy bowler who can take wickets. In the mould of Andrew Symonds. Oh how Aussie must be longing for a keeper-batsman of Adam Gilchrist's ilk. Do we say drop Nevill - as he has done absolutely nothing with the bat in the series? Possibly he is just not good enough. Brad Haddin should retire and find another wickie who can bat. Let's hope "Pup" can go out on a high - for his sake!
JoM
Roar Rookie
Neither was Starc. If Harris had have been there he would only have got 2 tests if that. He has now played 7 tests in a row from the SCG test, to the WI and now in England. He isn't used to it either.
Bobbo7
Guest
That's what I was saying to a mate today. Time for a classic Watson, 'make runs when no one cares' innings and get selected for another 2 years. But to be fair to him it must be bloody frustrating to have that ability and fail all the time. I do feel for him a bit.
deccas
Guest
the should go in with starc and cummuns and drop Johnson for siddle. Siddle is a leader and offers the control we need.
Jameswm
Guest
He's just had 10 days off. That should be enough. I'd be picking Hazlewood.
Baz
Guest
Dead set joking.....
matth
Guest
very very secret
matth
Guest
But he looks pretty done in. He was never expected to get through the 5 tests. I'd give him a rest.
matth
Guest
I'd like Clarke to bat 5. It's his last test and he really should go out in his preferred spot.
matth
Guest
No these guys started the mess and they might as well finish it. Swap the Marshes back to how they should have been in the first place and give Hazlewood a rest for Cummins
Bakkies
Guest
Looks like both captains reached an agreement to pull stumps as a result couldn't be achieved
Andy
Guest
Well said bear
Andy
Guest
It's a shame Khawaja wasn't in the ODI squad otherwise he would be perfect to come into the final test given how well he handles the swinging bowl on green Gabba decks
Larney
Guest
Well now that you mention it, I am baffled as to why he declared when Cummins was on 82 and there were still overs to be bowled. It's not like there would have been a different result. The young guy may have got a century.
John
Guest
It's a dead rubber so Watson is bound to hit a big hundred.
Grand Armee
Guest
Not much comments on Steve Smith....?
James T
Guest
At the moment maxwell couldn't do any worse than the middle order. Marsh for marsh is the only likely change.
Rich_UK
Guest
I remember Steve Waugh saying that Ahmed was going to be the Aussie's 'secret weapon' for this Ashes series :)