With Mitchell Johnson announcing his retirement at the conclusion of the second Test versus New Zealand at the WACA, the Australian selectors must now decide who will join Mitchell Marsh, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood in Australia’s pace attack for the remaining four Tests this summer.
The two frontrunners for Johnson’s spot are Petter Siddle and James Pattinson, however Australia’s pace stocks run deep, leaving a strong crop of names on the table for the position beyond the 2015-16 season.
Siddle, the current twelfth man, appears the most obvious choice for the job after just missing out on selection for the Gabba Test behind all-rounder, Marsh.
Siddle’s last Test for Australia came in the final Ashes Test in August at The Oval, where he was the pick of the bowlers for Australia, finishing the match with figures of 2/32 and 4/35.
Throughout 57 Tests, the reliable workhorse of Australia’s pace attack has claimed 198 wickets at 29.87.
Pattinson is the other man tipped as a likely immediate replacement for Johnson.
It’s hard to believe his Test debut was almost four years ago (the Gabba Test versus New Zealand in 2011) given he is still just 25 years of age.
However, since 2011 injury has seen him only run out in 13 Tests (for a solid return of 51 wickets), his most recent coming in March, 2014 against South Africa in Cape Town.
In Pattinson’s favour is a very strong month of form throughout October for Victoria in the One-Day Cup and Sheffield Shield. He appears to have shaken off the injuries that have plagued him for the past two years, and thanks to a recently tweaked bowling style, looks primed to regain his Test spot.
Pat Cummins is another man that all Australian cricket fans would love to see return to the Test side sooner rather than later.
Since bursting into the side in 2011 and taking seven wickets against South Africa in Johannesburg, Cummins’ Test story has been frustratingly littered with injuries.
Cummins was selected in the team for the abandoned tour of Bangladesh before succumbing to what would be his third stress fracture in his back.
Still just 22 years of age, Cummins has a long career ahead of him in white for Australia, if he can get his body in a condition that can handle the strain of Test cricket.
Yet to make his Test debut, and only joining the Test squad for the first time at the age of 30 Andrew Fekete is one of the oldest, but freshest faces in the mix for selection.
After bursting onto the scene for Tasmania at 28 years old, Fekete earned a surprise selection in the abandoned Bangladesh squad off the back of his 37 wickets at 24.10 during the previous Sheffield Shield season.
An immediate selection of Fekete would be surprising considering the talent ahead of him, however a future call-up could certainly be on the cards, and in keeping with the recent habit Australian selectors have had of putting faith in mature players.
Each at 28 years of age Jackson Bird and Nathan Coulter-Nile are two more outsiders who will be hoping that solid domestic form would have them in the conversation.
Coulter-Nile is yet to play a Test for Australia, while Bird would be looking to increase his tally from three Tests.
Roarers, let us know who you would like to see as the long-term replacement for Mitchell Johnson in the Australian Test team by casting your vote in the form below.
Don Freo
Guest
That's why averages are pointless. Two years in NSW as a kid affects that. Leggies take time. Things are falling into place for him now. Why factor in his performances when he was 19, 20 or 21? That has nothing to do with now. Consider, also, missed stumpings by Ludemann and dropped catches at short leg. That would improve his numbers. The boy is very, very good. He was a very significant contributor to SA's win over The Warriors the other day.
Matth
Guest
Zampa's first class average is over 50. Surely not.
Matth
Guest
As a replacement for Uzzie, it's not as crazy as it sounds. Who wouldn't want to see Warner and The Big Show batting together in the third innings pushing for a declaration target?
Don Freo
Guest
He is doing worse with the blade.
Ironhorse
Guest
More pertinently, who is the man to replace Hazelwood? He was a massive disappointment in England, and he is yet to rise to any great heights in Australia.
13th Man
Guest
Siddle will play and Smith hinted that Hazlewood will be rested. Both Sidds and Patto will play in Adelaide I think. Mitch Marsh should be kept, he has done a lot with the ball so far, at least stick with him til the end of the summer then reassess I think. On Khawaja's replacement, I would like it to be Bancroft however I doubt it will be. If not then I would like to see Klinger get rewarded for a great career.
13th Man
Guest
Wow Lyon is well and truly the best spinner in the country. Already Australia's most successful off spinner ever. can't believe people are still questioning him!
Steele
Guest
Bird is the word on the street for mine! Consistently up the top of the shield wicket takers list when fit, and he did nothing wrong when playing for Aus. Correct me if I'm wrong, he might of even got a Man of the match in one game. Faulkner over Mitch Marsh as well. He's a better bowler at this stage and couldn't do much worse with the blade.
Don Freo
Guest
I don't think they'd pick Hogan though, Ronan. They'll experiment and, in anticipation of your nominations, I'd endorse Sayers with a pink ball in the evening but would be rapt to give a taster to a potential 80 test quickie, Billy Stanlake.
Nudge
Guest
If I'm going to have a guess Ronan I'd say you're calling for Faulkner( as a bowler) and Sok. Probably wouldn't disagree with those two if you have
Rob JM
Guest
Ahmed and Faulkner? :)
Don Freo
Guest
This "nowhere near the test team" phrase is such melodramatic waffle. Is it meant to be emphasis or something?
Don Freo
Guest
I'll mention one. Go with 2 quicks and Marsh and team Lyon with Adam Zampa. That would work IF Adelaide was a spinner's pitch any more. WACA and GABBA have lost pace and Sydney and Adelaide have lost turn.
Rob JM
Guest
Ahmed just took 8 for the vics vs WA so he would definitely be in the mix for the adelaide test. Based on pink ball I guess we are talking a swing bowler. I would have Pattinson and Maxwell in for the Adelaide test myself.
Don Freo
Guest
There is a range of ready made replacements; Cummins, NCN, Behrendorff...all ready, if only they weren't injured.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
Behrendorff, Coulter-Nile and Cummins are all out injured, while Pattinson is just two FC matches back into yet another comeback from serious injury...so I'd draw a line through all four of those guys. The two new bowlers I'd pick for the Adelaide Test have not been mentioned here...read The Roar tomorrow for my reasoning.
Don Freo
Guest
Peter, if you are judging on "looks" and not substance, you might not have a strong argument.
twodogs
Guest
Throw billy stanlake in. Young, strong, tall and fast.
My2cents
Guest
Some of you guys are being really harsh on patto. He has a test average of 28 and was the clear leader of Australia's bowling attack. When he first broke into the side. With Harris retired he's a no brainer. If hazelwood is also out I wouldn't mind Australia picking a 2nd spinner. Steve o Keefe or one of the leggies. Unless they want to replace marsh with either Agar or Maxwell. Plus Stonnis has been making enough runs to be a viable choice as a batsman. Lots of interesting questions.
no one in particular
Roar Guru
Fekete took 6 wickers in 7 matches in the Matador Cup, and has taken 7 wickets @ 43 in the Shield this season. Oh, and he has been dropped by Tasmania. Peter Siddle has taken 40 wickets in his last 30 Test innings at over 36. Should never be allowed near a Test team again. Shouldn't have been near them in it in the first place. Took 1/80 in the Shield match completed today. Coilter-Nile is out for a month after shoulder sugery.