Later this year the Australian cricket team will head to Sri Lanka for three Test matches.
The series will be important because it is Australia’s first tour to the subcontinent under the captaincy of Steve Smith. Australia will also be hoping for their first Test series victory on the subcontinent since 2011 when they played Sri Lanka.
The top five of Dave Warner, Joe Burns, Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith and Adam Voges all performed exceptionally well over the summer and all are certain to retain their spots.
Peter Nevill will keep, while Josh Hazlewood, Mitch Starc and Nate Lyon will be the three of the four bowlers who play.
That leaves two spots available: the number six spot and the final bowling spot.
The number six spot will go to either Glenn Maxwell or Mitchell Marsh. The contenders for the final bowling spot are James Pattinson and spinner Steve O’Keefe. Of the other fast bowlers who played in Australia’s last Test series in New Zealand, Peter Siddle is injured while Jackson Bird’s bowling technique does not suit subcontinental conditions.
The touring side should also consist of one reserve spin bowler in O’Keefe, one reserve all rounder in Mitch Marsh, two reserve fast bowlers and two reserve batsmen.
From his two Sheild matches this season John Hastings took ten wickets at an average of 14.7. Joe Mennie was the leading wicket taker with 51 wickets. If Hastings is unable to recover from his injury, Chadd Sayers should come in.
In his last Test match Shaun Marsh scored a century and was extremely unlucky to be dropped and will continue the role he had in New Zealand as the reserve batsman. Peter Handscomb should go as the second reserve batsman, as he is a potential replacement for Adam Voges when retires and this tour will give him international experience.
Australian team for Sri Lanka
1. David Warner
2. Joe Burns
3. Usman Khawaja
4. Steve Smith
5. Adam Voges
6. Glenn Maxwell
7. Peter Nevil
8. Mitch Starc
9. James Pattinson
10. Josh Hazlewood
11. Nathan LyonReserves:
Steve O’Keefe
Mitch Marsh
John Hastings
Joe Mennie
Shaun Marsh
Peter Handscomb
Nudge
Guest
Reckon you've nailed that spot on Bucks. The 11 and the reserves
Broken-hearted Toy
Guest
Why is it now or never? There are always injuries and players retiring or missing matches for some reason or another. Adam Voges and Chris Rogers has shown that you can be picked anytime.
Bucks
Guest
Warner Burns Khawaja Smith (c) Voges M Marsh Nevill (wk) Starc O'keefe Hazlewood Lyon Res: S Marsh, Maxwell, Pattinson, Bird, Handscomb (can keep)
Trev
Guest
Has he also batted at the same number in a Test? I don't think he has.
Broken-hearted Toy
Guest
I don't understand how anyone could think that Head's bowling would be a factor in his selection for a test spot
BurgyGreen
Guest
I agree, it's like picking a batsman who averages 20.
The Bush
Roar Guru
Ronan, have you watched Maxwell play much FC cricket? Sure his SR is faster than just about anyone's, but his average is as good as any of the other competitors and he's score more runs than most. Just because he scores quickly doesn't mean he's always a liability does it?
mrrexdog
Roar Guru
Boyce has a fc average of 49 zampas is 50 can't see them getting in the test team
mrrexdog
Roar Guru
The issue with Zampa is that he has a first class average of 50, if he goes it'll be to give him experience.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
"Also, just remember that he has only played in the sub-continent, on pitches we have (and the rest of the team certainly did) struggled with." This is an important point. A lot of people say he looked rubbish in his first two stints in the Test side but they were in foreign conditions against spin attacks running amok. Had his six Test innings all been on batting-friendly Aussie decks, coming in at 4 for 300+ against the likes of Windies/SL/India/NZ/Pak we might all be raving about him.
Christov
Guest
I have nothing against Maxwell but he really needs to do an Andrew Symonds. He learnt how he could adapt his game to test cricket and did really well for himself. I see a lot of similarities (perhaps Maxwell is more unorthodox) but it would be good for him to make it. Lehman really likes attacking cricketers and his inclusion would really be interesting to see how he approaches his second stint in the test arena. Also, just remember that he has only played in the sub-continent, on pitches we have (and the rest of the team certainly did) struggled with.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
Unless Maxwell overhauls his batting style and becomes more conservative then I can't see him batting at 5 in Tests, with an all-rounder at six. That would leave Australia with too unpredictable a middle order. Right now I only see Maxwell as a potential number six. And with how strong Australia's top 5 has become (and Nevill being a very steady, cautious presence at 7) they have the latitude to gamble on a game-changer at 6, like a Maxwell. However, as many people have pointed out, the fact Maxwell turns the ball the same way as Lyon works against him in terms of the all-rounder slot. But I still think Maxwell could vault himself into the Test team over the next while with just one big (160-plus) Shield ton or a couple of smaller tons back-to-back.
BurgyGreen
Guest
I really hope Maxwell gets a go. It's now or never and I think it'd be a great shame if he missed out on a decent career. He's made the runs and I think he has the potential to be utterly devastating at 6 in Test cricket. I'd like to see him as the long-term replacement for Voges at 5, leaving room for a seam-bowling allrounder.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
Craig I like the look of Head too but to be fair your comparison of him and Maxwell is wide of the mark. "He is a classier red ball batsmen than Maxwell as he values his wicket more." If Head "values his wicket more" than Maxwell then why does he average just 33 in first-class cricket compared to Maxwell's average of 42? Why has Head never once, not once, had a better average than Maxwell in a Shield season? "Also his spin is no better or worse than Maxies." Head averages 66 with the ball in FC cricket versus Maxwell's 39. Across all levels of professional cricket these are their bowling records: Head - 24 wickets at an average of 60 Maxwell - 170 wickets at 36
craig swanson
Guest
Travis Head is my @6. Time to blood this youngster rather than wait. He is a classier red ball batsmen than Maxwell as he values his wicket more. Also his spin is no better or worse than Maxies. It is time to blood this talented youngster Mitch Marsh is in my team as a bowling all rounder at #7' Warner Burns Khawaja Smith Voges Head M Marsh Nevill Bird Hazlewood Lyon Res: Zampa/SOK/ Holland, Pattinson, S Marsh, Stoinis, Whiteman (r/k)
The Bush
Roar Guru
Wouldn't have an issue with one of the young leggies being given a go. Nothing against SOK, would just be interesting. Miss watching a leggie in test cricket.
jameswm
Guest
Here is the choice - play 3 specialist quicks and a spinning batting all rounder at 6 (Maxwell), or else play 2 quicks and 2 specialist spinners and a medium pace batting all rounder at 6 (Marsh). Maxwell's problem is that he spins it the same way as Lyon, who is a lock. It's the same problem Lyon has breaking into the ODI side, as he spins it the same way as Maxwell, who's a lock. I'm still not convinced on SOK, but it means Marsh makes it, and his bowling is improving and very good for an all rounder.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
Because with Mitch Marsh that gives you four fast bowlers on dead, super slow Sri Lankan wickets. I'll be shocked if Australia don't play 2 frontline seamers - 3 pace options is easily enough in Sri Lanka. Hazlewood, Starc, Lyon, O'Keefe and Mitch Marsh is a really well balanced attack in Asian conditions.
blanco
Guest
Starc, Pattinson and Hazlewood should be picked in the first 11. Why wouldn't you pick Pattinson if he is fit?
Beth
Guest
Don't mind the selection!! Loving that Josh is in!! Best bowler!!! :) entertaining to watch!!