With just a week to go until the first Test between Australia and South Africa, conjecture is rife about who will be wearing a baggy green when the two teams walk out at the WACA.
So we’ve decided to ask the people who matter most: you.
All you have to do is follow the prompts in the form below; select two openers and three middle order batsmen (some players appear in categories – given cloning isn’t too big in cricket yet, it’d be great if you don’t pick the same player twice), one all-rounder and wicket-keeper, and four bowlers.
While all of the Test match regulars are there for you to pick, we’ve also tried to list as many players as possible to give you as much freedom in your team selections as possible.
Hell, if you think the Australian selectors were onto a winner with their bowling attack for the recent tour of South Africa, you can even pick Joe Mennie, Chris Tremain and Daniel Worrall without having to resort to the dreaded “other” option.
That said, if you reckon Rob Quiney is primed for a Test recall, you will be forced to select ‘someone else.’ Sorry about that.
To make things easier, here’s a quick run-down of the main contenders.
David Warner
As the vice-captain of the side, Warner is almost certain to be selected. He also boasts a phenomenal record at the record – his two highest Test scores have come at the ground.
Shaun Marsh
Marsh has been in and out of the team for much of the past five years, but opened alongside Warner during Australia’s last Test in Sri Lanka and did his chances no harm with 130 in the first innings. Concerns surround his fitness after a hamstring injury.
Joe Burns
Was a constant presence in the side last summer, but was dropped during the recent tour of Sri Lanka. He’s a far better player of pace than spin, though, and a Sheffield Shield century won’t harm his chances. Can also bat in the middle order.
Usman Khawaja
Like Burns, Khawaja was dropped for the last Test and is more accustomed to pace than spin. Batted at number three last summer, but has been touted as a possible opener.
Other options
Cameron Bancroft, Michael Klinger.
Steve Smith
Australia’s captain and best batsman (and he piled on a century in the Shield on Tuesday). A sure-fire selection, unforeseen injury notwithstanding.
Adam Voges
Voges has been a superb performer over the last couple of years, but he’s getting on in age. Is it time for a younger option?
Moises Henriques
A fine batting all-rounder in state cricket, Henriques was picked as a specialist batsman for the last Test against Sri Lanka but failed to fire. May be better suited to playing as an all-rounder.
Shaun Marsh
See openers.
Usman Khawaja
See openers.
Joe Burns
See openers.
Michael Klinger
Can’t stop scoring in first-class cricket, but is hardly a forward-thinking option. Can also open the batting.
Nic Maddinson
A promising youngster, questions surround Maddinson’s patience and suitability for the longest format of the game
Peter Handscomb
Another young talent, Handscomb has been touted for national honours and did his chances no harm with a good knock for the Vics in the Shield.
Other options
George Bailey, Alex Doolan, Travis Head, Kurtis Patterson.
Mitchell Marsh
The incumbent, Marsh has impressed with his bowling but his batting needs some work at the number six position.
Moises Henriques
See middle-order batsmen.
Marcus Stoinis
Stoinis scored plenty of runs for Victoria last Shield season and is a serviceable bowler.
Other options
Ashton Agar, Glenn Maxwell.
Peter Nevill
Hasn’t really been challenged for the national spot, but Nevill’s poor batting record is starting to become a concern. A fine gloveman, though.
Matthew Wade
Hasn’t played a Test for years, but Wade’s batting is considered a step up on Nevill’s. Some serious questions surround his keeping.
Sam Whiteman
One of Western Australia’s promising youngsters, Whiteman has impressed plenty with his tidy keeping and batting. This could be a step up too early though.
Other option
Tim Paine.
Mitchell Starc
He’s been sidelined by a gruesome leg injury, but Starc is the unquestioned leader of Australia’s attack.
Josh Hazlewood
Not as quick as Starc, but Hazlewood has already established himself as a fine paceman and should enjoy the return to Australia’s bouncy pitches.
Nathan Lyon
Lyon is the highest wicket-taker in the history of Australian off-spinners, and will almost certainly retain his spot in the side. However, would a more attacking tweaker be preferable?
Peter Siddle
Siddle is one of the front-runners for the third paceman’s spot, but he hasn’t played much cricket recently. Looked good in the Matador Cup, however.
Jackson Bird
He’s a similar bowler to Siddle, but Bird comes in with the opposite form line: he’s undoubtedly fit but didn’t look great in the Matador Cup.
Jason Behrendorff
A bit of a smokey here, but Behrendorff has been one of the more consistent bowlers in state cricket for some time now.
Pat Cummins
Cummins marked his Test debut with a five-for against South Africa five years ago but hasn’t donned the Baggy Green since. Looked great in the Matador Cup, but probably doesn’t have enough cricket under his belt to warrant selection.
Other options
Scott Boland, Jon Holland, Joe Mennie, Chris Tremain, Mitchell Swepson, Daniel Worrall, Adam Zampa.
So, who’s in your Australian XI? Have your say, and let us know in the comments below.
We’ve now stopped taking responses – you can check out the results here.
Tanmoy kar
Guest
Australia could call back Brad Haddin again.
dan ced
Guest
Hartley, is what we want. Better keeper, and would probably not choke with the bat as much as Nevill has for AUS (after dominating shield cricket leading up to his selection). Ludeman and Paine can't even make their state squads. Whiteman not scoring runs.
DickyM
Guest
Watching Wade.. He truly is an awful keeper.,no way he should get the gig over Nevill, having said that his batting is better..what do we want ???
Tim Holt
Roar Guru
Ronan, the main difference for I is in the Shield younger players are playing against for the most grounded pros whereas in A-games, there might be a few experienced types but most are youngsters feeling their way. which means frailties/errors are not always exploited and fully taken advantage of because you will always get relief I will give you an English example of Ben Duckett and Haseeb Hameeb Duckett picked for England on the back of his exploits in Lions teams whereas Haseeb elevated after playing very well for Lancashire in the first division of County cricket. Give me Haseeb's grounding any day over Duckett's
Brasstacks
Guest
Whoever is picked, one thing is for sure. The team is going to be incredibly thin on batting with just 2 middle order batsmen and then the tail. Yes, the tail. Mitchell Marsh and Peter Neville may have all the talent that 2 players to have played test cricket have ever had, but until that translates into actual runs on a consistent basis it means nothing. We are essentially going in with 5 batsmen which inevitably means that we will be playing on roads once again this home season.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
Tim I'm interested to know why you rate "A" games "well below" the standard of Shield cricket? In those "A" series, South Africa had an extremely strong side, with 8 guys who had played Test cricket in the previous 12 months. Meanwhile, India had nine guys who've played Test cricket including stars like Kohli and Pujara. From what I saw of those series there was serious intensity from all sides involved - not surprising given you're representing your country and on a platform to push your Test credentials. So Australia A's opposition was competing intensely and littered with Test players - how does that amount to cricket of a standard much lower than Shield cricket?
Tim Holt
Roar Guru
Ronan,if you are talking Stonis as a potential batsman he has a hope, but as an allrounder his bowling is not strong enough for tests. It is wrong for I to diminish the performances in A Games but I do not rate the standard in it very high. I would have it above the standard of ODI's but well below the Shield
Tanmoy kar
Guest
In the First Test of the six Test Summer season, team should be chose as per first choice, means no experimentation. Team can be changed later-on as per requirements
Dangertroy
Guest
I'm going with the crowds bemoaning having to pick an all-rounder, even though I do think one is warranted right now, given starcs return from injury. That being said, Smith, Warner and Voges can all send down some overs to rest the quicks. I think that if Mitch Marsh is going to be persisted with, it should be as the third seamer. I'd play him in a similar role to how England are using Chris Woakes, although it helps that they have three other all-rounders in the side. Glenn Maxwell is what Australia need in an all-rounder - a genuine number 6 batsman that can bowl enough to give the frontliners a break. Unfortunately, Maxwell lacks control as a holding bowler and he can't get a shield game at the moment. As much as I like Adam Voges, he should probably be given the series against the South Africans and then tapped on the shoulder. He probably isn't going to make the trip to India, so whoever replaces him (and I think it should be Handscomb) can be given a few tests against Pakistan to work their way into test cricket. Peter Nevill I admire and I certainly think we need the best gloveman in the country, although he has to find some more form with the bat. I'm sure the pressure will be on him to score more runs, else Matthew Wade might come back into consideration, but that would weaken the keeping, which will be important in upcoming tours.
steve
Guest
1.Joe Burns 2.David Warner 3.Usman Khawaja 4.Steve Smith (c) 5.Adam Voges 6.Shaun Marsh 7.Peter Nevill (wk) 8.Mitchell Starc 9.Peter Siddle 10.Josh Hazlewood 11.Nathan Lyon 12th Man Mitchell Marsh Our bowlers need to step up, Voges and Smith can bowl overs to give them a rest but its up to them to get the 20 wickets, thats the team most accurately based on form.
Tony
Guest
I am going to bring Joe Burns and Kawajha back into the side as I think Shaun Marsh won't be ready after suffering that injury. For the allrounder spot I went for a smokey in Luke Feldman. He bowled well in the Matador Cup and in the shield game bowled well against a full strength NSW side in the first innings.He is also a very handy hard hitting batsman. For the fourth bowling spot I. Go for Ben Cutting he has been bowling better at the start of the domestic season and he is a handy lower order batsman
Basil
Guest
What has Whiteman done to deserve a mention?
Basil
Guest
If Bird or Siddle are a gamble don't pick them. Pick Sayers and he'll bowl the allrounders portion as well, leaving Australia to play a real batsman at 6.
Billy
Guest
This is the team that will beat SA : 1) Warner 2) Burns 3) Kawaja 4) Smith 5) S.Marsh 6) M.Marsh 7) Wade 8) Starc 9) Hazelwood 10) Lyon 11) Siddle
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
G'day Tim, I'm wondering why you consider Stoinis "in no way able for Tests"? Over the past two years, Stoinis has made 1700 runs at 45 in first-class cricket. During that time he has excelled for Australia A, making 252 runs at 50, and taking seven wickets at 26 in his four matches – two against South Africa A at home, and two against India A in Chennai last year.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
"A genuine all rounder should average at worst high 30’s with the bat and low 30’s with the ball. Unless I’ve missed something no one like that exists in Aussie cricket at the moment." Not just in Australia - no player like that exists in Test cricket right now, except for Shakib whose numbers are misleading, pumped up by having played so many of his Tests against the weakest nations
dan ced
Guest
You can't go "oh he was in the team 6 months ago.. he has to be in it now". Lots of cricket has been played, form ebs and flows. Mennie is arguably better than Bird, if you've watched him bowling the past few years or tracked his stats you see the case in point. Klinger has the consistency, experience, and barrage of runs that the others don't have and deserves his shot, it's simple. Don't look towards the future.. look towards this next test series. An experienced player will slot in a lot easier than a "growing pains" youngster. I only stick with Mitch because I shudder at the alternatives.
Peter
Roar Rookie
thanks mate, i'll stay then
lovey sandhu
Roar Rookie
My team would be - D Warner J Burns U Khawaja S Smith S Marsh M Marsh P nevill M Starc J Hazlewood J Bird N Lyon.
Goodmate30
Guest
I would just swap S marsh and J burns batting position ,else the team is good.