Another summer of cricket around the corner and it has been a controversial squad selection to some for the first Test against South Africa in Perth.
It’s that time of the year where we all become experts and give our opinion on what we think should be happening in the Test side and that’s exactly what I am about to do.
When picking this XI, I’ve given some thought to what will be happening next year in February. With the Aussies set to travel to India to face them in another grueling Test series, the selectors had to look beyond the first Test against South Africa.
This is how I would have lined up on Thursday with India in the back of my mind. Here’s my Test XI for the summer leading into India.
Shaun Marsh: I like Joe Burns and he has a fantastic Test career ahead of him, but it’s hard to discount the ton that Marsh made against Sri Lanka in the final Test back in August.
He’s also in red-hot form if the first round of the Sheffield Shield is anything to go by.
Scores of 73 and 110 representing Western Australia helped him secure his spot against South Africa.
Hopefully he can secure that opening spot in the Test side which will leave him in good stead come the first Test in India.
David Warner: One of Australia’s main men with 16 Test hundreds. He continues to grow in stature and opposition sides no doubt are starting to see that. He will be key if Australia are to have any success this summer, but he will be even more key to whether the Test series in India is a success or not.
Steven Smith: The captain and arguably the best player of spin Australia have. Has done extremely well for someone who was apparently never technically correct enough for Test cricket. He has made the doubters eat their own words with 15 Test hundreds.
It’s important he has a solid summer with India on the horizon and he has started very well scoring a ton for New South Wales in the opening round of the Sheffield Shield.
Usman Khawaja: For someone with so much flair and talent, he was poor in Sri Lanka and he will be first to admit it. Despite that, class is permanent and Khawaja certainly has plenty of that. On the eye, there aren’t many better to watch and I’m backing him to have a successful summer which will hopefully lead into India.
Callum Ferguson: To some, dropping Adam Voges will be controversial and it’s a fair enough opinion. But, I can’t see Voges making the difference in India and with age against him, I would be inclined to give Ferguson his chance.
Why? Because he’s a quality batsmen who’s in form and can play spin bowling better than most in this country. Coming off 101 for South Australia in the first round of the Sheffield Shield is a sign of the type of form he is in and it’s a selection like Ferguson which could really enhance Australia’s chances in the subcontinent.
James Faulkner: I feel as if this man offers a bit more consistency than Mitchell Marsh. For me, Faulkner is the best all-rounder in Australia. His batting and bowling have proven over the years to be really solid. His bowling for me could be quite an asset in India.
His variety could suit subcontinental wickets which makes him more of a threat than Marsh. I do feel as if Marsh does cop some unfair criticism, but he hasn’t done enough in his short career thus far which is why I would give Faulkner his chance now building into India.
Peter Handscomb: There’s a few building a case for Handscomb and it’s one more should be on. Peter Nevill has done well ever since replacing Brad Haddin, but he simply hasn’t offered enough with the bat.
No doubt, Nevill’s wicketkeeping is superb, but it’s a well known fact that wicketkeepers need to be multidimensional. Nevill certainly can bat, but Handscomb’s runs back in state level really have been impressive.
Also, he’s another one of those players that can play spin, some even referring him to the ‘best player of spin Australia have’. Get him in now and get him prepared for India.
Mitchell Starc: One of those bowlers who you can just put your faith in. Has become Australia’s main weapon and will be looking to be the difference this summer and in India. When fit, there really are none better in the Australian ranks.
Peter Siddle: You probably would say that Siddle is the easy option when it comes to dropping a bowler in favour of another spinner, which will more than likely be the case come India, but playing two spinners in Australia would be a waste of time.
I would expect him to get the nod ahead of Joe Mennie come Thursday. If he can impress this summer then it will be difficult for the selectors to ignore him in India.
Josh Hazlewood: Despite playing a completely different format in South Africa just recently, he was dearly missed. Such a crucial figure in the Test XI these days. I’d expect him to have a fantastic summer.
Nathan Lyon: Would have learnt a thing or two in Sri Lanka. He wasn’t at his best, but now a campaigned figure in the Australian dressing room and will be the No.1 spinner in India as expected.
He could be the difference if he gets it right. The two Test series against South Africa and Pakistan is about finding rhythm and confidence to take to India.
Amrit
Roar Guru
Again Australia's current team is quite good to play in India, they don't need quick-fix solutions. They should stick with a team rather than testing and trialing
Paul D
Roar Guru
You know I'd rather enjoy that Don. For all the jokes I crack at Freo's expense I'd love to see the Dockers win a flag. The amount of iron they'd mine for the giant statue of Fyfe would put WA's economy back in the black all by itself. But yes, certainly better than my attempt at a forecast, I thought the Saffas would make plenty.
Don Freo
Guest
Hey Paul D...I'm on track. Maybe a Freo flag to follow.
Don Freo
Guest
Wildermuth has serious talent. As an all rounder, he is a serious fast medium bowler with genuine penetration. As a batsman, he knows how to build big scores and how to put the foot down. His name will be mentioned in regular enthusiastic tones this year.
JohnB
Guest
Heazlett's picked for the next Shield round Don, having been injured. Wildermuth also back in. Renshaw another who's shown something but still out injured.There are a lot of young players around Australia who have shown some promise, Heazlett among them. There are opportunities beckoning for any of them who score runs this season with only Warner and Smith entrenched in the batting lineup in the medium term. It awaits to be seen which ones grab those chances.
Paul D
Roar Guru
Yes, I'm Trevor Hohns posting under a nom de plume - you got me. I'm bitter in my retirement.
Paul D
Roar Guru
You have to start somewhere Troy. The last two times over there it has been 4-0 and 3-0? Whatever we are doing is not working.
doogs
Guest
Whatever happens I hope we don't go spinner heavy in selections. Two of the greatest spin bowlers in Test history, being Murali and Warne both averaged in the 40s in India. The Indian spinners bowl well there as they have established a style on their home ground.
doogs
Guest
Funny how posters talk about a pair of balls when all we are doing is posting in a forum. Like how ballsy are we. Have you been a selector before Paul?
doogs
Guest
Anything nice to say? Maybe you should balance it out a bit. You just sound miserable to me. I am sure if Australia do well, you will still have a whinge
Don Freo
Guest
...and that is without factoring in Bancroft's Aust A successes. Re: Your "Heazlett has gone past him" comment... Heazlett hasn't been getting a game.
dan ced
Guest
With some quick maths, excluding the TAS match where Klinger didn't play.. 7 innings, even with Bancroft having a 65* and 16* in there he is still behind in averages, he's 42.6 vs Klinger's 46. [I'm poor at maths so could've calculated that incorrectly.] Bancroft hasn't dropped off as badly as I thought when I take a step back and look at it.. but Klinger is probably in better form, just needs to carry on to triple figures. I will stop saying Cam is underwhelming.
Don Freo
Guest
But where did you see it dropping off? He killed it in the Matador and starred for Oz A. They are his most recent series. His last 2 Shield seasons have been excellent. Where is the drop off? Now Klinger? He is beginning to fall away.
dan ced
Guest
We'll see, I had no issue with him being picked for that Bangas squad, I just think he's dropped off in form. I'm sure he'll find his stride again.. I just think picking people that are in form NOW is smart, rather than the "he looked GREAT 2 years ago" Doolan style selection that comes back to bite.
Don Freo
Guest
You've said that before about Bancroft. There is no evidence of any demise. He keeps performing. He failed last week...but 2 seasons trumps one game.
dan ced
Guest
Bancroft is the new Silk, had a good reputation but has just served up disappointment since his failed bid to go to Bangladesh... Heazlett has jumped him as an opener, Patterson too I'd say even though he's middle order. Handscomb had a great season when Nevill did but hasn't knocked the door down since, he does seem to have the grit required though. Bailey is not the veteran you're looking for, it's Klinger. Bailey's Test career was a failure, give another shield dominator a go! Faulkner may not be a bat option in place of Marsh, he's a competitor that's for sure. O'Keefe also deserves another shot if fit. Wade is pus. I'd have more faith in Ludeman scoring subcontinent runs! Need to see how Zampa goes in shield this season too.. could be a surprise. Leggy/Offy combo could be useful in India.
Don Freo
Guest
Oz negative? I wouldn't want to win that way. Ashley Zampa is no longer green...he's pretty savvy...and this is the year of the Ashton Agar explosion. Attack, I say! Yep love Marcus...I'm the dad! You can do the nurturing. Players like Harris and Simon Makin returning are the reasons why long term selection predictions are always so limited. They are still fun to do. Two good innings from Jake Doran and you watch the predictions. It will be Who Patterson?
Tim
Guest
Solely for Asia Don, where England was very competitive in India using the dour tactics. If Australis tries again with lyon, or goes to more absurd levels picking green types like Zampa they will get blasted As an aside, so great seeing both our lovechild Marcus Harris start the Shield so well. That kid can play, and i have been banging on about him on ROAR for years :)
Don Freo
Guest
It will also take Shaun's Test batting average to over 50. Pretty good, eh?
Don Freo
Guest
I am so looking forward to the cricket season, I haven't bothered about "Tell all" books. They are irrelevant to cricket. It is possible to not engage in that stuff. The cricket's too good anyway. Simon Makin is back after injury. That's worth looking forward to.