The trip to India is the toughest for any international team to make, and the Australians’ tour beginning in February, will prove to be no different.
Despite naming a flexible squad that includes four slow bowlers, two all-rounders and one spare batsman, Shaun Marsh – who is versatile enough to bat anywhere in the top six – plenty of questions are yet to be answered about the Australians.
Which spin combination will be chosen? Will Glenn Maxwell or Mitch Marsh play as the all-rounder? Will Matt Renshaw get first crack at opening the batting?
I’ve put myself to the test with some educated guesses as to how the tour will play out.
Who will partner Dave Warner at the top of the order?
Despite a successful start in the baggy green, there is still speculation over the role Matt Renshaw will play in India.
With the return from injury and subsequent selection of Shaun Marsh in the squad, selectors have a difficult decision on their hands. Do they stick with the youngster they blooded during the summer series or pick players suited for the vastly different subcontinental conditions?
No-one has quite mastered the change of conditions quite like Matthew Hayden in 2001, when he swept all before him, smashing 549 runs in six innings.
The question is now, should another hulking Queensland left-handed opener be given the chance to replicate those numbers?
I say yes. Not only would I include Renshaw, I would shore-up the middle to lower order with the inclusion of Shaun Marsh at six.
Renshaw is unknown in Indian conditions at this level of cricket which is why I would pick him. The reward far outweighs the risk in having him open with Warner. Not only is he an unknown for the Aussie selectors, he’s also an unknown for the Indians.
Shaun Marsh, on the other hand, was one of the only batsmen to impress during Australia’s last subcontinental tour. The left-hander contributed with an excellent 130 in the third and final Test of the ill-fated Sri Lankan tour, adding to his 141 and 81 to start his five-day career in Pallekele and Colombo back in 2011.
On the back of those numbers alone, I would find it difficult to leave him out.
Who will be the leading run scorer?
No revelation here, but I can’t go past David Warner.
Having hit six centuries this summer and coming off his second successive Allan Border medal win, Warner is heading to India in arguably the best form of his career. The perfect recipe to succeed in this upcoming tour to India.
Outside of the likes of Warner and Steve Smith – who will also be thereabouts – don’t be surprised to see Peter Handscomb do well on his first tour to the subcontinent.
Handscomb’s closest mentor and former Victorian coach Greg Shipperd, has described his charge as having the “best footwork against spin of any Australian batsman since Michael Clarke.”
If Australia is to compete, the likes of Handscomb have no option but to perform as they have in the Australian summer.
Nathan Lyon v Steve O’Keefe?
Steve O’Keefe.
The low, slow turners in India will suit the usually miserly O’Keefe more so than Nathan Lyon, who enjoys a bit of bounce. O’Keefe likes to target the stumps whereas Lyon tends to bowl a bit too straight which the Indians will pick off all day.
Many are suggesting that success in India will stem from Australia’s pace bowling unit. Yet either way, if the Aussie batsmen don’t come to the party, Smith and his bowlers will be restricted in how much they can attack, therefore limiting wicket-taking opportunities.
Who will prove the critics wrong?
Glenn Maxwell appears to be back from the dead as an international player.
Despite the fact coach Darren Lehmann issued Maxwell an ultimatum in December that he wouldn’t be considered for Test cricket until he proved himself with first-class hundreds, selectors have seemingly softened their stance, as they desperately search for all-round players who can add the necessary balance to the first-choice XI.
Averaging 40 with the bat in first-class cricket and a tidy 27 with the ball when he toured India in 2013, Maxwell, who is also a gun in the field, will play a match-winning role at some point during the tour.
And this will ultimately see him become a regular in the baggy green in the future.
Who will leave India under pressure to hold their spot?
It has been noted recently that Matthew Wade’s glovework has improved, and the energy he brings to the Test side is obvious. Yet, will that be enough to see him through what is notoriously a difficult tour for any ‘keeper?
Peter Nevill was unlucky to get the axe for his work with the bat considering how often he was coming in following a collapse of the top order, but he responded to his axing in the best possible way, rattling off an unbeaten 179 in the following Sheffield Shield match.
Make no mistake, the pressure on Wade will not subside until he consistently performs with both bat and gloves, and what better way to silence the critics than by performing in the subcontinent.
Can the Aussies win a Test?
Short answer, no. Why?
Australia has lost its last nine Tests in Asia. On the other hand, India is unbeaten at home since 2012, with Virat Kohli leading the team to wins in ten of their last 12 Tests.
With spin expected to do the most damage, India’s combo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja sit first and second on the Test bowling rankings respectively. Meanwhile, many experts are suggesting Australia’s fast bowling cartel will do the most damage.
Over to you Aussie spinners.
It’s difficult to see anything other than an Indian clean sweep but if Australia can challenge hard in the first Test, confidence may help them push the Indians.
Don Freo
Guest
Many different players than last tour. No reason to think any of our batsmen will fail.
Michael Keeffe
Roar Guru
I'd only go to S Marsh if everything goes pear shaped in the first few tests. He's a stop gap at best. I think the current top 5 of Warner, Renshaw, Khawaja, Smith & Handscomb are at least our medium term top 5 and should be given every chance to develop for all conditions. I'd go for Maxwell at 6 and only use S Marsh in one of the latter tests if absolutely needed. And not that you were suggesting it but I wouldn't use M Marsh under any circumstances.
Tanmoy Kar
Guest
Besides Kohli, all top Indian 5 batsmen are capable of scoring century in a good pitch. India's all 3 spinners can bat a bit besides wicket-keeper either Patel or Saha, hence they can afford to play 5 regular bowlers.
jonty smith
Roar Guru
Dave Warner can't play spin. He probably won't be top run scorer
BurgyGreen
Guest
Personally I wouldn't be playing Khawaja in the first Test (the selectors definitely will pick him however). I'd have Shaun Marsh at 3 instead with Maxwell at 6. I just can't see Khawaja being able to get the ball off the square in India. Marsh is far more likely to score runs in my view.
jameswm
Roar Guru
To try to win the last two.
John Erichsen
Roar Guru
India's batting has a little more to it than just Kohli. Against NZ, Kohli and 6 others averaged 40+ and in the recent series against England, seven players joined Kohli on that list. In 2013 against Australia, only five including Kohli averaged over 40. Our problem was, and again will be, only Clarke and Smith averaged 40+. I expect pitches similar to those in the England series, but India won't be too worried about our spinners, certainly not bothered by Lyon's leg stump line, so they may prepare them even more spin friendly. 3 - 1? I do like your optimism. England scored 400 or more three times in the five test series and lost two of those three games by an innings plus. Long, patient innings are gold in India and that isn't really our strength. Fingers crossed that Warner stands up for this away series and has a big one. Renshaw perhaps is the 2017 reincarnation of Matt Hayden and all the talk of Handscomb's ability to play spin may see an avalanche of middle order runs, taking some pressure of Skipper Steve.
Ashan D
Roar Pro
"And this will ultimately see him (Maxi) become a regular in the baggy green in the future" He will for sure only if Lehmann is not in charge. Boof just does not like Maxwell.
The Bush
Roar Guru
If we lose the first two tests, what's the point in playing 33 year old Marah ahead of batsmen who might learn from the experience and are young enough to tour again?
Rob
Guest
Sorry jameswm. I'm agreeing with Michael's question about both Maxwell and Marsh playing. I think the current top 5 have done the job winning 4 Tests in a row. They deserve first crack and Maxwell needs to be 6 to support the 4 bowlers. Marsh is backup.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Handscomb will get a crack? What are you talking about? Handscomb will play the 1st test and most likely all 4. It would only be injury or surprising struggles against spin that would see him left out.
jameswm
Roar Guru
I think it's implied that Maxwell will bat at 6 and Marsh will come in for the underperforming batsman (if any).
jameswm
Roar Guru
What are you guys talking about? Khawaja will bat at 3 in the 1st test, and probably the 2nd. I think it's Marsh who will start on the pine, and will be there to take over from Renshaw or Khawaja if they are drowning. You don't change our top 5 right now, and Marsh's only chance to start is at 6. But I think the selectors will pick Maxwell, who I think is as good a bet to do well with the bat (as Marsh), but gives you that bowling and fielding.
Rob
Guest
I think Renshaw will out preform a few others as he appears very comfortable playing spin. He has soft hands and a big stride. He was only dismissed by spin chasing quick runs. People are talking Handscombe up as a good player of spin because he regularly leaves his crease? To be honest the Indians don't charge at spin because the ball stays down. They smoother the ball and use their wrist to play with the spin or play late with soft hands. Handscombe likes to drive on the run and also cuts hard which is alright if the ball is coming on, the bounce is true, and the turn is pretty predictable like Australian pithes are. I'm going to be interested to see how he goes on the Indian pitches. Warner loves the ball coming onto the bat. His average is almost 10 runs less batting 2nd and 21 runs less away from home. He has been getting a lot of 2nd and 3 chances of late so he has scored big. I'm not sure the Indians will drop as many as Pakistan did? Smith has a fantastic eye but he also walks across his stumps. He seems to miss the ball that straightens or deviates and stays down as he looks to whip the ball across the line. Khawaja does the same and gets in trouble. Neither have a tight forward defence. Wade will kill Australia if a miracle doesn't happen, Will his fairy godmother turn him into a keeper overnight? Buckley's
Rob
Guest
I agree. It would be very short sighted to go in with only 4 bowler in game 1. If S. Marsh plays it would be for Khawaja. If Khawaja hasn't got the backing to hold his spot in the first Test team, I'd question his selection in the squad?
Crispy
Guest
At some point during the series I reckon you will see this lineup: Warner Renshaw SMarsh Smith Handscomb Maxwell Wade (*spits a little bit of vomit from mouth*) O'Keefe Starc Hazlewood Swepson As much as I'd like to see UTK succeed I think he will struggle again particularly against Ashwin and will be lucky to last two tests. Lyon will underperform (unfortunately) and they will want to bring Maxwell in as an allrounder so Garry will get the flick to keep the side balanced. Lehmann loves a punt on a shiny new toy so Swepson will come in. It's academic because we will still lose 0-4 but they might as well blood young players for 4 years time.
shane
Roar Guru
It's a long tour. There's a chance for a Maxwell to bat @ 7 depending on the conditions. Deep batting could work if you have those extra few all-rounders. Yes, if Khawaja does get selected in the first test - which I think he will, if he doesn't perform - I think he'll struggle to hold a spot. Marsh, Maxwell & Handscomb will get a crack during the tour. Potential lineup. Renshaw Warner Smith Handscomb Maxwell Marsh Wade O'Keefe Hazelwood Starc Lyon
Rob JM
Guest
I think its implied that Marsh would play at six for the first test then Maxwell would come in for whatever batsmen underperformed. It then gives us the option of dropping lyon for bird if lyon struggles or the conditions suit.
Rob JM
Guest
Firstly I think we will see batsmen friendly pitches like England were given. Spin Bowling friendly pitch like SA got would bring the Aussie spinners into the game and weaken India's main strength, its batting. Lyon and SOK are a much stronger pairing than India have played in a long time, they are a threat that need to be taken seriously, just like Ashwin and Jadeja. Of course Starc has shown he has the ability to play in those conditions, Hazlewood I'm not so sure. And Lyon Might struggle too. I expect the Australian bowlers to do well in at two tests with the Indian Batsmen dominating two, Batting wise Australia are huge underdogs, Warner and Khawaja have struggled in similar conditions, and Renshaw and Handscomb are unknowns. That leaves Marsh and Smith as the only players who you can expect too score runs. We will be lucky to post reasonable totals in two tests, hopefully they will line up with a good bowling performance and we can win a test. India on the other hand have a batting line up reliant on Kohli and very good alrounders. They don't have the top order strength of the Sehwag, Dravid, Laxman, Tendulkar. Their deep batting can easily turn into a long tail if our bowlers are good enough. Kholi's contribution could make or break the australian series. My prediction is a 3:1 win to india, which would be a win by australian standards.
Michael Keeffe
Roar Guru
So you'd have Shaun Marsh at 6 but expect Glenn Maxwell to revive his career in the baggy green and become a regular. Where does he bat? You can't play him as a bowler so it would have to be in the top 6. You've suggested Handscomb will be a key to our success and have said Renshaw should open with Warner. Assuming you've got Smith in your side are you suggesting we drop Khawaja? Just trying to work out how you fit everyone in your top 6.