Roar LIVE is back again today with former Australian cricketer Jason Krejza and we’re going to be picking our premature Ashes side.
The India series is done and dusted, so instead of crying over spilt milk we’re going to focus all our efforts on bringing back that sacred little urn.
There’s scarce five-day cricket to be played between now and the first Ashes Test so we’re unusually well placed to be picking our best XI.
We’re going to need your help so we’ve got a few questions for you:
1. Who was the biggest surprise packet of the Indian series?
2. Who was the most disappointing Australian player?
3. What changes do you want to see for the upcoming series?
The series in India was a rollercoaster that nobody saw coming and has left selectors with a myriad of questions to answer before the Ashes.
The emergence of Glenn Maxwell and Patrick Cummins, Nathan Lyon and Steve O’Keefe’s moments in the sun and Steve Smith’s irrepressible brilliance have all been fascinating talking points – but only eleven players can take the field.
Get your answers in the comment section and we’ll get to as many as we can this afternoon.
Roar Live will be streamed this afternoon at 5:45 on The Roar’s Facebook page. It will also be available as a podcast on Soundcloud and iTunes.
AREH
Roar Guru
I reckon that England XI is close to spot on; although I can't see how Duckett gets a cap ahead of Jennings, based on what we've seen so far
Dicky M
Guest
Seriously...? ..look at the stats..Whitemans are superior in all forms..and he's not a "Ronchi/Gilchrist" type ..
qwetzen
Guest
The coverage is in line with ABC TVs. There wasn't one single report on their 7pm news after the BBL finished.
Rats
Guest
1. Renshaw 2. S Marsh 3. Give a long run to Maxwell. He deserves it.
Matth
Guest
Agreed
Ron
Guest
Khawaja will be our best batsman in the ashes
qwetzen
Guest
1st Ashes Test XI. It's too early to pick. There's a few spots that, in an ideal world, should depend on Shield form. Players under the microscope should be; Starc, Warner (who I'd just straight out drop), Handscomb, Wade, Hazlewood & Lyon/O'Keefe.
qwetzen
Guest
Weird stuff ROC. You've written an entire article singing that one of the most injured players in history is, after two Tests, a reincarnation of Akram, Lillee, Waqar & a few other ATGs, yet here are bagging another player because you "fear" he may have finger problems. Weird. And speaking of finger problems... Did you know that Nathan Lyon had a fairly seriously damaged spinning finger in India? It was a pretty well kept secret, only the inner circle and anybody who could read knew about it.
Amvask
Guest
1. Smith surprising by being just as dominant as he always is 2. Warner disappoint by doing just what we expect of him on subcontinent pitches. And then being completely out of sorts on a bouncy pitch in dharamsala. 3. Renshaw (promising start, I think a month in subcontinent took its toll) Warner (on home soil? Definately) Smith Maxy & Khawaja need to be there! Nevill (Wade is just... I don't know, though one) Starc Cummins (he'll destroy them) Lyon Sayers (on merit. He has deserved a cap) Hazlewood
brad
Guest
Use Maxwell as your Spin bowler and hit the poms with pace especially in Brisbane and Perth Starc, Cummings, Hazelwood and Patterson would be a very daunting pace attack almost like the Windies in the 70s and 80s worked for them so why not us
George
Guest
Shocking in India. Made it hard for Warner to excel.
Basil
Guest
Sorry Nudge, Im talking Australia's attitude regarding pace across the board.
Nudge
Guest
Anderson has only had the odd get test here. Averages 40 plus in Australia
rl
Guest
Not sure Renshaw grabbed it with both hands, but agree that he's a good-un agree on no.3 - I know I'm swimming against the tide, but I think the no.6 spot is not a lock. 3 rounds of Sheffield Shield before the first test (I think), Maxwell needs to perform and not rely solely on his recent (albeit admirable) exploits.
ikejeffo16
Roar Rookie
1. SOK. Bowled us to victory in the first test, consistent since then. 2. Warner. Couldnt score runs for his life against ashwin and jadeja, they had him on toast 3. Warner Renshaw Khawaja (The obvious reasons) Smith Handscomb Cartwright (Great shield season, 7 times past 50 and an average of 54) Nevill (Convincing with the bat and superior with the gloves. 2016-17 average of 57) Starc Cummins Lyon/SOK/Pattinson/Bird (Up for grabs, really depends on the pitch but i think Lyon will get picked) Hazelwood
Basil
Guest
It all comes down to if we want variety in the attack. Let's face it, if Sayers bowled 145+ he'd be in the team by now. The fact is that he doesn't but he keeps talking wickets season after season. He has an awesome pink ball record but got overlooked for the 2 D/N Tests. We only respect pace in this country even though we have watched the likes of Philander and Anderson destroy us in the past.
JamesH
Roar Guru
MickyB is right, BC. How is Sayers going to edge out Starc, Cummins or Hazlewood? Even if we played 4 quicks, Saysers would need to be picked ahead of both Pattinson and Bird to make the cut. Sayers has done everything he could possibly do to be picked, but if our key bowlers are fit I don't see how he gets a game. A couple of injuries would be his only chance. I think the lineup will be: Warner Renshaw Khawaja Smith Handscomb Maxwell Wade Starc Cummins Lyon Hazlewood Bird/Pattinson/Cartwright (12th)
JamesH
Roar Guru
I know Patto has had a great Shield season, but surely he's not so good that he gets picked twice? I assume you meant Cummins ;)
Wayne
Roar Guru
1. Matt Renshaw - There was whispers of him being the player dropped for S.Marsh, but was given a chance and took it with both hands. Hope selectors just leave him alone to do his thing. 2. Dave Warner - Going in, expecting the Marsh brothers to fail means they didn't really disappoint. They met an expectation. Warner hasn't been able to show he can graft out an innings when the pitch/ball is doing something. 3. Usman Khawaja comes into the starting XI. Number 6 spot goes to a Batsman, irrespective of his bowling ability. Smith and Warner can roll the arm over, if Head goes in at 6 so can he. Pick 6 batsman and 4 bowlers.
Chris Love
Guest
Lyon has done well on bouncy pitches at international level in the past and certainly benefits from it but Okeefe is the superior bowler and is certainly superior in Australia and deserves a chance to show it long term.