The major Ashes talking point over the last couple of months for Australia has been the No.6 position and the wicketleeper’s spot.
Glenn Maxwell, who had occupied the six role in the recent subcontinent tours, has been patchy of late, and he must make the most of the three first-class games ahead of the series.
The other six candidate is Hilton Cartwright, who made his debut against Bangladesh about a month ago. He had a brilliant Shield season last year, scoring 861 runs at 53.81, and offers an additional bowling option.
The other batsman who might be of interest is Joe Burns, who may be an opener for his state side, but he made his Test debut in the middle order, and also had a good Shield season last year, scoring 724 runs at 40.
Others who might also get a look in include George Bailey (839 runs at 59.92) and Moises Henriques (775 runs at 64). Mitchell Marsh and Marcus Stoinis will also be in the selectors’ minds as bowling all-rounders, but neither had a good first-class season last year.
As for the wicketkeeping spot, Matthew Wade has been poor enough to be dropped for the Ashes, with the prime replacements being Peter Nevill and Alex Carey.
Nevill had a decent Test season at home last summer and was unfortunate to lose his place, while Carey provides a younger option who could serve for a long time.
Nevill had a stellar first-class season last year, scoring 625 runs at 56, with three hundreds, while Carey scored 594 runs at 33, meaning Nevill has his nose slightly ahead.
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Elsewhere, Matt Renshaw and Usman Khawaja will likely feature in the first Test, but they could be upstaged if any of the aforementioned players put in great performances in the first-class games preceding the Ashes.
The Australian bowling attack is pretty settled, with Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazelwood all expected to be fit. The backup seamer spot is still up for grabs though, with both Jackson Bird and James Pattinson unavailable for selection with injuries.
The prime candidates for that position are Chadd Sayers (62 wickets at 19 last season), Jason Behrendorff (37 wickets at 17.59), Peter Siddle (played 62 Tests for Australia for 211 wickets) and Chris Tremain (42 wickets at 18.9).
Siddle provides Australia with years of experience, but he missed the entire 2016-17 Shield season, so the next three games will be very important if he’s to stake his claim for the Ashes.
The backup spinner spot also suffered a setback, with Steve O’Keefe injured, making Ashton Agar – who was picked for the Bangladesh tour – the top candidate for that spot.
With so many combinations possible, the start of the Shield season gives aspirants an audition and the regulars a chance to get much-needed practice.
Terry
Guest
warner Bancroft Khawaja smith handscomb nevill cummins starc makin hazelwood lyon you cant play Renshaw out of form Bancroft is ready now and I'm so impressed with the big bloke from wa mackin seen him a few times he genuinely moves it I don't like cam Bancroft doing the keeping though very hard to do both and peter nevill is best wk in the country
Don Freo
Guest
It's Head's average of 50 last year that has him in the conversation...not his career average. Here's a hint. Watch the cricket. The bowling and fielding of WA...as well as its fighting batting is worth watching. Beats the pants off reading an irrelevant stats sheet.
John Erichsen
Roar Guru
That "rubbish thinking" is still more logical and reasonable than your praise of Mitch Marsh for making 36 in quick time on day of a shield game. Please stop projecting on others. Career stats are always a valid measure when viewed in context, for those with understanding. For example, Head averages 35, despite averaging over 50 last year. He needs to back that up this summer at domestic level and when he does, he will have earned his baggy green. The Mitch Marsh experiment should be a warning to all that selecting players too soon hurts everyone, including the promising young player themselves. Head's 8 and 0 against NSW hasn't helped his test claims but he is young and time is on his side. . Cartwright has the best credentials of those in the mix and with runs in the shield games should be a walk up starter for the first test. Khawaja was always going to play in the Gabba test and a very classy ton against VIC highlights why.
Don Freo
Guest
Another person who quotes career long averages as if they have something to do with current form. Rubbish thinking.
John Erichsen
Roar Guru
No doubt at all that Shaun Marsh, in full flight, is great viewing, but that only makes the mediocrity of his career performances more disappointing. I could support Shaun going to India given his previous success in the subcontinent, but his FC record has always been his greatest deficit for regular test selection. As for hundreds against "A"teams, where should they fit? Probably in the same "Who Cares Bin" as performances against a PM XI.
John Erichsen
Roar Guru
Averaging 35 in First Class is ample reason for Head to be excluded from consideration, along with a few others. His time will come when he lifts his domestic 4 day average through consistent big scores. Head is certainly one to keep an eye on but his domestic performances in the 4 day format screams, "Not yet".
John Erichsen
Roar Guru
Cartwright is the one player in contention with first class performances that scream "pick me". Nobody else in the mix averages 50+ in first class cricket. I could live with selectors taking a punt with him.
John Erichsen
Roar Guru
Highlights why our test captain should play no part in team selection. Wade's return to the team at the expense of Nevill has been the most idiotic selection decision in recent years. Even worse than Mitch Marsh's constant selection to bat at six. Nevill was axed for only averaging 22 with the bat. Wade, since his recall in 10 tests is averaging 20 and is a significantly worse keeper. Nice work Steve Smith...
John Erichsen
Roar Guru
Not many of our more experienced domestic batsmen average enough to make them a better choice than the under 25's anyway. For example, Klinger is considered unlucky not to have played test cricket, yet he doesn't average 40 in domestic.
dan ced
Guest
It's a shame that they haven't heard of him even thoguh he broke the dismissals record last shield season, people discount him because of his first class batting average, but if you watch his keeping highlights, o lawd! I also think he's shown enough with the bat personally. Here's my plausible XI for the day, sans KLINGER. Warner, Renshaw, Khawaja, Smith(c), Handscomb, Head, Carey(+), Starc, Cummins, Hazelwood, Lyon Plausibility aside, I really want Lyon benched, I feel another option could provide more value, I'm just not sure who! (Ahmed, Zampa, even Agar?) . Sayers is a complete no brainer and I'd have him in place of Hazelwood. I also think others are more deserving of Head's spot but they have a boner for him from his ODI stint (Cartwright, Patterson, even give Ferg another go).
dan ced
Guest
Head would be in the Maxwell role.. which they pick someone that's an exciting batter who bowls a bit of spin.. but doesn't score runs or take wickets!~ I think Head would be better value than Maxwell in the Test arena if they are experimenting with that spot, but I also think Cartwright deserves more innings as a pure bat, or someone like Lehmann or Patterson. OR KLINGER
dan ced
Guest
He's the stone in Australia's shoe!
Matt P
Roar Rookie
My vote's on Steketee, or as our local news begins their sports segment every second day: "Warwick's Mark Steketee...". Gotta support the local lad! Although more seriously, Doggett looked a good prospect in the JLT. We seem to have lots of blokes who are good enough for state level, but just can't quite go up that next level, particularly with the bowling. Hopefully that changes with some of these young fellas. Good stocks with the batting, with some of the names being thrown around for "potential young guns" I'm surprised Labuschagne never seems to be in the mix.
Rellum
Roar Guru
Yes, no way he bats above Smith unless he is in the top order,
Rellum
Roar Guru
Carey would be the bolter if he gets picked as the general press would never have heard of him.
Rellum
Roar Guru
Our batting is decent. I would imagine we get Uzzi and Renshaw for 8 games this season. Add in Burns and you have three players capable of playing at the next level. Heazlett who needs to have a good year, even though he will miss some games at the start with his shoulder injury. Those 4 need to score big to make up for our poor bowling. Doggert looks good to me, Swepson is obviously a key bowler for us and if we do actually see Stanlake then we are a chance. Our top side to me is Renshaw Burns Uzzi Labuschagne Heazlett Wildermuth Pierson Neser Doggett Swepson Stanlake If Lynn was fit I would be playing with 6 bats personally. That side I don't think we will see all year. This is the squad for the first game (although you will struggle to find it on the Bulls website) Usman Khawaja (c), Joe Burns, Brendan Doggett, Luke Feldman, Marnus Labuschagne, Michael Neser, James Peirson, Matthew Renshaw, Mark Steketee, Mitch Swepson, Sam Truloff, Jack Wildermuth. I imagine either of Feldman, Steketee or Doggett will carry the drinks.
qwetzen
Guest
One Oz spot in the XI doesn't appear to have been discussed here at all. Who is going to be this seasons' Bolt From The Blues?
matth
Guest
I hear what you are saying but his overall long form record is underwhelming. Of course, that is partly because he has not got a good run at it for a while (similar to Maxwell actually), but it's hard to support his case against those that have had a good run and have capitalised on it. The first three games will be very interesting. because he looked great in the 50 over comp. To fair, his 50 over credentials have never been in doubt. He should always be one of the first picked for the white ball stuff in my opinion.
matth
Guest
I think they would want to limit the disruption as much as possible, so Marsh would go straight into 6.
matth
Guest
WA has a lot of depth right now, for sure. Turner is another who is continually improving.