Australia’s selection speculation will be put to bed on Friday, with the Ashes squad expected to feature debutant Cameron Bancroft plus recalled wicketkeeper Peter Nevill.
Wednesday’s selection meeting in Brisbane was far from straightforward, with a series of contrasting views swapped before Trevor Hohns’ panel thrashed out their XI for the Gabba opening Test.
Nevill is likely to regain the gloves, having been dumped a year ago in favour of Matthew Wade, while under-pressure opener Matthew Renshaw could yet be axed despite acquitting himself well in a net session on Wednesday against Australia’s Test pacemen.
The No.6 spot is understood to have proven the most divisive and convoluted debate.
West Australians Bancroft, Shaun Marsh and Hilton Cartwright were among the frontrunners for the position that had caused selectors so much angst since Mike Hussey’s 2013 retirement. Allrounder Marcus Stoinis is grieving the death of his father.
Insiders spoke of at least one major surprise in the finalised squad, although candidates had been discussed so thoroughly, publicly and intensely it would arguably be a misnomer to refer to anybody as a genuine bolter.
Picking Marsh, a much-maligned figure whose career highlights had come on foreign soil, would prove incredibly polarising but it was an option given due consideration by a panel wanting to beef up the batting depth.
The 34-year-old’s recent form, described as career-best by state coach Justin Langer, includes a knock of 91 against the Test attack in Sydney.
Cartwright recorded a pair in the same Sheffield Shield match but dismissed national skipper Steve Smith with his medium-pacers.
Coach Darren Lehmann last month flagged the opening three Shield rounds as a virtual selection trial.
Bancroft answered that call better than anyone, carrying his bat against the Test attack during arguably the most meaningful Shield game of the season to date.
The opener scored a total of 162 runs against NSW, then backed it up with an unbeaten 228 against South Australia, all but demanding selection.
Bancroft, who had been poised to make his Test debut in 2015 only for a Bangladesh tour to be cancelled for safety reasons, is set to receive his baggy green next Thursday.
One school of thought was the resolute right-hander could slot in at No.6, leaving out-of-sorts Renshaw to prove himself in a squad for the first and second Tests.
The international career of Wade, who has averaged 20 since being recalled last year to the Test XI, will be at the crossroads if he is dropped as expected.
Nevill has failed to bust down the door with a mountain of runs but key figures have been impressed with his glove work and energy for NSW.
Wade reached double figures just once in his five recent Shield digs. The panel regarded Alex Carey as a genuine contender to be behind the stumps in Brisbane but the South Australian failed to post a big score prior to the squad being picked.
James F
Guest
So the word appears to be that you're picking Bancroft and Shaun Marsh, disposing of Maxwell and, unbelievably, picking Paine to keep wicket. Look, you lot are still overwhelming favourites to win, bearing in mind your record at Brisbane and the quality of your attack, but you'd better hope that the bowlers have their radars working. As far as I can see, your selectors have bent over backwards to give England as much chance as possible. In all probability, it still won't be enough, but after that selection, I don't think I'll complain about England's "brains trust" again, for a while at least.
13th Man
Guest
Pretty much confirmed that Paine will keep and Bancroft will open meaning Wade and Renshaw are out. Also the rumour is that Shaun Marsh will once again be recalled to bat at no 6. Unbelievable that the selectors will go down this path again. I know he's a bit of a bolter but I wouldn't have minded seeing Weatherald get a look in at 6. Anyway SMarsh coming back is another step backwards for Aust cricket. Likely side Warner Bancroft Khawaja Smith Handscomb SMarsh Paine Starc Cummins Hazelwood Lyon.
Rob JM
Guest
I'd say Warner S Marsh Uzzie Smith Handscombe Maxwell Bancroft. Starc Cummins Lyon Hazlewood How the hell did a Marsh make my team again???
Basil
Guest
1. Weatherald 6. Bancroft (wk) 7. Maxwell Australia 1-0.
Ouch
Guest
The smh reckons the team will be: Warner Bancroft UK Smith Handscomb SMarsh Tim Paine (wk) Starc Cummins Lyon Hazelwood
Ben
Roar Rookie
Let me rephrase could have. Just read that bailey didn't declare to let Paine bat longer and make him a chance. If he would have declared earlier they had a chance of winning or at least make it a contest.
John Erichsen
Roar Guru
Maxwell might have made a hundred today. There is no possible way anyone can claim he "would have". There are a number of possible scenarios that may have prevented Maxi from getting to 100. Saying Bailey's late declaration is the only reason he didn't score 100 is just incorrect, although he was batting with great application. Apart from that technicality, we are in agreement that Maxwell has done enough this season, on the back of his impressive maiden test ton, to at least be in the conversation.
Mike Dugg
Guest
Holy Toledo! If Paine gets a recall, that's amazing. I've always suggested move the batsmen up one after dropping Renshaw. Warner, Ussie, smith, handscomb, Cartwright, Bancroft, Maxwell....
Rellum
Roar Guru
This site will melt down if Marsh gets the 6 spot. If this makes any difference the CA site is re-cycling that story but not mentioning Marsh, just Paine and Bancroft.
AREH
Roar Guru
Fairfax are running with Paine to keep and to be announced tomorrow morning, both S.Marsh and Bancroft into the XI which, if it eventuated, would mean Renshaw dumped
Mike Dugg
Guest
Great! More slow 20 run innings with the return of nevill. People forget what an impact Haddin had last home ashes. Now we've got rocks or diamonds Maxwell and 20 runs nevill.
Simon
Guest
I really thought Maxwell was the easy option at 6. Two sixties so far, a great innings today and that’s on top of his genuinely brilliant century in India. He’s talked about how his ODI form has suffered because he’s been spending so much time trying to become a test match batsmen, and I think he deserves the chance
Guru murthy
Guest
Tim Paine has scored two half centuries in two matches , its important to note that the first fifty happens to be against a quality bowling attack of England in a tour match . The likes of Neville , wade and Carey haven’t done well with the bat . As far as Jake Lehman is concerned , Indead of him , Callum ferguson should be given one more chance to play test matches for Australia. He had a really good JLT one day cup leading up to the shield matches , in which , he has batted well , he has scored 184 and also he is currently batting at 89 in the on going match against WA . He has certainly performed better than the likes of Lehman , marsh , Maxwell and Cartwright .
Ben
Roar Rookie
Also Andrew Ramsey has a Article in cricket Australia where he doesn't mention Maxwell or explain why he would pick Cartwright over maxwell. He mentions that we don't have a In form number 6. Maxwell did get a 100 at number 6, is in form and should be picked. He would have got a 100 today if Bailey who must not have checked the weather, declared so late. Cartwright has underperformed this season and shouldn't be picked. I would pick Lehman ahead of Cartwright. I hope both writers will explain themselves.
Rob JM
Guest
How is Maxwell not even mentioned in this article? He is the 3rd best run scorer of the australian test batsmen in this shield season. Bancroft is either going to Replace Renshaw or Wade, I'm assuming they will want to have a look to see if he can keep to Lyons spin, hence why Neville is there.
Ben
Roar Rookie
No mention to maxwell who has scored 200 runs this season and was 45 not out in a rain affected game. He has scored more runs than handscomb and Cartwright and has to be ahead of Cartwright. Marsh has had his turn and hasn't blown the door down like Bancroft. My xi to win is the ashes: Warner Bancroft Khawaja Smith Hanscomb Maxwell Nevill or Lehman Starc Hazelwood Cummins Lyon