Despite Australia’s 4-0 Ashes victory over England, there should still be a number of changes for the upcoming tour of South Africa.
Peter Handscomb was dropped for the Perth Test, after his unusual technique was exploited by the English bowlers. Cameron Bancroft, who impressed in his first Test in Brisbane with an excellent 82, has struggled since, with his next highest score being 27.
Neither should go to South Africa and should instead play out the remainder of the Shield season and hopefully find some form.
[latest_videos_strip category=”cricket” name=”Cricket”]
Rather than bringing in a new batsman, Australia should get Usman Khawaja to open the batting with David Warner, with Steve Smith to move up to three. The Sheffield Shield’s leading run-scorer, Glenn Maxwell, then comes in at four.
As for the remainder of the squad, Joe Burns is the ideal option for the reserve batsman, with over 500 runs at the halfway point of the Shield season and the ability to bat anywhere between one and six.
Chadd Sayers and Jackson Bird have been dominating Shield cricket for the past few seasons, and should go as the reserve fast bowlers. Jon Holland should go as the reserve spinner, while Alex Carey should go as the reserve wicketkeeper.
DavSA
Guest
mrrexdog here in SA we would love to see Khawaja open . Advantage SA . He is a stroke player and they mostly do not do well seeing off the new ball. Our best openers of the recent past have been the likes of Gary Kirsten and Dean Elgar . Pretty dour strikers of the ball but they rarely offer/ed a false shot. He should stay at nr 3 or 4 and my guess is will have a good tour. David Warner will also do well to reign in his normal instincts .
PeteB
Guest
Agree with the comments. Bancroft out Burns in. Bancrofts had plenty of chances and failed. Maxwell certainly didn’t get as many opportunities but what’s done is done. It’s the openers position up for grabs, so that’s why Burns should come in.
Dogs Boddy
Roar Rookie
Wow. Yet another idea dreamed up just to get Maxwell into the side. Lets just move everyone around from a winning series just to accommodate Maxi, hooray. Unless he is opening then he is not in contention, just let it go. If you want to drop poor Bancroft after one average series (lets face it the selectors have form here so it won't be a surprise) then you pick an opener to take his spot. Ed Cowan, Joe Burns etc. Maxwell will have to wait and see if one of the lower order players fail in order to push his claim.
Adz Sportz
Roar Guru
Disagree. The problem with Bancroft is his technique. As analysed, his front foot points towards point when he moves forward into a shot, forcing the bat to come down on an angle instead of straight, which is the reason why he was getting out bowled and LBW. It's not as if he simply experienced a run of outs, he has a technical fault that he needs to work on. The place to work on technical faults so you can improve your game is Shield cricket, not test matches. Philander, Morkel, Rabada and Steyn (if fit) will chew him up and spit him out. But reshuffling the batting order can create more problems than it solves. Leave Khawaja at 3, Smith at 4 and Marsh at 5. That's what won them the Ashes. All the selectors need to do is a straight swap, Bancroft for another opener, especially on seaming wickets in South Africa. The batsmen were well in sync and they've potentially got the right formula for sustained success for at least the next year or two. Personally, I feel Burns had earned another shot with his 2 hundreds and 2 fifties this Shield season.
Luke
Guest
Warner S.Marsh Khawaja Smith Handscomb M.Marsh Starc Cummins Hazlewood Lyon
Linphoma
Guest
Gee, All the comments above have merit. Except for the idea of Maxwell at 4. If only he bowled leggies or left-handed....Fit him in but no higher than 6 if you have to fit him in. Ussie might not handle opening against the likes of the SA Fab Three (Would the SA selectors risk Steyn again even if he gets fit in time?), but he'll look the part, not fishing around when the ball is on off stump.. Smith at 3 is surely going to blunt his production but is now accepted practice when Australia tours now. And overall it doesn't detract from the team performance overall. I like Bancroft, I like Renshaw and I like Joe Burns. If only there was some four day cricket to sort them out this month.....
Lowkey
Guest
Great idea. Change the entire batting order and bring in Maxwell. Srsly Maxwell a number 4 test batsman? Just bring in Burns and call it a day.
DeltaTango
Guest
I can see the selectors taking the squad from the last game with Burns and an extra paceman. Burns may well replace Bancroft as opener but can bat anywhere. Bancroft still tours as he can cover wicket keeper role if Paine gets injured. Bancroft Warner Khawaja Smith S Marsh M Marsh Paine Starc Cummins Lyon Hazlewood Bird Handscomb Agar Burns Extra pace bowler (a number of contenders, NCN if he is fit or they may like the option of Sayers if there are any green tops)
Dane Heverin
Roar Pro
It's hard to see Smith batting at 3 again outside of Asia. Eager to keep him away from the new ball as it presents the best opportunity to get him out. He's been near impossible to get out against an old ball! Khawaja to stay at 3 and if Bancroft is dropped, it'll be a straight swap for another opener.
Paul D
Roar Guru
Nonsense. Burns slots straight in at opener and leave Khawaja/Smith where they are. Maxwell won't be playing tests.
Albo
Guest
I don't think they will change the squad or the current team line up that just won 4-0 here. Only decisions in question will be who will be the extras they add to the touring party in case of injury or to help with net practice. Sure Bancroft must be under pressure to perform, but he has the support of his captain to persist with him, and Smith doesn't want to fiddle with the current batting line up.
Josh
Guest
Usually i disagree but in this case you have it all 100% correct which is wjy they will never allow it