The upcoming Australia ‘A’ tour of India is set to shape Australia’s batting line-up for their next Test series against Pakistan in the UAE.
With Australia having a huge six-month gap between the Tests in South Africa and this tour against Pakistan, it seems likely most of their incumbent Test batsmen will feature in the ‘A’ tour of India in just over two months’ time.
It shapes as particularly crucial for the Test hopes of Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh and Glenn Maxwell, who were all affected by the ‘horses-for-courses’ batting selection strategy Australia used on their two tours of Asia last year.
That strategy, which involved Australia favouring batsmen who were better against spin, saw Khawaja dumped for the series in India, and then recalled in Bangladesh only to be axed after failing in the first Test.
Australia instigated this selection tactic as a response to their humiliating 3-0 loss in Sri Lanka, during which the likes of Khawaja and opener Joe Burns struggled against spin. Khawaja was dropped for the third Test of that series and Marsh came into the team and creamed 130.
Marsh, at that stage, was developing a reputation as an Asian specialist, having made 393 runs at 79 including two centuries in his three Tests on the turning pitches of Sri Lanka. But then he floundered in last year’s Tests in India, averaging 19 across four matches, and was omitted from the squad for the subsequent tour of Bangladesh.
So, despite now being Australia’s two most experienced Test batsmen, Marsh and Khawaja both are vulnerable due to their torrid recent records in Asia. Both batsmen may well have to earn their spot for the Tests against Pakistan via the Australia ‘A’ tour, which is expected to involve two first-class matches.
Australian batsman Usman Khawaja. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)
The same goes for two of Australia’s other Test incumbents, middle-order batsman Peter Handscomb and opener Joe Burns. Handscomb showed encouraging signs in India and Bangladesh, playing spin with authority.
He made 344 runs at 34 across those two series, a solid return for an inexperienced batsman in Asia, a place where so many other Australian batsmen have flopped.
It was pace which was his undoing in the Ashes, with the English quicks exposing his tendency to stay deep in the crease against fast bowling. Handscomb is, alongside Matt Renshaw, the best player of spin currently in the Australian team.
But he too will need runs against India ‘A’, who have a history of fielding strong bowling line-ups in their series against Australia. Burns, meanwhile, has a huge amount to prove against India ‘A’, being still tainted by the debacle in Sri Lanka two years ago.
The Queenslander made 34 runs at eight in that series and looked clueless against the Sri Lankan tweakers. Burns was too slow to read their length and, as a result, was frequently caught on the crease, neither back nor forward. Of course, he wasn’t alone – this was a major issue for most of the Australian batsmen in that series.
Joe Burns (AFP PHOTO / Saeed KHAN)
Outside of the incumbent Test top six of Renshaw, Burns, Khawaja, Handscomb, Shaun Marsh and Mitch Marsh, the man who looks most likely to press for a starting spot against Pakistan is Maxwell.
The Victorian all-rounder deserves to play in the UAE after being impressive in Asia last year, averaging 37 across four Tests and scoring a rare ton by an Australian in India.
Maxwell has two possible avenues into the Test XI to play Pakistan. The first would be as a replacement for injured all-rounder Mitchell Marsh, who is recovering from ankle surgery and may not be fit for that series.
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The second would be stealing the spot of one of Shaun Marsh, Khawaja, Handscomb or even Burns. Those four batsmen will be in a fascinating shootout with Maxwell, and each other, during what shapes as the most significant Australia ‘A’ tour in memory.
Australia “A” predicted squad for the first-class tour of India
Joe Burns, Matt Renshaw, Peter Handscomb, Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey, Ashton Agar, Mitchell Swepson, Jhye Richardson, Chadd Sayers, Chris Tremain.
bearfax
Guest
Hold on I'll have to check my averages again. Can you wait un til tomorrow. Well actually despite his average season, I like Lehmann. On his day, like his dad, he can tear apart an attack. Just needs to learn some restraint and better defence like his father struggled with and overcame to an extent in his career. We dont need another Maddison..
bearfax
Guest
Ronan, you obviously dont read everything that's posted on your site here. Check at the end of the list of comments for my response to just that transgression, and my falling on the sword response. Done worry Ronan. I have been sufficiently chastised. Burns makes the cut of course.
Flemo
Guest
One thing that does stand out is that Khawaja has the best test average in the team now and even Ronan with his dislike for Khawaja can’t ignore that
Flemo
Guest
Haha sounds good. Also was interested in your views on who you would have as the reserve batsman for the tour ie Hughes or Lehman or Ferguson
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
Comparing Test averages of some batsmen vs FC averages of other batsmen makes zero sense Bearfax.
bearfax
Guest
Yeh Flem It was deep thought indeed. Just looked at the averages. That wore me out for the day. Tomorrow I'll give an explantion as to the meaning of everything and why the phone always rings when you're on the bog.
Flemo
Guest
Bearfax I like your team
Flemo
Guest
Fantastic analysis Bearfax
bearfax
Guest
Ernie I should be flogged, tarred and then quartered followed by that egg laden concoction yet again en route to my ugly dial. Yes Ernie, I have yet again blundered and you're discovery makes it obvious that the batting team based on averages should be Renshaw Khawaja Burns S. Marsh Patterson Maxwell Paine That's a pretty good batting line up. Now please excuse my withdrawal from this siite in order to proceed with the first stage of self flagellation followed by a nice cup of hemlock.
ernie
Guest
bearfax - Joe Burns has a first class average of 40.15 You've listed his test average.
bearfax
Guest
I always in the end look back at batsmen's averages. Though not a perfect indicator, it is far more reliable than other methods of assessment. So what are the averages for those being considered Firstly I would get the wicket keeper out of the way. Though Wade at first class level has far better batting average than Paine at 38.16 to 30.15, Paine has produced the goods in recent tough tests and is averaging 40.82 at test level. He therefore should get the nod, given most consider him the better wicket keeper. In batting though, it is far less obvious as to who should get the nod. But looking at their first class averages, and of batsmen with multiple seasons under their belt the following averages reveal interesting information Khawaja 43.11 Patterson 41.11 Maxwell 41.07 Shaun Marsh 40.61 Renshaw 40.38 These are the only batsmen with 40+ averages which I usually feel sre test level batsmen What follows are Hanscomb 39.49 Lehmann 38.58 Dan Hughes 38.33 Cartwright 38.08 Burns 36.76 Head 36.14 I only suggested Doran because in one season his average rose from the low 20s to 31.27 and the fact he averaged about 45 this last shield season. Many would say that Head is dsadvantaged because he started very young in first class cricket but then so did Patterson and Renshaw. Dan Hughes is a big question mark because he's 29 and has only played 27 matches. Maybe a late blossomer, but I'd like to see him over another season. Obviously Renshaw must open, but Khawaja has shown often he handles opening well. So based on those figures who would you pick as the next 4, when considering Patterson has the best averages and best consistency of those left in the list. Marsh and Mawell for sure. Handsomb?
Flemo
Guest
Bearfax I agree that Khawaja marsh and renshaw should be locks in particular Khawaja, but shouldn’t Daniel Hughes be in consideration too along with burns Pattinson and others
Flemo
Guest
I agree DaveJ, we can’t bring in all rounded for good batsman. Mitch is the only one who can stay. Khawaja is our best test batsman now and I expect him to step up even more as he had a good South Africa series with 2 half centuries in spin conditions. Shaun had a bad South Africa series but he did well in the ashes. Renshaw has been on fire in county and deserves to come in. Aside from those 3 all other are fighting for their spots in the top 6
Flemo
Guest
The pay dispute can’t be compared with losing your best 2 batsman for a year. And given we have unfairly lost them for so long we have to hold on to our next best batsman which includes Khawaja, Shaun and Mitch marsh
Flemo
Guest
Mitch marsh deserves to keep his spot, Mitch and Khawaja were the only batsman who got more then one half century in spinning conditions in South Africa
Flemo
Guest
To me Khawaja Shaun, renshaw, Mitch and Paine are locked for the 5 out of 7 spots. Khawaja is our best test batsman now after we unfairly lost Smith and warner for such a absurdly knee jerk reaction. Khawaja also got a half century in both his last test matches in South Africa on what were essentially sub continent pitches. Shaun is also now a senior batsman and despite a horendeous South African tour he should stay. Paine is our skipper and renshaw has been a rock in county. That leaves burns,maxwell and Hughes fighting for for the other 2 spots and the fight off is for them. To label this article maxwell vs Khawaja is once again biasness by Ronan against Khawaja and it’s ridicuculous given we just lost smith and warner
bearfax
Guest
Actually Kurt Patterson has better averages and consistency than any of those batsmen you've mentioned at 41.1. After Khawaja, Marsh and Renshaw, he should be the next batsman selected, even ahead of Burns and Maxwell.
Ross
Guest
So let me get this right, we lose our 2 most experienced batsman and what do we do we take out our next most experienced batsman in marsh and Khawaja. This is the time we need Khawaja and marsh most which is why this article is disappointing
Stephen
Guest
Khawaja and marsh must play, interesting ronan has titled this article maxwell vs khawaja and not maxwell vs shaun marsh, because shaun marsh did worse in the recent series then khawaja against South africa as khawaja got 2 half centuries, marsh got zero
Stephen
Guest
There are one of 3 common elements in Ronan's article, one he praises finch, two he puts khawaja down or three he talks up one of the Western Australian boys