Return of the rejects: What Australia’s next Test batting line-up might look like

Change should be in the air, given the last few weeks of test cricket in Australia, so good discussion point moving forward in 2021, the test team to beat South Africa. My team 1. Marcus Harris (deserves a decent go) 2. David Warner 3. Marnus 4. Steve Smith (c) 5. Will Percovski (vc) 6. Cameron Green 7. Ben McDermott(wk) 8. Pat Cummins 9. Nathan Lyon (just makes it over Adam Zampa surely he gets a go) 10. Riley Meredith 11. Josh Hazelwood

Maxwell did very well in India? Really? An average of less than 40 is Very Good now? I excellent century (his first and only) followed by 2 rubbish and 1 average (45) innings! Rose coloured glasses.

Remove the Marsh brothers for starters. Usman, not good enough. Does not seem to have the temperament for the test match against quality teams.

Maxwell has no form of any kind in any format right now. He's touted as being unlucky, etc but the reality is, this guy has more talent than probably the rest of the current batting lineup in all three formats and has done little with it. At what point do the selectors say, enough's enough?

He is in the lineup?

No, we will be bamboozled regardless.

Mitch Marsh did exceptionally well in the Ashes last year and did ok in SA until injured. Maxwell did very well in India, did ok in Bangladesh without setting the world on fire and then was dropped for the Ashes without getting a chance. He promptly hit a massive double century in the Shield and his first class season was good. Nobody has any other first class form since South Africa, so why single out Maxwell? I agree Handscomb looked all at see last year, but his start to test cricket was impressive and he probably deserves a chance to see whether it was only a form slump or whether he was worked out.

Australia should have played a 2-Tests Series against Bangladesh before playing against Pakistan. Otherwise they will be bamboozled by the Pakistani spinners.

I would open with Khawaja, he is very good at that position.

Marsh has earned my respect

To me Handscomb shouldn't be playing in the Pakistan test matches, unless he plays well for Australia A. In Adelaide he looked horribly out of form, and was then dropped. He played a handful of Big Bash games, before one Shield game against South Australia. He then flew to South Africa, and played a tour match, before carrying the drinks for the first 3 tests. He was dully recalled for the final test in the wake of the ball tampering controversy, and hasn't played since. All told he's played 3 red-ball matches since being dropped. In many ways he's a victim of unfortunate circumstances, being dropped during the BBL, and then carrying drinks in SA rather than playing shield cricket. Whilst we can't blame him for this misfortune, it would be crazy to play him in a test match on the back of so little cricket. I'd include him if he plays well for Australia A, but for now my batting lineup looks like this: Renshaw Burns Khawaja S Marsh Maxwell M Marsh Paine Interestingly, Burns isn't playing for Australia A, so might get tossed. Like others, I get the feeling Maxwell may be ignored, in favour of Head, handscomb, Finch, Doran, or Patterson. Hopefully in the UAE his bowling can be enough to hold his spot.

Handcomb you are right that he was out of form and will have his chance to change that in India. Maxwells first class average is over 40 and he never got a decent chance in tests. He was our best player in the t20 in the tri series. Mitch marsh played well in the ashes and there is no reason for him to be dropped. All the others are averaging under 40.

I know your view. You have an informed opinion. I am referring to George whose Marsh opinions always involved the suspension of brain and fact.

There are a bunch of young batsmen, yet to play test cricket and probably not yet ready, but I hope within a year or so, will reshape the Australian side. Patterson, Lehmann, Labushagne, Head, Heazlett, Weatherald, Dean, Silk to name the obvious ones. Doran was the big mover last year and though I think he's too early for test cricket yet, he must be in the selectors minds and a big prospect. It just requires a couple of these batsmen to move to the next level and become mid 40s averaging first class batsmen. Patterson is virtually there and should be considered soon. But all is not doom and gloom in the Aussie side. 2 years from now and we could be on the rise again.

Shaun marsh is good batsman, just get injured alot but not his fault. Seem like a good bloke too

Marsh always had the talent Don, just not the perseverance and willingness to effectively protect his wicket. He was a Maxwell type a few years ago, capable of brilliant innings but then a succession of early dismissals. Now that he is concentrating more and avoiding the flashy shots, he has become a worthy test batsman. A shame those qualities you spoke of weren't utilised consistently years ago when he was needed. But for now he is doing his job and we need him. As I've always said not personality, not perception Don, but performance is what is needed in test cricket.

Good to see you finally understanding Marsh's qualities.

Andrew, Handscomb was not "incredibly axed" during the Ashes tour, he was so out of form, he was playing get out shots the commentators were finding hard to describe. His impressive efforts against India and Bangladesh netted him an 80 and 70 and no other score over 40. Maxwell has had literally dozens of chances across all 3 formats and has done too little. He has no first class form to take with him to Pakistan, only a series of failures in the IPL, yet you and others think he's a lock to go. Cannot understand why? Mitch Marsh for captain - an injury prone, middle order bat who averages less than 28 after 28 Tests. It shows how little depth there is at Test level if he's also considered a certainty with this type of record. All of these selections highlight a huge problem with out Test batting, so why don't selectors experiment and bring in some talent. Head, Doran, Ferguson, Finch etc would not do any worse than these guys. They've all had their chances and done little, so no shame in trying a few others.

I like the two QLDers at the top, I think they'd form a handy combo. Unfortunately though I think it means the selectors won't be going back to their teammate in Burns, however. One of S.Marsh or Khawaja seemingly will have to change position, so either Marsh opens alongside Renshaw leaving Khawaja at 3 where he's played most of his career, or the above mentioned combo which would see S.Marsh next, as neither Maxwell or Handscomb will come in at 3. The only other name I'd throw in would be Travis Head, who seems destined for tests eventually as his FC numbers have been gradually improving, along with his added leadership qualities and part-time spin. He adds the flexibility of batting inside the top four if needed, too. There are also worse ideas right now than Callum Ferguson or Aaron Finch in the middle order, too.

I don’t know. I suspect a way will be found to keep Maxwell out. Even if h plays in Pakistan, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him miss out on his first home test , again. Finch might be the surprise inclusion, on the basis of white Ball form and leadership experience.