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Australia A defeated India A by 98 runs in their opening first-class fixture in Bangalore this week, and there’s plenty to take out of it for every one of the Australians.
1. Usman Khawaja
Khawaja is a lock for the Tests against Pakistan. The big batting success story of the tour so far, his century in the first game was a triumph for those who thought he’d never succeed in India – not that he’d been given the chance to play in India under the ridiculous horses for courses batting policy.
Having said that, if Justin Langer’s ascension as coach has made Khawaja get off his backside a bit more, that’s a good thing. No one becomes a worse player by being fitter.
2. Kurtis Patterson
Two starts which he failed to go on with – not untypical of Patterson at domestic level. He’d be kicking himself because a century on this tour could see him in the frame for Test selection.
3. Travis Head
Head’s second-innings 87 proved crucial. As is typical of Head, he could never quite seal the deal and make a huge century but also as is typical of him, he scored the runs when needed and he also picked up a wicket. He had a soft county season but one more big innings on this tour would see him in the Test team.
4. Peter Handscomb
The big disappointment of the tour so far, Handscomb failed twice in this game on top of his disappointment in the one-dayers. I love Handscomb as a player, wish he’d never been dropped in the Ashes, and hope he turns it around, but the way things are going he is the biggest loser on the tour so far.
5. Mitch Marsh
Two failures but it won’t matter because he’s Mitch Marsh. Chose not to bowl himself which is weird.
6. Marnus Labuschagne
Wouldn’t have played if Matt Renshaw hadn’t been injured and did well with two useful knocks. I feel Labuschange is one more strong domestic season away from international cricket but in this environment, who knows? It would be fun to hear the commentators try to pronounce his name.
(AAP Image/Glenn Hunt)
7. Alex Carey
A poor game with the bat, decent with the gloves. Carey isn’t a batting powerhouse and I get the impression that if Tim Paine ever fell injured Pete Neville might be back in the frame.
8. Michael Neser
Hasn’t really made his mark in one-day cricket, but has done well in the first-class arena. Who would’ve thought domestic records can help pick international ones? Not the Australian selectors a lot of the time. A good effort.
9. Brendan Doggett
Expensive in the first innings, better in the second. Still raw, and very much a work in progress. I was surprised he was picked – thought they’d go for a second spinner instead. But the selection panel are probably keen to look at fast bowling options with Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood out for the UAE tour.
10. Chris Tremain
A solid effort from a solid bowler. I’m not sure he’ll ever get the heart racing – Tremain feels like he’s going to be one of those one-Test players you get asked about at trivia. But you never know.
11. Jon Holland
Great game. It’s very encouraging he was given the chance to impress over Ashton Agar, and that Mitch Marsh showed such faith in him. I feel Steve O’Keefe is still the second-best spinner in the country but Holland is a close third – he and Nathan Lyon will make a potent combination in the UAE.
An aside – if they’re worried about who will partner Mitchell Starc, why not an attack of Starc, O’Keefe, Holland and Lyon?
(AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)
Based on injuries and current form, the Australian Test team to play Pakistan is looking something like this:
1) Khawaja
2) ?
3) ?
4) ?
5) ?
6) ?
7) Paine
8) Starc
9) ?
10) Holland
11) Lyon
Matt Renshaw and Shaun Marsh will probably play and they might give Glenn Maxwell another go. There’s still plenty of spots open, fellers.
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