Following the ball-tampering saga in South Africa the makeup of an Australian cricket side, across any form of the game, has been as good as anyone’s guess.
Just cast your mind back to the recent Pakistan series, if anyone had of told you that Aaron Finch would be opening the batting for his country in a Test match 12 months ago, they probably would have looked at you like a madman.
His selection was a shock in some circles, after all there was a point in time the ODI and Twenty20 captain couldn’t even get a game in Victoria’s Sheffield Shield team.
Right now, almost every cricket fan in Australia is debating the 11 players who will don the baggy green for the first Test in Adelaide against India beginning on December 6.
How many players actually have their ticket booked to the Adelaide Oval is up in the air and down to personal opinion at this point in time.
But as it stands, we shouldn’t be surprised if the Australian selectors pull someone from the clouds to return to the test arena.
Just 12 months ago, Tim Paine was plucked from obscurity to take his place in the Test team. It was a move no one saw coming as he seemed a long way down the pecking order, considering he wasn’t even the first choice gloveman for Tasmania.
But in the end, selectors chose Paine ahead of fellow Tasmanian Matthew Wade and New South Welshman Peter Nevill. Paine is now Australian captain.
Tim Paine of Australia (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
There was a nervy moment on day one of the first Test in the Ashes for Paine as he dropped a chance from English batsman James Vince, but from there everything almost went perfectly.
Joining Paine in the test team was the often criticised Shaun Marsh who made a strong start to the domestic season for Western Australia.
Both performed admirably during that series and played a key role in helping the Aussies secure the Ashes against the English.
When the selectors do announce their side in the coming weeks, we shouldn’t be surprised if they call upon players with experience at the level in the past.
Victorian Peter Handscomb is one man who has seen his name brought up in the conversation in recent weeks and it rose to prominence over the weekend following his century against South Australia.
Handscomb’s 123-run performance come at the right time with positions well and truly up for grabs, especially given Australia’s history of middle order collapses in recent years.
Given Handscomb has performed at the level before with two 100s and four 50s to his name, he appears a likely selection come the first Test in Adelaide.
Outside of the younger players who have been spoken about, Tasmanian George Bailey is a name from left field which does warrant attention.
George Bailey should be given another shot. (AAP Image/Richard Wainwright)
While he may be making huge runs in the Shield at the moment, the Australian team is crying out for a player with experience and plenty of leadership which can help guide them through a tough period.
Fans just need to look at the examples of Paine and Adam Voges of recent years at how taking a risk can reap huge rewards for the team.
If selectors were to include Bailey in the team, there would be some criticism but from an experience point of view it makes perfect sense.
One man who was in the Pakistan series but continues to draw criticism is Mitch Marsh – there are people in the country who want him in the team and others who want him as far away as possible.
Indeed, if Marsh is selected some people will applaud the selection while others will be wondering what the selectors are doing.
We can’t forget that Marsh made valuable runs in the summer last season, but like so many of his teammates recently he has failed when he has departed our shores – although he did make a crucial 96 against South Africa.
Now we must wait for a final decision with the game just under a month away.
Whatever happens, there is certainly going to be plenty of debate.
Tom
Guest
Stupidest comment I have read on here
KenoathCarnt
Roar Rookie
Why is Mitch Marsh not prefferd over Stoinis. Stoinis hasn't been that good in T20 where Mitch Marsh has been solid. I Would love to see this lineup. Khawaja Finch Lynn Maxwell McDermott (wk) Turner/Marsh Agar NCN/Cummins/Starc Tye Behrendorff Zampa
Simoc
Guest
Tim Paine did not come out of left field except to non-cricketers. He was the Australian T20 incumbent and back after seasons of injuries before which he was regarded as the next sure thing ;( a tag that just about everyone gets now ). I doubt the test team will have any surprises. I think they will get back to the team thing and unfortunately, that means sticking with the Marshs, especially as M Marsh is designated vice-captain. So out go Labuschagne, Holland, Siddle, and in come Renshaw, Cummins and Hazelwood. While the batting is weak they are likely to prepare fast flat wickets to help our batsmen out. Someone other than Renshaw may get picked.
Wayne
Roar Guru
So if they score a Golden Duck because the bowler comes out with a perfect delivery ball one we should drop the batsman? Players always looking over their shoulders knowing they will be dropped at a moment's notice.
pakistanstar
Roar Rookie
You can blame Pat Howard for this. He treated our national side like a footy team and wondered why no one respected him.
KenoathCarnt
Roar Rookie
Finch Renshaw Khawaja Head Lehman Sangha/M.Marsh Paine Cummins Starc Lyon Hazelwood I'm not a fan of M.Marsh but he has been solid at home and the closest thing to an all rounder I guess, but just keep him for home games. S.Marsh will probly be in the team and he will do fine at home but he has been bad overseas. We need to pick a team preparing for the ashes with players that can handle those conditions.
Paul D
Roar Guru
Bailey shouldn't be allowed on television with that batting stance of his. Makes a mockery of the game. Nothing the selectors do surprises me anymore
jameswm
Roar Guru
You can't just pick and stick if you pick the wrong guys to start off with. Renshaw is one to stick with. But does that mean we stick with the Marshes? I think the players need to be more accountable. We pick based on performance.
bigbaz
Roar Guru
and out of those ruins two decades of domination happened.
Ouch
Roar Rookie
When Kim Hughes resigned was the last time I remember Oz cricket so in the doldrums.
Simon
Guest
This rubbish combined with the pay TV deal should anger cricket fans 10 times more than the ball tampering scandle ever did
Simon
Guest
It's fine to go left field but don't burn potential test stars in order to do it. Glenn Maxwell had an outstanding first class summer on top of a breakthrough tour of India and was somehow left out of a Pakistan series where we glaringly needed his influence in the middle order. Joe Burns has had a bit of a rebirth in the last year and looked set to cement his play in the Australian top order after playing in South Africa and was completely ousted. Chadd Sayers has been the best performing bowler in the Shield for 4 seasons and got one not ideal South African game then not shown anywhere in the conversation. You can't treat players like this and expect top performance. Not at school level, grade level, or particularly international level. All this talk about reviews and changes at board level and I don't think we've ever been at a worse place
Paul
Roar Guru
Brayden, by my count there are at least 6 players who are certainties for the First Test, assuming they're fit - Khawaja, Paine, Lyon, Starc, Cummins and Hazlewood. Near certainties would have to include Finch and Head so that leaves (probably) a couple of opening slots and someone to bat 6. I know who I'd have but it's a complete lottery as you suggest.
Wayne
Roar Guru
All I ask is "Pick and Stick". Give the 11 players a solid couple of games to find their feet and form.
bigbaz
Roar Guru
Pick the kids , you wonder if Neil Harvey and Doug Walters would be selected in this day and age .The youth are fearless and being picked at 19 didn’t seem to harm either.