Today, the first of three T20 internationals between Australia and India will be played at the Gabba, 15 days before the first ball of the Test match in Adelaide is bowled.
Australia has come back from the UAE with its tail between its legs after what can only be said as a “rebuilding phase” of Australian cricket.
Now, off the bat I want to make one thing clear, I am an eternal optimist when it comes to most things.
I can still believe my horse can win, 200 metres from the post, and five lengths off the leader.
Is Australian cricket really in dire straights? Are the general public revolting after the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa?
I don’t believe the Aussies are in that bad of a state compared to what some of the comments being passed around.
Yes, we do not have the world’s best batsman in the side and there really isn’t anyone who can leap into Steve Smith’s shoes.
What we have unearthed is a unique combination between Justin Langer and Tim Paine.
I always felt Paine should have slipped straight into the Australian side after Brad Haddin retired but it wasn’t to be after his horrific thumb injury.
My personal opinion about Paine was a reserved one until I heard his interview with Mark Howard on The Howie Games. Now I am sold!
Andrew Tye and Tim Paine of Australia (Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)
There was no question Paine is Australia’s best wicketkeeper and now we will see his experience and tenacity as the captain of Australia, in Australia.
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I admit, the form of the Aussies in the recent One Day Internationals wasn’t great but they didn’t have their full strength team playing either.
It is one of the true victims of this unusual schedule was cricket itself and probably the reason why no one was watching the game, either at the ground or on Fox Cricket.
Of course, the Australian’s were never going to put a full strength side together for a handful on One-Dayers and T20s. Why would you?
It has become clear the Australian selectors have told a few Test hopefuls, this is your time to shine.
One surprising resurgence has been Matthew Wade.
Scoring four half-centuries and one century, Wade has had a remarkable 2018-19 Sheffield Shield season so far.
You would assume Wade’s wicket-keeping days are over for the international stage but could he be selected as a specialist batsman?
Let us not forget though, Wade has copped two contrary conduct charges in recent times.
Matt Wade could become a specialist bat. (AFP / Glyn Kirk)
How does that go down with the new team culture?
On the horizon, you also have the Marsh brothers, who have both been scoring runs recently in lesser forms of the game. Should they be included?
Yes, the Aussies batting attack does need work and, more importantly, confidence but what is in their favour is the world class bowling attack.
Former Australian Captain Steve Waugh said recently if Australia can score 350 runs in their first innings, they are in with a chance of beating India.
Starting from 10 am on the 6th of December, Langer and Paine will be selling their brand of cricket to the Australian audience.
I can’t wait to see this new era, especially with it being tested by arguably one of International crickets toughest competitors, Virat Kohli.
BRING IT ON!
AREH
Roar Guru
Well they've actually got Brad Haddin doing that currently, but maybe Punter would be an unbelievable choice as batting coach, soon enough?
Maxwell Charlesworth
Roar Rookie
Arent* not and
AREH
Roar Guru
If Wade is selected - still unlikely I would think - I'd imagine we would see a far more measured version of him, compared to some behaviour in the past. For one, he won't be behind the stumps deliberately trying to stir the opposition, and more so, he will be playing under the calm leadership of friend Tim Paine, who is driving the new behavioural standards in this new era.
Paul
Roar Guru
How do you know the batting is dismal when they haven't picked the team yet? Khawaja is easily Test standard and I suspect this season could be the making of Renshaw into a fine Test opener. It's now up to the other 4 guys in the batting order to step up
JamesH
Roar Guru
Our ODI side wasn't at full strength but neither was SA's. They just lost AB to retirement and Amla was injured. Plus Duminy would have been playing if fit - probably a step up from Klaasen. Apart from Smith and Warner we actually did field full-strength sides in the four limited overs matches so far this summer (i.e. no one was rested by choice) and we were crushed. The silver lining is that our T20I side doesn't have much overlap with the test team at all, so we basically get a fresh start on 6 December.
JamesH
Roar Guru
I think January 2018 was a bit of a false dawn on the selection front...
Maxwell Charlesworth
Roar Rookie
Cummins and Starc and bad, Hazlewood has a tendency to drop some sitters though
Ouch
Roar Rookie
I think at home SMarsh will do ok. Hopefully Renshaw gets a run - he could set it up nicely.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Khawaja doesn't count as test quality? He's ranked the 11th best test batsman in the world. Interesting looking at our batting rankings: 2. Smith 5. Warner 11. Khawaja 41. Handscomb 44. SMarsh 56. Paine 58. Bancroft 62. Finch 66. Renshaw 69. MMarsh 82. Burns 91. Starc 97. Head 102. Cummins These are of course affected by how many tests you've played, and how many recently.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Remember the days of Warne and SWaugh in the slips, Hayden at gully, and Ponting and Hussey at cover/midwicket, and sometimes Symonds. Not a lot getting through there. I might be mixing teams a bit though...
jameswm
Roar Guru
I don't think Steve Waugh said might, I think he said he said if we bat and score 350, we WILL win.
Timmuh
Roar Guru
The batting is dismal. It is highly likely Australia will go through this Test series without one Test quality player in the top seven. At home, on roads, the deficiencies might one again be covered up. The bowling, however, is in fine shape. Even a couple of injuries can be covered reasonably well, even if Pattinson isn't fit again yet and Behrendorff and Coulter-Nile aren't playing long form cricket fomr some time.
Terry Pascoe
Roar Rookie
I have full confidence in UK, not so sure about S. Marsh. I feel Renshaw could hold the key.
Ouch
Roar Rookie
Bowling ok and will probably get us over the line this summer. Without Smith and Warner, UK and SMarsh need to stand up.
Terry Pascoe
Roar Rookie
I couldn't agree more! Surely Punter could come in as a fielding coach.
Terry Pascoe
Roar Rookie
I can't wait either! Will February 2019 be like January 2018? All the worry of selections a distant memory? I hope so.
Terry Pascoe
Roar Rookie
Unfortunately for me, it’s usually Tom Melbourne. Haha
Paul
Roar Guru
Terry, you'd have reason for optimism if the horse you backed was named Kingston Town, Sunline or Winx! I too have lots of faith in our guys to be very competitive with India. We have half a world class side from 7 - 11, but we simply don't know what the other half will do because no-one knows who will be playing an who won't, which is the underlying problem in the side. Right now, we don't have a "team", we have at least a dozen guys fighting for 6 places in the side, but once they get together and if they're given the chance to show what they can do, I think we could have the makings of a successful team.
Nudge
Roar Rookie
Yep, I’d agree with that, our fielding has slipped massively. But if you take out Smith and Warner that’s 2 of the best fielders in the world. Our top 6 could look like this for first test Finch Renshaw Khawaja S.Marsh Head M.Marsh No athleticism whatsoever. Finch average fielder Renshaw if in the team is at least safe in the slips. Khawaja ordinary, S.Marsh, ordinary, Head ordinary, M.Marsh ok. Lyons our best fielder. Last year for the ashes we had Bancroft Smith Warner Handscomb and Lyon, all panthers in the field
Wayne
Roar Guru
Our Fielding has gone backwards past few years. Players seem to be taking the "Spectacular" catches but missing the "bread and butter" stuff. I remember growing up, if there was an Aussie fielder anywhere near the ball, you we're Out Caught. Same with hitting stumps for Run Outs, we used to be Snipers at hitting one peg 40 out.