Obviously the Aussie team will look different without Steve Smith and David Warner, who were banned due to that fatal ball-tampering scenario in Cape Town.
Smith and Warner are also our two best batsmen. However, I still think we can beat India at our home ground – but it is India’s best opportunity in recent times to get a series win in Australia.
Overall I’m a fan of the squad. Although I am a Glenn Maxwell fan, I can understand why he’s not in the team.
I don’t, however, see much value in International T20s especially with BBL being so popular. Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis would be better suited playing for their respective state sides trying to put forward their claim to play in the test team, rather than playing one-off T20s vs South Africa on the Gold Coast.
Aaron Finch was always going to be selected as he performed well in UAE and he deserves a chance on his home ground.
Marcus Harris burst into the forefront of selectors minds after a blistering 250* as he is an explosive left-hander similar to Warner.
Matt Renshaw misses out again although he’s still quite young and will get his opportunity, he was dropped quite prematurely, criticized perhaps for his slow run-rate.
A slow run-rate is what Australia require at the moment, putting a price on your wicket and adapting to conditions, however, he didn’t put forward scores in State cricket so doesn’t warrant selection at the moment.
I’ve always been a fan of Usman Khawaja – that may sound like a cop-out now that he’s one of our best players, but I rate him highly. He should be in our one day team when fit.
I haven’t really been a big fan of Travis Head but he does put up good scores for South Australia. However, I don’t see him getting into the starting middle order though if Khawaja is fit; Khawaja at 3, Shaun Marsh at 4, Peter Handscomb 5.
I feel Tim Paine should bat at 6 and allow Mitch Marsh more freedom at 7 to play his shots.
I wasn’t a big fan of Mitch being given the vice-captaincy as he still hasn’t put consistent performances in for Australia, I would prefer to let him focus on that and just have Josh Hazlewood as vice-captain.
Shaun and Mitch Marsh have taken over from Shane Watson in who the public criticize most, however, they play well in Australia as last Ashes proved with both of them making big hundreds on flat pitches, nonetheless still got to make them.
More responsibility will be on both Marshes to perform as Smith and Warner aren’t there to set the platform for big totals.
It seems as if the lethal bowling lineup have lost some of that superiority they felt after the Ashes and during the start of that fatal tour vs South Africa.
They come up against a good batting order of Dhawan, Pujara, Sharma and of course Virat Kholi who excelled here in 2014/15 Test series.
I believe CA should invest in curating pitches with grass cover to offer bounce and swing to the bowlers.
India have good fast bowling stocks as well with Umesh Yadev, Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah. However, I think they should create fast pitches to provide better opportunity for our bowlers to get 20 wickets.
If there are pretty flat pitches Virat Kholi may repeat what he did over here in 2014/15 and the problem is we don’t have Steve Smith to counter-act it.
I believe India’s fast bowling stocks are better and more equipped than when they toured here last. Also from a fans point of view it seems the last series in Australia when there were consistently quick pitches was 2013/14 Ashes where Mitchell Johnson terrorized the English batsman.
It seems CA are more focused on Test matches going for five days rather than preparing quick pitches, which is what I would like to see this summer.
If the worst happens one of our bowlers does break down I would prefer Chris Tremain to get the nod over Peter Siddle as he offers a bit more pace and bounce than Siddle.
However, Siddle should definitely be in the plans for the Ashes coming up as his bowling is suited to those conditions. I’m also a big fan of the forgotten man James Pattinson as he offers something with the bat also.
Overall happy with the squad – hopefully Australia win and we can smile with them.
Maxwell Charlesworth
Roar Rookie
Im not saying keep the Marshes, Id have Shaun but not Mitch. I just find it ironic that you stated you want batsmen who dont fail yet pick 2 out of form players and Maxwell who has scored 1 century in his last 19 FC games. Where's Head in your squad? In good touch with the red ball, bowls a bit and saved half of the test matches he's ever played.
Ben
Guest
Don, seriously what is your obsession with the Marsh brothers, especially Mitch? Can't you see that there are at least a dozen other batsman in the shield who are better suited and statistically deserve to play test cricket over him? I don't understand why you blatantly disregard facts and statistics when it comes to any WA player especially the Marsh Bros. Maybe it's cognitive dissonance, mental illness idk, trolling possibly but nobody else agrees with you, ever.
john goerge
Guest
A.D. This is an XI that could beat India. If they pick M Marsh then forget about it. He wont reach double figures once in the series and will leak runs. I think Burns should have been picked though and be opening with Harris Pick the guys in form not the good bloke club. Hence why we will lose 3-0. Hopefully everyone will score M Marsh on social media after his failures. Get in his head to fail.
Rob
Guest
That's laughable. It's frequently said that the meaning of insanity is doing likewise again and again and expecting an alternate result. Shaun has 2 scores above his average of 35.2 in his last 17 Test Innings so i'm sticking my neck out by saying he is in form. Mitch and Shaun together again is daft considering neither have scored a 50 in their last 11 Tests together? Maxwell has played 7 Tests in his career. Maxwell averaged 39, Renshaw 29, and Handscomb 28.29 against India last Test series. Mitch averaged 12? Mitch averaged 3.5 with the bat and 49 with the ball whilst Labuchange averaged 20.25 with the bat and 22.43 with the ball in the most recent Test series that Renshaw, Maxwell and Handscomb were not given the opportunity to play?
Bondy
Guest
What's happened to Maddinson, he was the next big thing a couple of seasons back. I'm overseas and not getting all the scores and stats etc
Maxwell Charlesworth
Roar Rookie
You dont want both Marsh boys to fail, yet you pick some one (maxwell) who is notorious for failing? Add Labuschagne and Renshaw who cant buy a run this season and that top order looks worse than ours currently.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
If you are knocking that, you didn't watch him bowl at all. You are just looking at stats. Way to advertise your limitations! He created great pressure for Richardson and Kelly.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
He was hardly given a bowl in the UAE. He scored a brilliant 44 in SA that restored WA after an early collapse and established a partnership that won the game. A terrific captain's knock. What else have you got?
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Well...as suggested, they need him when the Indians bat for a while. It has been known to happen. Australia doesn't need a specialist at 6. The first 5 carry the main responsibility. Don't go blaming 6 if the first 5 get us into trouble
Ben
Guest
I watched him bowl 15 overs for no wicket and costing 58 runs, at 3.87 per over. Yeah, OUTSTANDING!
Rob
Guest
My side. 1) Renshaw ( can occupy the crease for long periods) 2) Khawaja (bats well against the new ball and can also bat for long periods) 3) Glen Maxwell ( complete wild card that may prove a match winner with brashness to succeed) 4) Handscomb (in good form and has the ability to play spin) 5) S. Marsh ( At 36 is probably batting at his best ever and is in form) 6) Marnus Labuschange ( can take wickets, plays spin well and gives plenty of energy in the field) 7) Paine 8) Cummins 9) Starc 10) Lyon 11) Hazelwood I can't have both Marsh boys both failing again. It's to difficult to pick Mitch over Shaun.
Kopa Shamsu
Guest
I don't know what is his role in team except under official cheercheerleading. Neither knows to bat nor to bowl. Out for 6, just another good ball!! Forget about his bowling & batting average. First thing he needs to do is to play minimum 15 shield innings & regularly touch double digit.
Brian
Guest
Did you watch him in the UAE? Or SA with the bat?
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
Ever heard of a guy called Carey? He is the obvious heir apparent for the keeper-batsman role and will have a long and successful career in all 3 formats!
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
Given that Australia rarely uses it's 5th Bowler (and that seems to be a reasonable assumption) then Australia does not need to play an all rounder- there are enough trundlers amongst the batsmen to cover that eventuality. Australia should be playing a batsman at 6, not an All Rounder. Any All-Rounder should be batting at 7 and principally be a bowler.
ADtheglorious
Guest
lets be honest, not many of these batsman scare any opposition like Warner & Smith. Harris deserves a shot, Good form over a period of time. Hanscomb has not scored enough runs, not had his newly tinkered technique examined enough. At home the Marsh boys may well score runs, but they are both feast or famine. I want to see someone in shield make big scores and lots of them.....where are you?
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
You didn't watch Mitch bowl against SA? he was outstanding. Great pressure. Had 3 catches dropped too. Not as tight yesterday but still beat the bat often.
Asish
Roar Rookie
As Mitchel Marsh is not in good form with ball, Handscomb should play as a specialist batsman in 1st test against India. Finch Harris Khwaja S.Marsh Handscomb Head Paine Starc Cummins Lyon Hazelwood
john goerge
Guest
Good article. Personally I think we are in ALOT of trouble with our batting lineup. Burns should be in the squad. Patterson should be in squad too. An opening combo of Finch and Harris will not stand very long. Mitch Marsh is the weakest number 6 in Australia. He wont bowl so why pick the guy? All the presure on Uzzy and S Marsh every time. Head will be picked over Handscombe and he wont perform. Hopefully Handscomb gets another 50 to lock in his spot. They would be mad not to play him We will be lucky to get to 200 runs per inns. Win the toss and bowl first. India 3-0.
Donal Wilson
Roar Rookie
yea good point Burns is unlucky to be missing out