Australia have fallen to India 2-1 after a drawn final Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground, and attention will immediately turn to an upcoming two-Test series against Sri Lanka.
With the first Test set to be played under lights at the Gabba from Thursday, January 24 and the second to follow in Canberra from February 1, it’s a chance for the Australians to get some confidence back ahead of the World Cup and Ashes later this year.
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There will almost undoubtedly be changes to the team which were trounced by India, with changes for the Sydney Test already setting the path.
After a dismal series, Aaron Finch was dropped, alongside Mitchell Marsh, for the recalled Peter Handscomb and Marnus Labuschagne in Sydney.
All four of those players are likely to be battling for their spots, while yet another failure from Shaun Marsh in the Sydney Test – where he just scored eight on a flat wicket – is likely to have the selectors out to take his spot.
While there have been statements made to the contrary, players are actually standing up in Sheffield Shield cricket.
Matthew Wade is at the top of the list with 571 runs in 12 innings at 63, all the while playing his home games on a bowler-friendly Blundstone Arena in Hobart.
He is every chance at being handed a batsman only spot in the side, replacing someone like Handscomb or Marsh in the middle order, while Daniel Hughes has also been in good form and is a candidate to bat at the top of the order, should the selectors decide not to persist with Khawaja or Finch.
Finch’s position is interesting. While he was dropped for Sydney and is unlikely to return as an opener, there is a chance he could return in the middle order, but he might be under pressure from players like Kurtis Patterson and Jake Lehmann.
Joe Burns is another candidate alongside Queensland teammate Matt Renshaw, with the duo in the fight for a position at the top of the order alongside Marcus Harris.
Harris, Travis Head and Tim Paine, along with Khawaja, appear to be the only players who have a spot in the Australian XI locked down for the Sri Lankan series.
On the bowling front, you’d be stunned if Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon or Josh Hazlewood were replaced, but there has been talk Mitchell Starc could be rested (read: dropped) for the Sri Lankan series.
He has been out of sorts this summer and finished averaging 34 with the ball, which, for someone of his stature and talents within the team, isn’t good enough.
Chris Tremain would appear to be the most likely candidate to take over his position, with the calls for his debut getting louder on the back of 28 wickets at 23 this Shield season.
Peter Siddle has been in and around the squad so could be another option, while Western Australian tearaway youngster Jhye Richardson has also been in good form with 27 wickets at 19.
Entries have now been closed. You can see the team picked by The Roar right here.
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
You’re joking? By what logic?
Harvey Wilson
Roar Rookie
I can't believe the amount of comments with Maxwell over Wade in the middle order. Wade is miles ahead in the selection race.
Harvey Wilson
Roar Rookie
Wade bowls too
Baggy_Green
Roar Pro
My ideal batting group though Warner Harris Burns Smith Patterson Head Labuschagne Pick them and give them 10 tests
Baggy_Green
Roar Pro
Look at the batting pool Warner , Khawaja, Harris , Head , SMarsh , Renshaw Smith , Burns , Labuschagne , Handscomb , Maxwell First 6 lefties , next 5 righties .. if you have to pick 8 batsmen( there is no all-rounder currently in Australia) - i would leave out Marsh and Renshaw :( from the lefties and Handscomb from righties
Hari
Roar Rookie
Renshaw Harris Lebuschagne Sean Marsh Khwaja/Maxwell Wade/Head Paine Cummins Lyon Hazlewood Pattinson
anon
Roar Pro
Shaun Marsh will keep his spot despite being a completely out of form 35 year old with a mediocre career average of 34 (averaged 20 in 2018). We all know it. It's a lot of faith to show in a 34 average batsman in a prolonged slump at the age of 35 Labuschagne will keep the number 3 spot after his 38. He'll have to go through a slump to get dropped. Selectors will feel vindicated. Probably the only one in danger is Handscomb, but I'm not sure if they'll drop him after one Test back. There's no way they give Burns, Renshaw, Maxwell the chance to succeed against a feeble Sri Lankan attack. No, Shaun Marsh will be given every chance to strike gold with an innings over 50. If they weren't willing to drop Marsh after the worst form for an Aussie batsmen in 130 years, they won't drop him now.
Rellum
Roar Guru
So he is doing slightly worse than what Mitch Marsh was doing then. Great work from an opening fast bowler who is meant to be one of the premier wicket takers in the country.
Flexis
Roar Rookie
Geez that’s harsh! His test bowling average is about half of Marsh’s.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Strong look to the future sees Ussie in and Harris out?
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
If we could get Maxwell to play like Ponting, I'd be rapt.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
You have no one saying that bar the social media geese. Really Daniel! Fancy joining in. Do you want that hate stuff on The Roar?
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Try to tell Marcus Harris that Langer is not a useful resource. Poor old Geoff is a very grumpy man since no one values his antiquated opinions any more.
Chris Love
Roar Guru
My 11 for the next Test Series: 1. Harris. 2. Burns. 3. Khawaja. 4. Patterson. 5. Head. 6. Maxwell. 7. Paine. 8.Cummins. 9. Starc. 10. Lyon. 11. Hazlewood. Reserves: Hughes, Finch, Handscomb, O’Keefe, Tremain.
Bucks
Guest
1. Harris 2. Burns 3. Khawaja 4. Patterson 5. Maxwell 6. Stoinis 7. Paine (c,wk) 8. Cummins 9. J Richardson 10. Lyon 11. Hazlewood Bench - Head, Starc
Dr Funkytown
Roar Rookie
To quote the famous Denis Denuto 'it the vibe'. I reckon he will provide something with the ball, and potential counter attack. But hasnt put the runs on the board to get in the XI at this time
Dodgy Dragons
Roar Rookie
S Marsh is consistent, consistently sh*te
Dave Hitchick
Guest
1. Harris 2. Renshaw (not on current form, but with an eye on the ashes and his UK form) 3. Khawaja (we just need some consistency) 4. Burns (on form and grit) 5. Handscomb/ Head (handscomb on a spinning deck, head for seamers, both of them are shot when smithy come back) 6. Maxwell/ Stoinis (maxwell for spinning deck, Stoinis for a seamer, give the kid a go!) 7. Paine 8. Cummins 9. Lyon 10. Hazlewood 11. Sayers (when fit)... for now give Tremain a dig, starc needs to learn how to bowl again...
sittingbison
Roar Pro
That side just got pasted Jordan (except Patterson)
sittingbison
Roar Pro
Make a selection, don't have four alternatives for one spot