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Yesterday, we asked you to name your preferred Australian XI for the upcoming Tests against Sri Lanka, and with the official squad to be announced later today, it’s time to reveal the side as picked by The Roar.
With 900 respondents, it’s clear plenty of Aussie fans want to have their say on the Test line-up following the 2-1 series loss to India in the Border-Gavaskar series.
The two matches against Sri Lanka are the only Tests between now and the Ashes in England, meaning it’s the last chance for the selectors to tinker with their red-ball line-up before heading to England.
Here’s the XI picked by you for those two Tests.
Openers: Marcus Harris and Joe Burns
Harris was an almost-unanimous selection at the top of the order, picking up over 90 per cent of the vote, while Burns (47%) just managed to pip Matthew Renshaw (44%) for the other opening position.
Harris was one of few brightish spots during the India series for Australia, making a couple of seventies and finishing with 258 runs at a tick under 37. Not exactly earth-shattering numbers, but easily the best of a bad bunch for the hosts.
Burns, meanwhile, had been one of the form players of the Sheffield Shield prior to the break for the Big Bash with 472 runs at 47 to his name – although he’s curiously failed to score a century as yet. He’s batted both at the top of the order and in the middle for Australia in his 14 Tests to date, but seems best suited to opening the batting.
(Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)
Middle order: Usman Khawaja, Glenn Maxwell, Travis Head, Matthew Wade
Usman Khawaja was always going to make the middle order, and that was reflected in the left-hander receiving 87 per cent of the vote here, but a bigger surprise was just how many fans want to see Glenn Maxwell in the team. The Victorian all-rounder was selected in 64 per cent of sides, more than any middle-order batsman outside Khawaja.
Travis Head (63%) was another popular option after showing some promise against India, and Matthew Wade (35%) got the final spot in the top six ahead of the already-selected Burns (33%) and all-rounder Marcus Stoinis (31%).
Wade’s scored a competition-high 571 runs at 63 in the Shield season to date, and his and Burns’ inclusions are clear indicators there are cricket fans out there who want to see good first-class form rewarded by selectors.
You’ll all be shocked to hear neither of the Marsh brothers got a gig in this side. Shaun was only picked in 12 per cent of teams, while Mitch got seven. Votes, that is, not per cent.
(AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
Wicketkeeper: Tim Paine
No surprise here: Tim Paine has been a popular captain during his tenure and was favoured by 89 per cent of Roarers for this team, with Wade (8%) and Alex Carey (4%) the other options.
Since his recall for the Ashes last year, Paine’s batting has been solid, the skipper putting real value on his wicket, and he’s showed why he’s considered the best gloveman in Australia with some excellent work behind the stumps.
(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Bowlers: Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc
They might have been blunted by a dominant Indian batting unit in the past four Tests, but all of Australia’s much-hyped bowling attack have been picked in this XI.
Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon both made their way into 99 per cent of teams, and Josh Hazlewood (86%) was also a popular choice, but Mitchell Starc’s place in the side was far from certain. The left-armer finished with 50 per cent of the vote, but at one stage was behind Victorian Chris Tremain (28%). West Australian quick Jhye Richardson also picked up a good chunk of votes with 20 per cent.
Ultimately, though, this attack is almost certainly what will be picked in the official XI as well, and they’ll no doubt enjoy playing against a side which doesn’t feature Chesteshwar Pujara. A pink ball at the Gabba will be a nice bonus, too.
(Photo by Morgan Hancock/Action Plus via Getty Images)
The Roar’s Australian XI to face Sri Lanka
1. Marcus Harris
2. Joe Burns
3. Usman Khawaja
4. Travis Head
5. Matthew Wade
6. Glenn Maxwell
7. Tim Paine (wk, c)
8. Pat Cummins
9. Mitchell Starc
10. Nathan Lyon
11. Josh Hazlewood
Well, that’s the XI the fans want to see, but how close will it resemble the official squad? Keep it locked on The Roar today for all the news and reaction to the announcement of the Test squad to face Sri Lanka.