The Ashes are just a few short sleeps away and after the selectors named their 17-man squad on Sunday, we are calling on you, our loyal readers, to pick your Australian XI for the upcoming series.
It’s a tough decision to trim six players from that squad to pick an XI, and even at the very top of the order it’s not clear who is likely to line up.
It seems clear we can count on Warner opening a Test for the first time in more than 12 months, but will he be partnered by Cam Bancroft or Marcus Harris?
Usman Khawaja would then likely be the Aussies’ preferred option at first drop, but a hamstring injury suffered during the World Cup may still rule him out of the first Test.
Steve Smith might find himself in that position instead, or at No.4 – either way, he’s a lock to make his return to Test cricket.
The race for No.6 appears wide open with all-rounders Marnus Labuschagne and Mitch Marsh included in the squad, while Matthew Wade’s strong form of late suggest he deserves a chance.
Peter Siddle and James Pattinson could both be a chance to feature in Australia’s pace attack if Mitch Starc or Josh Hazlewood don’t play, while Nathan Lyon clearly has a mortgage on his spot in the team as the only spinner selected.
Tim Paine has of course been named to captain the side and he along with Pat Cummins and Travis Head appears a lock to feature. Michael Neser is also in the squad.
Who do you think the Aussies should select? Pick your XI below, and we’ll bring you the aggregate results, our Australian Ashes XI as picked by the fans, later this week.
Gee
Roar Rookie
I went with Siddle as the third quick. Neser I wouldn't mind getting in either, his bowling style is suited for England and a lower order of Paine, Neser, Pattinson, Cummins and Lyon looks impressive. I can see Starc getting the slot though, left-arm, quicker and a selectors favourite.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Agreed. And against Sri Lanka to boot. I think he may be on thin ice and will definitely be under scrutiny after the First Test and the tour match thereafter if he doesn't perform. But I expect the selectors will give him the First Test at least.
Peter Warrington
Guest
he should not leave it to the last test of the summer to make runs. would like to see him emulate Kim Hughes (not Dean Jones) and get runs in the first test, including the first dig of the first test
matth
Roar Guru
I wouldn’t be worried if they go that way
Peter Warrington
Guest
Watson. He would still be playing. Haddin, possibly. yes in hindsight there were few other choices at the time. Ronnie McDonald might have been a bit of a smokey. In hindsight, of course.
Peter Warrington
Guest
yes I agree. there should be many more
Ouch
Roar Rookie
Thats was the team i originally picked but now i'm starting to think Wade over Labuschagne.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Ha! Try being a Carlton supporter. Agree. He shouldn't have been captain in the first place just because he could "led from the front" with runs. Though interesting to think if they had gone with someone else, who would that have been and where would that selection be now? It will be interesting to see what happens with Paine after this Ashes and then next summer. If Aus get belted in England, Aus may look to make a few changes come summer, including blooding a new keeper they perceive could make more runs. In any event after this summer there's no more Test cricket until November next year and it's hard to see him being there by then.
Peter Warrington
Guest
That would be my inner Richmond showing through mind you, it's not for the moral offence. it's because i thought he was a dud captain. prefer him to make 8 million runs.
Peter Warrington
Guest
if he keeps playing Paine's average will end in the 20s. and Bancroft's in the high 40s. wouldn't call his brilliant as a skipper. he is a good keeper, good batsman, good captain. I think we should aim higher.
Paul
Roar Guru
hi Dwanye, off field captaincy happens all the time at this level when guys are batting so there's no reason why it couldn't happen with fielding & bowling as well. I don't know if you remember the 2017 series in India where Kohli had a shocker with the bat and was "injured" for the last Test. He wasn't even playing, yet still managed to make it to the change rooms and was clearly offering words of encouragement to the guys on the field. And wasn't Smith caught taking cues from guys off the field about whether to call for a review in one Test? If someone like Head for example, was made captain now, he'd be getting a ton of messages throughout play, which surely amounts to off field captaincy? Sure he has the choice to accept of reject that advice, but I wonder how many would ignore words from Ricky Ponting or Justin Langer?
TJ
Guest
Ridiculous how many people are calling for Carey to be picked off the back off his ODI form.
deano
Roar Rookie
i like paine and he's a very good keeper, but average of 35 with no runs of late and little potential for big scores versus average 28 as a youngster with huge potential for big scores makes it easy for me, seeing as we never bowl spin anyway.
steve
Guest
warner bancroft kawaja smith labashagne wade paine nesser cummins patterson siddle
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Agreed. But he needs to start putting up performances based on his recent record.
Tom
Guest
Siddle has 70 wickets at 18 the last 2 county seasons. His bowling suits English conditions to a tee
Tom
Guest
Not sure Khawaja's head was in the right place last summer with all that frame with his brother playing out. Seems to be in a good place ever since they got him back playing in and around the ODI setup. He's easily the 3rd best bat in the country so he walks back in regardless imo
Tom
Guest
Test average of 35, best keeper in the country by an absolute mile and a solid captain so far, yet you want Carey with the FC average of 28 and inability to keep to spin? Lol
Dwanye
Roar Rookie
Hi Paul. Thanks for reply, you put it better and much clearer then I could. Lol
Will Cuckson
Roar Rookie
I don’t think they need Labuschagne in the team. Lyon’s durability means that he’ll be able to bowl long spells (especially considering the English conditions lack potent heat or humidity) and when the need is there for an extra part-time spinner, Head and Smith are more than handy. The XI should be: Warner Harris/Bancroft (Harris has my vote at this stage) Khawaja (if fit, otherwise Bancroft at 3 with Harris and Warner opening) Smith Head Wade Paine Cummins Pattinson Starc/Hazlewood (But wouldn’t be surprised if the selectors opted for Siddle) Lyon.