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Aussies need a reshuffle but only one change for fourth Ashes Test

27th August, 2019
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Expert
27th August, 2019
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Usman Khawaja should be given a chance to revive his flagging Test career by taking Marcus Harris’ opening spot.

Marnus Labuschagne should likewise be promoted, to number three, for the fourth Ashes Test.

Khawaja, David Warner, Matt Wade and Harris all have been disappointing in this series, averaging 20, 13, 25 and 13 respectively.

None of them has done enough to demand selection, but Australia’s options are limited, with no other specialist batsman in the squad.

Warner has had five failures from his six innings and many are calling, with justification, for him to be axed. What saves the left-hander is partly his sensational Test record, partly the lack of stiff competition for spots, and partly a gut feel that his crucial 61 and excellent catching at Leeds could spark him back into touch.

Choosing between Harris and Khawaja to be Warner’s opening partner is a tough choice. The decision is influenced by the fact Australia need Labuschagne at first drop to bolster their top order. He and Smith are Australia’s best three-four combination right now, which means Khawaja either needs to open or be dropped.

Harris has had only two innings in this series, so omitting him would be brutal, but when an Ashes series is on the line, harsh calls must be made.

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Khawaja has underperformed, but has made three good starts from six innings but – he just failed to capitalise. He has an amazing record as an opener – 488 runs at 98 – and that is enough to convince me he should replace Harris.

Australia's Usman Khawaja celebrates making 100 runs

Usman Khawaja (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft, File)

Wade would be lucky to keep his spot, having failed in four of his six innings in this series, but is saved by the fact Australia need to have their two most in-form batsmen, Labuschagne and Smith, at three and four. With neither Khawaja nor Harris being suited to batting at number six, the knock-on effect is that Wade keeps his place.

Behind Wade, Tim Paine is in dire form with the blade, averaging just 13 in this Ashes and only 15 from six Tests this year.

The Tasmanian is under enormous scrutiny. He’s been pilloried over the past 48 hours for his on-field tactics as Ben Stokes blasted England to a phenomenal one-wicket win at Leeds.

Some of that criticism has been justified. A lot of it, though, has been exaggerated as fans have sought an outlet for their anger. Paine remains the best man to lead Australia in this series.

Another player who has copped too much stick is James Pattinson. Reading some of the comments online about the Victorian quick, you would have thought he took 3-156 at Leeds and went at four runs an over. In actuality, he took 3-56 at a miserly economy rate of just 1.87 runs per over.

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Better known for his aggression, Pattinson has been the tourists’ most frugal bowler, going at only 2.56 runs per over. From either side, only Jofra Archer (2.34) has been more economical.

Pattinson bowled much better than his figures suggested in the first Test. But he was superior, and quicker, at Leeds.

His spell to start the last day was his best of the series. Pattinson repeatedly troubled Joe Root and Stokes as his combined accuracy with startling pace, pushing the speed gun up to 148kmh and bowling consistently in the 142-145kmh bracket.

James Pattinson

James Pattinson of Australia celebrates. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Paine erred in prematurely ending Pattinson’s spell after four overs in order to take the new ball. Pattinson and Nathan Lyon were all over England with the weathered ball, they should have carried on longer.

Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Lyon pick themselves. The last spot is between Pattinson, Siddle and Mitchell Starc.

The Aussies have been well served by patient, precise bowling in this series, so they should keep faith in that approach. That means Starc would not be in my side.

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Pattinson and Siddle both have generous experience in English conditions and have been miserly. Either would be good selections.

In the end, though, I’m won over by Pattinson’s greater pace and his superior batting.

Australia need not panic and make wholesale changes after the agony of Leeds. One alteration to their XI is all that’s required – Smith in, Harris out.

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While Australia have a tour match before the fourth Test, I would put little stock in performances in that game against a weak opponent.

Their foes, Derbyshire, are essentially the 16th-ranked team in county cricket, sitting eighth on the table in Division Two, and will likely be without a host of key players, as has been the case in Australia’s recent tour matches.

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My Australian XI for the fourth Test
1. David Warner
2. Usman Khawaja
3. Marnus Labuschagne
4. Steve Smith
5. Travis Head
6. Matt Wade
7. Tim Paine (c) (wk)
8. James Pattinson
9. Pat Cummins
10. Nathan Lyon
11. Josh Hazlewood

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