Australia’s selection puzzle for the fourth Ashes Test got no simpler overnight as both Marcus Harris and Usman Khawaja made half centuries in the tour match against Derbyshire.
One of Harris, Khawaja or Matthew Wade looks set to give way for returning star Steve Smith in the Test at Old Trafford.
The fact Cameron Bancroft, who opened in the first two Ashes Tests, was demoted to number six against Derbyshire gives the impression the selectors may be weighing up Harris versus Khawaja as David Warner’s opening partner.
That pair opened together in this match in Derby, with Harris bolting out of the blocks, scoring 64 out of their opening stand of 106. The Victorian unfurled his full array of strokes, climbing into anything wide and clouting overpitched offerings.
Khawaja could not match this pace of scoring but underscored his comfort when opening the batting as he scored 72 from 156 balls. Australia need, first and foremost, an opener who can halt the momentum of the home quicks. Blanketing the new ball is a priority.
Khawaja has a wonderful record as a Test opener, with 488 runs at 98. He looms as an attractive option to partner Warner at Manchester if the Australian selectors decide to bat Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith at three and four.
Labuschagne and Smith last night batted at seven and four, respectively. Neither man, though, is in the slightest doubt to play in the fourth Test.
Australia’s biggest issue will be trying to find a top order combination that can, at a minimum, offer resistance to the skilful England quicks. The visitors’ top three has been bulldozed thus far. Locating the right balance up top could be the difference between winning or losing the Ashes.
Khawaja has had a poor series, but does have experience and a fine opening record. Harris is fresh from one of the finest Sheffield Shield seasons of the past decade. Neither batsman pressed their case as Australia ever-so-narrowly lost the third Test, leaving the series squared at 1-1.
The same goes for Wade, who has one crucial century to go with five underwhelming knocks in this Ashes. The former wicketkeeper missed a chance to nail down his Test spot last night as he was out for 12.
Wade’s dismissal came soon after all-rounder Mitchell Marsh cantered to 74 from 188 balls. Something of a tour match specialist, Marsh may yet make a late run for selection in the fourth Test. The selectors have long been seduced by the extra pace bowling option that he offers.
Most likely, though, Harris, Khawaja and Wade will engage in a second innings shootout, should they get that opportunity. That trio have been disappointing in this Ashes averaging 13, 20 and 25, respectively.
Meanwhile, express quick Mitchell Starc should today get a final chance to demand selection at Manchester. Thus far, Australia have concentrated on accuracy, favouring precise quicks. It is a strategy that brought them within a skerrick of a 2-0 lead.
If Australia’s selectors keep faith in this tactic, then Starc’s 3/46 against Derbyshire won’t have made a major impression. Starc went wicketless in his first 12 overs, while bowling against Derbyshire’s top six before running through their lower order, grabbing three wickets in one over.
Peter Siddle, meanwhile, took his only wicket late in that innings. His value, however, is his economy and the pressure he builds with his suffocating accuracy. By taking 1/12 from nine overs Siddle once again highlighted the valuable role he can play in an otherwise dynamic Australian attack.
Siddle, Starc, Harris, Khawaja and Wade all are in the mix for the Old Trafford Test. Which of them will make the cut? We will soon find out.
Cut Loose
Roar Rookie
Khawaja bats at 3, labu at 4
Tom
Guest
Khawaja barely ever plays for Qld. Marnus has batted at 3 for us for the most part of the last few seasons.
KenoathCarnt
Roar Rookie
I don't get why all 3 cant play. Harris Warner Khawaja Smith Laubuschagne Head Carey Neser Cummins Hazlewood Lyon
Insult_2_Injury
Roar Rookie
Where does he bat, mate? Renshaw and Burns open, Labuschagne bats at 3. Where does Khawaja bat when those three play?
Insult_2_Injury
Roar Rookie
Hazelwood rolled England for 60, Starc took 10 in his last Test match. Their wicket taking strike rates are under ten overs each. As a bowling attack they compliment each other well. You are confusing his rpo in ODI'S with Tests. He goes for 5 in ODI'S, but only 3.3 in Tests. His Test strike rate is 49 and average is 28.8. If he was eligible for England he would've played every Test. By the way, Dennis Lillee's strike rate was 52. CA is playing a perverse version of moneyball and it is meddling with players careers. Having a quality bowler sitting on the side lines destroying his match fitness is hubris from an organisation who holds a players contract. Starc could easily have played county or a T20 tournament in the last month and retained the form he gained in the CWC. No he's facing criticism for not just switching on match form to blow away a county top order.
Bunratty c
Roar Rookie
From T. Hohns' recent comments, it sounds as if the selectors are considering Usi as opening w/ Warner and possibly M.Marsh to replace Wade. This would suggest that S. Smith would come into the team as a replacement for Harris. I have no idea about the bowling lineup but there seems to be increased 'talk' about Starc having a role. :cricket:
riddler
Roar Rookie
yep.
Bunratty c
Roar Rookie
do you mean S. Smith for Usi since Labu is already in the team? :cricket:
riddler
Roar Rookie
As have said before. 3 changes for me. Lab for usi Mmarsh for wade Siddle for Pattinson. Would love to ditch Warner as well but we don't have the cattle.
Bunratty c
Roar Rookie
As we are all assuming that S. Smith will be returning for the 4th Test, I wonder how he is psychologically recovering from his neck injury? His curious behavior/performance in the recent Derbyshire match suggests at least a lack of attention to the task (https://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/109654/the-joy-of-watching-a-steve-smith-net-session). The Cricbuzz report implied that Smith preferred the net practice to his time at the crease. :cricket:
Spinosum
Roar Rookie
The comments were an interesting read - thank you Roarers, also an insightful article, thank you Ronan. Now the Derbyshire game is past tense and perhaps Steve Smith is back in the nets without his neck guard and feeling less claustrophobic he can bat his heart out. In an ideal world perhaps the Aussie team could have split and played a cameo match of limited overs for a delighted crowd. In real time an afternoon off. Afterthoughts on the group game heading into the next Test: Usman Khawaja should open, I'd opt for Cameron Bancroft as his partner due to his tenacity, Travis Head at 3, Steve Smith in his comfort zone 4, Marnus Labuschange following, then Tim Paine and David Warner - yes I'd do that! Bowlers: Peter Siddle a lock, Josh Hazelwood, Nathan Lyon and Mitch Starc. If we can cream the next test then give Michael Neser an airing and others who have put a foot forward. But let's have the Ashes on the way home first.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
M. Marsh v Derbyshire: 2-5 off 6 overs at an ER of 0.83. Oh my and wow. The only remaining question now is whether he replaces one of the openers, or slots in to Wade's spot at No. 6.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Well Mark, he, like all of us, has potential, in fairness. I potentially may cure cancer next Wednesday. We can debate the odds of that happening, next Thursday.
MarkD
Guest
Gday Jeff , unfortunately fairness, is not a word that's used when explaining Mitch Marsh selections, however potential, is a word used to explain Mitch Marsh selections.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Well, in fairness, he is in the squad. Whether fans like it or not. And he scored 70-odd FC runs overnight. So he's not so far away from potential inclusion in the starting XI.
MarkD
Guest
Can't believe that some are calling for yet another installment of the failed Mitch Marsh project. I thought he was suppose to go back to shield cricket and produce a body of work that would demand his inclusion . I must of missed his 1000 run season last year. His test average is 25 from 31 test . Thats 25!! Why is this bloke even in the squad ,should be back in Australia preparing for the up coming season proving he deserves another chance.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Let's see what the wicket is looking like on Tuesday.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Personal implications, such as whether it harsh on a player, or a player "deserves" more opportunity, have to be discarded in the era of the "non-gentleman's game". Harris has no technique suitable for the ball coming on late to the bat or effectively dealing with the short ball. He could be given a vital spot in the XI to prove he shouldn't be there - and this manifestation of the obvious may occur once the Ashes are lost - but the prudent thing to do would be to select the team on merit, Test by Test, with the objective being that retaining the Ashes and then a series win, are the two key priorities. Not giving players "chances" to show something because they "deserve it"
danwain
Roar Rookie
Completely agree, and it also depends on how the pitch is going to play. The strangle approach has worked well for us so far though, i see no reason to change.
TheGeneral
Roar Rookie
Chris Love, The umpires in the 4th test are a veteran in Erasmus and a rookie in Palliyagurge, with the 3rd umpire being Dharasena. The last two named will apparently swap roles in the 5th test. According to reports the previous two umpires were sacked.