Australia nailed their selections for the first Test against Pakistan next week by recalling batsmen Joe Burns and Travis Head, allowing the Aussies to field their strongest possible top six.
While the inclusion of batsman Cameron Bancroft in Australia’s 14-man squad for this two-Test series was an odd choice, chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns indicated he would not be in the starting XI.
By calling Bancroft the “spare batsman in the squad”, Hohns hinted very strongly that Australia’s top six would be David Warner, Joe Burns, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head and Matthew Wade. Right now, that is Australia’s best Test batting lineup.
Burns deserves a decent run at partnering Warner at the top of the order after being treated shabbily by the selectors for years now. Hohns conceded yesterday that Burns was “desperately unlucky not to be included in the Ashes squad”.
Burns looks set to take the position of incumbent Test opener Marcus Harris, who was axed after averaging just 14 with the bat from his past five Tests.
Although Burns’ first-class form has been underwhelming in 2019, there was no other opener demanding selection.
That is why it made sense to give another opportunity to the Queenslander, who averages 40 with the bat from his 16 Tests, including four tons.
At number three, Labuschagne is the clear option. In the Sheffield Shield this summer, the 25-year-old has batted at four behind Usman Khawaja, who missed out on this latest Test squad. But Labuschagne ended his wonderful Ashes series at first drop and looks to have the technique, temperament and style of play to suit that difficult position.
Behind him at four, Steve Smith is in godly form.
Steve Smith. Decent batsman. (Mike Egerton/PA Images via Getty Images)
Travis Head should bat at five, while the more aggressive Matthew Wade is better suited to six. Wade was an obvious pick after making two tons in the Ashes to go with 353 runs at 59 in the Shield this summer.
Head’s red ball form this summer has been less impressive, with 227 runs at 38. In his favour he has youth, at 25 years old, and an impressive Test record to date, averaging 43 from his dozen Tests.
Captain Tim Paine, fresh from his first red-ball ton in many years, rounds out a solid top seven. It may not be a commanding batting lineup, yet it is also far from the rickety unit that many fans are making it out to be.
Australia’s attack, meanwhile, pretty much picks itself. Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon are part of the bedrock of this Australian Test team.
The final bowling spot is between three quicks who all have strong claims. Mitchell Starc boasts 215 Test wickets, adds crucial variety with his express pace and left arm angle, and has hit form at the right time, grabbing 16 wickets at 10 in his last two Shield matches.
James Pattinson has taken eight wickets at 28 in his last two Shield matches, after getting stuck on a ludicrous road at the Junction Oval in round one, and has an excellent Test record of 75 wickets at 26.
Then there’s swing bowler Neser, who has been on a long hot streak. Since the start of the 2017-18 summer, the 29-year-old has taken 110 wickets at 22 in red ball cricket.
Over that same period Neser has also averaged 28 with the bat, underlining his all-round value.
With his nagging accuracy and ability to swing the Kookaburra consistently, Neser is an attractive option.
Yet I still think Starc is most likely to take that fourth bowling berth for the first Test at the Gabba.
Hohns yesterday hinted that Neser’s strongest chance of selection would be in the second Test at Adelaide due to his suitability to bowling with the pink ball under lights.
Mitch Starc (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
The selectors have done a good job here. The only misstep was including Bancroft in the squad, although the back-up batsmen options were limited due to the injury issues for Kurtis Patterson, and the mental health withdrawals of Will Pucovski, Nic Maddinson and Glenn Maxwell.
Australian Test squad for two-match series against Pakistan
Tim Paine (c), Cameron Bancroft, Joe Burns, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, James Pattinson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, David WarnerAustralia’s most likely lineup for first Test at Brisbane, starting November 21
1. David Warner
2. Joe Burns
3. Marnus Labuscagne
4. Steve Smith
5. Travis Head
6. Matthew Wade
7. Tim Paine
8. Pat Cummins
9. Mitchell Starc
10. Nathan Lyon
11. Josh Hazlewood
Baggy_Green
Roar Pro
In the long run Head , Pucovski and Patterson should be fighting for 2 places when Wade is gone. Sad that Pucovski opted out - I can see him and Marnus forming a long-term backbone of the batting unit
JamesH
Roar Guru
You'd like to think he wouldn't do it on Australian pitches!
John
Guest
Burns deserves to be in the team has been treated horrible by selctors for years. Head also deserves his spot he averages more than Lambuschange and no one is questioning his spot in the team.
ken gargett
Guest
i have no disagreement with any of that. not sure i like the concept of a speciality sub fielder but that is another topic and hardly bancroft's fault. i just don't think he deserves being there at the moment. and has a lot to do before he does.
TheGeneral
Roar Rookie
What an idiotic argument. If Bradman was never born we would never have been lauding him as the greatest batsman of all time. If Smith was never born we wouldn't have the greatest modern batsman. Pure nonsense.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
I’m pretty sure the best thing that happened to Burns’ long term future with the test team was not being picked for the Ashes. He’s made runs at home against poor attacks (SL, NZ and WI) on roads. And if he gets the start again it may be more of the same. I like him but he’s not the messiah and his footwork is likely to be found out on tricky wickets or in seaming conditions. With them all out of form I’d have plumped for UK who’s also made runs at home on roads but who’s record is worse as he’s been asked to play in tough conditions too. Would be his last chance but I think he’s earned it and was discarded unfairly and too early in England
maverick
Roar Rookie
Very strange,isn't it?
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Because the NZ team back then was nowhere near as good as they are now. Since the start of their home summer in 16/17, they been a roll of losing only 1 series in their last 10 (13 Test match wins v 3 losses). Their 10 series before that (which includes those two series v Australia) their win:loss match ratio was <50%. Whilst it's true they have had less away Tests in their recent run, their bowlers have still improved markedly home and away. Last 10 series from 16/17 v 10 series before that: - Southee 23 v 36 - Boult 33 v 23 - Henry 35 v 55 - Wagner 25 v 25 - de Grandhomme 30 v Craig 46. That's what makes this series so exciting. For the first time perhaps since 85/86 their bringing an in-form attack that could really defeat Aus at home. Plus Kane Williamson. Our batsmen better be on top of their game, esp with the pink ball at the WACA, even if it'll be almost entirely in daylight. There'll be a lot of interest in the England series starting on Thursday!
U
Roar Rookie
Well hopefully Paine won’t be sending in teams again this summer
Jeff
Roar Rookie
I agree this season Burns is performing better than Bancroft, but not streets ahead IMO. Why use Shield stats to make the point though?
U
Roar Rookie
He hasn’t got a single century in 9 tests and was refereeing through the ashes. Some guys just can’t back it up at test level. Bancroft is the same
maverick
Roar Rookie
I did Jeff.How can you compare him to Bancroft? Players should be picked on recent form but that doesn't mean the latest match only. Burns is averaging 40 compared to Bancroft's 11 in this shield season. Burns played most of his games at the Gabba which is arguably the trickiest pitch right now in Australia( along Hobart )where the first test is going to be played. Burns is street ahead of Bancroft. some meaningless stats doesn't change that.But if Bancroft can improve his technique,he has a future in test cricket.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
1000/1!
dungerBob
Roar Rookie
I’m pretty happy with the squad. It’s pretty much the best we could do really. I can only see two spots up for grabs. One bowler and an opener. The lack of disputed positions makes me think the selectors have done a decent job. 3 to 7 are locks imo. It’ll be Lab, Smith, Head, Wade and Paine. Burns and Bancroft are fighting over the other opener/12th man role. If we had just one in form opener in f/c cricket there might only be the 4th bowler spot open. No matter how I look at it that seems pretty solid selection. .. ps, what price they actually drop Warner and open with Burns/Bancroft instead?
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Couldn’t make it to the ground but watched the game in tv.
David Koch
Guest
Australia can afford to drop Wade and include Neser as the 5 th bowler and rely on the all round talents of Neser, Cummins and Stark to strengthen the batting.
Pierro
Roar Rookie
It wasn't good Ive watched both burns and harris wickets a few times on CA website, 60 second replay of each as you probably have watched too. Burns just looked all over the shop. It surprised me actually. Ive no doubt he will go better at Gabba but its concerning . It had me pulling back to Harris a bit . Bancroft down the order for me now if he plays
anon
Roar Pro
So if Paine was never born we’d just have no captain??
TheGeneral
Roar Rookie
Because he is the only viable captain, and twice as good with the gloves as Wade.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
His dismissals and leading up to the second dismissal. He really didn't seem to know where his off stump was.