With the Australian Test team coming off a disappointing series loss against India, all eyes will turn to who they will select in their next series against the South Africans.
And there could be plenty of changes coming too. Here’s two changes to the Australian XI that I think could possibly happen.
#1 Drop/rest Starc for Neser or Abbott
Mitch Starc hasn’t been at his peak recently, especially in the Test series against the Indians. He wasn’t at his economical best, conceding 3.2 runs per over (3.6 in the last two matches). He averaged a wicket every 40.7 runs, and struck every 74.7 balls.
That’s not very good at all.
What he needs is a bit of a rest/dropped out of the side. Now despite not playing for the past few months, either Sean Abbott or Michael Neser should be brought in. And, despite how handy Neser could be with both bat and ball, I think it should be Abbott.
He was very handy for NSW the first few Sheffield Shield games, taking 14 wickets at an average of 17.9, striking every 39.7 balls, and scoring 261 runs at an average of 130.5, including two fifties and one hundred. If Starc does get dropped/rested, he should be the first choice to replace him.
Sean Abbott plays well in the pyjamas, but can he make an impact in the whites? (Photo by Speed Media/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
#2 Drop Wade for Head, McDermott or Henriques
Matty Wade hasn’t been in the best of form recently in the four match Test series, scoring 173 runs at only an average of 21.6.
Now players such as Joe Burns, Dave Warner, Will Pucovski and Travis Head may’ve scored fewer runs, but Wade batted for all eight innings.
Despite playing both as opener and in the middle order, Wade needs to be dropped. And one of either Head, Ben McDermott or Moises Henriques should come in. This could be a tough choice given how solid they’ve been recently. But I think it should be Ben McDermott.
He’s been in superb form this summer, scoring a combined 752 runs in the Sheffield Shield and Big Bash, averaging 53.7 and hitting seven fifties along the way. The Australian selectors may want him over in New Zealand, but I reckon he could potentially be handy in the Test arena as well.
But we will still never know what will happen or what the Australian selectors are planning. And we won’t know until late this month or early next month.
However if they decide to make these changes then the Aussies could be enhanced for their series against South Africa and New Zealand.
DingoGray
Guest
I heard rumblings that there was going to be two squads 1. Red ball - STH Africa 2. White ball- N.Z Starc needs to be on the white ball tour. Wade I’m not sure he should be on either
Bimbster
Roar Rookie
squad Puc, labu, Smith, mcdermott, henriques, green,paine, swepson, cummins, Hazelwood, neser, Richardson, j weatherald, Renshaw, larkin, lyon, solway, meredith
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
I would argue precisely that.
DTM
Roar Rookie
Carey and Inglis are both better keepers than Wade and you could argue that there's more upside to their batting than Wade's.
maverick
Roar Rookie
No risk at all. Wade averages 30 in tests,he is no Hussey that replacing him is a big deal.
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
Yeah it's a shame. Glad you've got ways around the alcohol problem. :happy:
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
:stoked: Not our first alcohol prohibition.. There is anyway a thriving blackmarket as a result… I expected it and now brew my own beer at home.. …but right now South Africa no place to tour.. Also our so called government has neglected to pre order vaccines so I don’t see any improvement in just 2 months time….Think even our own cricketers would want this series played elsewhere..
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
Prohibition on alcohol? Gee you must be seeing spiders climbing up the walls ...
Andrew
Guest
After Sydney he needed replacement but for the MCG he had ok results 3/78 and 1/20.
badmanners
Roar Rookie
I think your red ball team will be pretty close to the touring party. Maybe Carey for Wade? A bit of a risk as the spare batsman but could be a good intro for him.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Firstly will the series even happen in South Africa? We saw what happened England tour.. So it’s no guarantee.. An alternative venue either in Australia or the UAE which is now emerging as front runners to host.. Even tho I live here in SA I feel strongly that neither the SA squad or the Australian under present circumstances would want the series played here.. I mean under current lock down rules the players cannot even have a beer after the match… . Alcohol sales strictly prohibited.. And that looks set to last for a few months at least.. If it gets played in the UAE gonna need 2 spinners in the squad and at least one medium pace seamer who can mix it up with a bit of line and length accuracy and swing. If it’s played in Johannesburg, pace, pace and pace with 1 spinner to give the quicks a rest.. If in Australia, well who knows what pitch you’re gonna dish up this time.. :laughing:
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
If that's the case both Wanderers and Centurion are quick bowlers paradise..
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
Maybe starc is one of those players that needs an occasional wake up call. Perhaps if he had been left out of Melbourne and Sydney it may have brought out his best if recalled in Brisbane?
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
If Paine is the best keeper in Australia then wade is certainly not 2nd. Better to have either Carey or Inglis as back up.
Rob
Guest
The only way Carey gets into the side is if he's keeping. His FC record is no where near good enough to be picked as a batsman alone. In fact, I'd probably prefer Inglis as the next in line.
bowledover
Roar Rookie
Ok. This is tricky… RED BALL 1. Warner 2. Pucovski 3. Labuschagne 4. Smith 5. Head – this is maybe in absence of someone else doing really well in any shield games that occur between now and when the SA tour needs to head out. Although, carrying 3 international test green horns is maybe too big of an ask. 6. Green 7. Paine C/WK 8. Pattinson/J Richardson/Neser – I honestly think this needs to be on the basis of who looks the best at the time and relevant recent form. I am torn between seeing Richardson get a cap as looks like he is bowling well (in BBL and was very well until the shoulder injury), rewarding Neser for continued good form in shield and Pattinson being a great bowler who’d likely walk into the starting bowling lineup of many other test teams. 9. Cummins 10. Lyon 11. Hazlewood 12. Starc – based on last two outings. 13. J Richardson/Pattinson/Neser – see above. 14. Swepson – deserves it and has been doing well. 15. Maddinson – but choose based on form. 16. McDermott, maybe if continues to show good form. 17. Whiteman – but choose based on form. 16. Inglis, reserve WK – looks like a good gloveman with the plenty of batting upside. might be a good future prospect which is good to bring in now to experience a tour in particular if Tim P hangs around for another 1-18 months to 2 years. WHITE BALL 1. Finch (c) 2. Philippe (wk) 3. Lynn/Stoinis (Lynn looks like he is getting some real form behind him for the heat). 4. Stoinis/Lynn (Stoinis doesnt look as good as last year to me, but still batting really well). 5. McDermott, batting well but maybe might go on the SA tour. 6. Maxwell 7. MMarsh 8. Sams/Steketee/Agar/Abbott – depends on form. 9. Sams/Steketee/Agar/Abbott – depends on form 10. Zampa – has been doing super well lately. 11. Sangha – this guy looks great 12. Henriques 13. D Short / Maddinson (if not in the test side) 14. Maybe Dan Christian? 15. 1st reserve fast – depends on form 16. 2nd reserve fast – depends on form 17. A Agar or Sok as reserve spinner. 18. maybe one more batsman?
steggz
Roar Rookie
1. Starc going at 3.2 rpo is quite economical for him. He looked great in the first two tests, wasn’t bad in Sydney, but tired in Brisbane. 2. McDermott? Are you having a laugh? He’s found some form this summer, but he’s still only scored two tons in 60+ first class innings. I picked two squads of 18 for the stereo tours: Test: Warner Pucovski Labuschagne Smith Wade Green Paine Cummins Starc Lyon Hazlewood – – – Harris Head Henriques Neser Pattinson Abbott Swepson T20: Finch Short Carey Philippe McDermott Khawaja Maxwell M.Marsh (or Dwarshuis/Christian if not fit) Sams Stoinis A.Agar (or Turner if not fit) Zampa Green K.Richardson J.Richardson Tye Behrendorff Meredith
fabian gulino
Roar Rookie
wade will be dropped.
jameswm
Roar Guru
In that case Big Bash is very relevant. Rotate Lynn and Meredith in for some games.
jameswm
Roar Guru
OK so maybe you need a bigger squad just in case