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Opinion
Following Australia’s disappointing series loss to India, some changes will need to be made for the upcoming tour to South Africa.
If fit, Will Pucovski should open the batting with David Warner, with Marnus Labuschagne at three and Steve Smith at four.
Australia’s two most recent number five batsmen, Matthew Wade and Travis Head, have both struggled recently. Head should go back to the Shield to work on his game, while Wade should be in the Australian Twenty20 squad.
Cameron Green should move up to bat at five, Glenn Maxwell is in excellent form and would be a good option to have at six, and captain Tim Paine bats at seven and keeps.
As for the bowlers, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood should both play while Mitch Starc should play the Twenty20s. Mitch Swepson has done well for Queensland recently and deserves to debut.
Michael Neser has also done well recently, while his bowling would suit South African conditions.
Queensland all-rounder Michael Neser should be in line for a baggy green. (Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
James Pattinson would give Australia an express pace option if required. Joining Pattinson as the reserve quicks are Sean Abbott, Jackson Bird and Nathan Ellis.
Marcus Harris did a reasonable job filling in for the injured Will Pucovski in Sydney. He goes along as one of the reserve batsmen alongside Nic Maddinson and Sam Whiteman, who have both done well in the Shield over the last few seasons.
Nathan Lyon goes as the reserve spinner with Alex Carey going as reserve keeper.
Australian Test squad to go to South Africa
Will Pucovski
David Warner
Marnus Labuschagne
Steve Smith
Cameron Green
Glenn Maxwell
Tim Paine (captain/wicketkeeper)
Michael Neser
Pat Cummins (vice-captain)
Mitch Swepson
Josh Hazlewood
Reserves
James Pattinson
Sean Abbott
Jackson Bird
Nathan Ellis
Marcus Harris
Nic Maddinson
Sam Whiteman
Nathan Lyon
Alex Carey (wicketkeeper)
The Australia Twenty20 team will be playing New Zealand at the same time as the South Africa Test series, meaning several first-choice players will be unavailable, yet Australia can still put together a strong team.
Captain Aaron Finch should open the batting with Matthew Wade. Big Bash guns Ben McDermott and Josh Philippe should bat at three and four, with all-rounders Moises Henriques and Mitch Marsh batting at five and six.
Jhye Richardson and Jason Behrendorff have both made successful returns from injury during the Big Bash and along with Mitch Starc should make up the fast bowling unit.
(Action Foto Sport/NurPhoto)
Adam Zampa and Ashton Agar should play as the spinners, but with Agar under an injury cloud it potentially opens up a spot to another spinner, however it needs to be someone capable of batting at seven.
The two back-up spin options are D’Arcy Short – who despite his poor batting form has bowled well this season – and Chris Green.
The back-up quicks are Daniels Sams, Wes Agar and Kane Richardson. The back-up batsmen are Dan Christian, Marcus Stoinis and Chris Lynn.
Australian Twenty20 team to go to New Zealand
Aaron Finch (captain)
Matthew Wade (vice-captain/wicketkeeper)
Ben McDermott (wicketkeeper)
Josh Philippe (wicketkeeper)
Moises Henriques
Mitch Marsh
Ashton Agar
Mitch Starc
Jhye Richardson
Adam Zampa
Jason Behrendorff
Reserves
Chris Green
D’Arcy Short
Daniel Sams
Wes Agar
Kane Richardson
Dan Christian
Marcus Stoinis
Chris Lynn
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