In stark contrast to this season, 2022 shapes up as a gruelling cricketing schedule for Australia, travelling away to face Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and India all in the space of nine months.
Not to mention the potential of squeezing in last winters postponed tour of Bangladesh, which if rescheduled would see Australia feature in 11 Test matches in Asia.
Given the Aussies’ notorious struggles on the subcontinent in the last decade, it will be a massive challenge for a team still reeling from successive defeats to India at home.
Less than 12 months out from the first assignment, against Pakistan, several questions hang over the side.
One of the main considerations facing the selectors will be who partners Nathan Lyon as the second spinner?
If England’s tours of Sri Lanka and India have been anything to go by, two spinners are an absolute must with the potential for even three tweakers in the same XI given the recent pitches in India.
So who can Australia call on?
Despite having a poor home series against India, Lyon is still the number one spinner in the country.
The 100-Test veteran is one wicket shy of 400 scalps and has made a welcome return to form for NSW in Shield cricket in the past fortnight.
He also seems to have cracked the code of bowling on the subcontinent in recent tours, claiming 53 wickets at 22.26 in his last eight Asian Tests.
Nathan Lyon (Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)
However, despite personally bowling well, he hasn’t featured in a series victory in Asia since his maiden tour of Sri Lanka in 2011.
When looking at who can help Lyon send the opposing batsmen into a spin, the options are sparse.
Australia’s go-to option in recent tours was Steve O’Keefe but the left-armer has since retired from first-class cricket.
Perhaps the selectors could look at other left-arm options in Ashton Agar or Jon Holland?
Agar last featured at Test level against Bangladesh in 2017 and claimed a respectable nine wickets at an average of 23.14.
Not a huge turner of the ball, Agar’s role will more than likely focus on putting the ball in good areas and keeping the run rate in check.
As Axar Patel has shown against England, you don’t need to be turning the ball square to have success on spinning pitches.
While Agar’s first-class record doesn’t jump off the page, his all-round abilities with both bat and ball make him very appealing.
Holland last featured in the UAE against Pakistan in 2018. At 33 years of age, he’s by no means out of contention however he hasn’t had the best of times in his short Test career thus far.
Going at over three and a half runs an over, Holland has struggled to take wickets and contain the run rate in his four Tests to date.
I would put a line through him.
Perhaps Australia’s best option comes in the form of Queensland leg spinner Mitchell Swepson.
Mitchell Swepson bowls against England (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
Since carrying the drinks on Australia’s last Test tour to India in 2017, Swepson has come a long way.
The 27-year-old starred in the opening three rounds of this seasons Sheffield Shield, claiming 23 wickets at 21.17, including three five-wicket hauls.
More importantly, Swepson was able to bowl his side to victories over South Australia and Tasmania on the final day, a great sign in his development and maturity.
With 46 first-class games under his belt, the time is right for Swepson to don the baggy green next year.
Apart from the three tweakers mentioned above, it’s difficult to find any other established and consistent spinners in Australia’s first-class system.
Lloyd Pope sent excitement levels through the roof after his match-winning spell of 8-35 against England in the 2018 Under 19 World Cup, but the South Australian has struggled in the transition to Shield level since.
The 21-year-old averages over 72 with the red ball in first-class cricket, leaking over four runs an over. Whilst ability to give the ball a rip is undeniable, his control and temperament still have a way to go.
Next summer’s Shield season should give us a better indication of how Australia’s spin stocks are shaping up ahead of their Asian marathon, but at this stage, it’s hard to see anyone else jumping off the page and into the selector’s calculations.
Can Australia bury their subcontinental demons with Lyon, Swepson and Agar in the side? It’s their best chance.
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
That's true.
Micko
Roar Rookie
He got his application ahead in the queue pretty quick when they knew CA wanted him.
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
Fawad Ahmed wasn't an engineered import though. He had legitimate political asylum here fleeing the Taliban in fear of his life.
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
Since the 1970s? Nawab al Pataudi was picked up from India en route to Australia in 1932 for what became known as the bodyline series. He scored a century in the first test in Sydney.
Insult_2_Injury
Roar Rookie
Fine by me, thanks for giving me a different point of view to consider.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
Let's just agree to disagree.
Insult_2_Injury
Roar Rookie
Maxwell has had two shots at Test cricket and just like many other players who've been short form players is in the selectors eye more regularly than supposed red ball specialists like Rogers, therefore well and truly knows the selectors desires for Test selection for middle order batsmen. When Langer was coaching Perth Scorchers to multiple T20 tournament wins he was quoted as saying if you develop a technique for Test cricket you can play any format. That was the WA player he was looking for and there's no doubt that the Australian Test cricketer he wants. Your notion that getting selected for Australia, stops you getting selected is interesting. The wicketkeeping prospects for Paines spot are playing shortform for Australia and will be fully aware of selection criteria for all forms, they are in the box seat to prove their candidacy. Just as Maxwell has been for a decade. By the way, Waugh put those shots away because he proved he could.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
Waugh got to put away those shots at test level because he got recalled. Rogers got to score a bunch of domestic runs because he wasn't constantly being selected in coloured clothing internationals. Maxwell's supposed attitude issues are simply not present in his current red ball game. It's like arguing that Pat Cummins shouldn't be selected because he keeps getting injured, ie- true around ten years ago.
Insult_2_Injury
Roar Rookie
Steve Waugh learnt that Test cricket is a mental game and put away shots which were 'get out shots' until he was set, or didn't play them at all on certain decks. Chris Rogers got another shot due to weight of runs and his patience developed thru Shield and County. Maxwell appears to be happy with the tag; ' oh well, that's the way he plays!' He has one of the best straight drives in the game and only plays it regularly when he's in danger of being dropped. At some stage he had to learn that it is his bread and butter, but his mental game isn't up to it, never has been and he can't discipline his game to wait for the right ball. He'll always be Costner in Tin Cup.
qwetzen
Roar Rookie
Re Swepson: Nope. He's too loopy, his bowling that is, not his personality, not even India has produced a consistently successful 'traditional' wrist spinner. The decks may turn square, but a loopy spinner is too slow off the deck. Spinners in India need to be fast'n'flat, like Jadaja or Kumble to be effective.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
What other examples of lack of decision making at test level have there been, not including when he has been promoted for quick runs? Maybe there are obvious examples, but they were so long ago. Someone like Steve Waugh struggled early, had an uncontrolled hook shot in his repertoire, got dropped, and got to prove himself again. Maxwell just needed/needs a chance, and one where he bats in the same position for two consecutive innings. And a single test at home would be a bonus. And the 'too old' argument didn't apply to the likes of Chris Rogers. It's good to plan for the future, but it's also good to do well in the present.
Insult_2_Injury
Roar Rookie
Nope, given more opportunity than many players with Test techniques. You're focussing on only one of many of his examples of lack of decision making for the situation required. A mature international cricketer understands that his experience must count when needed. The game is 90% mental and that is his greatest flaw. It doesn't matter in 20/20 popcorn cricket, he can play til he's 40, although the way his IPL side regarded him last year, that's unlikely too. Time to focus on the future.
Oliver
Roar Rookie
It is plausible but his bowling is not up to scratch to be a second spinner
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Not close to the best option.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
Don't dwell on one reverse sweep after the team stupidly instructed him to play aggressively. The only reason Maxwell is not a test mainstay is because he has been given the Michael Bevan treatment - struggle once, fix your issues, never get the chance to redeem yourself. Apparently not up to standard in tests while simultaneously an automatic selection in ODI's. Red ball cricket is different, but Maxwell was never given a proper chance.
Micko
Roar Rookie
Steve O'Keefe.
Micko
Roar Rookie
England has long imported players, and NZ is doing it now too. Australia had an imported spinner (Pakistani Fawad Ahmed) who played a few ODI's for Australia just a few years ago.
John Erichsen
Roar Guru
Ask England how they do it. They have successfully used that policy since the 1970's. They will grab them from anywhere...
John Erichsen
Roar Guru
Could you take him on the basis that in the last 10 years, only he, Clarke and Smith have made a test hundred in India? Its a short list, with good company and runs in India seem to be in demand.
John Erichsen
Roar Guru
The point you make is fair enough but you might have forgotten B S Chandrasekhar who bowled even quicker than Kumble, reinforcing your point but providing another exception to the leg spin rarely succeeds in India. Not as successful as Kumble but more than a handful on Indian decks over his 15 year test career.