Australia have announced their T20 squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup.
The squad includes key Test players like David Warner, Steve Smith, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins.
Assuming Australia playing the final of the T20 World Cup, which will be finished on November 14, and with the Ashes starting on December 8, it is a clear picture that those key Test players would not be able to take part in the Afghanistan series that will start from November 27.
Now considering the situation, let’s settle on a playing XI for the solo match against Afghanistan.
Talking about the openers, assuming he is fit, Will Pucovski and Marcus Harris are the front-runners. Pucovski had a good start to his career against India where he scored a 50. But a shoulder injury ruled him out of the series and then he had his surgery. He is expected to come back soon in full swing.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer – CA/Cricket Australia via Getty Images)
Harris, on the other hand, is in terrific form, making 695 runs in the Sheffield Shield tournament, averaging 63.18 with two centuries last season and he had strong performance in the County Championship for Leicestershire. Although someone can argue playing him in the middle but the lack of openers means he is going to open.
Marnus Labuschagne was not included in the T20 World Cup squad so he is at three by default. Tim Paine, the captain, will come in at seven and take the gloves.
Now, let’s talk about positions four, five and six. Considering all of this, I have got Travis Head, Alex Carey and Cameron Green as front-runners.
There is no doubt of Green’s inclusion in the XI but the question is where to send him in to bat? He played his only series against India at six. But with key players missing, I expect him to bat at a higher position.
Head, on the other hand, is come and go. He was dropped after the second Test against India but later was selected to play against South Africa, which was cancelled later on.
The reasons I am considering him as a front-runner are because of his Sheffield Shield tournament performance and the selectors’ word to give more opportunities to see how far he can go.
Both Head and Green bat at number four in first-class cricket. But I assume it would be Head at four and Green at five for the Afghanistan Test, which means Alex Carey to bat at six.
(Photo by Sarah Reed/Getty Images)
Being omitted from the T20 squad, which was likely to happen, Carey is now probably preparing for the upcoming Tests.
Assuming Tim Paine retires after the Ashes, Carey is the front-runner to take the gloves. Though still not playing a single Test match for Australia, he is an excellent performer in first-class cricket where his average was nearly 60 in the last Shield series. He was also included in the cancelled tour of South Africa. For me, he is the vice-captain.
Now, coming to the bowling group, Nathan Lyon is the go-to man for the spin role. James Pattinson, Michael Neser and Jhye Richardson are my front-line pacers.
It’s time for Pattinson, who could have been one of the finest Australian bowlers, to lead the bowling group from the front. He is more experienced than the two others.
This time Michael Neser should get his very well deserved Test cap. He has been around the team for almost three years. Please do some justice for this man.
At some point, Jhye Richardson seemed to be a go-to man for the T20 World Cup after his brilliant performance in the last Big Bash League where he picked up 25 wickets at 11 with an economy rate of 6.47.
But his performance in Australia’s shirt against NZ and in the IPL could not justify his talent. Result? Omission from the squad. But with two Test matches under his belt and his ability to swing the bowl at high speed, he will be vital for upcoming Tests.
I know there will be a probably 15-17-member squad. Some would be recalled and some would get a maiden call. All these are up to the selectors. This article is all about finding the best squad against Afghanistan without the key players.
Likely XI
1. Will Pucovski
2. Marcus Harris
3. Marnus Labuschagne
4. Travis Head
5. Cameron Green
6. Alex Carey (vice-captain)
7. Tim Paine (captain and wicketkeeper)
8. James Pattinson
9. Michael Neser
10. Jhye Richardson
11. Nathan Lyon
Paul
Roar Guru
I guess Bancroft would be there or thereabouts, but only if he got off to a flyer in the first few Shield games. Can't think of too many others.
matth
Roar Guru
Nice shout out for Renshaw another who is much improved in the last season or so.
matth
Roar Guru
Plus who would be the alternative?
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Was captain up till May.
Micko
Roar Rookie
There's an Afghan player named "Afghan"? :laughing:
bowledover
Roar Rookie
This isnt a bad list. Nic Maddinson didnt have a great last shield, but had been strong for a while so should be in consideration. I actually dont mind Alex Carey as a batsman in the side. He has shown to be a bit of a fighter and that could work well for him the middle order. Harris always seems to have a great success in FC that doesnt translate to international success, I hope he turns that around. I really hope to see Pucovski, Carey, Green, Neser and J Richardson have some success.
Soyaib Zihad
Roar Rookie
I hope too. And looking forward for ur next article.
Paul
Roar Guru
I look forward to reading more of your pieces. There should be plenty to write about with so much cricket coming up.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Which team do you most align with Soyaib and which of the others do you take the most interest in?
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Actually, I think it's less of a case of Ashes preparation, but rather a case of CA "ticking the box" to meet its ICC obligations re "getting a Test against Afghanistan done and off their agenda". Some TV also content helps placate broadcasters and CA is also seen to be "throwing a bone" to placate Tasmanian desire for Test cricket.
Soyaib Zihad
Roar Rookie
Bascically, I am not a fan of this kind of scheduling. Australia may have some backups but a growing test team like Afganistan don't have. This match is nothing but a benifit for Australia as they probably want to see how their backups perform ahead of Ashes. But for Afghanistan it's tough.
Soyaib Zihad
Roar Rookie
Jeff, right, not too many days ago, against Bangladesh was his last match. Mujib may have his chance though.
Clear as mud
Guest
I really hope the test doesn’t go ahead. It would be unfair on Afghanistan. But the stupidity of scheduling a test when half the test team is unavailable.:… what the actual?
Jeff
Roar Rookie
I had t realised Nabi had given up Tests. That must have been recent. Mujeed wouldn’t come as part of a 13/14 man squad?
Ruairidh MacDonald
Roar Rookie
Oh damn, didn't know that. Oh well, still a cracking team without him.
Soyaib Zihad
Roar Rookie
Thanks a lot paul. It's nice to have some feedback from an expert someone like u. I hope I will to write here more often.
Paul
Roar Guru
I've only seen highlights of his batting in England, but he looks more organised I think. Don't disagree about Harris the Test opener. He's had a lot of chances, but I think deserves one more, ONLY because he is making runs and we have such a good bat at 3
Paul
Roar Guru
Smith's 32 and Puckovski's 23. If Smith plays another 4 years of Test cricket, WP can bat 5 and Green at 6. Once Smith retires he can move up the list. The alternative is to give WP 12 months to get some Tests under his belt, make him captain and he can bat where he likes. :happy:
Ben Palliyaguru
Roar Rookie
I am not a big fan of Moises but that's who I think the selectors will pick. I would move Pucovski or Harris into the middle order
Soyaib Zihad
Roar Rookie
Henriques is already 34. He showed some form in FC cricket. But I am not sure if selectors would give him another chance though I think age should not be a factor.