With the NRL finishing last Sunday, all eyes are now firmly focused on Australia’s summer of cricket.
There is nothing to look forward to more than Tests, one-dayers and T20s against South Africa, India and Sri Lanka, and of course the eighth season of the BBL is upon us.
So, without further ado, here are thecolumn’s predictions for the 2018-19 summer of cricket.
Australia to lose series against India
It is widely regarded amongst players and spectators that apart from the Ashes, Australia vs India is the pinnacle of Test cricket, so what a shame it would be to endure a defeat from Virat Kohli’s side.
Batting looks to be Australia’s flaw, losing their two best batsmen to suspension has left the side short.
Aaron Finch and Travis Head will likely assume the roles of David Warner and Steve Smith respectively, obviously though this is a downgrade – Head and Finch’s first-class averages don’t come within 10 runs of Smith and Warner.
India’s batting embarrasses Australia’s. The strength of their batsmen is indicated by the selectors recent decision to play one fewer batsman to fit an extra bowler, they were rewarded with India scoring 500+ runs in the first innings against the West Indies.
New Indian cricketer Prithvi Shaw (AP Photo/Rajanish Kakade)
Sydney Thunder to win the Big Bash
While the Perth Scorchers are favourites to pick up their fourth BBL title, the way I see it, the Thunder will be the team to beat despite being equal with the Melbourne Stars as the longest odds to take the title.
Shane Watson will be the man to lead them to their second premiership, he is arguably in career best T20 form coming off a very successful IPL season finishing fifth overall in runs and guiding the Chennai Super Kings to a victory with a ton in the grand final.
In addition to Watson, Thunder have even more stability in the top order and wicket keeping with Jos Buttler.
The English International is known for his big hitting boasting a strike rate of 144.46 and scoring over 30 fifties in the format.
Watson and Buttler at the top of the order will give the Thunder a serious chance a winning the cup.
They have also added promising all rounder Daniel Sams into their squad, strengthening their bowling attack, which perhaps lacked fire power last year.
Shane Watson keeps blasting away (AAP Image/David Moir)
Paine out, Carey in
Yep, Alex Carey will be given a full-time job in the one-day team and will eventually find himself in a baggy green, if you ask me.
Although Paine’s leadership qualities will be very important in this side, it will only be a matter of time before Carey is given the gloves.
Tim Paine is known for his extreme struggle with finger injuries throughout his career, these injuries resulted in his demotion as deputy wicket-keeper in the Test arena.
If one of these injuries were to reignite, Carey would be given an opportunity in the baggy green. If he made the most of this opportunity with runs and dismissals, it would prove difficult for Paine to force his way back in the team, especially because he is six years older than the South Australian wicket-keeper.
Interestingly, in the 2015 Ashes series, former Australian wicket-keeper Brad Haddin, missed a Test match due to personal reasons, after this Test match he was never picked in the Australian team again. Could the selectors make a similar decision if Paine gets injured?
The return of James Pattinson
Australian selectors crave 145km/h bowlers, and there aren’t many better in Australia than James Pattinson.
Despite the fact he has failed to string together many consecutive games over the past few years due to injury, his talent and experience will be invaluable in the relatively inexperienced Australian team should Mitch Starc, Josh Hazlewood or Pat Cummins get injured.
Pending injuries, it would be great to see the 28-year-old get another chance at proving his worth in the test team as well as limited over formats.
James Pattinson bowls for Australia. (AAP Image/Paul Miller)
Jack Edwards is a gun
You heard it here first, the 18-year-old was very impressive in his first stint in Australian domestic cricket scoring 68 and 116 against Tasmania and Queensland respectively for NSW.
The allrounder is a near certainty for the NSW Sheffield Shield side, if he was to continue his blistering form in the longer format, you never know, the selectors often like looking toward the future and blooding young talent and with insecurity in the no.6 position (as there always is), Jack Edwards could find himself in that position.
Although, he is probably a couple of seasons away from getting a look in to the side, he certainly has the talent to impress in Shield, and BBL this year.
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