Matthew Wade demolishes Derbyshire with record century

He may not quite fit the team dynamic these days, but it feels like Australia have to find a way to get him into the Aussie team. Perhaps in the T20 format? A shame to waste form like this.

I agree with what you say, I think it’s a policy fraught with danger.

I expect they will start with Starc, Cummins and Hazlewood but if any of them don't get the ball in the right areas within the first two tests then get them out of the team. Don't wait till the series is lost! The batsmen will be scratchy anyway so let's at least challenge the poms with the ball.

Hazlewood been quite ordinary last couple years, averaging nearly 30 per wicket. Big Ashes for him. I'd have Richardson as the 2nd quick after Cummins. Pattinson if fit would be a handful in England. Starc also a worry with the Duke in English conditions.

And that most likely will help contribute to another ashes tour losss

Interesting to see Handscomb keeping for the A side. Carey has done an admirable job but his keeping isn’t that great to keep, Handscomb, the superior batsman out of the main limited overs job

The selectors have shown again and again they don't pick quicks based on suitability for English conditions, they prefer to stick with the same guys.

That First 11 looks short of bowlers than can utilise English conditions effectively. If the conditions/pitch are conducive to swing, they should definitely look at bringing in Siddle or J. Richardson. Personally, I’d have Wade, Handscomb, Tremain, and then one of Labuschagne, Pucovski, Agar or Bancroft as the last spot. Not very decisive, I know. It depends on which style of player they think requires a backup.

Yep, but so could Mitch Marsh. Both would be a significant improvement!

Subject to fitness availability, Jhye, right now while he still has his explosive pace at <22 yo, could blow England apart and be one of those stand-out UK Ashes performances that is remembered for a long time (72 Massie, 81 Alderman, 81 Botham, 89 Alderman, 93 Warne).

Not keeper, but if he continues to score runs in English conditions- especially in the FC games next month - I'd have him purely as a batsman at the expense of Patterson. I get that the exclusion of Patterson would be "unlucky" given his SL ton in January, but Wade has experience and is scoring runs in all 3 formats and in different countries. I don't subscribe to the principle of giving a player another shot simply because they are the incumbent, at least not in a key series, such as the Ashes. If Wade is scoring runs, he gives us match experience and for mine, that is insurance.

Totally agree re: Siddle & Jhye. Burns surely an inclusion if he can recover and there is some match practice, but it all comes down to his well-being in the end. He is an incumbent test opener, too. Hard to see that initial XI changing much – if at all. Really wonder if there will be room made for a wildcard type back-up pacer that would flourish in the conditions…all of Worrall, Winter, Sayers & Copeland come to mind. Not sure any would be more deserving than Tremain however, with his record across the last 2-3 seasons. Then of course, there is the lure of a fit Pattinson too.

Who they select for the first of the 3x FC matches will be a real pointer as to their thinking re challengers to the incumbents. And I cannot wait for the four day game between Aus and Aus A. This Aus A tour – timing and bridging between WC and Ashes has been one of the most proactive and sensible things CA has done in years. In many ways, the “A” tour is giving us what we used to have pre-1993 – plenty of tour games in the lead in to the Ashes where players could get form in English conditions and where form could be analysed.

At this stage I'd say the starting Ashes XI (that the selectors will pick) would be: 1. Harris 2. Warner 3. Khawaja 4. Smith 5. Head 6. Patterson 7. Paine 8. Cummins 9. Starc 10. Lyon 11. Hazlewood That leaves 6 back-up spots, with only Jhye Richardson and Siddle all but locked in as back-ups in my opinion. The remaining 4 spots are very much up for grabs. The likes of Wade, Burns (if he recovers), Handscomb, Labuschagne, Pucovski, Mitch Marsh, Stoinis, Neser, Tremain, Agar and Bancroft will be competing for those final 4 spots in the eyes of the selectors I would guess. I think the Australia A four-day matches next month will have a huge impact on who gets those back-up Ashes squad spots.

As a batsman solely.

Yep I agree, Wade does have 2 test tons, our current keeper? But I do think if he continues to score heavily they have to look at him seriously.

Yeah it’s likely isn’t it.. although can’t say I’d agree with it. Would like to see First-Class domination rewarded on a rare occassion, irrespective of Wade’s very modest test career to date. Handscomb certainly has plenty of exposure to the conditions, but was quickly uncovered in the first two tests of the last Ashes series – I would imagine Jimmy & co would lick their lips at the thought.

I suspect they will use Handscomb in that role.

Ashes squad - which is of 17, mind you - surely surely beckons...reserve bat and gloves in one. Would be quite the travesty to miss out.

So he could really replace Stoinis in the World Cup squad?