We are taking on the mighty South Africans in the first test series this summer, who recently crushed England in England and boast some of the most in form players in world cricket.
In terms of batsmen, Hashim Amla is the ICC’s number two ranked batsman in test cricket, behind only Kumar
Sangakkara of Sri Lanka. If you completely switch off to cricket over winter – you would’ve missed his majestic triple century (video right). Their other gun batsmen include Jacques Kallis (of course!) at number four, AB de Villiers at number five and Graeme Smith at number seven. Australia has only one batsman in the top ten, Michael Clarke (six). Let’s not discount their bowling attack either, Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander and Morne Morkel are the best pace combo in the world, easily. | |
Latest test team (v West Indies April 23-27):
Warner, Cowan, Watson, Ponting, Clarke, Hussey, Wade, Harris, Starc, Hilfenhaus, Lyon
For the Brisbane test, what will the squad be like? Firstly, let’s look at the locks. Obviously there’s captain Clarke, Shane Watson, Mike Hussey, Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus. Ryan Harris is injured and there isn’t too much competition for the opening spot, meaning despite Phil Hughes’ good form, I’d expect Ed Cowan and Dave Warner to hold on. Not that I necessarily agree with it, I still think Warner is still too hit and miss to be a test opener at this stage (16 innings, 11 scores under 30). That leaves the team as:
1. Warner
2. Cowan
3. Watson
4.
5. Clarke
6. Hussey
7.
8.
9. Siddle
10 Hilfenhaus
11.
12.
Watson hasn’t played a lot at number three, but he looked comfortable enough there in the West Indies. Ricky Ponting is in great touch shown by his 180 against Victoria a week ago. For that reason, I want him in at number four. But this has to be his last summer. Let’s send him out with a convincing win against the Proteas okay? Nathan Lyon will spin it for Australia because Jon Holland is injured and Michael Beer has only played Twenty20s, and James Pattinson deserves a start after form is very good too.
1. Warner
2. Cowan
3. Watson
4. Ponting
5. Clarke
6. Hussey
7.
8. Lyon
9. Siddle
10 Hilfenhaus
11. Pattinson
12.
Only one spot remains in the XI: the wicketkeeper. For me, it’s a no-brainer. I’ve loved Brad Haddin’s contribution to Australian cricket for many years, but now it’s time for a fresh start. Matthew Wade is only 24 will benefit for over a decade if he plays this summer against the best. On the other hand. Haddin is 34 and might only have one or two years left. People say that “Haddin is the better ‘keeper”, which may be true, but Wade is far from a ‘Partiv Patel style’ klutz. If we were giving the spot to the best glove-man in the country, Chris Hartley would have many test caps already (which I wouldn't disagree with, can bat too). So for me, it’s Matthew Wade.
The twelfth spot in the squad is normally reserved for another fast bowler, but I’d like to see a change. This time it is our batting that appears weaker, and against a rampaging South African attack, we might need all the backup available. So, I'm throwing the drinks to Callum Ferguson for the ‘Gabba test. He scored a Sheffield Shield hundred last week and already has heaps of international experience playing 30 ODIs. He’s 27 and just starting to re-hit his straps after a bad knee injury. Ladies and gentlemen, this is my test squad for the Brisbane test match:
Test Squad for the 'Gabba:
1. Warner
2. Cowan
3. Watson
4. Ponting
5. Clarke
6. Hussey
7. Wade
8. Pattinson
9. Siddle
10 Hilfenhaus
11. Lyon
12. Ferguson
What do you think? Who would you rather see? Comment below: