Australia brought in 4 new players in 2016 after losing home test series to SA. Another revamp needed after a decade?
Back in 2016 when Australia had lost both the tests against the Proteas, they axed old players and brought in 4 new players for the final pink ball test - Nic Maddinson, Matt Renshaw, Pete Handscomb and Matthew Wade. Jackson Bird was also recalled.
The current team also needs a similar revamp. My two new xi bets:
- Matt Renshaw
- Campbell Kellaway/Nathan McSweeney
- Nathan McSweeney/Kurtis Patterson
- Steve Smith
- Travis Head
- Cameron Green
- Alex Carey
- Corey Rocchiccioli/Matt Kuhneman/Todd Murphy
- Pat Cummins
- Mitchell Starc
- Josh Hazlewood/Scott Boland
My reasoning -
It isn’t sustainable to make Head open the innings because only Smith and Head in the current team can play big innings. Sure he can do on flat Aussie wickets but he won’t be useful overseas. Also, it’s not a surprise anymore that Labuschagne and Weatherald haven’t been playing with the correct technique, form and temperament to stick with them further. Coming to the all rounders, I don’t see a reason to play 2 of them when we can play a specialist batsman. Head, Carey and Green used to make a solid lower-middle order. Finally, I’m opting out of Lyon because he is no longer the gun fielder like once he was. Looked pretty tired on the field. His bowling also hasn’t been any special in recent times. Blokes like Murphy and Kuhnemann have showed plenty of promise and all three of the spinners I mentioned can bat good enough to strengthen the batting lineup.
SA and NZ have an easy route ahead for the WTC final. The chances look bleak for Australia even when they’re leading the points table. It’s high time the team is revamped before quite possibly the biggest 12 months of test cricket hits the team like an unstoppable rock. What’s your take on this?