Booney wrote:Bancroft - Only played 3 Tests and looks to have the temperament to open. Needs a big on in the next 2 Tests now the pressure is off
Warner - Looks like a man batting on his own at the moment. Doesn't seem to have confidence in the bloke at the other end so is just eeking out runs
Khawaja - Not convinced at all that he's a long term #3
Smith - Freak
S.Marsh - On his last chance and batting like it. Good for him.
M.Marsh - Might be the making of him that innings, can he bowl though? I'm not sure he can.
Paine - Dropped a few off Lyon, that partnership will develop over time, looks sound with his batting and like S.Marsh, last chance.
Starc - Can swap with the next bloke
Cummins - Time to move him to 8 and can he bowl Hazlewood length instead of just bumpers? Is that him or Smith asking for it?
Hazlewood - The backbone of our attack. Looks more and more like a bloke who has found his rhythm, length, pace.
Lyon - In career best form
Khawaja worries me, could Warner or Bancroft bat 3 and bring Renshaw back in to open? I know Renshaw is out of touch at the moment but he could be an option.
Could Weatherald be the longer term answer at #3? He must be in the selectors minds for the future.
I still like Khawaja and think he can be long term number 3 or open if required. He is a class above almost all other Aussies except Smith.
Bancroft I hope scores a century in the last 2 Tests because Renshaw is cooked at the moment unfortunately. I get the feeling Bancroft will struggle to hold his place for South Africa.
Paine has proven to be at least as good as Neville and Wade. At least they've all had a bit of a go. Fingers crossed Carey makes big runs for SA when the Shield season resumes (hopefully they bat him at least at 6 for SA).
Bowling line up is as good as it ever has been (well almost - McGrath/Warne/Gillespie take some beating). World class as a group and the perfect blend of extreme left arm pace and reverse swing from Starc, laser like precision from Hazlewood and an absolute talent and workhorse in Cummins to keep the pressure right on - plus the best offie Australia has produced in the peak of his form. I'd love to see Sayers keep his level up for a few more years because you get the feeling he will get an opportunity and a feeling he could have a say in an Ashes contest in England. Plenty of wraps on Swepson as well which would add another dynamic as a leggie.
If I had to predict the remaining two Ashes Tests and moving forward to South Africa, I think the best XI to go with to win that series will be:
Warner
Khawaja
S.Marsh
Smith
*Handscomb (or any player who scores huge runs when Shield returns)
M.Marsh
Paine
Cummins
Starc
Lyon
Hazlewood