In a series that no longer has any ramifications on the World Test Championship, Australia should blood a young and exciting team, giving valuable experience to the youngsters.
Here’s who I would pick to take on Sri Lanka in the first test in Galle.
1. Sam Konstas
An obvious selection in a team that is aimed at youth, Konstas deserves an opportunity in the subcontinent after a scintillating but short beginning to his career. At only 19 years old, there is no reason for the selectors to not pick this up-and-coming talent.
2. Travis Head (VC)
After having a strong summer in Australia, Head will have a very important role in Sri Lanka. Historically, he doesn’t begin well against spin in the subcontinent and when he began to open in India, he averaged 55.75 after a lean start to the series. Head will also have an important role with the ball bowling handy off breaks. His best figures came against Sri Lanka in Galle, where he took 4/10 including a couple of absolute jaffas.
Travis Head. (Photo by Morgan Hancock – CA/Cricket Australia via Getty Images)
3. Marnus Labuschagne
Labuschagne should be a lock for this role as he finished the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in strong fashion. He is known as a decent player of spin as he is very good with his feet. In a side where there isn’t a lot of experience, he will be someone who will be called upon to get the Australian side off to flying starts and not expose the middle order.
4. Steve Smith (C)
The captain of the side when Cummins isn’t playing, Smith is the biggest lock in the team. He is one of few Australian batters who have had success playing in the subcontinent, having scored two centuries already in Sri Lanka in just five Tests. Similar to Labuschagne, Smith must anchor the innings to make sure Australia can put on large totals.
5. Beau Webster
While Webster will be batting at No.6 for Australia in the future, the potential for selectors to roll with Travis Head at opener in Sri Lanka provides an opportunity for Webster to move up the order and take on a new role. Webster’s lack of international experience will most likely come into play on slow-turning decks but his shield form and ability to bat in long-format cricket should hold him in good stead for his future.
Beau Webster. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)
6. Cooper Connolly
A very exciting prospect for Australia, Connolly is just 21 years old and has only played four first-class games. While he does average 61.80 in these matches, the lack of sample size could mean that he could be anything. I believe he should play as there is no risk to this decision and if it works out, he could be a player not just for the future but for the now. Connolly also bowls handy left arm off spin. While he is most likely not ready to shoulder the load of a lead spinner, he will be a point of difference to the two other spinners I have selected in my side.
7. Alex Carey
The best keeper in Australia, Carey is another lock in the side. His elite glovework will be very important in the subcontinent on spinning decks where outside edges and stumpings are very important methods of taking wickets. Carey can also be Australia’s stabiliser if things up the top don’t go according to plan.
8. Mitchell Starc
In Sri Lanka, there will most likely be room for only two seam bowlers. With no Cummins and Hazlewood, Starc is very likely to get the nod ahead of Sean Abbott. Starc can provide a spark when a changeup is needed for the Australian bowlers and the extra pace he provides can hopefully skittle the tail if required.
9. Todd Murphy
Probably the toughest choice of the lot, Murphy is no lock to play in Sri Lanka. I chose Murphy as I believe he is a more consistent bowler than Matthew Kuhnemann, who is the other option in the squad. While Murphy and Nathan Lyon both bowl right-arm offies, with Connolly playing there is still a variety to the spin attack. If Murphy can hold up an end and Lyon and Connolly can attack from the other, I believe that Australia will be successful.
(Photo by John Walton/PA Images via Getty Images)
10. Nathan Lyon
Lyon at the age of 37 is still the leader of the Australian spin attack and for good reason. Lyon averages 32.02 with the ball in Sri Lanka, not his happiest hunting ground but he still holds a respectful record. With both Kuhnemann and Murphy being new to Test cricket, the selectors will definitely continue with their first-choice spinner to pair with one of the youngsters.
11. Scott Boland
While Boland hasn’t played Test cricket in Sri Lanka, his rise to fame over the last four years with some incredible bowling displays will secure him a spot in the team without the likes of Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins. He has never taken a wicket in the subcontinent after just bowling 17 overs in his one and only match, but will be looking to change that with a strong series.
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