Things looking healthy for Aussie Cricket.

[Donny]

What a depth of talent there is on the horizon for Australian Cricket. Let's look at the Test team.

Let's say Johnson, Starc and Harris are the best 3 quicks. Also on this tour are Hazlewood, the rookie (Man of the Match in his only Test match), and Siddle, the veteran.

At home, we have Pattinson and Cummins who would lead most other Test attacks. Then comes the likes of Bird, Sayers, Copeland, Coulter-Nile, Behrendorf, Abbott, Rimmington, Richardson, George ... That's 8 other quicks, after the first 7 named. Some countries are short of quality second and third fast bowlers and India, for instance, toured here last year with Ishant Sharma leading their attack. He has a Test bowling average of 35.

Wicketkeepers: After Braddin and Nevill (on tour), we have Wade, Carters, Paine, Ludeman. Just about any State keeper would do the job for Australia. Possibly the best of them all is the Bulls' keeper, Chris Hartley. Bats in the top 6 and is a slick gloveman. However, at 33, his age is against him.

The only slot we don't shine in is spinners. Although he pales in the shadow of Warne, Lyon is the incumbent Test spinner and although he has a couple of 4th. innings 5fas, is not considered to be a match winner. We have left orthos in Doherty, Holland, O'Keefe, Agar etc and promising leggies, Ahmed, Zampa and Boyce.

Apart from the number of good quicks, all-rounders is where we are millionaires.

Watto is there but on shaky ground. Knocking loudly on the door is Mitch Marsh, who probably wouldn't have made the Ashes squad if Faulkner was fit. Maxwell is a potential match winner, even in Tests. Could even be slotted in at #7 and replace Lyon - if his off spinning continues to improve. Gun in the field.

The second tier of all-rounders are Henriques, Hopes (although his age is against him, he's become close to the best Aussie cricketer not to have played a Test. Bats in the top 6 and opens the bowling for Q'land), Cutting, Hastings, spinners O'Keefe and Agar, although not top flight tweakers are very handy with the bat.

Batsmen ?

Shaun Marsh is the obvious replacement, as opener, for Rogers after the Ashes. Smith and Clarke will be #3 and 4 for a while, yet. Voges deserves his spot, after a stellar Shield season. Ferguson is still there. Class batsman who lacks that extra consistency the selectors want. Burns had a good Test debut but Voges beat him to an Ashes berth. Klinger would be in many Test teams but can't make ours. Age now against him.

Handscomb is improving with each season. Top order bat and keeps for Victoria when Wade is in the national limited overs team.

Yes, I might have left out an obvious talent. Feel free to comment.

[King Monkey]

Quite impressive when spelled out like that!!

Whilst spin is our only current concern regarding quality & depth, I'd love to see Cameron Boyce thrown the red ball in a test match instead of "blooding" him in the 20/20's. Bowling darts will become a habit if left to learn with the white ball.

Traditionally spinners don't dominate at first class level before becoming long-term test bowlers. Think Shane Warne. They played him before he was ready really, but he learnt on the job. I'd love to see them do the same with Boyce.
Although Fawad Ahmed is obviously in front of him for now, if Fawad doesn't crack it by the end of this calendar year his age will catch up with him when compared to Boyce, Zampa, and Muirhead.

[Donny]

Did forget one or two.

Doolan - had his chance. Way too passive for a spot in the Aussie team, let alone a spot distinguished by the likes of Bradman, Chappelli, Punter etc.

Cowan - also had his chances and, at one stage was tipped as a possible Test captain.

Khawaja - had limited chances and didn't quite make it.

Fekete took most wickets after Ahmed in the SS season. Therefore, most wickets by a fast bowler.

Aha. James Muirhead. Thanks, KM. A 21 y.o., has plenty of time to mature but impressed in five IT20s for Oz, having only played a few for Victoria and just 3 first class matches. His figures are nothing to write home about but is one to watch.

[Donny]

Mmm just noticed Faulkner's playing for Lancashire.

Took 4/63 and 2/31.

Scored 7 & 6 with the bat.

[piedys]