Analysis: Australia’s new Test team announced – Jones, Fleming, Matthews, Moody
Joe Burns is Australia’s new opener, and Usman Khawaja is back in the fold.
That’s key features of Australia’s Test team to take on
So how does it shape up? The Macquarie Radio Network team have their say.
Dean Jones
Quality Team. Our top six is a problem; only two out of the 6 have made 100s. The bowling line-up is OK.
The Kiwis have a chance here. They are a balanced unit with an aggressive captain and they haven’t lost a Test series since May 2013.
Damien Fleming
No surprises in the bowling. The dilemma will be selection of a 12th man.
The attack will be predominantly tall, bouncy bowlers and particularly the left-arm smorgasbord from Mitchell Starc.
Lyon has become Mr Reliable, and enjoys the Gabba bounce.
Interested to see Josh Hazlewood. I see him as the McGrath type.
Tom Moody
Joe Burns’s weight of runs as an opener for the Queensland Bulls has been the catalyst for his selection ahead of Cameron Bancroft and Shaun Marsh.
Bancroft has time and Marsh will have to continue to dominate the Sheffield Shield.
Greg Matthews
Decision to be made: Who is at 3 and who is at 4 between Smith and Khawaja? Selectors have shown courage taking Mitchell Marsh at 6.
Nice to see Siddle there with an opportunity to reach the 200 club (currently sitting on 198 wickets)
Voges brings experience with Smith and Warner.
The squad to contest the Trans-Tasman Trophy
- Steve Smith (c) (NSW)
- David Warner (vc) (NSW)
- Joe Burns (QLD)
- Josh Hazlewood (NSW)
- Usman Khawaja (QLD)
- Mitchell Johnson (WA)
- Nathan Lyon (NSW)
- Mitchell Marsh (WA)
- Peter Nevill (NSW)
- Mitchell Starc (NSW)
- Peter Siddle (VIC)
- Adam Voges (WA)