As Australia prepares for the upcoming series in Sri Lanka, it is imperative to consider the unique conditions and challenges the subcontinent poses. Sri Lanka’s pitches are known for their spin-friendly nature, leading to Tests that last three days at most.
Given these factors, it becomes crucial for George Bailey and Andrew McDonald to think outside the box and assemble a team that can adapt and thrive in foreign conditions.
Several factors indicate the necessity of a revamped starting eleven for this series. Firstly, the fact Australia has already qualified for the World Test Championship means that even if they go down 2-0 in this series, there is a serious possibility they will still have a chance to take home the WTC mace.
The absence of Pat Cummins, the coming towards the end of Usman Khawaja’s era, and Josh Hazlewood’s injury present a unique opportunity to experiment with the lineup and bring in fresh talent that can make a significant impact.
Here is the team I would advocate for.
The Openers
1. Usman Khawaja
2. Travis Head
The biggest question for the openers is obviously whether to keep or let Sam Konstas go.
For this series, he just can’t be kept around. Whether Konstas can play against spin or not, we don’t know, although his professional numbers would suggest not – he was dismissed three times against left-arm spin from 13 balls across Tests and the BBL this summer.
Letting him take on the new ball and try to take down the few overs of pace would be a lot of fun, but with Khawaja having the ability to bat long periods of time in spinning conditions, see 2018 v Pakistan in the UAE. Given he averages more than 50 against left-arm orthodox and right-arm off-spin it’s impossible to leave the veteran out even with his form against India.
Usman Khawaja. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Travis Head at the top is perhaps the more interesting selection here. He opened the batting five times against India in massive spinning conditions and averaged 55.75 through the series after initially being left out.
His aggressiveness and ability to hit from ball one should also come in handy on a ground where pace bowling has averaged north of 80 in the first 10 overs since 2020.
The Middle Order
3. Marnus Labuschagne
4. Steven Smith (c)
5. Peter Handscomb
There’s clearly not much to say about this side’s middle order.
Marnus played himself back into some form through the India series with a few scores above 50 without ever going onto three figures. It was enough to get the monkey off his back and remove any selection talk of his spot.
Steve Smith went one further than Marnus against India and managed to get past three figures on several occasions, looking as good as ever.
With five centuries in Asia, Smith is now only behind Alan Border in that measure. Smith will also likely lead the side without Pat Cummins, with Head being the outside option if they want to give the next generation a chance to lead.
Peter Handscomb of Australia bats in India in 2023. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
With four centuries and more than 1300 first-class runs in 2024, few batters are in as good a red ball form as Pete Handscomb at the moment.
Known as a spin specialist with an average of 54 against the tweakers in Tests, it has all been confirmed that Handscomb will be in the squad as a horses-for-courses option in the middle order.
The All Rounders
6. Beau Webster
7. Cooper Connolly
After a match-winning debut performance, it’s impossible to move Webster on now.
He looked more confident and set than any other all-rounder has for Australia since Watson and maybe even earlier. In spin bowling-friendly conditions, his ability to roll out some off-spinners and help take the new ball will be key.
Anyone who has watched Connolly in white or red ball knows he’s the next new thing. There is plenty of Brian Lara in the way he bats, and his left-arm orthodox is more than handy.
Batting will be key in Sri Lanka, so it makes plenty of sense to bring in the all-rounder to bowl rather than Matthew Kuhnemann, who was good last time around for India but is quite a way off Connolly with the bat.
Wicket Keeper
8. Alex Carey
Carey had a great summer with the bat and, importantly, the gloves. For a little while, Josh Inglis seemed to be at his heels, but with the calf injury and Carey’s form, it seems Inglis has dropped back.
The Pace
9. Mitch Starc
There is a slight injury cloud over the 35 left-armer who clearly had some kind of back/rib injury in Sydney.
However, with the best part of a month to recover and, importantly none of the other ‘Big 3’ available, Starc is likely to be the first option. Boland again sits on the sidelines, waiting for an opportunity.
The Spinners
10. Nathan Lyon
11. Mitch Swepson
Mitchell Swepson ahead of his debut in 2022 against Pakistan. (Cricket Australia)
Nathan Lyon picks himself at this point, it is just about when he wants to finish up. Against India, he wasn’t given a heap of opportunity, but you don’t move on from a guy with more than 500 wickets even if Todd Murphy looks like a high-quality replacement in the future.
While his seven innings in 2022 for Australia only took 10 wickets, Mitch Swepson is still the best red-ball leg-spinner in Australia.
Adam Zampa was selected for NSW earlier in the Shield Season, but his failure to blow away the opposition and the media furore surrounding the selection will likely lead Bailey and Co. in a different direction.
Suggested Australian Eleven
1. Usman Khawaja 2. Travis Head 3. Marnus Labushcange 4. Steven Smith (c) 5. Pete Handscomb 6. Beau Webster 7. Cooper Connolly 8. Alex Carey 9. Mitch Starc 10. Nathan Lyon 11. Mitch Swepson
It is essential for the selectors to recognise the significance of different conditions and to adapt the team composition to suit the specific conditions.
For too long, Australia has tried the same thing over and over when visiting Asia, and it hasn’t worked.
Bringing in some younger and different players will allow Australia to build the beginning of their eventual Border-Gavaskar Trophy defence when they visit India next.
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