India vs. Australia 2013 : Australia Squad Analysis

Yesterday we gave you a full breakdown of the Indian squad for the first 2 tests of the upcoming Australia series. So in the spirit of balance, here are the 18 Australians they will face;

Batsmen

Michael Clarke (c) : We touched on the quality of Clarke in our IPL auction article. Something we didn't do was give you some of his test match statistics. So here goes.
Since the Australia/New Zealand series (Dec 2011);

Matches: 15, Innings: 25, Runs: 1867, Average: 84.86

Bradmanesque.

David Warner : The rockstar of Australian cricket. Sure to open the innings in his own dynamic style. May just take a liking to Indian wickets.

Phillip Hughes : One of the weaker batsmen in the side. A career average of 36.25 tells a story. May have to fight for his place against...

Ed Cowan : Australia's answer to Murali Vijay. 30 years old with a career average of 32.81. Has one century in 13 tests.

Usman Khawaja : Another underwhelming batsman - possibly batting at 3. Pakistan-born Khawaja has just 6 tests and 3 ODIs to his name with a highest score of 65.

Shane Watson : After recently deciding to temporarily give up bowling to help his recovery from a calf injury, there has been speculation as to where Watson will bat. He has expressed his preference to return to the top of the order whilst showing a willingness to lend his skills to the middle order. Australia coach Micky Arthur has stated his belief that Watson is most effective at 4 - and that's where we expect to see him.

Matthew Wade (wk) : One of the best wicket-keeper/batsmen in the game. As talented behind the stumps as he is with the bat. At the age of just 25, Wade has 2 centuries in his 9 tests and his ever-increasing average currently sits at 42.50.

All-Rounders

Glenn Maxwell : The $1million man is going to be looked at under a different light since the IPL auction, and will be expected to thrive with the bat as well as the ball on turning tracks. He is yet to play a test match for Australia.

Steven Smith : Everyone loves a leg-spinner. Smith was once tipped for greatness but hasn't yet delivered. His 5 tests have yielded a bowling average of 73.33. The 23 year old will look to start delivering on some of that potential on India's spin-friendly wickets.

Moises Henriques : Another for the 'unfulfilled-potential' file. Henriques has just 5 ODIs to his name and doesn't look like getting his baggy green here.

Ashton Agar : I know nothing about Ash other than the following; He is a 6ft 4in, 19 year old left arm orthodox bowler who averages 32.66 with the bat and 30.12 with the ball in his 2 first class games. He is of Sri Lankan heritage and has been compared to a "young Vettori" by Justin Langer. High praise.

Bowlers 

 

Peter Siddle : In the absence of Ben Hilfenhaus, Siddle finds himself the leader of the Australian pace attack. Since the New Zealand series in December '11, he has racked up 59 wickets at an incredible 22.86. He was recently quoted as saying; "The way we've won Test matches for years now has been with our pace and I think that is going to play a big role."

Nathan Lyon : The pride of Australia's spin department, Lyon will play a huge role on turning wickets. Asked about lessons learned watching England in India last year, Lyon said; "I did watch Swann very very closely and I hope to take in a few things and put the same method in practice against India." Lyon went on to state his wish that Australia start the first test with two spinners.

Mitchell Starc : The left-armer has cemented his place as one of Australia's key strike bowlers. Standing at 6ft 6in, Starc will waste no time offering up some sweet chin music to the Indian batsmen.

James Pattinson : Finally fit after a run of injuries and niggles, Pattinson will have to earn his place in the starting XI. Aged just 22, the Victorian boasts an average of 22.09 in his 7 tests.

Mitchell Johnson : Johnson is among the best in the world on his day, and he has spoken recently on his affection for bowling in Indian conditions; "I love bowling with the SG ball. It's a nice feel in the hands, it's a bit thin at the seam but it stands up taller."

Xavier Doherty : Aged 30 with a test bowling average of 102.00, the slow-left-arm bowler gives us an insight into the thinking of the Australian selectors.

Jackson Bird : We didn't have much to say about Jackson Bird. His stats (98 first class wickets at 19.32, 11 test wickets at 16.18) suggest he can play. Something about him is just underwhelming. We even tweeted him @Jackson_bird for advice;

No reply as of yet.

Possible Starting XI

A few players in this squad pick themselves; Clarke, Warner, Watson, Wade, Siddle, Starc & Lyon. The rest of the team is very much in limbo. Khawaja's lack of match practice may see him left on the sidelines. Maxwell and Smith may have a straight spin-off to decide the number 7 spot. Australia's depth in seam bowling leaves questions over who will get the nod...

All things considered, we expect Austrllia to line up on 22nd February in Chennai like this;

David Warner
Ed Cowan/Phillip Hughes
Phillip Hughes/Usman Khawaja
Shane Watson
Michael Clarke (c)
Matthew Wade (wk)
Steven Smith/Glenn Maxwell
Mitchell Johnson/James Pattinson/Jackson Bird
Peter Siddle
Mitchell Starc
Nathan Lyon

It will be intriguing to see if the Australians stick to their strength and load up on seamers, or pick according to conditions. I think I know which India would prefer.  (No pace please)

Is this Australia side good enough to overcome India? Leave a comment below. Make sure to check back regularly as we continue the build up to India/Australia.

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IPL 6 Auction - Our Shopping List

So, we got our hands on the 101 man list of to-be-auctioned players and started started researching. Who are the stars? Where are the bargains? Why was Ricardo Powell on the list? It took a while but here it is;

IPL6 Auction : Dream Team

We know you cricket fans love getting your information served in elevens, so we made a team of the must have players from the auction. Some obvious, some not. But trust us, these are the men your franchise needs.

Richard Levi $50,000

The hard-hitting South African opener made headlines in 2012 when he crashed 117 of 51 balls setting a new record for 6s in an International innings. That's an example of what happens when this man gets it right. A strike rate of 144.56 in domestic T20 cricket tells you what he's all about. Bargain.

Matthew Wade $200,000

This guy picks himself. Australia's test wicket-keeper. Electric behind the stumps. Powerful hitter. His base price represents his growing reputation in the game.

Ricky Ponting $400,000

Joint highest base price on the auction list. One of the all time greats, Ponting is now 38 years of age and was never known for his T20 ability. That said, he is a superstar of the sport and media coverage seems just as important as wins to the franchises of the IPL. Expect a bidding war for a showpiece player.

Michael Clarke $400,000

The Aussies are coming! The most expensive starting price on the list along with Ponting - and rightly so. The Australian captain cannot be too far from the discussion when you talk about the best player in the world - that said, Australian media reports have suggested Clarke may have been warned away from taking part in the IPL due to possible burnout ahead of the Ashes in July. Whilst his status is 'available', Clarke is sure to be the guy everyone wants.

Darren Bravo $100,000

A player who oozes class but can clear the boundary too. Bravo averages 36.09 in domestic T20 cricket and has hit his stride at the perfect time averaging 75.00 at a strike rate of 151.00 in Trinidad & Tobago's successful Caribbean T20 campaign. A low base price for a player who can match anyone on his day.

Quinton de Kock $20,000

That base price must be missing a zero, right? Wrong! Former South African U-19 captain and likely long-term successor to Mark Boucher, de Kock has drawn plaudits for his fearless batting and sharp glove-work in equal measure. A domestic T20 strike rate of 137.59 and a player who will improve every time he walks onto the pitch, all for a possible $20,000.

Johan Botha $300,000

Former South African T20 captain and the only player out of our 11 who the IPL regard as an all-rounder. Botha brings vast experience and know-how to any team he plays for. He knows where to bowl, he can play a few shots. An International T20 batting average of 18.27 coupled with 37 wickets at 22.24 make Botha a reccomended pick-up, as long as his price does not inflate too far.

Vernon Philander $100,000

The final South African on the list is the 2nd ranked test bowler in cricket according to the ICC (Dale Steyn tops the list.) That in itself tells you something of Philander's pedigree. T20 is a different game though, and his price reflects that fact. We just think that when you factor in a domestic T20 batting average of 30.31, Vernon gets close to must-have territory. If these owners have a clue what they're doing, expect big inflation here.

Jerome Taylor $50,000

One of the outcasts of West Indian cricket, Taylor's talent has never been in question. His temperament? Maybe. If his energy and pace aren't enough to convince you, maybe his domestic T20 bowling average of 19.58 will. If you're still on the fence, a base price of $50,000 should tip you over.

Ajantha Mendis $50,000

I can't tell you how many times I checked to make sure I got this price right. When I think T20 bowlers, I think Ajantha Mendis.

107 domestic T20 wickets at 15.74 and an economy rate of 6.46. Think those numbers are good? Try this.

56 International T20 wickets at 11.48 and an economy rate of 5.84.

I challenge you, find me better International figures than those. T20 is his format. Another case of the missing zero? Owners, you can't afford not to at least try and sign Ajantha Mendis.

Alister McDermott $50,000

Anyone fancy a wildcard? Young. Aggressive. Quick. Tall. Australian. 53 first class wickets at 20.54 tell the story of a bowler we would all be well advised to keep an eye on. Someone take a chance on him, he wont be this cheap next year.


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Any players we've missed that you'd like to point out? Or maybe you agree/disagree with what we've said. Let us know by posting a comment below. Don't forget to vote in our poll ---> where we're asking 'Who is going to win the IPL?'

Keep coming back as we update ahead of the IPL, The latter stages of the women's World Cup and India's upcoming series with Australia.