An early draft squad.
Warner, Cowan, Hughes, Watson, Clarke, Smith, Usman, Rogers
Wade, Haddin
Pattinson, Siddle, Starc, Harris, Johnson, Henriques, Lyon
We have alot of openers but that doesn't mean alot of options. Can't really move Hughes there if one of the openers fail as we want him at 3. And Watson's no monty to stay in the team anyway. Hence Rogers. I've come around to LHC's way of thinking. His 50 ave trumps worries over his 35 years. Plus he's made 3 fc tons this year in a difficult season for batting. I'd like to pick Cosgrove but; you know - skinfolds. Smith's good work in India gets him a no.6 spot.
Keepers are a given. Hopefully the incident in India will convince the selectors to pick 2 this time.
Harris just bowled 40 overs in 1st inns of the shield final so his comeback is going nicely. I don't expect he'll aim up for every match but if we use him like a grenade and lob him into a few tests he could unsettle England. Henriques for Hilf who has too many ordinary moments in tests for mine. However he's close to selection all the same. I've assumed Bird wont be fit.
Only one spinner - Lyon. If they aren't picking SOK, for whatever reason, then I wouldn't bother with a 2nd spinner.