Robert Craddock: Why Australia must pick unofficial Ashes squad now

With the Ashes squad far from the finished product, the two Test series against Sri Lanka shapes as a dangerous affair, not because Australia will lose but because selectors are likely to be hoodwinked.

Selectors must decide on Shaun Marsh’s Ashes selection before the Sri Lanka series. Picture: AAP

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January is the month in an Ashes year when selectors like to have their touring squad sorted bar the last few bits and pieces. Not this time.

With just two Tests remaining – both against Sri Lanka – half the positions in the 17-man squad are up for grabs for the five Test series in England.

Barring injuries or extraordinary u-turns there appears eight certainties - Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith, David Warner, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon and Tim Paine.

Selectors must decide on Shaun Marsh’s Ashes selection before the Sri Lanka series. Picture: AAP

Close but not quite over the line are keeper Alex Carey, batsman Marcus Harris and fast bowlers Peter Siddle and James Pattinson who former coach Darren Lehmann considers an essential selection.

The only thing complicating Carey’s selection is Matt Wade has been in such commanding batting form in the Sheffield Shield he deserves the chance to be considered as a standby batsman and keeper.

Travis Head is just behind them and hopefully can lift a gear and cement his spot because he is the sort of character Australia needs. But he is not there yet.

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After that? Phew … can we close the doors, and bring some water please?

This could be a long discussion.

Before the selectors get to the batsmen they could spend an hour or two just mulling over the second spinner with contenders including Fawad Ahmed, Mitchell Swepson, and Ashton Agar.

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The two Tests against Sri Lanka – in Brisbane and Canberra – are dangerous affairs, not because Australia will lose them but because they are likely to win with a leg in the air and become trapped by their selections.

Steve Smith (R) and David Warner are certain selections for the Ashes. Picture: Getty

If Shaun Marsh scores 170 against Sri Lanka the panel are duty-bound to take him to England.

This is why the decision on whether Marsh tours England must be made at the end of this Test.

It’s a delicate issue. Marsh has averaged just 28.4 in his past 19 Tests, well beneath the pass mark for a rookie, never mind the side’s longest serving batsman.

As a veteran of 17 years of first class cricket it seems incongruous that the world is still pondering what to make of him.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Alex Carey has a roadblock in Matty Wade. Picture: Getty

Marsh’s brother Mitchell is also a tricky one.

Australia liked the cut of his jib so much they appointed him vice-captain but he has just not delivered the runs or wickets needed to justify his position as a frontline all-rounder.

Marcus Stoinis’ first class statistics do not take the breath away – he averages 33 as a batsman and a wicket a game with his medium pace – but he does have the big occasion temperament needed for an Ashes tour and his recent batting form is sound.

Batting in the vexed issue.

Mitch Marsh is another tricky selection. Picture: AAP

Australia is likely to have to find two or three batsmen out of Marnus Labuschagne, Joe Burns, Peter Handscomb, Matt Renshaw, Wade and anyone else who can manage a century or two in the closing Sheffield Shield rounds.

Rookies on the rise. Late bloomers. Keepers who can bat. No-one is out of the reckoning. Australia is shopping for a batting hero it cannot seem to find.

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