Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood under pressure for first Test against Sri Lanka

Aussie selectors must consider the power of the pink ball as they look to light a fire under their misfiring fast bowling attack, with the first-choice opening bowlers particularly under the spotlight.

Defeat to India has raised doubts over Starc and Hazlewood. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)

• Time to overhaul selectors
• Labuschagne wants in at the deep end

Australian selectors must consider the power of the pink ball as they look to light a fire under their misfiring fast bowling attack.

Former Test spearhead Mitchell Johnson has led calls for Australia to consider dropping spearhead Mitchell Starc for the first Test against Sri Lanka in Brisbane, while Josh Hazlewood has also been put under the microscope for perhaps the first time in his international career.

The searing pressure represents uncharted waters for the pace bowling duo who are used to being just about the first two chosen in any Australian team.

Starc and Hazlewood. are under pressure.

Australia will announce a Test squad for the two Test series against Sri Lanka on Wednesday in Sydney, and a new face might appear among the bowling ranks to really turn the heat up on Starc and Hazlewood.

The likes of Dan Worrall, Chris Tremain and Scott Boland are vying for a place in the squad.

Then in a fortnight’s time the question will be asked, can they bust open the previously unbreakable trio of Starc, Hazlewood and Cummins and play the opening Test at the Gabba?

If selectors are looking to give Starc and Hazlewood a rocket, however, they may find the timely introduction of the pink ball the more appropriate wake-up call than a shock axing.

Starc averages 20.88 in pink ball Test cricket with an impressive total of 24 wickets and Hazlewood 22 scalps at 22.42.

They’re mightily impressive numbers and will make the duo very difficult to leave out, no matter how much the bowlers might have struggled against India in the worst of the flat conditions in Melbourne and Sydney.

Daniel Worrall is one of those under consideration. (AAP Image/Daniel Pockett)

Giving them one more shot with the pink ball might ultimately prove a turning point, and if selectors aren’t happy with the improvement then maybe a greenhorn — with Ashes potential — could be thrown into the middle for the second Test against Sri Lanka on a more docile Canberra pitch.

Shaun Marsh and brother Mitchell would have been key points of conversation at yesterday’s Sydney selection meeting, as the panel of Trevor Hohns, Greg Chappell and coach Justin Langer mull over their immediate plans and their early thoughts for the Ashes tour to come.

Marcus Stoinis shapes as a likely inclusion if selectors decide to axe Mitchell Marsh altogether from the squad.

Kurtis Patterson also has his admirers. (AAP Image/Richard Wainwright)

Strong and steady NSW left-hander Kurtis Patterson could be an option if a call is made on Shaun Marsh.

Victorian young gun Will Pocovski is another name that might be thrown around at the selection table.

But selectors must weigh up his precocious talent with the risk of throwing him in too soon.

Aaron Finch isn’t expected to make the cut despite some impressive moments against Pakistan and India.

According to statistics, Joe Burns (over 1000 runs in past 10 Shield matches) and Matthew Wade (1071 runs at 63 in the 2018 calendar year) should be in line for Test recalls, but so far selectors have shown no willingness to pick them and it’s unclear whether even the poor showings against India would have changed that thinking.

However, for that reason, selectors are finding themselves on trial as much as the players they’re picking.

Selectors are trying to unearth young talent for the future, but many around the game are wondering how the top run-scorers in State cricket can be ignored with the national team gripped by such a crisis.

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