Australia: The Rumblah Chronicles - A Cricket Captain 2015 Story

[Rumblah]

So ye, hiya. Every year I tend to pump out a fairly in-depth series as my home side, Australia. Usually I'll post it up on other forums but the traction seems to die after a while there so I figured why not just create it on the one dedicated game forum? Makes sense.

I like to run my own awards night, which will basically feature all of the awards given at the annual Allan Border Medal ceremony. These include the State Player of the Year, Bradman Young Cricketer of the Year, T20 Player of the Year, ODI Player of the Year, Test Player of the Year and of course, the Allan Border Medal. I'll also be keeping record of the Test/ ODI/ T20 cap numbers and these will be updated accordingly. While I won't be revealing the votes for each game, rest assured they will be tallied and kept safe.

Series stats will be provided at the conclusion of the series at play, unless it's a one-off T20 game and the like, I'm not going to bother posting the stats for those. Matches will still be posted there however.

So, if you feel like coming along for the ride, you're more than welcome. I look forward to reading your thoughts and/ or suggestions!



As a side note, Brad Haddin and Shane Watson have been retired. Effective immediately.

[DaveK93]

Bold shout on Haddin/Watto. What's the logic behind it?

[Rumblah]

So first up we have a Two Test Tour of the West Indies. Here is the 18 man squad named:

NAME	TYPE	AGE	CAPS	AVERAGE
M Clarke (c)	BAT	34	108	50.80
S Smith (vc)	BAT	25	26	52.36
C Rogers	O BAT	37	20	39.36
D Warner	O BAT	28	36	48.20
A Voges	BAT	35	-	-
J Burns	O BAT	25	2	36.50
S Marsh	BAT	31	12	35.57
P Nevill	WK	29	-	-
M Wade	WK	27	12	34.61
M Marsh	ALL	23	4	37.43/ 164.00
M Henriques	ALL	28	3	31.20/ 77.50
M Johnson	SEAM	33	64	27.84
S O'Keefe	SPIN	30	1	54.75
M Starc	SEAM	25	15	35.44
J Hazlewood	SEAM	24	3	29.33
N Lyon	SPIN	27	39	35.64
P Siddle	SEAM	30	56	30.46
J Pattinson	SEAM	25	13	27.08

[Rumblah]

Bold shout on Haddin/Watto. What's the logic behind it?

Haddin - 37, averaging 14 since the start of 2014, can't keep as you saw in the first session.
Watson - good at nothing, makes no runs, takes no wickets.

[Alrounder80]

Haddin - 37, averaging 14 since the start of 2014, can't keep as you saw in the first session.
Watson - good at nothing, makes no runs, takes no wickets.

Watson in ODIs in the last year averages 35 at S/R of 93. In Tests though, he's horrendous. Crazy decision from the Aussies to select him ahead of Mitchell Marsh.

[Rumblah]

AUSTRALIA TEAM NEWS!

With Chris Rogers ruled out of the First Test match with a broken finger, Australia will need to find an opening partner for David Warner. The prime candidate would be Shaun Marsh, who has found himself in a permanent Mr fix it role so far in his career. Although Joe Burns impressed immensely during his short stint in the side and is highly regarded as a long term opening solution. With Brad Haddin being moved on, the keeping position is up for grabs. Matthew Wade has Test experience on his side which should hold him in good stead, but there are many alternatives and Peter Nevill put some fantastic stats up in the Shield. Adam Voges has been handed his first Test cap and will be the 442nd Australian Test player.

Likely XI:

Burns, Warner, Smith (vc), Clarke (c), Voges, M Marsh, Wade, Johnson, Starc, Hazlewood, Lyon.

BREAKING NEWS!!!

Wicket-keeper batsman Peter Nevill has been given the green light over Matthew Wade. He becomes the 442nd Australian, with Adam Voges now the 443rd Australian Test Cricketer. Well done to both men.

[Rumblah]

Australia XI:

Joe Burns, David Warner, Steve Smith, Michael Clarke (c), Adam Voges, Mitchell Marsh, Peter Nevill (wk), Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon.

**********************************************
West Indies v Australia
1st Test Match - 5 Jun 2015
**********************************************

West Indies - 1st Innings
----------------------------------------------
K Brathwaite    lbw b Hazlewood           43
C Gayle         b Starc                   0
S Chanderpaul   c Nevill b Johnson        28
M Samuels       lbw b Johnson             0
D Bravo         c Clarke b Marsh          4
L Johnson       lbw b Hazlewood           67
D Ramdin        c Hazlewood b Starc       82
J Holder        c Voges b Starc           35
S Cottrell      c Smith b Starc           9
V Permaul       b Starc                   12
K Roach         not out                   0
----------------------------------------------
Extras: (nb6,b4,lb4)                      14
TOTAL: (all out, 95.2 overs)              294


**********************************************


                O       M       R       W
----------------------------------------------
M Starc         20.2    6       37      5
J Hazlewood     22      3       74      2
M Johnson       19      3       58      2
N Lyon          22      1       81      0
M Marsh         9       1       21      1
S Smith         1       0       8       0
A Voges         2       0       7       0
----------------------------------------------
Fall of Wickets:
1-1  2-47  3-51  4-61  5-104  
6-217  7-262  8-275  9-293  10-294

Australia - 1st Innings
----------------------------------------------
J Burns         b Cottrell                142
D Warner        c Bravo b Permaul         41
S Smith         c Ramdin b Permaul        6
M Clarke        c Johnson b Roach         12
A Voges         c Ramdin b Johnson        78
N Lyon          b Roach                   2
M Marsh         b Permaul                 34
P Nevill        lbw b Permaul             19
M Johnson       not out                   25
M Starc         c Johnson b Holder        11
J Hazlewood     c Ramdin b Permaul        1
----------------------------------------------
Extras: (nb6,w1,b4,lb2)                   13
TOTAL: (all out, 122 overs)               384


**********************************************


                O       M       R       W
----------------------------------------------
J Holder        33      4       99      1
K Roach         29      4       87      2
S Cottrell      17      0       60      1
D Bravo         1       0       5       0
V Permaul       40      7       125     5
L Johnson       1       0       2       1
----------------------------------------------
Fall of Wickets:
1-64  2-76  3-113  4-270  5-275  
6-306  7-333  8-358  9-375  10-384

West Indies - 2nd Innings
----------------------------------------------
K Brathwaite    c Nevill b Johnson        17
C Gayle         lbw b Starc               48
S Chanderpaul   c Smith b Lyon            17
M Samuels       c Nevill b Johnson        23
D Bravo         b Starc                   80
L Johnson       lbw b Lyon                156
D Ramdin        c Smith b Hazlewood       51
J Holder        c Clarke b Johnson        19
S Cottrell      c Voges b Johnson         15
V Permaul       not out                   2
K Roach         lbw b Lyon                1
----------------------------------------------
Extras: (nb7,w2,lb3)                      12
TOTAL: (all out, 130.2 overs)             441


**********************************************


                O       M       R       W
----------------------------------------------
M Starc         24      2       62      2
J Hazlewood     31      3       73      1
M Johnson       27      2       107     4
N Lyon          32.2    2       154     3
M Marsh         11      0       35      0
S Smith         3       2       2       0
A Voges         2       0       5       0
----------------------------------------------
Fall of Wickets:
1-35  2-69  3-92  4-133  5-291  
6-389  7-422  8-423  9-440  10-441

Australia - 2nd Innings
----------------------------------------------
J Burns         c Ramdin b Holder         5
D Warner        c Ramdin b Holder         63
S Smith         lbw b Permaul             73
M Clarke        b Holder                  76
A Voges         c Ramdin b Cottrell       35
M Marsh         c Ramdin b Holder         45
P Nevill        b Roach                   23
M Johnson       b Roach                   3
M Starc         not out                   7
J Hazlewood     not out                   5
N Lyon          
----------------------------------------------
Extras: (nb2)                             2
TOTAL: (8 wkts, 97 overs)                 337


**********************************************


                O       M       R       W
----------------------------------------------
J Holder        29      2       86      4
K Roach         26      2       99      2
V Permaul       28      2       89      1
S Cottrell      11      0       56      1
L Johnson       2       0       5       0
D Bravo         1       0       2       0
----------------------------------------------
Fall of Wickets:
1-14  2-128  3-153  4-245  5-270  
6-315  7-325  8-325

**********************************************
Match Drawn
Man of the match: L Johnson
**********************************************

[Rumblah]

FIRST TEST REVIEW + SECOND TEST NEWS

Pretty awful result in the end. Took wickets off no balls, dropped quite a few catches and in the end threw away a strong first innings lead. Thought the bowling performance in the first dig was okay. Mitchell Starc's figures were largely boosted by hitting up the tail late but overall we bowled okay. Joe Burns was super in his return to the side and put his case forward for regular Test action, while Adam Voges contributed very well on debut.

The second innings bowling was just abysmal. We dropped chances, both left armers took wickets off no balls, and Lyon was expensive bowling garbage. Hopefully that was just a one off, but it is totally unacceptable. The chase almost worked, falling just 15 runs short in the end. I was quietly confident while Mitchell Marsh and Peter Nevill were in, upping the run rate didn't seem to phase them heading into the last hour. They both fell in the last half hour and with the risk of a loss a very real possibility, I had to shut up shop.



Chris Rogers is now fit again, but with Joe Burns' brilliant 142 he will find it hard to get his spot back. Nathan Lyon did not bowl well and as such is under scrutiny. Steve O'Keefe, who boasts the best stats for a spinner in Australia is breathing down his neck.

Likely XI:

Burns, Warner, Smith, Clarke (c), Voges, M Marsh, Nevill, Johnson, Starc, Hazlewood, Lyon.

[Rumblah]

Australia XI:

Chris Rogers, David Warner, Steve Smith, Michael Clarke (c), Adam Voges, Mitchell Marsh, Peter Nevill (wk), Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon.

**********************************************
West Indies v Australia
2nd Test Match - 13 Jun 2015
**********************************************

Australia - 1st Innings
----------------------------------------------
C Rogers        lbw b Roach               4
D Warner        c Ramdin b Permaul        167
S Smith         c Bravo b Permaul         53
M Clarke        b Roach                   20
A Voges         c Ramdin b Cottrell       0
M Marsh         b Holder                  27
P Nevill        b Permaul                 77
M Johnson       c Samuels b Holder        14
M Starc         c Cottrell b Holder       10
J Hazlewood     not out                   10
N Lyon          lbw b Permaul             9
----------------------------------------------
Extras: (nb7,b5,lb2)                      14
TOTAL: (all out, 134.5 overs)             405


**********************************************


                O       M       R       W
----------------------------------------------
J Holder        42      6       111     3
K Roach         30      3       90      2
S Cottrell      12      1       30      1
V Permaul       48.5    4       161     4
L Johnson       2       0       6       0
----------------------------------------------
Fall of Wickets:
1-22  2-124  3-165  4-166  5-231  
6-340  7-367  8-381  9-387  10-405

West Indies - 1st Innings
----------------------------------------------
K Brathwaite    c Smith b Hazlewood       1
C Gayle         rtrd ht                   8
S Chanderpaul   b Lyon                    65
M Samuels       c Voges b Johnson         2
D Bravo         c Smith b Hazlewood       10
L Johnson       c Smith b Lyon            121
D Ramdin        c Voges b Hazlewood       23
J Holder        c Smith b Lyon            12
S Cottrell      b Voges                   25
V Permaul       not out                   27
K Roach         b Johnson                 0
----------------------------------------------
Extras: (nb3,w3,b4,lb6)                   16
TOTAL: (9 wkts, 100.1 overs)              310


**********************************************


                O       M       R       W
----------------------------------------------
M Starc         19      4       41      0
J Hazlewood     26      1       83      3
M Johnson       20.1    2       63      2
N Lyon          25      2       86      3
M Marsh         6       1       14      0
A Voges         4       0       13      1
----------------------------------------------
Fall of Wickets:
1-9  2-18  3-64  4-129  5-173  
6-192  7-245  8-309  9-310

Australia - 2nd Innings
----------------------------------------------
C Rogers        lbw b Permaul             55
D Warner        c & b Permaul             70
S Smith         not out                   116
M Clarke        b Roach                   3
A Voges         not out                   84
M Marsh         
P Nevill        
M Johnson       
M Starc         
J Hazlewood     
N Lyon          
----------------------------------------------
Extras: (nb12,w1,b4,lb1)                  18
TOTAL: (3 wkts, 111.3 overs)              346


**********************************************


                O       M       R       W
----------------------------------------------
J Holder        28      3       90      0
K Roach         29      3       96      1
S Cottrell      15      0       52      0
V Permaul       39.3    5       103     2
----------------------------------------------
Fall of Wickets:
1-115  2-170  3-174

West Indies - 2nd Innings
----------------------------------------------
K Brathwaite    lbw b Hazlewood           12
C Gayle         rtrd ht                   0
S Chanderpaul   not out                   87
M Samuels       lbw b Johnson             5
D Bravo         lbw b Lyon                11
L Johnson       lbw b Lyon                10
D Ramdin        lbw b Hazlewood           27
J Holder        b Hazlewood               5
S Cottrell      b Johnson                 13
V Permaul       b Johnson                 0
K Roach         b Lyon                    2
----------------------------------------------
Extras: (nb2,lb3)                         5
TOTAL: (9 wkts, 67.1 overs)               177


**********************************************


                O       M       R       W
----------------------------------------------
M Starc         13      2       29      0
J Hazlewood     17      0       47      3
M Johnson       13      1       29      3
N Lyon          16.1    2       51      3
M Marsh         8       2       18      0
----------------------------------------------
Fall of Wickets:
1-21  2-46  3-71  4-87  5-137  
6-145  7-170  8-172  9-177

**********************************************
Australia won by 264 runs
Man of the match: D Warner
**********************************************

[Rumblah]

SECOND TEST + SERIES REVIEW

Well that was a lot better. Admittedly both pitches were largely roads for the most part, so runs were easy to find and regular wickets were not. Dave Warner went big in both innings, Steve Smith contributed in both as well and the new kids on the block (Adam Voges and Peter Nevill) both put decent scores up.

The bowling, largely led by Josh Hazlewood was okay without being dominant. I'm not sure if it was just form or the flat pitches but it really wasn't until day five of the Second Test that things really clicked. Nathan Lyon took some wickets which is great for him heading into the Ashes.

As for the series overall, it was overly dominated by the bat and that was disappointing. We managed to get on top a couple of times with the ball but nothing consistent and that is a worry heading into our pinnacle tour, we'll look to fix some things and hopefully that can improve. No queries about the batting, I think everyone contributed well. Peter Nevill did well behind the stumps, if there was anything that lads need to improve its the catching in general.

BATTING STATISTICS

NAME	M	INNS	HS	100's	50's	RUNS	AVE
D Warner	2	4	167	1	2	341	85.25
S Smith	2	4	116*	1	2	248	82.67
A Voges	2	4	84*	-	2	197	65.67
J Burns	1	2	142	1	-	147	73.50
P Nevill	2	3	77	-	1	119	39.67
M Clarke	2	4	76	-	1	111	27.75
M Marsh	2	3	45	-	-	106	35.33
C Rogers	1	2	55	-	1	59	29.50
M Johnson	2	3	25*	-	-	59	21.00
M Starc	2	3	11	-	-	28	14.00
J Hazlewood	2	3	10*	-	-	16	16.00
N Lyon	2	2	9	-	-	11	5.50

BOWLING STATISTICS

NAME	M	OVERS	SR	BB	WKTS	AVE
M Johnson	2	79	43.2	4-107	11	23.36
J Hazlewood	2	96	64.0	3-47	9	30.78
N Lyon	2	95	63.7	3-51	9	41.33
M Starc	2	76	65.4	5-37	7	24.14
A Voges	2	8	48.0	1-13	1	25.00
M Marsh	2	34	204.0	1-21	1	88.00
S Smith	2	4	-	0-0	-	-

AUSTRALIA WIN THE SERIES 1-0.

[Rumblah]

ASHES SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT

The Australian 18-man touring party has been named:

NAME	TYPE	AGE	CAPS	AVERAGE
M Clarke (c)	BAT	34	110	50.25
S Smith (vc)	BAT	26	28	54.30
C Rogers	O BAT	37	21	38.88
D Warner	O BAT	28	38	50.35
A Voges	BAT	35	2	65.67
J Burns	O BAT	25	3	48.83
S Marsh	BAT	32	12	35.57
P Nevill	WK	29	2	39.67
M Wade	WK	27	12	34.61
M Marsh	ALL	24	6	36.80/ 126.00
M Henriques	ALL	28	3	31.20/ 77.50
M Johnson	SEAM	34	66	27.67
S O'Keefe	SPIN	31	1	54.75
M Starc	SEAM	25	17	34.05
J Hazlewood	SEAM	24	5	29.95
N Lyon	SPIN	28	41	35.99
P Siddle	SEAM	30	56	30.46
J Pattinson	SEAM	25	13	27.08

[Rumblah]

AUSTRALIA TOUR GAME TEAM NEWS

So in the lead up to the First Ashes Test we have two tour matches, against Kent and Essex. I imagine I'll attempt to give most of the squad a run during these games while I try to shorten the work-load of the best XI. I'll be attempting to run the best batting side I can in one match, and then the best bowling group in the other. It should allow everyone to find some form and hopefully create some pressure for selection.

[Rumblah]

Australia XI:

Joe Burns, Chris Rogers, Steve Smith (c), Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, Moises Henriques, Peter Nevill, Steve O'Keefe, James Pattinson, Peter Siddle, Josh Hazlewood.

**********************************************
Kent v Australia
Three Day Friendly - 25 Jun 2015
**********************************************

Australia - 1st Innings
----------------------------------------------
J Burns         b Claydon                 10
C Rogers        c Billings b Coles        35
S Smith         c B'rummond b Griffiths   176
S Marsh         lbw b Claydon             165
M Marsh         c Harmison b Riley        20
M Henriques     not out                   17
P Nevill        not out                   12
S O'Keefe       
J Pattinson     
P Siddle        
J Hazlewood     
----------------------------------------------
Extras: (nb11,w2,lb2)                     15
TOTAL: (5 wkts, 114 overs)                450


**********************************************


                O       M       R       W
----------------------------------------------
M Coles         30      7       66      1
M Claydon       25      1       118     2
D Griffiths     18      2       80      1
B Harmison      4       0       17      0
A Riley         36      4       165     1
F Cowdrey       1       0       2       0
----------------------------------------------
Fall of Wickets:
1-19  2-77  3-336  4-391  5-432

Kent - 1st Innings
----------------------------------------------
D B'rummond     lbw b Hazlewood           79
R Key           run out                   6
B Nash          lbw b Pattinson           1
S Billings      b Hazlewood               20
F Cowdrey       lbw b Pattinson           32
A Blake         lbw b O'Keefe             34
B Harmison      lbw b Henriques           23
M Coles         c Smith b O'Keefe         3
M Claydon       b Marsh                   12
A Riley         not out                   21
D Griffiths     b Marsh                   5
----------------------------------------------
Extras: (nb7,w1,b8,lb3)                   19
TOTAL: (all out, 90.2 overs)              255


**********************************************


                O       M       R       W
----------------------------------------------
J Pattinson     18      3       46      2
J Hazlewood     20      5       49      2
P Siddle        13      4       38      0
S O'Keefe       21      3       56      2
M Marsh         9.2     2       22      2
M Henriques     7       3       17      1
S Smith         2       0       16      0
----------------------------------------------
Fall of Wickets:
1-9  2-10  3-49  4-143  5-143  
6-197  7-201  8-224  9-232  10-255

Kent - 2nd Innings
----------------------------------------------
D B'rummond     c Burns b Hazlewood       1
R Key           lbw Hazlewood             16
B Nash          c Nevill b Siddle         84
S Billings      not out                   104
F Cowdrey       not out                   31
A Blake         
B Harmison      
M Coles         
M Claydon       
A Riley         
D Griffiths     
----------------------------------------------
Extras: (nb4,b8)                          12
TOTAL: (3 wkts, 83 overs)                248


**********************************************


                O       M       R       W
----------------------------------------------
J Pattinson     15      1       55      0
J Hazlewood     27      5       34      2
P Siddle        19      5       54      1
S O'Keefe       22      1       62      0
M Marsh         7       0       28      0
M Henriques     3       0        4      0
----------------------------------------------
Fall of Wickets:
1-9  2-10  3-49

**********************************************
Match Drawn
Man of the match: S Smith
**********************************************

[Rumblah]

Australia XI:

Chris Rogers, Shaun Marsh, Steve Smith, Michael Clarke (c), Adam Voges, Mitchell Marsh, Peter Nevill, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon.

**********************************************
Essex v Australia
Three Day Friendly - 1 Jul 2015
**********************************************

Australia - 1st Innings
----------------------------------------------
C Rogers        lbw b Ryder               114
S Marsh         lbw b Topley              18
S Smith         st Foster b Panesar       68
M Clarke        c Pettini b Ryder         76
A Voges         c Westley b Topley        33
M Marsh         not out                   30
P Nevill        not out                   2
M Johnson       
M Starc         
J Hazlewood     
N Lyon          
----------------------------------------------
Extras: (nb3,w2,b4,lb3)                   12
TOTAL: (5 wkts, 114.2 overs)              353


**********************************************


                O       M       R       W
----------------------------------------------
D Masters       34      6       102     0
R Topley        36      0       113     2
J Ryder         21      4       48      2
G Napier        13.2    1       52      0
M Panesar       8       1       23      1
R Bopara        2       0       8       0
----------------------------------------------
Fall of Wickets:
1-39  2-179  3-241  4-303  5-335

Essex - 1st Innings
----------------------------------------------
N Browne        b Johnson                 16
T Westley       c Smith b Lyon            48
R Bopara        b Johnson                 4
R t'eschate     c Nevill b Johnson        0
J Ryder         b Starc                   59
J Foster        c Nevill b Hazlewood      27
M Pettini       not out                   25
G Napier        c Clarke b Johnson        12
D Masters       c Nevill b Johnson        6
M Panesar       c Clarke b Johnson        0
R Topley        c Rogers b Johnson        0
----------------------------------------------
Extras: (nb1,w1,b4)                       6
TOTAL: (all out, 60.2 overs)              203


**********************************************


                O       M       R       W
----------------------------------------------
M Starc         13      3       39      1
J Hazlewood     16      2       50      1
M Johnson       12.2    0       36      7
N Lyon          13      1       40      1
M Marsh         4       0       15      0
M Clarke        2       0       19      0
----------------------------------------------
Fall of Wickets:
1-51  2-59  3-59  4-81  5-152  
6-160  7-175  8-195  9-195  10-203

Australia - 2nd Innings
----------------------------------------------
C Rogers        not out                   27
S Marsh         not out                   21
S Smith         
M Clarke        
A Voges         
M Marsh         
P Nevill        
M Johnson       
M Starc         
J Hazlewood     
N Lyon          
----------------------------------------------
Extras:                                   0
TOTAL: (0 wkts, 16 overs)                 48


**********************************************


                O       M       R       W
----------------------------------------------
D Masters       8       3       22      0
R Topley        8       1       26      0
----------------------------------------------
Fall of Wickets:

Essex - 2nd Innings
----------------------------------------------
N Browne        lbw b Johnson             15
T Westley       b Hazlewood               3
R Bopara        c Smith b Johnson         28
R t'eschate     c Smith b Johnson         5
J Ryder         not out                   73
J Foster        lbw b Hazlewood           25
M Pettini       c Voges b Hazlewood       0
G Napier        c Smith b Starc           2
D Masters       b Johnson                 2
M Panesar       c Smith b Lyon            1
R Topley        lbw b Lyon                2
----------------------------------------------
Extras: (nb1,b8)                          9
TOTAL: (all out, 58.4 overs)              165


**********************************************


                O       M       R       W
----------------------------------------------
M Starc         11      0       40      1
J Hazlewood     15      2       39      3
M Johnson       14      4       37      4
N Lyon          13.4    4       23      2
M Marsh         4       1       13      0
S Smith         1       0       5       0
----------------------------------------------
Fall of Wickets:
1-10  2-50  3-51  4-61  5-137  
6-137  7-142  8-148  9-155  10-165

**********************************************
Australia won by 33 runs
Man of the match: C Rogers
**********************************************



*For those wondering why I chose to bat in the second innings then declare at ~50, I chose to bat, then lost a full session and some more to rain, so decided to just declare and attack them.

[Rumblah]

FIRST ASHES TEST NEWS

There will be no debutants for the series from our point of view, which is a good thing because this is the one series on the calendar where the idea of debuts somewhat angers me. We put up a decent show in the final three day game, but our inability to run through sides is still a worry. Mitchell Johnson attempted to rectify that with 11 wickets for that match, but overall he received very little support. The weather report for the First Test isn't great, with rain hanging around for all six sessions of the first two days. It's likely that Australia will head in unchanged from their last Test against the West Indies.

Likely XI:

Chris Rogers, David Warner, Steve Smith, Michael Clarke (c), Adam Voges, Mitchell Marsh, Peter Nevill, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon.