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The tummy bug Test team: Who would represent Australia if the entire XI was unavailable?
Lachlan Geleit • December 11th, 2024 4:35 pm
Who would make up the Australian Test side if all of the current XI were unavailable to play in Brisbane?
That was the question put to former Aussie leg-spinner Bryce McGain, who picked his team as if all of the side currently went down with a stomach bug that made them unavailable for just one game.
With that in mind, McGain picked a team to win now instead of on potential.
He named his XI from 1 to 11 and explained each of his picks on SEN Sportsday.
Henry Hunt (SA)
“The form opener at the country at the moment, that’s Henry Hunt,” McGain told SEN Sportsday.
“Three hundreds this season, so he picks himself on form.”
Sam Konstas (NSW)
“I’m playing the kid, he’s going to open the batting.
“But we just need a bit of safety under him.”
Marcus Harris (Victoria)
“So, I’m picking our number three as someone who is an opener. Marcus Harris for me this season has been absolutely outstanding.
“Every time I’ve seen him bat, he’s performed and he’s done it pretty tough.”
Kurtis Patterson (NSW)
“Number four for me is Kurtis Patterson, he deserves every opportunity because he's a man on a mission, he’s just scoring runs for fun.
“His Test average is over 100 after two tests and he's averaging 105 in Shield cricket this year.
“Why wouldn't you put him in when he's white-hot like that?”
Peter Handscomb (c) (VIC)
“You need someone to captain the Australian team and he’s one of the best captains and most experienced players around.
“In First Class cricket no one has scored more fifties than he has this year.”
Josh Inglis (wk) (WA)
“I want to play Josh Inglis, he got away from the Australian team to play for WA.
“He's been 12th man and then got away to go and play a Shield game.
“He wants to play cricket, so let's put him in at six and he'll be wicketkeeper.”
Beau Webster (TAS)
“Beau Webster the ‘Slug’ is in at seven, let’s say he got left behind with the tummy bug even though he was with the team in Adelaide.
“(Like Adam Gilchrist), that’s the role I want him to play, to get on with it, I don’t want him to nudge it around.”
Michael Neser (QLD)
“If Michael Neser’s hamstring is ok, he picks himself at number eight.
“He's international ready, he's been 12th man for Australia more than anyone else.
“He's absolutely outstanding and the best bowling all-rounder we’ve got.
“If Michael Neser is injured, this is where Fergus O’Neill plays.”
Jack Edwards (NSW)
“At nine is a young bloke from New South Wales.
“He's been around for a little while, but he's blossoming, he's bowling wheels, and he also bats. It’s Jack Edwards.”
Mitch Swepson (QLD)
“At number 10 is a spinner and it’s going to go to Mitch Swepson.
“He really impressed me in the last Shield game … I like the leg-spinner to go and win us some matches and he did it against Victoria.”
Sean Abbott (NSW)
“At number 11, we bat all the way down and it’s going to be Sean Abbott.
“He takes wickets and he's bowling fast.”
