Australia will name the first squad of the Steve Smith era today; 15 players that will travel to Bangladesh for two Tests in what is expected to be one of the least experienced squads in nearly four decades.It could also mean a recall for enigmatic allrounder Glenn Maxwell, who has played his three previous Tests in Asia. The 26-year-old played two Tests against India on the ill-fated 2013 tour, and another in Abu Dhabi against Pakistan 12 months ago. He is yet to taste victory in the Baggy Green.
With coach Darren Lehmann confirming performances in the one-day series against England would count towards selection for the Test team, Maxwell has put his name in lights with runs, handy off-spin and some outstandingly athletic fielding.
Maxwell is determined to prove he is more than just a limited-overs star and has gone to great lengths to try to prove it – including playing second XI fixtures with Yorkshire this winter in order to get more red-ball cricket under his belt.
With a heavy schedule of limited-overs cricket, including the World Cup and Indian Premier League, Maxwell’s first-class opportunities to prove his wares were limited, forcing him to look at the lower standards to play against the red ball.
“If you look at the guys that were playing Ashes they were playing non-stop,” Maxwell said.
“They had the tour games in between and they’re getting their match practice.
“I needed to be doing the same thing if I was going to be playing any upcoming tours this summer, hopefully Bangladesh, hopefully the Aussie summer.
“I need to be playing first-class cricket if I want to be picked in those kind of tournaments and tours.”
Despite meagre returns at Test level – where he is also yet to bat in the same position twice – Maxwell has an impressive first class record, averaging 40.42. Like they did in Abu Dhabi, his selection would allow Australia to play a second allrounder alongside the pace of Mitch Marsh.
With the Australian squad in a transition phase following the retirements of Ashes tourists Michael Clarke, Chris Rogers, Shane Watson, Brad Haddin and Ryan Harris, plus the thumb injury to opener David Warner, there are many questions surrounding the make-up of the next team.
Reports suggest selectors are likely to opt for an opening combination of Joe Burns and Shaun Marsh; the former recalled to the side after impressing at home last summer against India and the latter reprieved after a failure under difficult circumstances in his one Ashes appearance.
Burns has opened during the ODI series and this week was given praise by coach Lehmann for his performances.
“We always take international cricket in any format and how they play into consideration when you’re picking Test sides,” the Bupa Support Team head coach said.
“So for us when you play at the highest level if they perform well that’s certainly a big tick for you.”
Lehmann has already indicated relative Test newcomer but experienced first-class veteran Adam Voges is unlikely to lose his spot as Australia undergoes its greatest upheaval since World Series Cricket in the late 1970s.
Setting the batting order is the captain’s prerogative and new skipper Smith has already publicly wondered if his future lies at No.3, with new Queensland captain Usman Khawaja expected to be recalled.
Warner’s absence could also open a squad spot for young Western Australian opener Cameron Bancroft, who impressed on the ‘A’ Tour of India with an assured 150 at the top of the order.
Pacemen Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Johnson are expected to be rested, pending a medical report, leaving Mitchell Starc to lead a pace attack that could feature a return to the Baggy Green for young tearaway quick Pat Cummins and veteran Peter Siddle who impressed on his recall to the Test XI in the fifth Ashes match at The Oval.
Australia could also load up their spin stocks for the Tests in Chittagong and Mirpur. Fawad Ahmed failed to impress in his stint on the West Indies and Ashes tour and is likely to have slipped down the pecking order with left-armers Stephen O’Keefe and Ashton Agar now thought to be ahead of him.
It is conceivable Australia could take O’Keefe, Agar and Maxwell as spinning back-up to No.1 choice Nathan Lyon on the tour, as hinted at by chairman of selectors Rod Marsh when naming the current one-day squad a month ago.
O’Keefe was capped in Dubai a year ago and has been a consistent and reliable performer for NSW on the domestic scene for several years, while Agar is seen as a definite star of the future.
The wicketkeeping spot, at least, seems secure with Peter Nevill cementing his position as Australia’s No.1 Test gloveman with solid performances with glove and bat since making his debut at Lord’s. He was endorsed by Brad Haddin today as the man for the job “for as long as he wants it”.
Possible Australia squad: Joe Burns, Shaun Marsh, Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith (c), Adam Voges, Mitchell Marsh, Peter Nevill (wk), Mitchell Starc, Peter Siddle, Stephen O’Keefe, Nathan Lyon, Ashton Agar, Cameron Bancroft, Patrick Cummins, Glenn Maxwell.

•