Mark Taylor reckons only six players who could pick themselves for Australia

Former Australia skipper Mark Taylor believes that six of the spots on the current Australian XI Test team are contestable. After being the world number ones, the Australians have plummeted into submission on Test tours in the ongoing season which has seen them tour the likes of Sri Lanka and now South Africa.

What’s worse is the fact that they will be touring India shortly after the turn of the calendar year, the world number one Test side in the world at the moment. Mark Taylor, who led the Aussies shortly after Allan Border stepped down said that only David Warner, Steve Smith, Peter Nevill, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazelwood were the only ones who have cemented their place in the side.

“The people who pick themselves at the moment are David Warner, Steve Smith, Peter Nevill, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and I think everyone else at this stage will be talked about,” he told Cricket Australia’s website. I don’t think there’s anyone else who’s absolutely penned in at the moment.”

Australia’s tour of Sri Lanka saw the Islanders complete their first ever clean sweep against Australia. Taylor questioned the selections of the likes of Usman Khawaja and Joe Burns. Shaun Marsh made his way into the side for the third and final Test where he impressed with a well-compiled century.

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“If you look at our last Test match (in Colombo), all of a sudden Joe Burns and Usman Khawaja are out in Sri Lanka after having pretty good summers. I’m sure they’ll come back into the calculation.”

In fact, Adam Voges and Shaun Marsh are the only ones with a good chance of retaining their places on the side. Mitchell Marsh will have to probably prove himself with either Burns or Khawaja getting the nod for the Test match at Perth against Pakistan.

“They’ve got to prove their selection, that’s the way I would be looking at it if I was a selector,” Taylor said.

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