I reckon you’ve got it pretty well sussed mate.
I now think that selectors will prefer the experience of Shaun Marsh to open with Warner, which in my own opinion represents dreadful treatment of young Renshaw. Matthew Hayden was a long way short of being an overnight sensation at Test level - although he in fairness he did have to compete with Michael Slater in those early years before successfully partnering Justin Langer.
Bancroft’s runs against our Test bowling attack can only enhance his prospects....however the Test wicket-keeping position has been a real poisoned chalice of late. I think Matthew Wade will hold his place, as his keeping in India was really good. Like in the Renshaw/Marsh scenario, I reckon the selectors will prefer the experienced man to young bucks like Bancroft and Carey.
I wrote previously about the responsibility Maxwell needs to adopt if he is to be a consistent Test batsman. I’m not convinced that he has it in him for an entire series, but even two or three “specials” could turn first innings scores of 250 into 300+. This looks like being a series that will belong to the bowlers, so maybe Maxy is worth the punt?
There will be enormous pressure on whatever XI is chosen - Australia have only lost one home Ashes series in the last thirty years since Mike Gattings’s 1986-87 tour.
