This one's for the true believers
https://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2018...y-to-be-recalled-for-boxing-day-test/10666184
Peter Handscomb is likely to be axed after two Tests for the second Australian summer in a row to accommodate the medium pacers of Mitch Marsh.
Australia coach Justin Langer and chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns are yet to reveal whether Handscomb or Marsh will claim the final spot in the XI. However, it is expected all-rounder Marsh will be recalled for the Boxing Day Test as Australia hunts a 2-1 series lead over India at the MCG. Handscomb's LBW dismissal in Perth, pinned deep in his crease by Ishant Sharma, prompted Shane Warne to liken the under-pressure batsman to "a lamb to the slaughter". Marsh has not belted the door down with a mountain of runs since being dropped for the first Test. He scored 21 and 11 in a Sheffield Shield clash at the MCG and then three in Perth's Big Bash League season opener. Langer acknowledged the selection showdown, as was the case a year ago when Handscomb was punted in favour of Marsh after two Ashes Tests, is not as simple as picking the best or in-form batsman. "In a perfectly balanced side you have someone who can bowl some overs, so Mitch becomes an attractive commodity on a wicket [like the MCG]," Langer said. "Unlike Adelaide and Perth where we knew it would be an even contest [between bat and ball]. "Although there's some grass and moisture [in Melbourne], we also know the history of it." Australia is keen to ease the burden on star pacemen Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins on a drop-in deck expected to offer limited assistance.
There is also a three-day break between the third and fourth Tests. "The more we can look after those guys the better … this is the only Test we are looking at, but we aware there are back-to-back Tests, which is tough," Langer said. "Pete's a very good player of spin bowling, Mitch is a pretty good player of spin too. "They are the hard decisions … I spend my life thinking about all those things." Dropping Handscomb after Australia's first Test win since the Cape Town cheating scandal would be a blow to his confidence and Test career, which started with immense promise and two centuries in the space of four games. The BBL is the only vehicle available for the Victorian to convince selectors he should be recalled for the fourth Test and then a two-Test series against Sri Lanka that starts in Brisbane on January 24. Australia's batting order may be unsettled but its star-studded attack is not, with Hazlewood noting they are confident of claiming 20 wickets on any surface. Langer sounded an ominous warning to the tourists, suggesting all of Australia's bowlers would "admit they haven't quite nailed it this series". "That's exciting," he said. "I'm really excited when those guys bowl as that unit; I can't wait to see that."
