Australian cricket’s annual contract record, to be introduced subsequent month, historically rewards all-format gamers with probably the most eye-watering contracts.
But there’s a robust argument to recommend Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne needs to be breaking into the highest 5 this 12 months, primarily based purely on their prowess at Test stage.
It’s an enormous name, as a result of to fit them in, selectors must drop Josh Hazlewood and David Warner down the record in a 12 months through which each males might but be decisive within the Ashes and 50-over World Cup.
Last 12 months, Pat Cummins, Warner, Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Steve Smith made up the highest 5 highest-paid contracted cricketers in Australia.
The all-format prowess of these 5 stars makes them extremely troublesome to shake from the highest echelon, however this 12 months not less than, selectors have some severe considering to do.
Ultimately, gamers will all be given an general rating, however initially, selectors want to sit down down and decide a rankings record for pink and white ball cricket.
First query needs to be, is Khawaja now the most effective Test batsman in Australia?
The 36-year-old’s gorgeous type which has seen him smash six tons of since being recalled to Test cricket 14 months in the past is so compelling it begs the query whether or not Khawaja has taken over from the world No. 1 Labuschagne and Australian all-time nice Smith as our greatest Test bat.
Test nice Matthew Hayden believes Khawaja shapes as the important thing man on this 12 months’s Ashes tour.
Khawaja could not have way more than 12-24 months left in Test cricket given his age, however on what he has finished, and what he’s able to doing for Australia on the Ashes, he not less than deserves to earn his greatest ever contract this 12 months.
Labuschagne can be owed an improve given his years’ of consistency since breaking out on the final Ashes tour of 2019.
Being the No. 1 Test batsman has to depend for one thing.
And then in fact there’s Cameron Green. The new all-format prototype who merely has to cost into the million greenback pay bracket off the again of his maiden Test century.
Australia’s prime ranked cricketer earns an estimated $2 million, after which there’s a sliding scale the place the highest seven not less than, all earn greater than $1 million.
Nathan Lyon was ranked about No. 6 final 12 months and remains to be the world’s No. 1 spinner.
It can be a courageous choice panel to bump down confirmed champions like Hazlewood and Warner with a lot on the road this 12 months.
Unless selectors have already decided to not take Warner to England (which there isn’t any proof of), then he stays an integral a part of Australia’s plans this 12 months, notably given he’s nonetheless a beast as an ODI batsman in a World Cup 12 months.
Early subsequent 12 months he will even be central to Australia’s T20 World Cup hopes within the West Indies.
Hazlewood has struggled to remain on the park for the previous two summers, but when match, he may very well be Australia’s key bowler in English situations.
At ODI stage he’s ranked larger than Pat Cummins, and he’s Australia’s greatest T20 fast.
The selections gained’t be as powerful decrease down the rankings record, notably given there’s a feeling Cricket Australia could broaden the contract record this 12 months.
That means tearaways like Spencer Johnson and Lance Morris are prone to be rewarded and invested in closely for the longer term.
Originally printed as Australia v India 4th Test: Live scoreboard, newest news from Ahmedabad
Source: www.news.com.au
