Selection conundrums for Australia as Maxwell, Stoinis compete for number six spot

After two brilliant and exciting Test matches between India and Australia, the action now moves to Ranchi for the third Test of the four-match series. The series is leveled 1-1 and hence the build up to the third game is huge. While the hosts look settled with their lineup, the Aussies have their headaches to resolve before the third Test. They have been plagued by injuries with pacer Mitchell Starc and all-rounder Mitchell Marsh being ruled out of the remainder Tests.

The replacement for the pacer seems to be an easy go as the spinners have been doing the bulk of the bowling. However, the selection conundrum that is bothering the Australian camp is over the number six spot. Marsh, who played at the number 6 spot in the first two Tests, had very little say with both bat and the ball. Despite that, the position of the all-rounder remains to be a vital cog in the wheel for Australia.

Marcus Stoinis, the hard-hitting all-rounder, was drafted in the squad as a replacement for Marsh. Either he could be the like-for-like replacement in the Test, or Glenn Maxwell might get a go. Maxwell has the edge over Stoinis for the fact that he has been with the squad since the beginning of the tour.

Having said that, the Aussie camp needs to look at the recent form of the two players as well. Maxwell has not been in the best of forms in the recent past. On the contrary, Stoinis had made a thundering impact with an unbeaten 147 against New Zealand in a recent ODI fixture. Moreover, Maxwell had failed to make it to the Victoria Shield side this year. On the other hand, Marcus Stoinis has been a consistent performer for the Bushrangers in the past.

What might work well in the favor of Maxwell is his spin bowling abilities. With the reports of the Ranchi track being a rank turner, having an additional spinner might work wonders for team Australia. In addition to that, Maxwell is relatively more experienced in playing in the subcontinental conditions. The third Test kicks off on March 15 at the JSCA Stadium, Ranchi.

Possible XI:

Australia:

David Warner, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith (C), Shaun Marsh, Peter Handscomb, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Wade (wk), Jackson Bord, Steve O’Keefe, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.