Greg Chappell has identified the changes that he would make to the Australian XI for the second Ashes Test against England in Adelaide.
One call the selectors may need to make is that of the opening batsman given David Warner continues to nurse sore ribs sustained in the first Test win in Brisbane.
Former Aussie captain and selector Chappell believes a familiar face in Usman Khawaja will be the perfect replacement if Warner does not come up.
“Thank Christ I’m not a selector anymore, I don’t need that decision to make,” Chappell laughed on Sportsday.
“You’ve got Khawaja obviously, who is a batting replacement and he can bat pretty much anywhere in the order.
“If they had to go outside of the 15, I’ve got no idea to be honest because I haven’t been watching domestic cricket that closely.”
Queensland opener Bryce Street is also in contention to open in Adelaide.
While Warner is still to prove his fitness, there will be at least one forced change that must be made.
With star quick Josh Hazlewood ruled out of the Adelaide day-night Test with a side strain, there is plenty of talk surrounding who his replacement may be.
Jhye Richardson is seen by many as the frontrunner to step into Hazlewood’s shoes, while Michael Neser is also considered a viable option.
Chappell has vouched for 25-year-old West Australian Richardson who has two Tests to his name.
“I think Richardson is the obvious choice for Hazlewood. He would be sensational under lights if he bowls like I know he can bowl,” Chappell added.
“He’s quick he’s accurate, he doesn’t get the bounce that a Hazlewood gets but he’ll be a different angle, a different sort of height. So it’s a change of angle and height.
“Cummins and Hazlewood, there’s not a hell of a lot of difference between them as right-hand bowlers, albeit Cummins skids a little bit more than Hazlewood does.
“Richardson will be more of a skidder so he’ll add a bit of variety to the attack.
“Whilst it will be a shame to lose Josh and all of his experience, and whilst ‘Richo’ is inexperienced, he’s a seriously good bowler.”
Richardson last donned the Aussie whites against Sri Lanka in February, 2019. He took six wickets in his two Tests that summer.
The second Test kicks off at the Adelaide Oval from 3pm AEDT on Thursday.