2. Travis Head<\/p>\n
As the second leading run-scorer for the year, Head deserved a cap; the debate was where in the batting order.<\/p>\n
We\u2019ve settled on him in his new role as opener, which also solves our leadership issue.<\/p>\n
His two centuries are a key factor why Australia won the Ashes<\/a>, while 514 runs at 51.40 stacks up well against his rivals. Ben Duckett\u2019s lean Ashes cost him, and Devon Conway was very stiff to miss with an average of 87, albeit against lowly opposition.<\/p>\n 3. Shubman Gill<\/p>\n Former international coach Mickey Arthur has long been a fan of Gill \u2013 and now we know why.<\/p>\n Appointed captain in May, Gill made scores of 147, 269 and 161 in his first two Tests in charge and was the leading run-scorer of the year with 983 at 70.2, including five tons.<\/p>\n Though clearly the best-performed of all Test captains, India\u2019s patchy form, losing five of 10 Tests, made it difficult to give him the job in this team.<\/p>\n 4. Joe Root<\/p>\n The \u201cFab Four\u201d batters of world cricket (Smith, Virat Kohli, Williamson and Root) is now down to three \u2013 and Root is the only member of that group to get a cap in this team.<\/p>\n In fact, the No.1-ranked Test batter was among the first picked after big runs at home against India.<\/p>\n A drought-busting ton<\/a> and a maiden Test win on Australian soil filled two of the few gaps left on his CV, though he\u2019d have loved a few more decent scores this summer.<\/p>\n 5. Temba Bavuma (c)<\/p>\n Can a player be picked after just four games, let alone be made captain?<\/p>\n The answer is yes if in those games he has contributed with the bat, led his country to victory in the world Test championship<\/a> final (his team\u2019s first major global title), and a Test whitewash of India in India. To do it at a time when South Africa is leaning more towards Twenty20s adds merit.<\/p>\n Harry Brook\u2019s looseness cost him and Smith was strongly considered as captain but Bavuma\u2019s captaincy record \u2013 four wins from four in 2025 and 10 wins and a draw from 11 overall \u2013 is compelling.<\/p>\n 6. Alex Carey<\/p>\n Hands down the best wicketkeeper in the world<\/a>, Carey was an easy choice to don the gloves.<\/p>\n Rishabh Pant posted similar numbers with the bat but the Australian\u2019s skill behind the stumps, particularly standing up to the pegs to the seamers, made it a short discussion.<\/p>\n With an average of nearly 48 and two tons playing largely on bowler-friendly tracks, there are no concerns at all bumping him up the order to No.6 (his current spot in the Australian line-up).<\/p>\n 7. Ravindra Jadeja<\/p>\n The all-rounder\u2019s spot was one of the more difficult spots to pick.<\/p>\n Ben Stokes had a strong case, but Jadeja\u2019s numbers with the bat demanded selection.<\/p>\n He had one of his leaner years with the ball but did enough to play the role of a second spinner in suitable conditions, or to give selectors the chance to pick four frontline quicks on a seaming track. One of three players to retain his place from last year.<\/p>\n 8. Mitchell Starc<\/p>\n When he is old and grey, Starc will look back on 2025 with fondness.<\/p>\n The pace ace snared a career-best wicket haul, broke Wasim Akram\u2019s record<\/a> for most wickets by a left-arm quick, and also claimed a hat-trick. With Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins injured, he led Australia\u2019s attack to Ashes glory.<\/p>\n That Starc can still reach these heights at the age of 35 is testament to his preparation, stamina and love of Test cricket. He needs just 12 more wickets to break into the top 10 of all-time.<\/p>\n 9. Simon Harmer<\/p>\n Simon Who? The South African off-spinner wasn\u2019t on the radar until he dominated in the Proteas\u2019 tours of Pakistan and India.<\/p>\n Harmer\u2019s 17 wickets at 8.94 in India spun South Africa to their first series win in that country in 25 years.<\/p>\n He may not even be his own country\u2019s first-choice spinner when they next play, but he gets the nod from me here.<\/p>\n 10. Scott Boland<\/p>\n