Uncapped opener backed for debut

Three of Australia’s all-time greats have selected their team for the first Test of the upcoming summer as Australia look to rebuild following their Ashes loss to England.

Former captain Mark Taylor, champion wicketkeeper Ian Healy and spin king Shane Warne have all chosen their ideal starting side for the first Test against New Zealand at the Gabba on November 5.

The trio then put their heads together and created a combined starting side for the Brisbane Test.

Each member of the Wide World of Sports commentary team picked uncapped Western Australian Cameron Bancroft to partner David Warner after the 22-year-old had a solid Sheffield Shield season and an impressive recent tour of India with Australia A.

New Queensland Bulls captain Usman Khawaja was the popular choice to return to the Test line-up at first-drop - although Healy opted for Joe Burns - bumping captain Steve Smith down the order to No.4.

Shaun Marsh was the unanimous decision to reclaim his place in the Test side at No.5, solidifying a line-up that mixes youth, experience and batting styles.

There was some conjecture for the allrounder position at No.6, with Taylor opting for Moises Henriques from NSW, while Healy and Warne chose Mitchell Marsh to continue in the Baggy Green.

Warne was an outlier with his selection of Matthew Wade as wicketkeeper, saying the Victorian's dynamic batting could give Australia an edge, where Taylor and Healy were happy with Peter Nevill’s glovework.

When choosing his side, Taylor ruled out anybody over 33, meaning Mitchell Johnson has played his last Test for Australia, but his former teammates kept the lightning left-armer in the side.

The remaining spots were split amongst to the current crop of fast bowlers, with Pat Cummins a popular choice, while Nathan Lyon was the undisputed option as the sole spinner.

Mark Taylor's squad

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David Warner
Cameron Bancroft
Usman Khawaja
Steve Smith (c)
Shaun Marsh
Moises Henriques
Peter Nevill (wk)
Mitchell Starc
Pat Cummins
Nathan Lyon
Josh Hazlewood
James Pattinson

"I had a real toss-up between Starc and Johnson. I don’t think you can play them both in the same Test team at the moment. They’re both similar types of bowlers. They’re both going at four runs per over. Johnson’s got the pedigree, but he’s 34, I’m thinking about the future, so I edged Starc ahead of Johnson."

Ian Healy's squad

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David Warner
Cameron Bancroft
Joe Burns
Steve Smith (c)
Shaun Marsh 
Mitchell Marsh
Peter Nevill (wk)
Mitchell Johnson
Mitchell Starc
Pat Cummins
Josh Hazlewood
Nathan Lyon

"I believe Mitchell Marsh is a batting allrounder and we’re going to see the best of him. He’s 23 and he’s really worth sticking with."

Shane Warne's squad

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David Warner
Cameron Bancroft
Usman Khawaja/Shane Watson
Steve Smith (c)
Shaun Marsh
Mitchell Marsh
Matthew Wade (wk)
Mitchell Johnson
James Pattinson/Mitchell Starc/Josh Hazlewood
Pat Cummins/Nathan Coulter-Nile
Nathan Lyon

"I’ve gone Matthew Wade as the keeper for a bit of dynamics. His batting is fantastic. If he improves his keeping, and by all accounts he has improved his keeping, he’s already made Test hundreds so I think he’s got a taste for it. If he keeps well enough his batting could be absolutely dynamic."

Combined commentators' squad

David Warner
Cameron Bancroft
Usman Khawaja
Steve Smith (c)
Shaun Marsh
Mitchell Marsh
Peter Nevill (wk)
Mitchell Johnson
Mitchell Starc
Pat Cummins
Nathan Lyon