Don't rush to judgement as he could still play in Ashes and that is why he is missing the 4th test against India. The Australians have already lost the series in India and they are being pro-active in regards to Ashes. Even with Starc they have uphill battle against Eng but you never know as cricket is a funny game.

I think he'll be fit in time. Seems the target is to have him back before the Ashes, so according to arthur he will be 100% by the time the Ashes come round. Can't see it making a huge difference but he is a good bowler none the less.

He will be fit for the champions trophy.

Bit too early to rule him out yet. Aussie will struggle without him though.

He is will fit for IPL

IPL

He's not one of our best 3 bowlers tbh. Siddle, Pattinson and HIlfy should all be ahead of him in the pecking order.

I'd pick Pattinson, Starc, Coulter-Nile/Harris and Henriques...As Australia's seam options.

James Faulkner should also be picked as cover for Henriques, he seems a very good player, especially with the bat. Australia probably have the best tail in world cricket, if you can call them that because they're more like batsman.

Where are Bollinger and Hilfenhaus?

Their seam attack should be Pattinson, Siddle, Hilfenhaus and Johnson/Bollinger.

Starc is turning out to be one more Johnson. One game blows hot and cold the next. I expected more out of this lad. I still do.

Australia's attack do not concern me much. It is their batting that does. They need to get their batting in order, otherwise they are staring at heavy defeat.

I thought Pat Cummins was a very nice talent for Australia, why is nobody mentioning him?

I think Starc is an outstanding talent and at only 23 would have been a big bowler for the Aussies over here. I don't personally rate Hilfenhaus at all and Siddle is an honest worker who tries his best but isn't going to unduly worry Englands batsmen. Pattinson looks ok but Cummins would be a gamble in a test series over here at the raw age of 19.
No i think that Starc was one of the Aussie big hopes and yes, he may make it yet but its cutting it fine.

I think Cummins is currently having to go through a change of action due to the number of injuries he has suffered so there is no idea how he will be when fit.

Starc has still got plenty to prove in the Test arena. Brilliant in T20.

He has plenty to prove, yes, but I'd back him to be Australia's biggest star come the end of both Ashes series next year. He'll in my opinion perform better than Pattinson.

Since his return to International cricket v India in 2011, he has proven to be a very good bowler. We all know he has the pace, but his inswingers are pretty diffcult to face, especially on a track that suits bowlers.

In the India test series:

Pattinson 2 matches, 8 wickets @ 23.6
Siddles 3 matches, 8 wickets @ 33.4
Starc 2 matches, 2 wickets @ 100

I really don't think currently he is as good as Pattinson or Siddle, Pattinson is surely Australia's best bowler.

Hilfy has taken 44 wickets in the last 2 years at 20.8 for Australia.

Cummins isn't be talked about because he's injured, he is still behind Starc in the pecking order.

IMHO Australia's top 5 are these guys:

1 Pattinson
2 Siddle
3 Hilfenhaus
4 Harris
5 Bird

Starc will be up there soon enough.

The batting frankly is appalling, Khawaja is probably going to be tried again and I hope he does better than his other outings. I honestly never thought I'd see Smith again but he's actually done alright. Hoping Haddin gets to be wiki now because I'm still unsure of Wade, especially his batting.

I guess Cowan and Warner have to stay as I can't see who will replace them.

Henriques has made a promising start, we'll see if that continues.

Australia will be in trouble come the Ashes, perhaps we can win at home but I think we'll have trouble in England, the one saving grace is that the pitches should suit the strong department in the Australian team.

Duncan, agree with your assessment.

What would you do for some of those 90's A team players - Jacques, Love, Lehmann, McGill... Amazing the depth you had back then.

I remember when Smith played v Pakistan in 2010 here in England and he actually put up a good performance. I think he is a better batsman than people think and a lot worse bowler than people think.

Australia should use their head and pick Bailey, who has showed in ODI's that he is tailor made for Tests. And, for me even though in terms of International matches he's inexperienced, it doesn't seem like it when he's at the crease.

It is a tricky one Adot. First thing I would do is move Clarke to four. Hughes is still a concern - Finn and Broad peppering him? Cowan is steady. I don't have much knowledge on Warner. Watson, I feel injuries have halted his development. On his day, he is a great batsman. They could do with Khawaja taking his chance.

I'd like to see this team line up in the first test:

Cowan
Warner
Watson
Clarke
Hughes
Smith
Haddin
SIddle
Pattinson
Hilfenhaus
Lyon

I doubt Harris will play again for Australia which is a great shame.

If Bird is fit, I think the Australian management will select him ahead of Hilfenhaus. Other changes might include Wade in for Haddin (please god no) or Khawaja for Hughes.

Hilfenhaus got what was it, seven wickets for over 50 in the last Ashes series? You have to convince me he is going to be better than that next time, its ok taking wickets against average sides, lets see what he does in England.
(Actually i don't know why i am arguing this one, pick him!!)

He was the leading wickets taker with the lowest average in the 2009 Ashes.

He was Australia's best bowler in the period just after the greats retired, he is just amazingly unlucky, call him the Australian Sidebottom/Tremlett.

He bowled to short in the last Ashes and was not at full fitness. As an out and out swing bowler he is Australia's best bowler in English conditions.

Unfortunately it looks unlikely he will be picked.

I still have no idea how Australia managed to lose that series.