NEXT IN LINE

The candidates can be split into four groups: the ready-made replacements, the young grafters, the young neutrals and the young dashers. Who selectors choose depends on the role that needs to be filled in the team.

READY MADE.

Michael Klinger

Age: 35. Career Sheffield Shield average: 46.8. Last summer: 58.11

Having just turned 35 does not disqualify him, but it is hardly a great selling point. His career shield average is only exceeded among his peers by Usman Khawaja. Playing in the top order should enable Klinger to comfortably slot into any middle-order role, should one become available. On one hand, the success of Chris Rogers after his belated promotion adds weight the notion Klinger should be considered. On the other, if Michael Clarke departed and was replaced by Klinger, you would be shedding someone with 11 years' international experience for someone with none, who is eight months older. Klinger's best hope for an international debut is probably in limited-overs, especially if players are rested as expected at the end of this series.

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Ed Cowan

Age: 33. Career first-class average: 40.59 Last summer's SS average: 47.94

Four centuries before Christmas in the Shield last season, fuelled by a deliberately more aggressive approach, demanded attention. While his return to NSW will make him the beneficiary of more attention he will need to start 2015-16 in a similarly strong fashion to be a contender to replace Rogers.

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Usman Khawaja

Age: 28. Career Sheffield Shield average: 47.6 Last summer: 27.5 (2 matches)

His move from NSW to Queensland has helped him press his claim for a recall, especially in limited-overs. The left-hander did not look out of place at Test level, but an average of 25.13 in 17 innings does not reflect that. Knee and hamstring injuries ruined last season for Khawaja. His selection as Australia A captain for the current tour of India was a boost, although he did not repay the faith with his scores. His career shield average is indicative of his class, but the big knock has been a perceived lack of "intent" or urgency at the crease.

Callum Ferguson

Age: 30. Career Sheffield Shield average: Last season: 52.25

A quiet achiever. It's almost four years since he just missed out on a berth in the 2010-11 Ashes. Four centuries last season has pushed the South Australian's career shield average to the cusp of 40. The right-hander looks the part; if selectors can be confident he can curb his aggression when required, which he could not do in 2010-11, he may prove it.

Alex Doolan

Age: 29. Career first-class average: 34.56 Last summer's SS average: 20.88

Could consider himself unlucky to be dropped for last October's series against Pakistan, and had he displayed even moderate form in the Sheffield Shield on his return he would likely have returned last summer. But his fall was so severe he is now well down the pecking order. The only reason he should not be off it completely is that his good is very, very good.

Moises Henriques

Age: 28. Career first-class average: 32.5 Last summer's SS average: 31.86

An outsider for this category on the strength of his assured debut, a half-century in each innings, in India in early 2013. His shield average of 31.86 last season was disappointing, yet in each of the preceding three it was over 40. With Mitch Marsh's emergence he would likely be more chance to earn selection as a specialist batsman than as an all-rounder.

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GRAFTERS

Arguably the strongest of the three categories. Rather than "grafter" having a negative connotation it is a reflection that these players have consistently demonstrated a level of restraint many of their peers, even international ones, have not.

Joe Burns

Age: 25. Career Sheffield Shield average: 44.21 Last summer: 52.86

Burns' aggressive batting in his debut Test series last summer was an anomaly. He started his career in the middle-order but has spent his past two seasons opening for Queensland, and experience which will help him, if, as expected, he rates highly in selectors' thoughts for Warner's long-term shield partner.

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Cameron Bancroft

Age: 22. Career Sheffield Shield average: 34.51 Last season: 47.15

The Western Australian's average is modest, but at 22 he represents the future. Has unusually high levels of patience for someone so young, he faced 567 deliveries in making 211 against NSW last season. Scoring 150 for Australia A in India has also helped his cause.

Jordan Silk

Age: 23. Career first-class average: 33.67 Last summer's SS average: 27.94

Silk slipped into selectors' minds by averaging 57.83 when he debuted late in 2012-13. His first five innings, in which he faced an average of 177 deliveries including the Shield final, earned rave reviews from his peers. The Tasmanian's bid for a Test berth faltered last season, but he still has credit in the bank.

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NEUTRALS

Those whose batting approach is balanced between attack and defence.

Peter Handscomb

Age: 25. Career Sheffield Shield average: 35.31 Last season: 53.91

Handscomb's average does not befit his talent. He has long been one of the spin-bowlers, a handy trait for whenever Clarke departs the Test team. Last season he also demonstrated his improvement against fast-bowling. If he were to be elevated it would be savoured in Victoria, given they have not produced a batsman who has held his Test place for a sustained period since Dean Jones.

Marcus Stoinis

Age: 25. Career first class average: 39.20 Last season: 49.06

A bolter in the selection debate. He got a taste of the Shield six-and-a-half years ago in Western Australia, but left for Melbourne club cricket with no guarantees. Conversion from half-centuries to centuries is a problem, he has reached 50 on 12 occasions but 100 only once, yet those who see him bat are likely to be impressed by his combination of textbook technique and immense power. He is officially an all-rounder, but given he is averaging 61.78 with his seamers, it would be a bonus for Australian selectors rather than the reason to pick him.

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Kurtis Patterson

Age: 22. Career first-class average: 33.27 Last season's SS average: 28.61

One to watch. The New South Welshman was just 18 when he scored 163 on debut almost four years ago. He has only averaged about 30 since then, but is said to be one of the early pace-setters in NSW training.

DASHERS

If the selectors are willing to take a punt.

Glenn Maxwell

Age: 26. Career first class average: 38.5 Last season's SS average: 24 (from 2 games)

Maxwell's limited-overs duties have curtailed his red-ball availability over the past two seasons, to the extent he has played only four shield matches in that period. While the manner of his limited-overs strokeplay invites scepticism his shield average of 42 indicates a switch to Tests is possible.

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Nic Maddinson

Age: 23 Career first-class average: 38.53 Last season's SS average: 53.66

Has had a taste of limited-overs internationals for Australia. While his talent in unquestioned his temperament against the red ball can be, specifically his ability to curb his enthusiasm for going after the bowlers when conditions and circumstances demand it. Having dropped from an opener to No.4 in recent seasons it was encouraging that he last season averaged above 50 for the first time.

Travis Head

Age: 21, Career Sheffield Shield average: 31.61 Last season: 37.70

Has already played 32 matches and has 16 half-centuries to his name. The negatives are that he is yet to convert a 50-plus score into a century, and that he averages only 31.67. It appeared a big risk for South Australia to appoint him as captain given it could have been a distraction to his Test bid.

Chris Lynn

Age: 25. Career First class average: 45.88 Last season's SS average: 62.71 (in five games)

The Queenslander wouldn't be a safe bet, but offers a huge upside if he succeeds. Big Bash viewers have seen proof of Lynn's ability to dispatch fast-bowling deep into the stands. While inconsistency, and a casual approach, lost him a Shield position for the Bulls, his career record, averaging 44.65, shows his skill. Last season Lynn scored 250 at home to Victoria on the way to averaging 62.71 in the Shield. Selectors could look to an innings from his second season, an unbeaten 142 from 290 deliveries to secure a draw for Queensland after they had been forced to follow on, as encouragement that Lynn possesses fight to go with his flair.

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