Greats weigh in on No.6 position

Champion wicketkeeper Ian Healy believes incumbent Glenn Maxwell is the frontrunner for the Australian No.6 spot for the first Ashes Test, but legend Ian Chappell isn’t so sure. 

Maxwell played the last two Tests of the Qantas Tour of India in February-March and marked his three-year absence in the Baggy Green with a maiden century in Ranchi. 

But Maxwell is seen as something of a subcontinent specialist having played all five of his Tests in Asia and owning a reputation as a quality player of spin bowling. 

Quick Single: CA "disappointed" with Australia A tour cancellation

So it came as no surprise when the Victorian was included in Australia’s 13-man squad for the two-Test tour of Bangladesh scheduled to take place in August-September.

What did come as a mild surprise was the inclusion of Western Australia seam-bowling allrounder Hilton Cartwright.

Cartwright made his Test debut at the SCG in January against Pakistan where he batted at No.6, the spot Mitchell Marsh had held until he was dropped after the Hobart hammering at the hands of South Africa in November. 

Cartwright was then overlooked when Marsh returned to fourth-drop for the India tour before injury ended his participation early, giving Maxwell an opportunity as state teammate Marcus Stoinis was flown over as cover.

Now the debate has begun as to who should bat at No.6 for the first Ashes Test at the Gabba on November 23.

Australia have traditionally chosen a seam-bowling allrounder at home to help ease the workload of the fast bowlers, but Healy says Maxwell is in front this far out. 

"It’s hard not to give to Maxwell after that century he made in India," Healy told The Unplayable Podcast. 

"It was a wonderful century, I’ve never seen him bat so well. 

"His footwork that day was the best I’d seen in a long, long time. 

"I hope he can start the summer like that and really apply himself and showcase those kind of skills once again when conditions aren’t going to be as tough as they were in India. 

"He’s the frontrunner but his part-time bowling is not getting used so is there someone who could bat at No.6 even better?"

Chappell says he wants to see the 28-year-old mirror his India efforts at home before giving him the nod for Brisbane.

Maxwell was set to get some valuable time in the middle in conditions similar to those found on his own doorstep as part of Australia A's four-day squad to South Africa, but the Australian Cricketers' Association today cancelled that tour due to the ongoing pay dispute with Cricket Australia. 

"Maxwell would have to prove himself as a batsman at No.6 in Australia, in my mind," Chappell also told The Unplayable Podcast. 

"I think you’ll see a bit more short-pitched bowling in Australia. 

"There’s no doubt he’s got the skill to do the job and if he shows the sort of patience he showed in making that hundred in India then he could the position down no problem at all. 

"He could certainly be your second spinner but I just get the feeling Steve Smith likes that extra seamer up his sleeve."

Just who that extra seamer is appears to one of three allrounders, according to Chappell.

Cartwright, Marsh and NSW Blues captain Moises Henriques have all had a taste of Test cricket without nailing down their spot, although the former has had only one crack at it to date.

When asked who Australia’s No.6 will be at the Gabba, Chappell said: "I don’t think the selectors know at this stage." 

"Cartwright is probably in their minds. 

"At this stage, Mitchell Marsh has got to do a lot to recover that position. 

"He’s really go to get in the side as a batsman and what I‘ve seen so far he’s not a No.6 Test batsman. He’s got a lot to do. 

"Technically there’s no reason why Moises Henriques couldn’t do the job, but I don’t know, something seems to be missing there. 

"But technically everything I’ve seen of him he’s certainly a good enough batsman. 

"Bowling I’m not so sure about. 

"Batting there’s no reason why he can’t make it at six. 

"Hilton Cartwright I’ve seen a bit of him, I like what I see with his batting, but I don’t think his bowling has a lot of confidence at Test level at this stage."