Slater is rather an exception and not someone to form a general rule from. The difference for players like Slats and even including Sehwag, is that their aggressive approach catches test captains napping, whereas in ODI - teams are on the defensive from the get-go so it has less effect. Look at Sehwag's test SR - better than most ODI openers of his generation. 

Finch is the opposite to Slats. Finch is quite similar to Guptill in NZ. Where all NZC fans were screaming at tv's for Guptill to smack it in tests, but he kept trying to block... And he would get out to a Jaffa. Hitters have to hit...

Baggers are you saying these 5 are BETTER than Maxwell?
Patterson would be deemed an equal to Maxwell in the batting department, same number of FC games same average but Maxwell has scored 1 additional century, Maxwell also has a bowling aspect to his artillery
Weatherald is an opener and some would argue a borderline shield player (av 32 at FC level)
Tom Cooper plays for the Netherlands and is barely pushing a 35 average at FC level
Will Bosisto?   What are you smoking Baggers and where can I get some FC av of 24?????
Sam Heazlett you're grasping at straws now.
But I'll throw in Wade as a possible for his batting alone

i'd be open to white

getting old mind you

Nuggety... tough... gritty... uncompromising... and bowling average of 23.8.

if you went the top 6 aussie players who have played at least 20 1st class matches who has the best averages?

Good Question Not much going around presently. This year Wade is up there overall ave about 40, last 3 or 4 years consistently is Burns averaging over 40 as is Cameron White.
Jake Lehmann was one to watch but seems to be on a steady decline, Alex Doolan is one performing this year but overall has been on a steady decline I think averages 33.

So apart from Burns and possibly Patterson, I personally can't see a better option than Maxwell or Wade, apart from those who are playing currently for Australia...very very sad! And it does show at FC level when bowlers like Cummins, Starc, Neser, Copeland Sayers J Richardson are currently matching the batsmen in averages at FC level

Obviously Smith and Khawaja are the top. Last year Burns White Maxwell Ferguson Head and Renhaw were the leading averages of those that played more than 5 games.

  I expect a specialist seamer such as Hazlewood would  be enjoying a grassy deck for a change.  

White is three days younger than SOS. With a superior FC record. 

looks like the bounce is hard to predict and there hasn't been convincing drives from either side

If you can't drive its a hard wicket to bat on

Wickets like this can paradoxically reward bipolar tactics

wreckless adam gilchrist like agression can make a mockery of the conditions. Alternatively ultra conservative pujar type batting can be very effective too


Australia played with a lot of heart here really tiring out the bowlers and apart from batters showed a lot of discipline. We may just lack the skill sadly

Some good hitting by Lyon has us only 15 behind the Indians. 

The bowl isn't doing much, just because it isn't a complete road doesn't make it a bowlers wicket. Just shows how poor batters are becoming

Philosophical post. I like it.

Cooper is an Australian. Is the only batsman to score two tons this year and came within a whisker of a third today.. If after all this time he has finally found some  consistency  then perhaps he is ready for a Baggy Green.  Patterson has done sufficient. I would prefer a bloke who churns out regular 50s and the odd hundred  over someone that may make a ton here a ton there and in between cheap scores. The other three have the potential to play long innings for Australia as they know how to put a price on their wicket. While you were slumming it in NZ Heazlett was playing a defining knock  that gave the Bulls and unlikely draw. Bosisto did something similar for WA. That is why he is on that list. These types are gold. He could also be another late bloomer. He has captained his country taking Oz to a world cup final. Weatherald has dropped off the vine this year. Still I reckon he has the game to play at Test level. Wade.. give me a break. Check out his miserable batting record when he had the Aussie gloves.

Baggers, you seriously jump around on selection ideas to literally who just scored the most recent century or runs...

With respect, I really do not think this is a good philosophy.

You want to get the best in there. 

Yes - you want them to be in form, but they do not need to be leading the charts in form. 

A well established pool of results, with some recent form - I think is the best way to go...

There aint any cementing their spot so we have to look for alternatives. Khawaja and Head are the only two that warrant a place in next test. Langer said he wanted Shield runs. Well those blokes I have named have scored shield runs. Alex Doolan could also be on that list. A solid performer over the years.. got a bum deal last time he played tests. Cam White and George Bailey I also like. They have solid shield performances over many years to bring to the table. The biggest thing is they all have vast experience. Marsh has failed as the father figure.. now for someone else.

best first class averages and thats it imo

if you chase short term form its always chasing your tail. It takes 20 matches to acclimatize to test cricket by which time your short term form is gone and you reproduce your first class average

Here are the best class first class averages I can find plus a few notable others
Steve Smith - 57.27
David Warner - 48.63
Usman Khawaja - 44.17
Shaun Marsh - 41.21
Kurtis Patterson - 40.95
Glenn Maxwell - 40.56
Joe Burns - 40.51
Cameron White - 40.23
Matthew Wade - 39.42 
Peter Handscomb - 39.22
Jake Lehmann - 38.98
George Bailey - 38.57
Cullum Ferguson - 38.37
Cameron Bancroft - 38.35
Matt Renshaw - 38.23
Peter Nevill - 37.25 
Travis Head - 36.82
Hilton Cartwright - 36.81
Aaron Finch - 36.40
Marcus Harris - 35.49
Nic Maddinson - 34.75
Tom Cooper - 34.19
Alex Doolan - 34.13
Marcus Stoinis - 33.14
Marnus Labuschagne - 32.72
Jake Weatherald - 32.67
Mitch Marsh - 32.15
Tim Paine - 29.94
Alex Carey - 26.95
William Bosisto - 24.67

I feel it is time to get Kurtis Patterson in the team and Joe Burns is a good option as well. After that Matthew Wade might be as good as anyone. 

Peter Nevill was largely dropped from the test team because of his batting yet he has a higher first class average than 3 of the current top 6.

First class averages although with a player like Marcus Harris he is clearly improving his average. 
2015/16 27.40 last season in WA
2016/17 42.42 first season for Victoria
2017/18 41.52
2018/19 71.57
So it is quite clear he struggled as a young batsman but moving states and getting a bit older has turned him into a much better player. So while his over average is still being dragged down by his early poor start to his career his last 3 seasons have been well over 40 in average. Very good for any player and especially for an opener at the moment.

well there is your top 6
Warner
Khawaja
Patterson
Steve Smith
Marsh
Maxwell

Actually that looks a team that can be competitive on the road unlike our current lot

Hopefully Harris and Pukavic and continue their rise and replace the two weakest batsmen Maxwell and Patterson but for now that should be our team.

Cricket is the polar opposite of, say, rugby league where stats pretty much tell you everything

Yes FC averages should be the yardstick to selection. I can live with Patterson, Burns, White and even Maxwell. Are Ussie and even Head stone cold certainties?  Harris deserves some time to acclimatise. He has potential.  Renshaw will be back.. We also have to remember Smith is a certainty to return for the Ashes. Warner also. Tho I reckon he is on the wane. So given we have the top three penciled in.. with Burns also an option there,Patterson gets my vote at #4, White #5 Maxwell or Bailey #6

yeah i'm divided on his conclusion. Sometimes its worth getting them in early though so its a defensible decision

patterson and maxwell still quite young despite having lots of experience so worth investing 20-30 games

early days but the slow run rate continues

Learned from their first innings, just see out the new ball and the runs will come

if we lose another 20 overs to rain draw is in play so they might want a move on

There's ages to go in the test and no more rain forecasted for the remainder.

actually there is rain on the radar for around an hour from now

And even so they are in no rush, wickets are important they have a team of T20 batters to speed up the run rate as we are seeing. All they had to do was see out the new ball and they did, this ball is doing nothing anymore.

Patterson is. Just turned 25. Maxwell is nearing 30 isnt he? So no time to invest in him. He has to nail it from the start to convince selectors.  You saying Patterson is a  touch weak temperament wise given he does not convert all that often?

This deck has lost some life . Runs will start flowing now. Our quicks have to be disciplined in their lines and lengths.