The aftermath of Australia’s performance at Lords and the war of words that has erupted from old players, pundits and punters alike is still fresh in the minds of many. That said, there is a game to be played by the Australian touring team at Hove starting on Friday that presents as the next challenge for Australian cricket and the next opportunity for the games of various Australian test stars to be analysed and dissected by those in the know and those who are not but think they are.

Shane Watson, Chris Rogers and Peter Siddle have been given the game off and are convalescing in London. Additionally, Michael Clarke, Brad Haddin and Ryan Harris have also been omitted from the Australian XI. One can expect that the six of them will be selected for the third test at Old Trafford. I have been a strong advocate for the same team, subject to injury issues, being selected for the third test so, if I am correct, this game probably does not present as a selection trial. That said, a player who blows the selectors away may well force his way into the team. Moreover, after the “Lords Massacre”, this game is the first of many that Australia will play along the road to regain some of the respect lost at Lords.

We are already off to a terrible start to any attempt to rebuild Australia’s place in the game given that because Australia is resting so many players it has been required to call on Asthon Turner (from the Hampshire Academy) to fill the final spot in the team. Is it really the message that Cricket Australia wants to send? That this tour match is so unimportant after a catastrophic loss that it refuses to select a team from within its own squad. Given the bad press it has received already with its timing of the BBL marketing campaign I would have thought Cricket Australia would have been smarter than this.

Anyhow, that controversy aside, here are my 4 key outcomes that we must see from the Australians in this game for it to be considered a small step forward in the context of Australian cricket:

Fight!

The biggest criticism of many, including me, of the Australian performance at Lords was that the players did not appear, outwardly, to stand up and scrap when it was needed most. I am sure they were all giving their collective best but the perception that Australia lacked fight in that game is damaging to the reputation of Australian cricket to say the least! The team selected here must show some fight, particularly is Sussex starts to get on top at any point in the game.

Dig in!

It stood out like the proverbial in the second test that Australia’s batting order simply did not have the application to spend long times at the crease without playing a false shot. In the early games of this tour Australia’s run rate was exceptional and the hundreds flowed. Whilst that is fine for a tour match, the Australian batsmen who are playing need time at the wicket. I would much prefer to see Uzman Khawaja, for example, score a hundred in this game of 200 balls rather than at a run a ball because it will give him time at the wicket and help with temperament for the furnace of test match cricket.

Will the real James Faulkner please show up?

If Faulkner plays well in this game he should be debuting for Australia at Old Trafford. For the purposes of the balance of the bowling attack a swing bowling left armer is a must to accompany Peter Siddle and Ryan Harris. His batting will help solidify the lower middle order and he is an aggressive cricketer that will lift the vibe in the team.

Has the confidence of Nathan Lyon been too dented?

I have been vehement in my view that Nathan Lyon ought to been selected for the first test of this series at Trent Bridge and Ashton Agar’s 98 aside Australia has looked short a quality spinner in both games so far. The fact that 11 of Australia’s 20 wickets at Lords were taken by off spin bowling whilst Australia’s best spinner was the decidedly part time Steve Smith MUST mean Nathan Lyon is in the frame to return at Old Trafford. His return though must hinge on what his confidence level is like after being so inexplicably dropped. I sincerely hope that the selection panel have not stuffed him up mentally because, frankly, we need him.

Despite the travesty of a team Australia has selected for this game, a positive outcome for Australia is a must. A negative outcome, be it through poor cricket or even a loss will just make this tour even more shambolic and uninspiring for pundits and fans that is has already become.