New selection chief will play a key role in picking squads for the T20 World Cup and Ashes
A team to win the T20 World Cup
Test batting spots
Managing bubble fatigue
No one really knows at the moment how the summer in Australia will play out although it seems increasingly likely there will be disruption at least to the early months. It also appears inevitable that there will need to be some type of bubble arrangement for internationals, which raises the question of how long players can stay in them. That is more than just an issue for Bailey, but he is likely to be the latest selector around the world to accept he may not always be able to pick from his strongest hand.
Embrace rotation?
This is partly related to the above point but would be a topic of debate – pandemic or not. One of the strategies Trevor Hohns presided over in his second spell as chairman was the largely successful approach to mixing and matching Australia’s pace attack during the 2019 Ashes. Whether it’s termed rotation or conditions-based selection, it is the only time in Test cricket they have really embraced a squad mentality with the bowling attack. It will be no easy task for Bailey to tell one of the quicks they aren’t playing but with six Tests in less than two months it’s all but inevitable. Over to you, James Pattinson, Michael Neser and Jhye Richardson.
Captaincy transition
Subcontinent challenge
If the schedule plays out as currently planned, Australia have a trio of subcontinent tours next year that will make or break their chances in the World Test Championship. Trips to Pakistan, Sri Lanka and India will provide stern challenges for the adaptability of the Test team that hasn’t played away from home since the 2019 Ashes. The balance of the side will be the key debate although Green’s emergence will help that if his bowling returns to full tilt. Legspinner Mitchell Swepson looks well placed for elevation, but can Ashton Agar come again as a Test cricketer or Adam Zampa transfer his white-ball skills to red?
2023 planning
Andrew McGlashan is a deputy editor at ESPNcricinfo