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Where to now for the Australian Test cricket team?

Four key questions for national selectors to consider after Australia's victory at Adelaide Oval.

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Australia win third Test in Adelaide

A controlled performance from Australia's bowlers enabled two debutants to hit the winning runs and claim victory by seven wickets in the third Test against South Africa in Adelaide.

1. WHERE DOES SHAUN MARSH FIT IN?

Marsh is yet to overcome the broken finger he suffered in the first Test at the WACA. That moment may come prior to the day-night Test against Pakistan in Brisbane that starts on December 15, but is more likely to fall between that game and the Boxing Day Test. The 33-year-old is far from an automatic selection but equally would be right to feel aggrieved if overlooked. Nic Maddinson is the batsman most likely to make way but Maddinson can make it a more complex issue if he scores runs in Brisbane.

Australia's Shaun Marsh watches his shot during the third day of their third test cricket match against Sri Lanka in Colombo.

Recovering: Shaun Marsh. Photo: AP

2. MATTHEW WADE OR PETER NEVILL?

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Nevill could hardly have responded any better to his Test axing. The keeper scored 179 not out for NSW in their ongoing Sheffield Shield clash with Tasmania. Nevill was dropped because selectors rated Wade a better batsman and more vocal keeper. Wade lived up to the second part of that bargain in Adelaide but not the first, scoring four. He had six catches and a stumping but was criticised by former Australian wicketkeeper Ian Healy for not trying to snaffle a catch in South Africa's second innings.

Disappointing return: Matthew Wade's first Test innings in three years

Matthew Wade's scored four in first Test innings in three years.  Photo: Getty Images

3. WHAT TO DO WITH MITCHELL STARC AND JOSH HAZLEWOOD BEFORE THE NEXT TEST?

The new-ball pairing have been included in Australia's ODI squad for an upcoming three-match series against New Zealand. It is unclear how many of those games they will play. Selectors were criticised for resting Starc and Hazlewood from a one-day tour of South Africa last month, with Proteas skipper Faf du Plessis even suggesting it gave his side a mental edge ahead of the Test series. There is no such risk ahead of a three-Test series against Pakistan but it will be interesting to see how the star pacemen are managed over the next fortnight.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 27: Mitchell Starc of Australia walks onto the field during day four of the Third Test match between Australia and South Africa at Adelaide Oval on November 27, 2016 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Rest or play? Mitchell Starc. Photo: Getty Images

4. WHO DESERVES TO MAKE THE TRIP TO INDIA?

Selectors are primarily worried about the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand and ensuing Test series against Pakistan, but in the back of their minds will be a four-Test tour of India that starts in February. David Warner, Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja are likely to be the only batsmen to have sealed their spots in that squad. Peter Handscomb's ability to handle spin bowling is highly regarded, while Glenn Maxwell, Cameron Bancroft and Travis Head are among the contenders not currently in the squad.

Usman Khawaja.

Assured a spot: Usman Khawaja. Photo: Getty Images

AAP

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