so here is our (expanded) choices with less than a fortnight to go according to the latest release from CA.
Ricky Ponting (c), Michael Clarke (vc), Doug Bollinger, Xavier Doherty, Callum Ferguson, Brad Haddin, Ryan Harris, Nathan Hauritz, Ben Hilfenhaus, Mike Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Simon Katich, Usman Khawaja, Marcus North, Peter Siddle, Steve Smith, Shane Watson.
no huge surprises and typically we all at DTW pretty much had it covered!
with tour and SS games this week CA have basically put themselves in a position where if one of the new choices goes well, and if their in place player fails, it is remiss not to include that new player; and quite frankly, if that is the case, no excuse is good enough!
the main 2 "inform" players i see missing are: D. Hussey (maybe thought to be too old, or...)
and Ronnie Mac (maybe too... ok, i'll say it, "TOO VICTORIAN!" back to back tons and tight effective bowling just doesn't cut it anymore it seems!
Australia's test team may as well just be called NSW
ReplyDeleteyep, and at least the Bushrangers will win the SS again if that is the case!
ReplyDeleteDoherty and smith both are not good enough to bowl at test level for australia. If over rate/variety becomes a problem get kat or north to bowl a few even clarke.
ReplyDeletei agree with Kat bowling; i'd had pushed for that well before now. but it seems a bit hard to get him up to the crease.
ReplyDeleteI hear Johnson got 1for in a grade cricket match at the weekend! Hurray! oh, and also bowled 11 wides in 10 overs...
ReplyDeleteRonnie has had an awesome start to the domestic season, has experience at Test level, performed last week against NSW but can't even make the Australia A side??????
For a team that has dominated shield cricket in the past few years to have only 1 player in the SEVENTEEN man Test squad and only 1 other in the Australia A side (White) is puzzling.
On that note: How does the Captain of Australia A NOT get a place in the SEVENTEEN man squad for the Ashes?
I like your thoughts Anonymous, let us know your nickname and keep it up!
Truisms on all accounts here. How does the captain of (what I presume to be) the Aus 2nd 11 not warrant a spot in a top 17? How does a hamburger genius, who played in 2 series with a baggy green with more than adequate contribution, not seem good enough to feature even a chance of playing the first test?
ReplyDeleteI don't think Hughes will play (nor do I think he should) and my favourite wisely let go bowler Harris looks like he's got bung knee again. Poor young Starc is sidelined with Bollinger perhaps suss injury-wise. Aus better hope Hilfenslaus can go through 150 overs this summer!