View Full Version : Aussies initial 30 man squad for Champions Trophy....Tait back
Australia name Champions Trophy squad
13:19 AEST Thu Jul 10 2008
http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=595166
Fast bowler Shaun Tait could return to cricket later this year after he was named in Australia's 30-man preliminary squad for the Champions Trophy tournament.
Tait announced in January he was standing down from the game due to emotional and physical exhaustion, and has not represented his country since.
But the 25-year-old paceman, who starred in Australia's triumphant World Cup campaign last year, was included in the large squad, which will be halved in a month for the September tournament.
The event is scheduled to be played in Pakistan, however the International Cricket Council has not ruled out moving the event should there be any threat of more violence in the country.
South Africa and Sri Lanka have been mooted as alternate venues.
Australian chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch said: "Shaun Tait has been included as he continues his extensive rehabilitation program to resume playing cricket.
"Shaun had a significant impact in our World Cup victory and at his best is a formidable weapon in one-day cricket."
The squad also included six uncapped players, Tasmanian quartet George Bailey, Xavier Doherty, Brett Geeves and Tim Paine, Queensland allrounder Ryan Harris and NSW paceman Doug Bollinger.
Australia have been drawn in a pool comprising India, Pakistan and the West Indies, and are scheduled to play their first match, against India, in Lahore on September 13.
The final is scheduled to be played in Lahore on September 28.
Australian squad: Ricky Ponting (capt), Michael Clarke (vice-capt), George Bailey, Doug Bollinger, Nathan Bracken, Stuart Clark, Dan Cullen, Xavier Doherty, Brett Geeves, Ryan Harris, Brad Haddin, Nathan Hauritz, Matthew Hayden, Brad Hodge, James Hopes, David Hussey, Mike Hussey, Phil Jaques, Mitchell Johnson, Simon Katich, Brett Lee, Shaun Marsh, Ashley Noffke, Tim Paine, Luke Ronchi, Andrew Symonds, Shaun Tait, Adam Voges, Shane Watson, Cameron White.
Ryan Harris stands out to me, sure he had a handy season last year for SA...but career list A bowling average of 35 with a RPO of 5.1 isn't flash.
His last seasons stats weren't that great either...37 wkts @ 29.9 in the Pura Cup and 11 wickets @ 34.7 in the Ford Ranger Cup leaves a fair bit to be desired I would have thought.
Handy lower order batsman as well having said that and is only 28 so there is scope for improvement but I would have thought a bit more of a consistent run of form would be required to make an initial squad.
Freo Big Fella
10 Jul 2008, 15:01
Australian squad: Ricky Ponting (capt), Michael Clarke (vice-capt), George Bailey, Doug Bollinger, Nathan Bracken, Stuart Clark, Dan Cullen, Xavier Doherty, Brett Geeves, Ryan Harris, Brad Haddin, Nathan Hauritz, Matthew Hayden, Brad Hodge, James Hopes, David Hussey, Mike Hussey, Phil Jaques, Mitchell Johnson, Simon Katich, Brett Lee, Shaun Marsh, Ashley Noffke, Tim Paine, Luke Ronchi, Andrew Symonds, Shaun Tait, Adam Voges, Shane Watson, Cameron White.
Whoever is in charge of developing our young spinners should be deeply, deeply ashamed of themselves.
The 747
10 Jul 2008, 16:42
You could probably say a few of these are encouragement selections, meaning that the selectors think the player is on the right track and is in their minds. But Bailey, Geeves, Harris, Doherty etc won't be going to the CT.
happy_eagle
10 Jul 2008, 16:49
No Mcgain ?
hm vics wont be happy
The 30-man squads always throw in fringe players who are completely out of the reckoning.
Harris and Geeves are a bit of a surprise - but you can understand Doherty and Hauritz being there as they are probably near the top of the list in terms of one day spinners.
Despite what people say, Hauritz isn't that bad as a one day option.
Gunnar Longshanks
10 Jul 2008, 18:58
Solid squad - mostly predictable.
Looks like Hauritz, Cullen and Doherty are competing to be our next ODI spinner.
Both Hauritz and Doherty have better List A bowling averages than Cullen.
i'm wrapped to see Doherty in the squad... i think he'll be our next long term 1 day spinner... i hope the selectors have the balls to pick him over Hauritz...
would've been good to see Bryce in the squad, but I think the selectors need to blood some youth in the 1 day team... he does need to go to india with the test side though...
The squad I think they'll take:
Ricky Ponting (capt), Michael Clarke (vice-capt), George Bailey, Doug Bollinger, Nathan Bracken, Stuart Clark, Dan Cullen, Xavier Doherty, Brett Geeves, Ryan Harris, Brad Haddin, Nathan Hauritz, Matthew Hayden, Brad Hodge, James Hopes, David Hussey, Mike Hussey, Phil Jaques, Mitchell Johnson, Simon Katich, Brett Lee, Shaun Marsh, Ashley Noffke, Tim Paine, Luke Ronchi, Andrew Symonds, Shaun Tait, Adam Voges, Shane Watson, Cameron White
The squad I'd take: Ricky Ponting (capt), Michael Clarke (vice-capt), George Bailey, Doug Bollinger, Nathan Bracken, Stuart Clark, Dan Cullen, Xavier Doherty, Brett Geeves, Ryan Harris, Brad Haddin, Nathan Hauritz, Matthew Hayden, Brad Hodge, James Hopes, David Hussey, Mike Hussey, Phil Jaques, Mitchell Johnson, Simon Katich, Brett Lee, Shaun Marsh, Ashley Noffke, Tim Paine, Luke Ronchi, Andrew Symonds, Shaun Tait, Adam Voges, Shane Watson, Cameron White.
Gunnar Longshanks
10 Jul 2008, 19:44
Australian squad: Ricky Ponting (capt), Michael Clarke (vice-capt), George Bailey, Doug Bollinger, Nathan Bracken, Stuart Clark, Dan Cullen, Xavier Doherty, Brett Geeves, Ryan Harris, Brad Haddin, Nathan Hauritz, Matthew Hayden, Brad Hodge, James Hopes, David Hussey, Mike Hussey, Phil Jaques, Mitchell Johnson, Simon Katich, Brett Lee, Shaun Marsh, Ashley Noffke, Tim Paine, Luke Ronchi, Andrew Symonds, Shaun Tait, Adam Voges, Shane Watson, Cameron White.Surely we will find a spot for Shaun Tait.
He was preferred to Clark during the WC and delivered on the big stage.
stewie griffen
10 Jul 2008, 19:53
what the?
Grimwood
10 Jul 2008, 19:56
I thought Casson might get in with his batting ability, but I suppose he's only played 20 or so List A games.
Nice to see Tait's seemingly coping better now.
Blue Red and Gold
10 Jul 2008, 22:35
Surely we will find a spot for Shaun Tait.
He was preferred to Clark during the WC and delivered on the big stage.
agreed
Blue Dimension
10 Jul 2008, 23:14
Ryan Harris...wtf?
Riiiiiiight.
Is Peter Siddle still injured? if not he was unlucky not to get a mention.
Is Hilfenhaus still injured? If so, when is he due back?
LondonCalling
11 Jul 2008, 12:31
Yep, Siddle, Pomersbach and Casson can consider themselves unlucky. Speaks volumes about how far Mark Cosgrove has fallen down the pecking order. Harris very deserving, his figures aren't bad at all considering the lack of support he had in the attack, or the totals he was defending last year.
Still struggling to see why Tim Paine continually gets mentioned in these squads though.
From the official press release from CA, I'd assume that White's had his last chance to audition as the ODI spinner.
Surely we will find a spot for Shaun Tait.
He can certainly throw a few!! ;)
Gunnar Longshanks
11 Jul 2008, 19:22
Yep, Siddle, Pomersbach and Casson can consider themselves unlucky. Speaks volumes about how far Mark Cosgrove has fallen down the pecking order. Harris very deserving, his figures aren't bad at all considering the lack of support he had in the attack, or the totals he was defending last year.Why can Pomersbach consider himself unlucky?
He averages 24 in List A - why should he be considered?
Casson has 18 ODD wickets to his name - not really enough to jump straight into an Aussie squad.
And Siddle has taken 14 ODD wickets at 30.
These are emerging players who really haven't done anything in limited overs. Since when are players with so little credentials considered "unlucky" not to parachute straight into an Aussie squad?
it's not meant to be easy to play for Australia.
The 747
11 Jul 2008, 19:24
Surely we will find a spot for Shaun Tait.
He was preferred to Clark during the WC and delivered on the big stage.
Yep - Tait's struggles in the 3 Tests he has played should have no bearing here.
ODI career - 18 matches for 33 wickets at 23.5 at a strike rate of 25.7
More than decent
From the official press release from CA, I'd assume that White's had his last chance to audition as the ODI spinner.
And what's made you assume this? If he wasn't in the squad then I'd agree but that's not the case.
No Mcgain ?
hm vics wont be happy
Well...he was the equal leading wicket taker last summer in the Ford Ranger but yeah no-one expected him to have a one-day future.
For the Indian tests he deserves to be in the mix on the other hand.
There's a few funny selections here but really, the final squad won't have too many surprises.
Why bother with 30 person squads? Just name your 15, or whatever is the magic number these days, and get on with the tournament.
Surely we will find a spot for Shaun Tait.
He was preferred to Clark during the WC and delivered on the big stage.
agreed, has he been playing since his walk out? if so, how has he been going?
agreed, has he been playing since his walk out? if so, how has he been going?
Training only I'd imagine as there haven't been any games he could have played in since he isn't playing County Cricket in England as far as I know.
He must be picked in the final squad, just get him into the nets as much as possible to get the radar right and he should be set to go.
LondonCalling
12 Jul 2008, 00:50
Why can Pomersbach consider himself unlucky?
He averages 24 in List A - why should he be considered?
Casson has 18 ODD wickets to his name - not really enough to jump straight into an Aussie squad.
And Siddle has taken 14 ODD wickets at 30.
These are emerging players who really haven't done anything in limited overs. Since when are players with so little credentials considered "unlucky" not to parachute straight into an Aussie squad?
it's not meant to be easy to play for Australia.
I'm looking at it from a semantics point of view. Generally the 30 man squad itself, at least from positions 16 to 30 are somewhat useless. However, it's also how CA sees the best 30 ODI cricketers in the country, or at least, the 30 cricketers who have the most potential of representing Australia in that format in the coming years.
On that criteria, I'd be surprised to not include those 3, even if it is just for the relatively meaningless 16-30.
And what's made you assume this? If he wasn't in the squad then I'd agree but that's not the case.
Look at the press release from Hilditch. Makes sure to point out that Hauritz, Doherty and White would fight it out for the number one spinners spot. No mention at all of the Cullens, nor does he make a point of highlighting any other position, despite there being a fair bit of competition for the openers position with Hayden due back and Marsh/Watson putting up a decent case for selection, the 'keepers spot with Ronchi impressing in Haddin's absence, or even the fast bowling positions outside Lee, Johnson and Bracken.
LondonCalling
12 Jul 2008, 00:52
Why bother with 30 person squads? Just name your 15, or whatever is the magic number these days, and get on with the tournament.
ICC ruling that all nations have to submit 30 man squads, in that, your final 15 is chosen from that, and any replacements due to injury are chosen from your remaining 15.
Really don't see the point other than to highlight that Australia has a shitload of depth, England are willing to recall a lot of hacks/play various players from various nations who wouldn't get a game there, and the rest of the other nations don't have 30 players of an international playing standard.
Gunnar Longshanks
12 Jul 2008, 01:18
I'm looking at it from a semantics point of view. Generally the 30 man squad itself, at least from positions 16 to 30 are somewhat useless. However, it's also how CA sees the best 30 ODI cricketers in the country, or at least, the 30 cricketers who have the most potential of representing Australia in that format in the coming years.What's that got to do with semantics?
None of the guys you've mentioned deserved to be picked in the squad. They're not unlucky.
LondonCalling
12 Jul 2008, 10:45
In terms of form, yes, but in comparison to other players who made the squad, absolutely should feel unlucky.
Pomersbach's stats this season are quite comparable to that of George Bailey who averaged about 22 this year.
Bollinger hasn't really done anything in the short form of the game either, but got listed. Some may even query Brett Geeves' selection in comparison to Siddle's.
What have the Cullens done that Beau Casson haven't? Etc. etc.
Generally the 16-30 of that squad, have no chance of going, save for maybe the top 3. The rest of that squad is merely a statement by CA that this is who we are looking at for the future/who is still in the mix/who is under the pump to retain their spot. That statement released by CA with their 30 man squad, not including those 3, is an interesting one.
Gunnar Longshanks
12 Jul 2008, 19:13
In terms of form, yes, but in comparison to other players who made the squad, absolutely should feel unlucky.
Pomersbach's stats this season are quite comparable to that of George Bailey who averaged about 22 this year.Bailey has a better record overall.
Pomersbach has done nothing in ODDs. Why should he even be considered?
Bollinger hasn't really done anything in the short form of the game either, but got listed. Some may even query Brett Geeves' selection in comparison to Siddle's.Siddle's problem is that he has only played a handful of games. He simply hasn't had the opportunity to press a claim.
You can't pick guys who have played so little state cricket, no matter how promising they might look.
Besides, Siddle wasn't particularly impressive in ODDs last season.
Geeves had a much better season:
http://stats.cricinfo.com/australiandomestic/engine/records/bowling/most_wickets_career.html?id=3228;type=tournament
What have the Cullens done that Beau Casson haven't? Etc. etc.Casson has taken 18 ODD wickets. That's just not enough to start pushing into an Australian side. He's not even a regular for NSW.
As for Cullen, take another look at these numbers from last season:
http://stats.cricinfo.com/australiandomestic/engine/records/bowling/most_wickets_career.html?id=3228;type=tournament
Cullen, along with Bailey, is right up there.
Where's Casson? Not even on the radar.
You ask "what's Cullen done that Casson hasn't?" - Cullen has played at ODD level and taken wickets. Seems like a significant factor.
I don't know what the "etc etc" at the end of your post refers to.
None of Pomersbach, Siddle or Casson have any right to feel aggrieved, as none of them have done enough at ODD level to push into an Australian squad. All the guys picked have done more.
LondonCalling
12 Jul 2008, 20:30
Bailey has a better record overall.
Pomersbach has done nothing in ODDs. Why should he even be considered?
Less than 12 months ago, Pomersbach was drafted into the Australian 20/20 team. Yes, you can argue that it was a last minute thing, but at the same time, was hardly as if they were asking Joe Average in seat 2A to play.
Since then he's not even in the 30 best ODI hopefuls in the country? Especially when there'd be a few who you would not consider of up to international standard that make the 30.
Siddle's problem is that he has only played a handful of games. He simply hasn't had the opportunity to press a claim.
You can't pick guys who have played so little state cricket, no matter how promising they might look.
Jason Gillespie was just 20, and had played just one season of first class cricket when he debuted for Australia. Glenn McGrath debuted in the same year for both first class cricket and test level. Mitch Johnson first represented Australia after 12 first class games. Etc. etc.
The selectors are always going to overlook those sort of things, perhaps not so much now that the exodus of the Taylor/Waugh years is pretty much complete.
Geeves had a much better season:
Agreed, I rate him. However is 30. Don't know whether or not you can have Noffke AND Geeves as 30-something project players.
Casson has taken 18 ODD wickets. That's just not enough to start pushing into an Australian side. He's not even a regular for NSW.
However is the most like for like replacement for White, or Hogg. I don't think you can carry a Cullen/Bailey/Hauritz type, who whilst they, like White aren't guarenteed to give you 10 overs, but can't offer you anything with the bat, whilst White/Casson can.
Gunnar Longshanks
13 Jul 2008, 00:52
Less than 12 months ago, Pomersbach was drafted into the Australian 20/20 team. Yes, you can argue that it was a last minute thing, but at the same time, was hardly as if they were asking Joe Average in seat 2A to play.
Since then he's not even in the 30 best ODI hopefuls in the country?No - he isn't.
Look at his record in ODDs.
In List A matches, Pomersbach averages 24. He's made just one score of 50+ and strikes at a treacle-like 67. Which part of his record commends him for this squad?
That record is abysmal, but you reckon he was "unlucky" to miss out. It makes no sense.
Jason Gillespie was just 20, and had played just one season of first class cricket when he debuted for Australia. Glenn McGrath debuted in the same year for both first class cricket and test level. Mitch Johnson first represented Australia after 12 first class games. Etc. etc.
The selectors are always going to overlook those sort of things, perhaps not so much now that the exodus of the Taylor/Waugh years is pretty much complete.Well, that's very different to saying that Siddle is "unlucky" to have missed out. He wasn't. It would have been a gamble to pick him.
Young players have been fast-tracked before. That doesn't mean that all young players who are overlooked in future are "unlucky".
Agreed, I rate him. However is 30. Don't know whether or not you can have Noffke AND Geeves as 30-something project players.
Sorry, but I'm not familiar with this magic rule. And Geeves is 26, not 30.
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/australia/content/player/5472.html
Geeves was rewarded for a good season, while Siddle was overlooked because he's done bugger-all in ODDs.
Which part of this do you object to?
It seems like a pretty sound policy to me.
However is the most like for like replacement for White, or Hogg. I don't think you can carry a Cullen/Bailey/Hauritz type, who whilst they, like White aren't guarenteed to give you 10 overs, but can't offer you anything with the bat, whilst White/Casson can.You need to stop ignoring everything that doesn't fit with your argument.
Casson is not even a regular for NSW in ODDs, and both Cullen and Doherty were better performed in ODDs last season. You can't just wave that away.
LondonCalling
13 Jul 2008, 19:25
No - he isn't.
Look at his record in ODDs.
In List A matches, Pomersbach averages 24. He's made just one score of 50+ and strikes at a treacle-like 67. Which part of his record commends him for this squad?
That record is abysmal, but you reckon he was "unlucky" to miss out. It makes no sense.
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,24012893-23212,00.html
This aspect of the argument = now fairly irrelevant. How many games has he played at ODD level incidentally? It's the same with Casson. It's not as if they haven't been playing because they're no good, but rather had it up against them to play because of the strength of the team. Casson's had MacGill, and to a lesser extent an inform Hauritz. Pomersbach has had Rogers, Langer, Martyn, Hussey, Marsh, North, Voges, Gilly and Ronchi to contend with, as well as Hogg as an all rounder.
Well, that's very different to saying that Siddle is "unlucky" to have missed out. He wasn't. It would have been a gamble to pick him.
I contend unlucky in the sense that I believe injury counted against him. If he'd been fully fit, with what he has presented, I'd believe that Australia would take such a gamble.
Sorry, but I'm not familiar with this magic rule. And Geeves is 26, not 30.
Apologies.
Gunnar Longshanks
13 Jul 2008, 19:46
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,24012893-23212,00.html
This aspect of the argument = now fairly irrelevant. How many games has he played at ODD level incidentally? It's the same with Casson. It's not as if they haven't been playing because they're no good, but rather had it up against them to play because of the strength of the team.Whatever the reason, these guys haven't shown enough in limited overs cricket to warrant selection in an Australian squad.
I don't think they can be considered "unlucky" when they are yet to establish themselves domestically.
I contend unlucky in the sense that I believe injury counted against him. If he'd been fully fit, with what he has presented, I'd believe that Australia would take such a gamble.Hmm... that's not really what your initial comments suggested.
Siddle has been unlucky with injuries. But based on what he's actually produced, he wasn't unlucky to be overlooked for this squad.