Australia's 20/20 World Cup Squad

[Chris25]

Squad: Ricky Ponting (capt), Michael Clarke, Nathan Bracken, Brad Haddin, Nathan Hauritz, Ben Hilfenhaus, James Hopes, Michael Hussey, David Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Peter Siddle, Andrew Symonds, David Warner, Shane Watson.

Good to see the selectors are back to selecting on names, rather than form. How else could Ferguson miss out, while David Hussey gets picked. I can't see D Hussey getting that many games, with Warner also in the squad, and so far Ferguson has shown a hell of a lot more at international level.

Watson
Haddin
Ponting
Clarke
Symonds
M Hussey
Hopes
Hauritz
Johnson
Siddle
Bracken

Warner
D Hussey
Hilfenhaus
Lee

[FRUMPY]

No real surprises. Selectors seem to like giving Dave Hussey a look in when he hasnt really grabbed it. Fergurson was probably the most unlucky.

Good to see they still wont pick the best 20/20 player in the world in Hodge, but his name has been stamped as 'never to play for Australia again'. Would rather him than Dave Hussey.

Brett Lee im not surprised in, but not happy about. He should have his name stamped 'never to play for Australia again'

My side from the selections would be:

Watson
Warner
Punter
Symonds
Hussey M
Clarke M
Haddin
Hopes
Johnston
Bracken
Siddle

Clarke and Symonds to bowl spin if needed. Pace attack of Siddle, Johnston, Bracken & Watson.

Symonds, Hussey M and Haddin to be the floaters in the batting lineup.

[well left]

My side from the selections would be:

Watson
Warner
Punter
Symonds
Hussey M
Clarke M
Haddin
Hopes
Johnston
Bracken
Siddle

Clarke and Symonds to bowl spin if needed. Pace attack of Siddle, Johnston, Bracken & Watson.

Symonds, Hussey M and Haddin to be the floaters in the batting lineup.

That's pretty close to it I reckon. You might not need the three pace bowlers plus Hopes if Watson can bowl also. If Watson can bowl then you'd be looking at Siddle out for D Hussey. Ferguson would have been a better inclusion than D Hussey though.

[Offsider]

Brothers Hussey should not have been picked and I would rather Warner in the starting side. Could this be a premonition for the Ashes with Symonds, Watson, Lee?

[DoubleO7]

My starting XI come the first match.

Watson
Haddin
Ponting
Clarke
D Hussey
M Hussey
Hopes
Hauritz
Johnson
Lee
Bracken

Warner
Symonds
Hilfenhaus
Siddle

Peter Siddle has never been one of the better bowlers in the shorter forms of the game and that's why I chose Lee ahead of him.

Symonds was given the opportunity to impress in the series against Pakistan but failed the grasp it with both his hands bar one innings with the bat. As far as bowling is concerned, he condeads too many runs to be considered as an all rounder. I’ll reserve proper judgement till after the T20I against Pakistan if he features. Until then, I'll prefer D Hussey.

[Johnson#26]

Harwood is stiff.

[Punchy Bassett]

Shakes head that D Hussey gets in before C Ferguson

[eth-dog]

Watson/Warner
Haddin
Ponting
Clarke
Symonds
M Hussey
Hopes
Hauritz
Johnson
Siddle
Bracken

Warner/Watson
Dussey
Hilfenhaus
Lee

[NWTYRX]

Still can't see why Hodge isn't in this squad. 3rd most runs in the IPL at the moment

[Cleavy]

Could this be a premonition for the Ashes with Symonds, Watson, Lee?

I wouldn't be surprised

[matty p]

Can't believe that D. Hussey is in ahead of Ferguson. Would've also liked to have had Tait fit and in the squad instead of Lee after seeing the success of other slingers like Malinga and Edwards in the IPL. I think our bowling attack might struggle without Tait.

I think the likely team is:

Watson
Haddin
Ponting
Clarke
Symonds
M. Hussey
Hopes
Johnson
Hauritz
Bracken
Hilfenhaus/Siddle/Lee (Could be any of them, but hopefully not Lee)

On T20 ability and form, Warner should get a game ahead of Ponting, but won't.

I also would've thought about playing Ferguson ahead of Symonds at this stage but obviously that's not possible now.

Again, I would've liked Tait as our 3rd pace bowler, but hopefully Hilfenhaus and Siddle can do the job. Hopefully Lee will not be required.

[w00dy]

exactly what I expected... think it's a shocking squad though, and we will get pumped...

twenty20 is a totally different game, and if i were the selectors I would chose a largely different squad... especially given the ashes are coming up, rest the likes of Ponting and Clarke...

get the specialists like Hodge, Nannes and Carseldine in there...

[redlegs]

Extremely suprised that Ferguson didn't get in.The constant selection of D.Hussey is ridiculous, how is it that some players get a couple of chances and this guy kepps on getting chance after chance. I wouldn't mind it if he was a young up and coming player, but he's old and only has a couple of years left. Maybe if players like Hodge had a brother who was a test level cricketer he may have had more of a chance.

Also no Tait? Is this injury related? He's no longer a test bowler, and can just last a whole one dayer but I do think he is a pretty handy 20/20 strike bowler and rather entertaining aswell as everyone, including himself, have no idea what the next ball is going to do.

I think Australia will do pretty poorly, with all other countries having players that have just had a stint in the IPL and Australia just playing ODIs that they don't seem to be taking seriously.

p.s. My tip is that Hauritz will be the first to bowl a 36 run over in 20/20 int.

[DoubleO7]

get the specialists like Hodge, Nannes and Carseldine in there...
Clueless are we? Dirk Nannes has opted to represent the Netherlands as the nation he will represent at the T20 WC.

He is currently named in the Netherlands WC T20 squad.

p.s. My tip is that Hauritz will be the first to bowl a 36 run over in 20/20 int.That accolade already belongs to a one Stuart Broad.

[FishingRick04]

I can understand Tait's omission Redleg's but you are right, I would rather risk it with Tait than Lee. Lee is gawn and average, prove me wrong Brett, but you are now a hack :)

As for Fergie, I am devasted, he has been super consistent and deserved a spot. I though Fergie was unlucky to be moved from no.4 back to 6 in the ODI

[Jimthegreat]

Good to see the selectors are back to selecting on names, rather than form. How else could Ferguson miss out, while David Hussey gets picked. I can't see D Hussey getting that many games, with Warner also in the squad, and so far Ferguson has shown a hell of a lot more at international level.

Watson
Haddin
Ponting
Clarke
Symonds
M Hussey
Hopes
Hauritz
Johnson
Siddle
Bracken

Warner
D Hussey
Hilfenhaus
Lee

Talking form, all our best players in form in this form of the game are playing IPL and retired.

[DOCKERZ]

Crap squad.
Ferguson not in is a disgrace.
Hussey's should both be out.
Lee in is complete bollocks.

[serpico66]

I hope Australia plays the Netherlands and Nannes destroys the top order. He has been treated disgracefully by the Aussie selectors

[Special Agent Utah]

Shakes head that D Hussey gets in before C Ferguson

The selectors are doing the right thing and picking this side on 20/20 form.

Ferguson has been pretty ordinary in domestic 20/20's (Averages 14.7 and has a strike rate of 112) and has had not enough time at International level to warrant a spot. I think it is fair enough.

While David Hussey averages 35 and has a strike rate of over 150 at International level and his domestic record is equally impressive (Average of 33 and SR of 141) So why shouldn't he be in the side?

I love Ferguson and think he is ahead of David Hussey in all other forms of the game but this is the right decision by the selectors.

[FishingRick04]

The selectors are doing the right thing and picking this side on 20/20 form.

Ferguson has been pretty ordinary in domestic 20/20's (Averages 14.7 and has a strike rate of 112) and has had not enough time at International level to warrant a spot. I think it is fair enough.

While David Hussey averages 35 and has a strike rate of over 150 at International level and his domestic record is equally impressive (Average of 33 and SR of 141) So why shouldn't he be in the side?

I love Ferguson and think he is ahead of David Hussey in all other forms of the game but this is the right decision by the selectors.

Can't argue with those figures, however on current form Fergie appears to now have settled and likely his performances in all forms should improve from here (Still shitty they dropped him from 4 to 6).

[Special Agent Utah]

Can't argue with those figures, however on current form Fergie appears to now have settled and likely his performances in all forms should improve from here (Still shitty they dropped him from 4 to 6).

No doubt he will improve in all forms but 20/20 form does not always translate into One Day form and Vice Versa.

I just dont think we can give him a spot on current 20/20 form which is how this squad must be picked IMO.

[Jack_Bauer]

The more I look at this squad the more frusatrated I get.

Hodge out again! I can understand why he doesn't get a look in in the longer form of the game but he is the form T20 batsman in the world at the moment. Fregie also very stiff and dirty dirk should be there too. I would also look at playing Tait instead of Siddle.

T20 is different than 50 overs and the selectors need to pick T20 players not our test players.

Michael Clarke - Brilliant test player but not up to T20 and doesn't even play IPL.

Symonds out of form.

Hussey boys - love them both but haven't exactly been setting the world on fire lately.

Hauritz - what the hell is going on here?

Brett Lee - When did he last play?

How many of these blocks are playing IPL?

We run the risk of having our pants pulled down in this tournanment. If that happens the selectors have alot to answer for!!!!!!!!!

[aussie1st]

I'm no Hodge fan but geez he has been hard done by. Consistently scores runs for any team. Dussey is a punt, he did have one good T20 knock but his other 6 led him to average 14 not to mention his ODI form has been below par. I would go

Watson
Warner
Ponting
Clarke
Symonds/Dussey
Hussey
Haddin
Lee/Siddle
Hauritz
Johnson
Bracken

I'm not confident with Clarke but he will be picked so no point leaving him out.

[DIG]

Clueless are we? Dirk Nannes has opted to represent the Netherlands as the nation he will represent at the T20 WC.

He is currently named in the Netherlands WC T20 squad.

He only elected to play for Netherlands after he found out he didn't even make the Aust 30 man squad.

[DIG]

Hodge should be there ahead of Dussey. Stupid decision.

And i agree with what Redlegs said on Tait. Just 4 overs a match suits him perfectly to allow him to devastate some top orders. If he's not injured or severely underdone it's a poor decision also.

[saj_21]

Clueless are we? Dirk Nannes has opted to represent the Netherlands as the nation he will represent at the T20 WC.

He is currently named in the Netherlands WC T20 squad.

That accolade already belongs to a one Stuart Broad.

He was not picked in the original 30 man squad and thus nominated to play for Netherlands.

I hope Australia plays the Netherlands and Nannes destroys the top order. He has been treated disgracefully by the Aussie selectors

Agreed, how could he not be named in the original 30 is beyod a joke, he had a fantastic summer in all forms especially 20/20 have a look at his stats

http://content.cricinfo.com/australia/content/player/6981.html

What a joke he wasn't selected!

[Jars458]

Symonds in is a disgrace. The selectors are saying do what you like as many times as you like to the dteriment of the team and we will still pick you.

Nice message to send to Callum Ferguson. He hsould go out get drunk and belt someone and he may be selected if there is an injury.

[HFF_07]

BATSMEN:
- Ricky Ponting (C)
- Michael Clarke (VC)
- Michael Hussey
- David Warner

ALLR ROUNDERS
- David Hussey
- James Hopes
- Andrew Symonds
- Shane Watson
- Brad Haddin (WK)

FAST BOWLERS
- Nathan Bracken
- Ben Hilfenhause
- Mitchell Johnson
- Brett Lee
- Peter Siddle

SLOW BOLWERS
- Nathan Hauritz

A few points on this squad:

- as one poster alluded too (special agent utah), Ferguson has not exactly set the domestic scene on fire in T20, where as D.Hussey has runs on the board, he is also a more than handy fielder in a variety of positions, and is also able to bowl 2 - 4 overs of reliable spin.

- The inclusion of Lee is more match fitness rather than best available one would imagine, playing in the World T20 WC gives him some exposure to top level international cricket again, gets him bowling again and allows him to get used to the conditions.

- One would feel we would have to go in as favorites for this tournament, altough some other teams are going to give us a fight (SA, England).

Possible T20 world cup line up:

1. David Warner, has to be at the top of the innings, his explosiveness has been on show for all too see, imagine being 2- 100 after 12 overs.
2. Brad Haddin, has to bat here, cannot really bat any where, knows one way to bat, and that is all out attack, a formidable opening paring.
3. Ricky Ponting, Captain, able to read the game superbly, attack, defend, he is able to do it all.
4. Michael Clarke, not my preffered # 4 (D.Hussey) but they are grooming him long term for a top order spot, able to score quickly and abruptly.
5. Andrew Symonds, gives so muc to the team, with bat, ball or in the field, he is one of the best all rounders in world cricket.
6. Michael Hussey, need someone who can bat right through if things dont go to plan from the get go, and M.Hussey is your man.
7. Shane Watson, would feel they will go with the big germ here, if only he can get everything going, could be an explosive option at number 7.
8. James Hopes, he could almost get into the team on his bowling, able to keep it tight and handy with the bat, someone who has to play.
9. Mitchell Johnson, We all know what he has done in the last 12 months, lets see if he is still improving.
10. Nathan Hauritz, I feel we need to play a specialist spinner in the team, as was showed by the proteas (botha, van der merwe) and only one going.
11. Nathan Bracken, one of, if not thee smartest bowler in world cricket, able to tie up and end in this frenetic style of cricket.


Alot of options with the ball, obviously the selectors are hoping the top order fire, or the bottom order to make some runs. Could not find a spot for Lee, although you could take out Hauritz and add Lee, am not sure that both Watson amd Hopes will be in the side together, unless Watson opens. Seems very light with the bat, but, lets see how they go.

[Bennycoff]

Some people's reactions are hilarious.

Ferguson has done nothing in domestic T20 cricket, doesn't warrant a spot, yes he has had a bright start to his ODI career but he has to expand his game if he is to play T20 cricket. D Hussey has actually been good in T20 cricket for Australia, hit an 80 odd in the most recent T20 series against RSA and is bowling is useful in the T20 format. He has been terrible in ODI cricket, but T20 pretty good. Fair enough to select D Hussey over Ferguson.

Watson deserves to be included. He is fit and firing...don't bowl him, just use him as an opening batsman. Without Marsh he is definitely needed. Pair him up with Warner.

I feel Hilfenhaus is the lucky one. Harwood should be in his place for Nannes. Laughlin was ordinary in his five matches, Hilfy has been poor for Australia in ODI cricket whilst Bollinger is down the peaking order. Harwood bowled well in the second T20 and should be there along with Nannes. Wouldn't have picked Lee. So basically would have Nannes and Harwood in for Lee and Hilfy.

I think many are forgetting the strange omission of Cameron White. His T20 batting has been very good for Australia...bizarre to leave this bloke out. I'd have him in the side ahead of Clarke and M Hussey...both are too slow for T20 cricket and have had long enough to make runs.

T20 is about explosive batting and batsman who can score runs anywhere...guys like Warner, Hodge, D Hussey and White can do this.

I would have selected Hodge ahead of M Hussey.

Hauritz has been our best ODI bowler this year...show some respect.

My team would have been:

Warner
Watson
Ponting
Hodge
D Hussey
White
Haddin
Hopes
Johnson
Bracken
Harwood

--------
Hauritz
Clarke
Symonds
Nannes

[matty p]

Bennycoff, your arguments are all over the place. For some players (Hauritz, Hilfenhaus) you use their ODI form to argue whether they should be in the squad or not, but for others (D. Hussey, Ferguson, Nannes, Harwood), you use their T20 form.

[eth-dog]

What the squad SHOULD be IMO:

Clarke(c)
Haddin(vc,wk)
Hodge
Ferguson
Symonds
Watson
Hopes
Bracken
Hauritz
Harwood
Nannes
Tait
Heal
Harris
Warner

[Special Agent Utah]

So why should we take Clarke yet not the Hussey brothers or Ponting?

The same can be said for Ferguson.

[Marklar_33]

My team would be

Warner
Haddin
Ponting
Dussey
Hodge
Symonds
Watson
Hopes
Johnson
Hauritz
Bracken

Clarke
Nannes
White
Hilfenhaus

If Watson cant bowl, Id nearly have Nannes in for Hauritz

[Bennycoff]

Bennycoff, your arguments are all over the place. For some players (Hauritz, Hilfenhaus) you use their ODI form to argue whether they should be in the squad or not, but for others (D. Hussey, Ferguson, Nannes, Harwood), you use their T20 form.

Hilfy's ODI and T20 form was poor in Australia.

Hauritz's ODI form has been solid and he should be picked as the T20 spinner ahead of anyone else.

[PalaceGun]

Symonds in is a disgrace. The selectors are saying do what you like as many times as you like to the dteriment of the team and we will still pick you.


They don't pick Hodge...

This squad should be picked with the respect this tournament deserves, pick a bunch of state sloggers and solid state bowlers and give anyone involved with the Ashes a rest.

[Bennycoff]

You should pick T20 specialists. We have one - Warner. Watson has also shown he can cut it at T20 cricket but not for Australia as of yet.

M Hussey, Clarke, Ponting do not have the game for T20's. Can't see Lee doing much good. Might as well give younger guys a go or play the specialists. White, Hodge, Harwood, Carseldine, Nannes, Krezja, Rimmington. Guys who have played well in T20 cricket domestically.

[In And Under Tiger]

Why the hell is Michael Clarke in the squad. Don't get me wrong he is great at test level but ffs he makes Simon Katich look like Shahid Afridi. White, Hodge or Ferguson would have been a better selection.

[Special Agent Utah]

Why the hell is Michael Clarke in the squad. Don't get me wrong he is great at test level but ffs he makes Simon Katich look like Shahid Afridi. White, Hodge or Ferguson would have been a better selection.

Everyone seems to be on the Ferguson bandwagon for the 20/20's but why? His record is poor at domestic level. Would much rather have a 20/20 specialist like Carseldine, Hodge or even a Harris from SA. It is a specialist squad and should be picked that way.

[XFactor1979]

i was thinking with this mass exposure of IPLT20 cricket, is test cricket an endangered sport?

we had shaun tait and chris gayle saying earlier this week that they wouldnt be sad if test cricket died. and the shock is, the crowd of nowadays will grow up on twenty20 cricket and when they get a little older and have kids they will believe twenty 20 cricket IS cricket. not fifty50, and definitely not test cricket.

if you think about it, they play one form of baseball, theres no "4 inning" baseball. and try as you may: "slamball" is not basketball

... like the essendon jumper, test cricket's days are numbered

[Subaru Impreza]

i have to say that I agree with the post above me.

Twenty20 especially the IPL is taking the world by storm, crowds are up, the global audience is expanding, and to be honest not many people have been following the test match in comparison with the IPL Games

[Bennycoff]

Australia won't get even close to winning this.

[RooBuoy]

1. Hayden
2. Warner
3. Ponting
4. Hodge
5. D.Hussey
6. Symonds
7. Watson
8. Gilchrist+
9. Johnson
10. Hauritz
11. Bracken

12. Nannes
13. White
14. Haddin
15. Hopes

3 bowlers to bowl out, with Watson, Symonds, Hodge and Hussey bowling the other 8 overs between them. For my team without Gilly an Haydos, swap them with Haddin and White, and promote Watson to open with Warner.

[Subaru Impreza]

Having followed Twenty20 cricket for a while, australia has to play at least 2 specialist spinners+2 part time spinners (symonds clarke)


Hauritz would be in my team and maybe someone else that can fill in a roll. I feel aus will lose if they approach this with an ODI mentality of 4 seamers

[RooBuoy]

That's where Hussey and especially Hodge are such valuable commodities. Their batting is first class while their bowling is also comparable to some spin bowlers alone in Twenty20.

Hodges IPL stats this season are 359 runs @ 44 and 7 wickets @ 19.

Hussey's figures in both T20 and T20I are pretty decent as well.

[DIG]

Shame Hodge isn't named.

I just don't get it - they give him a contract but don't name him in a 15 man squad in a form of cricket he's been so dominant in.

[Dixie Flatline]

Shame Hodge isn't named.

I just don't get it - they give him a contract but don't name him in a 15 man squad in a form of cricket he's been so dominant in.

The selectors are clueless, that's why.

[Chris25]

For me, the only real surprise is Andrew McDonald. He doesn't fit into the top 7 in the batting order, yet he isn't in the top 4 bowlers either.

I can only see one scenario in which he will play. If Watson is injured, Hauritz is picked to play and the selectors want an extra seamer. In which case he would replace North, with Haddin and Johnson both moving up one spot. And even then it would be unlikely as Hauritz would only play on a spinning pitch, so North would still be preferred.

[vasili]

I read some articals today and it has White in the 20/20 world cup squad. Has there been a late change or is he back up for watson?

[RooBuoy]

I think they're just assuming he's in the team. Hopefully Michael Clarke has pulled out and White's in.