post ashes test team???

[snuffy]

what changes would you make to the aussie team?

[snuffy]

katich
hughes
ponting
haddin
clarke
north
manou (wk)
johnson
siddle
clarke
hilfenhouse
watson (12th)

thats a pretty good team i reckon. 6 batsmen, 1 wk, 4 bowlers.
ponting will retire at somepoint so he'll need to be replaced. Note a real wicket keeper and watson to carry drinks if fit.

[OzBomber]

Hughes
Katich
Ponting
Clarke
North
Watson/Ferguson
Haddin
Johnson
Hauritz/Lee/Clark
Siddle
Hilfenhaus

I can't see Watson being our long term option as opener. So unless Jaques is able to regain is form, I want Hughes there.

Hauritz is in the side unless it's a green seamer or a WACA like pitch.

[Paddy_Mac]

Hughes
Katich
Ponting
Clarke
North
Watson
Haddin
Johnson
Hauritz
Siddle
Hilfenhaus
Ditto.

[Kahuna]

Katich
Watson
Ponting
Clarke
North
Hughes
Manou
Johnson
Hilfenhaus
Siddle
Warne

[Northern_Swan]

Hughes
Katich
Marsh
Clarke (C)
Hodge
North
Haddin
Johnson
Bollinger/Hauritz
Clark
Hilfenhaus

[holybishop]

If Ponting loses the captaincy after this series, then he'll retire immediately. Aussie captains dont usually keep playing for long afterwards, and I just cant imagine Ponting playing on not being the leader.

Katich
Hughes
Watson
Clarke
North (C)
White
Haddin
Hauritz
Johnson
Siddle
Hilf

I like Watson at 3. He has the versatility to come in during the 1st over or the 50th over, playing both as opener and 5-6. Captaincy will most likely go to Clarke but there have been some rumors that North is strengthening his stocks to lead the team.

[Costanza_]

Katich
Hughes
Ponting
Clarke
Watson
North
Haddin
Johnson
Hauritz
Siddle
Hilfenhaus

I rate Clark very highly and would include him for Hauritz if conditions suit.

[Belnakor]

what he said

[superfreak]

Hughes
Katich
Ponting
Clarke
North
Ferguson
Haddin
Johnson
Krejza/Holland/Hauritz
Siddle
Hilfenhaus

[nobbyiscool]

have i stumbled upon the bay?

this thread is retarded on so many levels!

- why would u make wholesale changes? u don't blood new players then allow them to drop of the face of the earth before they have the chance to get the experience (and don't give me the hughes argument - he's still in england getting the experience, and he'll be back in the side very soon). hughes, north, haddin, johnson, siddle and hilfenhaus are still very, very young in test cricket. this view annoys me SO MUCH! after south africa we were all stoked, and all saying that we're now seeing the rebuild of the side following the mass retirement of stars, and lamenting that we'd spent 2 years trying to bandaids on the same side. and now because we look like losing a series, people want to go back to the band aid approach?

- why the hell would u bring in manou? he's a crap batsman, and haddin has done nothing wrong as a keeper. to have manou keeping and haddin as a batsman, as one person has suggested, is to waste a spot in the team. to drop haddin, as others have done, is the height of stupidity. he hasn't dropped a catch, and he's a very, very good number 7 batsman. the person who followed gilchrist was always going to get a bum wrap, but haddin is doing excellently well. besides, IF you were dropping haddin, you surely would NOT replace him with manou - you'd blood a young keeper who can bat in paine or wade (either of whom are possible test captains in my view)

- why are people dropping ponting as captain, or from the side altogether. ricky ponting is the best batsman in world cricket. no, i don't think he's the best captain in the world. but i think the australian mentality of picking the best 11 and then picking your captain (no mike brearleys here) dictates that ponting is the captain. michael clarke, whilst a very good, gusty batsman, has a reputation as being an unpopular, shit bloke. i'm not convinced that he's the next captain of australia.

- does anyone really see watson as a long term first XI member? he clearly isn't a bowler, and he's proved in the last 3 tests, and in one day cricket, and periodically in shield cricket that as a batsman he doesn't go on with it. he's a stop gap - nothing more, nothing less.

- i'm surprised that people are pushing for hauritz, and i can only imagine it comes back to peoples hindsighted view that he should be playing at the oval. it comes back to my first comment - if you blood players, give them a chance to gain experience. which is why australias best wicket taking spin bowler in jason krejza should be the guy in the squad and not hauritz. krejza may leak runs - but he's a wicket taker, whereas hauritz is not.


so, my side going forward does not include wholesale changes... rather, it gives guys who've shown glimpses of what they can do a chance to gain the necessary experience...

hughes
katich
ponting (c)
hodge/ferguson/s marsh (if we're courageous, throw forest in there)
m clarke
north
haddin
johnson
siddle/s clark/krejza
siddle/s clark/krejza
hilfenaus.

[peternorth]

all i know is that the selectors wont make any changes.

"it's a little dirty, it's still good"

[bigburger]

If Ponting loses the captaincy after this series, then he'll retire immediately. Aussie captains dont usually keep playing for long afterwards, and I just cant imagine Ponting playing on not being the leader.


Bullshit he would. He's still the best batsmen in the world hands down. Punter should give up the captaincy imo as its hurting his batting and to be frank, hes shit at it. The only thing is though I can't think of anyone else who'd do a better job.

[courtjester]

If Ponting loses the captaincy after this series, then he'll retire immediately. Aussie captains dont usually keep playing for long afterwards, and I just cant imagine Ponting playing on not being the leader.

Katich
Hughes
Watson
Clarke
North (C)
White
Haddin
Hauritz
Johnson
Siddle
Hilf

I like Watson at 3. He has the versatility to come in during the 1st over or the 50th over, playing both as opener and 5-6. Captaincy will most likely go to Clarke but there have been some rumors that North is strengthening his stocks to lead the team.

Who told you the captaincy rumours about North? His Nanna? Clarke is Australia's next captain.

And Ponting will be captain as long as he keeps playing. He's still our best batsman. Australia don't do the English thing of changing captains every second series.

I do agree, however, that Watson could be the number 3 when Ponting decides to retire.

I'd imagine the team wouldn't change much over the Australian summer.

It will be interesting to see what becomes of Brett Lee. Is he the sort of bloke who can wait for injury for a chance? I also wouldn't be surprised if Stu Clark retires soon.

Hussey is the one person under a lot of pressure, but considering we're playing the WI and Pakistan this summer, he may hold his spot. If not, Ferguson is the man.

[snuffy]

- why the hell would u bring in manou? he's a crap batsman, and haddin has done nothing wrong as a keeper. to have manou keeping and haddin as a batsman, as one person has suggested, is to waste a spot in the team. to drop haddin, as others have done, is the height of stupidity. he hasn't dropped a catch, and he's a very, very good number 7 batsman. the person who followed gilchrist was always going to get a bum wrap, but haddin is doing excellently well. besides, IF you were dropping haddin, you surely would NOT replace him with manou - you'd blood a young keeper who can bat in paine or wade (either of whom are possible test captains in my view)

Haddin is a very good batsmen but imo a very shit and sloppy keeper. his batting is good enough to keep him in the side. But i think this team would benifit from having a keeper that could lift the field and support the bowlers more. Australia had ian healy for years, he was handy with the bat but his batting was irrelevant as he was in the team to keep it tidy behind the stumps which he was most competant. no point comparing every wk to gilchrist and expecting them to average 50 with the bat aswell, gilchrist was a freak. but if you had a top 6 scoring consistently well wether the keeper is handy or brilliant with the bat is irrelevant. Ideally the wk needs to keep it tidy behind the stumps, show a bit a natural leadership and have a smart cricketing head on their shoulders as more often than not they stand next to the captain all day, wether they make 50's or 100's with the bat who cares.

- why are people dropping ponting as captain, or from the side altogether. ricky ponting is the best batsman in world cricket. no, i don't think he's the best captain in the world. but i think the australian mentality of picking the best 11 and then picking your captain (no mike brearlys here) dictates that ponting is the captain. michael clarke, whilst a very good, gusty batsman, has a reputation as being an unpopular, shit bloke. i'm not convinced that he's the next captain of australia.

i think its inevitable that pontings gonna retire somepoint in the near future, clarke is next to the throne for captainc but wether thats a good thing who knows?? in terms of replacement batsmen i reckon ferguson is probably the best bet.

[rickyp]

Hughes
Katich
Ponting
Watson
Clarke
North
Haddin
Johnson
Hauri
Siddle
Hilf

Swap Hauri for Clark if you like, Clark deserves to be in the team but each of the pace bowlers has shown something to have them slightly ahead (if age wasn't a factor)

[Bennycoff]

Hussey out unless he makes a matchwinning double hundred.

Hughes must be the opener with Katich. Watson at four maybe. Deserves a spot in top six.

[holybishop]

Who told you the captaincy rumours about North? His Nanna? Clarke is Australia's next captain.

And Ponting will be captain as long as he keeps playing. He's still our best batsman. Australia don't do the English thing of changing captains every second series.

Just read a newspaper article a week or so ago about it. Then again, it was in The West Australian, so I guess you can only take that as a grain of salt >_>

That being said, I dont necessarily like Clarke as captain. He's been seen as the heir apparant, but I have my doubts as to whether he has the guts to 'lead'. Other than Clarke, North would be the only other contender for the next captain. Katich as well but he's pretty old and CA might want to select someone who can captain for a number of good year. Hussey was the other chance but his spot in the side is more or less done.

And as for Ponting, in my mind, he would have lost his captaincy a while ago. IMO, the only reason he hasnt is that the selectors are afraid that if they drop Ponting the captain, they'll lose Ponting the batsman. Like I said, Australian captains who serve a long term traditionally dont play on for long once they lose their title. It's not like India where they can have Tendulkar, Ganguly and Dravid all in the same side. I honestly cant see Ponting continuing to play if he's not the captain.

[dr nick]

Katich
Hughes
Ponting
Jaques
Clarke (c)
Watson
Haddin
Lee
Casson
Bollinger
Clark

[SouthSwans]

1. Phil Jaques (When fit, still among the best openers in the world behind Smith, Strauss, Katich and possibly Sehwag)
2. Simon Katich
3. Ricky Ponting
4. Phil Hughes (Hussey was able to pull off no.4 after a FC career as an opener, I have confidence in the kid that he can do the same)
5. Michael Clarke
6. Marcus North
7. Brad Haddin
8. Mitchell Johnson
9. Steve Magoffin (This guy was so stiff to not get a run in this Ashes squad, especially when there are battlers like Lee hanging around)
10. Peter Siddle
11. Ben Hilfenhaus

12. Jason Krejza
13. Nathan Hauritz
14. Shaun Marsh
15. Brett Geeves
16. Shane Watson
17. Stuart Clark

On a deck such as the Adelaide oval or over in India, you'd bring in whoever was in better form out of Haurry and Krejza for Magoffin.

[matty p]

Hughes
Katich
Ponting
Clarke
Ferguson
North
Haddin/Manou/Paine (whoever's in form)
Johnson
Clark/Krejza/Anyone else (we need to find a good spinner, Hauritz is not the answer)
Siddle
Hilfenhaus

12th: Watson (He's not consistently in the best 6 batsmen in the country. He needs to get fit and be able to bowl to keep his spot)

[Dez!]

Hughes
Katich
Ponting
Clarke
Watson
North
Haddin
Johnson
Krejza
Siddle
Hilfenhaus

Good team IMO.

[The Governor]

Heh All,

The Governor is calling for massive changes to the coaching setup.

Well, I think the Australian test team should go with the times and adopt the Geelong Football Club FOotball Department management structure. Within this structure, a Cricket Operations Manager will be appointed. He will be responsible for the daily administration of the coaching duties and he will handle all media press conferences with the captain. Hence, the coach will be able to concentrate on coaching. A coach is employed to teach, educate and guide the players in the right direction to allow them to think for themselves.

At the minute, Tim Nielsen is focussing on media responsibilities and I think the coach's responsibility is to coach the team with minimal press responsibilities to the media.

Since Tim Nielsen has renewed his contract with CA, I think it is about time for the board of CA to sack Tim Nielsen. He is the wrong man to coach Australia. We need a teacher and this is my coaching structure for the Australian test team:

Head Coach: Darren Berry
Cricket Operations Manager/Director of Coaching: Steve "Stumper" Rixon
Fast Bowling Coach: Troy Cooley
Fielding Coach: Mike Young
Part Time SPin Bowling Coach: SK Warne
Batting Consultant: GS Chappell

Stumper Rixon is the best man to tutor Darren Berry and the both of them will work in tandem with Ricky Ponting to rebuild this Australian test team.

Steve "Stumper" Rixon has got the results on the board for NSW and New Zealand. And, people forget that during the two Rebel Tours to SOuth Africa during the 1985-86 and 86-87 seasons, he revived Trevor Hohn's career as a leg spin bowler. If Trevor Hohns never signed up for the Rebel TOurs, he would not have made a successful contribution to the 1989 Ashes Glory in England. Stumper Rixon devoted a lot of net session time with Trevor Hohns to give him the confidence to become a dominant leg spin bowler. WHo remembers the flipper he bowled to David Gower?

All of you fellow bloggers will laugh at the Governor's suggestion. As a test cricketing nation, we have to look at revolutionary ways to stay ahead of the pack. Soccer and AFL football have adopted this style of coaching structure and I think we should go with the times to stay ahead of the pack. India, SOuth Africa and England are ahead of us in certain areas and we need to get the advantage over them.

Australian cricket was the leader of the pack from 1995 to 2005. We suffered a blimp on the radar in 2005 and regrouped in 2006 to reclaim the Ashes.

At the minute, we have to regain the edge and tough decisions have to be made.

In conclusion, this is my Post Ashes Test Team:

Simon Katich
Shane Watson
Ricky Ponting (CAPTAIN)
Michael Clarke
Marcus North
Andrew McDonald
Brad Haddin
Mitchell Johnson
Peter Siddle
Jason Krezja
Ben Hilfenhauss

People have forgotten that Andrew McDonald played a key role in our series win in South Africa earlier this year.

THE GOVERNOR

[courtjester]

Stumper Rixon devoted a lot of net session time with Trevor Hohns to give him the confidence to become a dominant leg spin bowler.


Trevor Hohns- 7 tests, 17 wickets, av: 34.11, SR: 90

Trevor Hohns: Dominant leg-spin bowler??? :rolleyes:

[Cousin Jed]

Katich
Hughes
Ponting
Jaques
Clarke (c)
Watson
Haddin
Lee
Casson
Bollinger
Clark

Because Ponting lives in NSW he qualifies huh? ;)

[courtjester]

I actually note the "Governor" makes one decent point, that of Andrew McDonald.

With Hussey in crap form, Haddin pretty tidy with the bat, and Stu Clark getting older perhaps McDonald answers a few questions:

Watson
Katich
Ponting
Clark
North
Haddin
McDonald
Johnson
Hauritz
Siddle
Hilfenhaus

McDonald brings a bit of control with the ball, which lets Siddle and MJ cut loose a bit. Also allows us to play the spinner without messing with the batting structure too much. McDonald, Johnson and Hauritz at 7-8-9 are good enough. Worth a shot, Hussey has given us SFA this series.

[lynchy4610]

Jaques
Katich
Ponting
Clarke
Watson
North
Haddin
Johnson
Lee
and then the last 2 spots of hilfy, haurtiz and siddle depending on coniditions

[dr nick]

Because Ponting lives in NSW he qualifies huh? ;)

:)
Hauritz or Bracken in a squad of 12 depending on the deck

[courtjester]

Katich
Hughes
Ponting
Jaques
Clarke (c)
Watson
Haddin
Lee
Casson
Bollinger
Clark

It'd go alright.

[demon21]

Hughes
Katich
Ponting
Clarke
Ferguson
North
Haddin/Manou/Paine (whoever's in form)
Johnson
Clark/Krejza/Anyone else (we need to find a good spinner, Hauritz is not the answer)
Siddle
Hilfenhaus

12th: Watson (He's not consistently in the best 6 batsmen in the country. He needs to get fit and be able to bowl to keep his spot)

How can you say that Watson isnt consistently in the best 6 batsman in the country but yet you have Ferguson in the team, Cause there is no way that he is a better player than Watson.

[The Governor]

We are going to lose the last test match. And, the blame should rest on Tim Nielsen, Andrew Hilditch and CEO of CA James Sutherland.

Three wise monkies have stuffed up Australian Cricket.

It is about time to sack the whole selection panel and appoint a new one.

And, the board of Cricket Australia should poach CEO of Western Australian Cricket Graeme Wood to become the new CEO of Cricket Australia. Australian cricket has gone backwards since James "Geelong Grammar School-Toork Boy" Sutherland has been CEO of CA.

Here is my test XI (Revised)

Phil Hughes
Shane Watson
RIcky Ponting (CAPT)
Michael Clarke
Marcus North
Andrew McDonald
Brad Haddin
Mitchell Johnson
Peter Siddle
Jason Krezja
Ben Hilfenhauss

Lets be honest, Australian cricket has to plan for the 2013 Ashes series in the UK. I would persist with Watson as an opener and make Simon Katich as the scapegoat.

Look, do you seriously see Simon Katich playing for Australia in the 2013 Ashes series? I don't think so.

Andrew McDonald has been the missing link and he played a crucial role in the Sydney test match and in the test series in South Africa. He dried up the runs from one end; scored valuable runs and he allowed Siddle and MJ to attack from the other end.

From the selection panel viewpoint, I would sack the whole selection panel for the bad decisions they have made. Andrew Hilditch is more interested in walking his golden retriever along the Glenelg Beach and playing the hook shot too often!!

Here is my selection panel (NEW):

Allan Border (CHAIRMAN OF SELECTORS)
David Boon
Rodney Malcolm Hogg
Tom Hogan
Jamie Cox

[Gak Attack]

As much as it pains me to say I think Krezja needs to change to another state. There is no way the selectors will pick 3 blokes playing for Tassie in the Australian team, especially with one as captain! It is even worse now that we have two Tassie selectors! Watch Paine, the second best keeper/batsman in the country behind Haddin get shafted when the time comes, despite the fact he is young with a ton of pontential.

[MushroomRocket]

Klinger
Katich (VC)
Ponting
Clarke (C)
Marsh
North
Haddin
Johnson
Siddle
Hilfenhaus
Hauritz

Ponting has to concentrate on his batting and clarke needs to become captain pretty soom, my opther options would be ferguson and watson with mcdonald, lee and krezja as cover. clark's time might be up.

[courtjester]

I say the GOVERNOR should take over as sole selector and chief of CA.

[wotdoiput]

Hughes
Kaitch
Watson
Clarke
North
Ponting (C)
Haddin
Johnson
Krejza
Siddle
Hilfenhaus.

Hear Border say a couple of times that its perhaps time for Ricky to slowly start to make his way down the order to give others a go at the top. I think its a sound idea.

[courtjester]

Hughes
Kaitch
Watson
Clarke
North
Ponting (C)
Haddin
Johnson
Krejza
Siddle
Hilfenhaus.

Hear Border say a couple of times that its perhaps time for Ricky to slowly start to make his way down the order to give others a go at the top. I think its a sound idea.

There's merit in that. Opposition teams would hate the thought of Ponting coming in at 5-6.

[Chris25]

A lot of people seem to be suggesting for Ponting to do the team thing - whether it be giving up the captaincy or dropping down the order. Long term that would probably be the best thing for Australian cricket. Personally, I can't see Ponting going for any of that though...

I think it's safe to say that Hussey will be a limited overs specialist from now on, but I think the selectors could look for another scapegoat or two. And my money would be on Clark and Katich (not that Katich would deserve it though).

Hughes
Watson
Ponting
Clarke
Ferguson
North
Haddin
Johnson
Bailey/Hauritz/Krejza/Holland (just pick one and stick with them)
Siddle
Hilfenhaus

[redragger]

I notice a bit of love for Ferguson here.

47 FC matches average of 35, with 4 hundreds. Batting on the Adelaide Oval autobahn mind you. Are these the kind of stats that get you a game in the Australian test team now are they?

Bottom line, I fail to see a viable option to replace Hussey. A couple of tests against the Windies and everyone will be in love with him again. The Windies attack made Bopara look like Bradman...

[Chris25]

I notice a bit of love for Ferguson here.

47 FC matches average of 35, with 4 hundreds. Batting on the Adelaide Oval autobahn mind you. Are these the kind of stats that get you a game in the Australian test team now are they?

Ferguson turned a huge corner last year, and is finally putting in the performances that everybody had been expecting for so long. Averaged 43 last season, with 3 50's and 2 100's.

I think the 'love' for Ferg is more that he is the only young player capable of playing in the middle order at the moment. The next best middle order option would be Khawaja, and he has really only been around the one full season.

There wouldn't be any point in replacing Hussey with another old guy in Hodge or D Hussey, we might as well just keep the guy with the international experience. If Hussey was to go, it would have to be for a young player. And the only real options are Ferguson or to move Watson down the order.

[FRUMPY]

Wont be too many chnages as the selectors wont admit they mucked up. They will say we lost 2-1, could have/should have won 1 or 2 more tests but got unlucky.

Hussey was defently gone before the 100 in the last test. That will keep his spot for the summer. But must make runs in the first 2 tests.

No other batsmen will come under pressure. Only thing i could see is Hughes to go back to opener and watson to bat at 7 as the all rounder with 3 other bowlers.

Bowling wont change yet. Hilfy, Sidds and Johnno will be the first 3 picked with lee and clark to be back up and nauritz to get the spinner role. Be interesting to see how hilfy goes in aussie conditions and not much swing

These selectors are too stubborn/stupid to make changes.

[outabounds]

Wont be too many chnages as the selectors wont admit they mucked up. They will say we lost 2-1, could have/should have won 1 or 2 more tests but got unlucky.

Hussey was defently gone before the 100 in the last test. That will keep his spot for the summer. But must make runs in the first 2 tests.

No other batsmen will come under pressure. Only thing i could see is Hughes to go back to opener and watson to bat at 7 as the all rounder with 3 other bowlers.

Bowling wont change yet. Hilfy, Sidds and Johnno will be the first 3 picked with lee and clark to be back up and nauritz to get the spinner role. Be interesting to see how hilfy goes in aussie conditions and not much swing

These selectors are too stubborn/stupid to make changes.

Sorry Frumpy, there is no possible way that Hussey could retain his place- if you give a bloke two years to find form as he has been given- eventually he will make a ton- nobody would ever get dropped. Hughes should be back and Watto down the order on the proviso that he makes a contribution with the ball.Clarke to number 4. What the hell did Krejza do wrong- seemed he got no "Get out of Jail Free" cards and Hussey got about 20.
Piss weak Sutherland sounds like he does not have the guts to do anything about the woeful selections for this tour.

[saj_21]

Jaques
Katich
Ponting
Clarke
North
Watson
Haddin
Johnson
Hauritz
Siddle
Hilfenhaus

Clark or Lee to play at WACA or pitches condusive to pace (not to many round these days). Hauritz needs to be persisted with.

Jaques in as opener to add some solidarity to the top order, hughes ideal replacement.

Cya later Hussey don't care what he did last night he ran put ponting out and turned the game on its head, not to mention how many times he failed in the previous 6 tests against South Africa.

[Wicked Lester]

My post Ashes side:

Hughes
Katich
Ponting (Captain)
Watson
Clarke
North
Haddin
Johnson
Siddle
Hilfenhaus
Spinner?

There is no point in throwing the baby out with the bathwater. It will achieve nothing. The above side pulled off a miraculous win in South Africa (all too quickly forgotten) and narrowly lost the Ashes in a rather bizarre way (looking the better side for much of the series).

All this has been done with the most inexperienced bowling attacks Australia has fielded in a generation.

Personally I'd reinsate Hughes for the home series, knowing full well that Watson can pinch hit in the role.

In the interim I'd slot Watson in at 4 (he's a top order batsman and, IMHO, is wasted at 6) and tell him in no uncertain terms he's a batsman first and foremost and if, in time, he can add something with his bowling that's all good and well. As Hussey is much the same as Ponting and Katich, I'd be tapping Mr Cricket on the shoulder and thanking him for his service.

I'd tell Clarke to put aside his captaincy ambitions and focus on consolidating his spot as Australia's premier batsman. Importantly, he needs to consolidate his new found status and then assume additional responsibility and leadership at four (perhaps even three). With a vastly reduced team and with Ponting in his twilight years the days of Australian captains coming in at 5 are over.

I'd tell clark that his service to the test team has been first class but that for the future of the team we will be investing as much experience as possible in Johnson, Siddle and Hilfy. Lee probably gets the same message.

I'd pluck a promising young, aggressive spinner who takes the ball away from the right handers and begin playing him when the conditions suit. Who is that person? I have no idea, but although Hauritz performed above expecations it should be remembered that those expectations were and remain very below. When they do not suit, I'd bring McDonald into the side, to play the spinner style role (miserly, holding up and end etc).

As for the captaincy it stays with Ponting. If Clarke replaced him now and then suffered a loss of form or turned out to be a fractious or ordinary captain what then? To emphasise the point, there is no guarantee that Clarke will be a good captain.

Besides, IMHO, Ponting's actually doing as good a job as anyone can expect with a side in transition and a bowling lineup as inexperienced as it is. Alan Border lost consecutive Ashes series (3-1) in England and at home with a more experienced line up than this. After a long period of stablility with four once in a generation players (Warne, McGrath, Gilly and Ponting himself) we very quickly forget how difficult winning EVERY series actually is.

Finally, a comment on those experts in the media today (including you Warney) who quite bizarrely insist that Hauritz's inclusion in the side may have won us the match. It was our batting, repeat batting, collapse in the first innings that set the tone for this match. After day one the overhwelming consensus was that things were about even. Getting skittled for 160 was what cost us the Ashes.

[bobmurphy2]

Not one person has Hussey in their team? I think that century may have secured his spot, as much as I would like to see him dropped.

Katich
Hughes
Ponting
Hussey
Clarke
North
Haddin
Johnson
Krejza
Siddle
Hilfy

[Peter Doherty]

Calls for Krejza are Krazy.

I'm sure they are more hopeful than anything, they seem to forget the selectors basically cast him away after he went 1/200 in his last test then proceded to take 12 wickets @ 63 in 5 FC games last summer.

Very hard to force your way back in when this is what you're serving up and the current spinner is doing a decent job.

Come on, be serious.

[AussieShinboner]

Phil HUGHES
Simon KATICH
Ricky PONTING*
Michael CLARKE
Marcus NORTH
Shane WATSON
Brad HADDIN+
Mitch JOHNSON
Peter SIDDLE
Jason KREJZA
Ben HILFENHAUS

Ponting is all class, this Ashes series won't be his last that he captains.

Hussey will become a limited overs specialist.

Clark will retire, as he will realise there is too much competition for his spot from younger bowlers

Krejza is a better bowler than Hauritz full stop, he turns the ball and flights it putting the batsman in two minds. He may go for some runs but he is a wicket-taker.

I'm not saying that Hauritz isn't a wicket-taker but he isn't as intimidating as a spin bolwer like Krejza who can turn the ball a lot further.

When Katich retires, Watson opens, Clarke and North move back to 5 and 6 and Ferguson slots into #4

[bouncing back]

i'd like to see ferguson and paine in for hussey and haddin. we also need to find a half decent spinner.

[travalenko]

Hughes
Katich
Ponting
Clarke
Ferguson
North
Haddin
Johnson
Krezja
Siddle
Hilfenhaus

Pretty obvious choices really, obviously not to the selectors though. They have to stick with Hughes, as he has to be our main weapon when the Poms travel over here. Ferguson for Hussey. Hussey looked terrible all series, and he was lucky not to get out about five times in his century at the Oval. Ferguson is only 24, and will be a top batsman for the next 10 - 12 years. While I do like Hauritz, he isn't gonna win us games, which I think Krezja can do. Lee and Clark are past their time and the fast-bowling attack could be a lethal combination for the next five or six years.

[vasili]

What about Lee? Most likely he will be back for the Australian Summer, I just hope Siddle keeps his spot :)

[courtjester]

Watson
Katich
White :)
Clarke
Ponting
North
Haddin
Johnson
Lee/Siddle
Hauritz
Hilfenhaus

[vasili]

lol your over doing it now lol. White would be better off at number 6 in test cricket if he ever gets another chance

[Jordan...]

White can't play test cricket.

Hughes
Katich
Ponting
Clarke
Ferguson
Watson
Haddin
Johnson
Clark
Siddle
Hilfehaus

Team looks very good.

[Geelongfor2008]

have i stumbled upon the bay?

this thread is retarded on so many levels!

- why would u make wholesale changes? u don't blood new players then allow them to drop of the face of the earth before they have the chance to get the experience (and don't give me the hughes argument - he's still in england getting the experience, and he'll be back in the side very soon). hughes, north, haddin, johnson, siddle and hilfenhaus are still very, very young in test cricket. this view annoys me SO MUCH! after south africa we were all stoked, and all saying that we're now seeing the rebuild of the side following the mass retirement of stars, and lamenting that we'd spent 2 years trying to bandaids on the same side. and now because we look like losing a series, people want to go back to the band aid approach?

- why the hell would u bring in manou? he's a crap batsman, and haddin has done nothing wrong as a keeper. to have manou keeping and haddin as a batsman, as one person has suggested, is to waste a spot in the team. to drop haddin, as others have done, is the height of stupidity. he hasn't dropped a catch, and he's a very, very good number 7 batsman. the person who followed gilchrist was always going to get a bum wrap, but haddin is doing excellently well. besides, IF you were dropping haddin, you surely would NOT replace him with manou - you'd blood a young keeper who can bat in paine or wade (either of whom are possible test captains in my view)

- why are people dropping ponting as captain, or from the side altogether. ricky ponting is the best batsman in world cricket. no, i don't think he's the best captain in the world. but i think the australian mentality of picking the best 11 and then picking your captain (no mike brearleys here) dictates that ponting is the captain. michael clarke, whilst a very good, gusty batsman, has a reputation as being an unpopular, shit bloke. i'm not convinced that he's the next captain of australia.

- does anyone really see watson as a long term first XI member? he clearly isn't a bowler, and he's proved in the last 3 tests, and in one day cricket, and periodically in shield cricket that as a batsman he doesn't go on with it. he's a stop gap - nothing more, nothing less.

- i'm surprised that people are pushing for hauritz, and i can only imagine it comes back to peoples hindsighted view that he should be playing at the oval. it comes back to my first comment - if you blood players, give them a chance to gain experience. which is why australias best wicket taking spin bowler in jason krejza should be the guy in the squad and not hauritz. krejza may leak runs - but he's a wicket taker, whereas hauritz is not.


so, my side going forward does not include wholesale changes... rather, it gives guys who've shown glimpses of what they can do a chance to gain the necessary experience...

hughes
katich
ponting (c)
hodge/ferguson/s marsh (if we're courageous, throw forest in there)
m clarke
north
haddin
johnson
siddle/s clark/krejza
siddle/s clark/krejza
hilfenaus.

agreed for that number 4 spot i would pick ferguson a consistent solid young player exactly what we need
only i change i would have s.clark out and have lee in

[Kane McGoodwin]

1. Katich
2. Watson
3. Ponting
4. Clarke
5. Ferguson (time to blood a new middle order batsman & Hussey has had too many chances)
6. North
7. Haddin (Manou in sub-continent)
8. Johnson
9. Bailey (need to blood a leggie)
10. Siddle
11. Hilfinhaus
12. Clark

Good balance - 4 quicks, 1 leggie, 3 useful part-time spinners.

[Spudregus_87]

1. Watson
2. Katich
3. Ponting
4. Clarke
5. Fergie
6. North
7. Haddin (although the sooner Paine/Wade get in, the better)
8. Johnson
9. Hauritz
10. Siddle
11. Clark (Still good for another couple of series', I think the English conditions greatly assisted Hilfy, although he is the Clark replacement when the big New South Welshman retires)

Immediate change:
Ferguson > Hussey

Gradual changes:
Katich > Hughes
Haddin > Paine/Wade
Hauritz > Krezja, or any young spinner who shows some promise...
Clark > Hilfy
Ponting > Marsh (happy to give Punter til 2013 though)

[Blue Dimension]

1. Katich
2. Watson
3. Ponting
4. Clarke
5. Ferguson (time to blood a new middle order batsman & Hussey has had too many chances)
6. North
7. Haddin (Manou in sub-continent)
8. Johnson
9. Bailey (need to blood a leggie)
10. Siddle
11. Hilfinhaus
12. Clark

Good balance - 4 quicks, 1 leggie, 3 useful part-time spinners.

I actually don't mind this. In fact, I like it.

Bailey will need to start the FC season strongly but if he does there's no doubt that he'll be in the frame sooner rather than later.

The only chance I could see is Watson down the order and Hughes back up to open. Will be interesting to see how things work out over the next 6 months.

[courtjester]

White can't play test cricket.

Hughes
Katich
Ponting
Clarke
Ferguson
Watson
Haddin
Johnson
Clark
Siddle
Hilfehaus

Team looks very good.

White can't play test cricket? Ok, why?

Let's compare him to Ferguson who you are advocating for.

Tests

Ferguson hasn't played a test to date.

White has played 4 tests to date, all in the subcontinent. Admittedly he didn't blow the Indians out of the water, but he hardly disgraced himself. In his last 3 test innings he played he scored 44, 46 and 26 not out. The bowling attacks for these tests included Sharma, Zaheer Khan (two very good pacemen), Harbhajan and Kumble (two excellent spinners). And he scored these runs batting from the number 8 position.

First Class

White averages 42 from 103 first class games, with a highest score of 260*. He has taken over 100 FC wickets at a decent (not outstanding) average.

Ferguson averages 35 from 47 first class games, with a high score of 132.


Age/experience/other factors

White is 26yo, has captained Victoria since 03/04, has captained them to win the Sheffield Shield. Although his bowling is maligned in here, his FC record is adequate and he adds another dimension to the bowling attack. White is also a brilliant fieldsman, in both the infield and the slip cordon. He would make up for the loss of Symonds in the field.

Ferguson is almost 25. He is a good outfielder, quick across the ground. He doesn't bowl.

Conclusion

I think personally both these guys could have good test careers. Both have matured as batsman in the last 12 months in my opinion. However, advocating for Ferguson while saying 'White can't play test cricket' is clearly ridiculous on every possible level. There is a career for White in the top six, and hopefully after his breakthrough one day hundred they give him Hussey's test spot for the Australian summer.

[nobbyiscool]

i don't know whether white can or can't play test cricket.

but i will say that we shouldn't judge white based on his efforts in india a year ago.

the role he was asked to play was one that was completely ridiculous for a guy of white's ability. the guy, for some reason, keeps being treated as a bowling alrounder, which is beyond ridiculous... the guy is a batsman.

a question for victorians - does white have a reputation for being a great bloke? what i'm getting at is... well, i can't figure out why he doesn't bat at 4 for victoria... is it a case of not having the confidence to back himself? cos if so, he's not a test player. but if its the case that he is giving others opportunities (namely d hussey) then, frankly, he's an idiot, and he's not doing the right thing by himself or by australian cricket.


with rogers opening, hodge at 3, white at 4, dhussey at 5, wade at 6 and mcdonald at 7... thats a really, really powerful line up.


IF we are to continue with this allrounder obsession (and i really hope we aren't cos we don't need one) then i can't understand why white isn't considered more... would seem a great fit to me... watson is not a test allrounder, and should be dropped. white is not a bowler, but could be a handy test allrounder.

why not give him a go?


having said all that - whilst i don't believe a player necessarily earns a test match spot in one-dayers... well, you can only do what you can do. and ferguson is doing everything that is asked of him and more.

and i think it's unfair to judge a guy based on stats alone. when u consider the rabble that ferguson plays alongside for SA, i think its unfair in the extreme to expect him to average 50

[Jordan...]

Because White is meant to be an all-rounder and if he was in the test team he'd have to be in as an all-rounder but in actual fact he is a terrible all-rounder who bowls pies. White can't bowl and thats that. His batting has improved but he wouldn't be as good as a Callum Ferguson who looks much more better and has a great technique. You bring up the fact Ferguson only averages 35 with the bat? What did Pup average before he got picked for the test side? Wouldn't of been many more then 40... Averages aren't everything my friend.

[happy_eagle]

Aus team

Hughes
Katich
Ponting
Clarke
North
Watson
Haddin
Johnson
Hauritz
Siddle
Clark/Lee

NSW Aus Team
Hughes
Jaques
Katich
Clarke
Warner
Watson
Haddin
Lee
Hauritz
Clark
Bracken

Bollinger

[matt18]

as much as i hate hussey's form, i think he'll get one last shot in the aussie summer and if he doesnt preform hopefully that'll be the end of a fine but short career

[courtjester]

Because White is meant to be an all-rounder and if he was in the test team he'd have to be in as an all-rounder but in actual fact he is a terrible all-rounder who bowls pies. White can't bowl and thats that. His batting has improved but he wouldn't be as good as a Callum Ferguson who looks much more better and has a great technique. You bring up the fact Ferguson only averages 35 with the bat? What did Pup average before he got picked for the test side? Wouldn't of been many more then 40... Averages aren't everything my friend.

I know they aren't which is why I wrote a pretty comprehensive post outlining what I see as the strengths of both guys.