What is Australia's Best T20 XI....??? [Archive]

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Spudregus_87

20 Oct 2009, 04:03

I know everyone enjoys a 'Pick Your XI' thread on the cricket board, but I felt this thread was relevant due to a couple of recent developments in the T20 world:

i) The form of both NSW & Victoria in the current ICL T20 competition in India, with the two to play off in one of the tournament's semi-finals;

ii) The fact that selectors still can't seem to take T20 seriously by picking a format-based XI (i.e. continuing to pick 'non-T20' players and not selecting players who thrive in this form of the game);

iii) Michael Clarke recently being named captain of the T20I team, when many fans believe he shouldn't even play in the side due to his slow accumulation of runs.

Anyway, here's who I believe should make-up our T20 side:

1. Shane Watson
2. Shaun Marsh/Phillip Hughes
3. Callum Ferguson (Mike Hussey, Hodge or Carseldine while injured)
4. David Hussey (vc)
5. Cameron White*
6. Brad Haddin+
7. Mitchell Johnson
8. Brett Lee
9. Nathan Bracken
10. Dirk Nannes
11. Shaun Tait/Nathan Hauritz (selection based on pitch conditions, Hauritz to bat at 8 if playing)

After his first IPL series, Marsh should've been slotted into the opener's position and kept there, especially as a future ODI and test prospect. Hughes is probably ahead of him now, but I can see Shaun taking the place of a Hussey brother when they retire.

At this present time, Johnson is batting too low at #8. He's one of the cleanest hitters in the world when 'in', and could be used anywhere from positions 1-7.

How Nannes hasn't been selected astounds me. Probably our most dangerous T20 bowler along with Lee at the moment; can't believe the selectors havent recognised this. He's ahead of Siddle/Hilfenhaus in the T20 stakes IMO.

DIG

20 Oct 2009, 06:55

Warner

eth-dog

20 Oct 2009, 07:40

Watson
Hughes/Warner
Hodge
Clarke*
Dussey
White
Haddin+
Johnson
Hauritz
Siddle
Nannes

courtjester

20 Oct 2009, 09:03

D.Warner
B.Hodge
S.Watson
D.Hussey
C.White
M.Clarke
B.Haddin
M.Johnson
B.Lee
N.Hauritz
D.Nannes

Agree with spud_jjj on Nannes, should be playing for Australia. I'd have my bowling attack as

Lee
Nannes
Johnson
Hauritz
Watson/Clarke/White

Actually think Fergusson's injury helped with Clarke's selection as captain. They are similar batsmen, and probably only needed one of the two in the team. Rest of the team is batting firepower...Warner, Watson, Hodge, White, D.Hussey, Haddin....

peternorth

20 Oct 2009, 10:35

is clarke in the best t20 side?

CAS79

20 Oct 2009, 10:42

We usually laugh at Victorians calling for their own to constantly be in the team. However in Nannes case they are spot spot on.

Subaru Impreza

20 Oct 2009, 10:46

Hughes
Warner
Cameron White
David Hussey
M Hussey
Adam Voges/Katich/Henriques
Watson
Tim Paine
Mitch Johnson
Brett Lee
Hauritz

Sorry but I dont rate Callum Ferguson in this version of the game, think he is a bit too much of a liability like Michael Clarke. Will take a while to settle in, and accumulate balls. Michael Clarke isnt in there for obvious reasons. Not sure Henriques deserves a call-up just yet think he still needs to prove himself more on the domestic scene first. I also dont think Brad Hodge is suited to this version of the game (he accumulates way too much strike) and yes people will point out he has an average of 41 or so in this version of the game, but the reality is the strike rate is about 125-130, far too short for this version of the game. He wouldnt cut it in my team.

Think With Voges/Katich/Dave Hussey and cam white, gives u 4 options of spin (albeit part timers)

I also like the idea of Paine over Haddin. I dont think Haddin's batting from what ive seen is good enough in this short format. (im mainly judging from the T20 world cup where he had a shocker)

Think Hughes or Marsh opening , Id be happy with either to be honest. Both are pretty attacking up front. Hughes has 164 runs from this tournament at a decent rate. (probably have to choose him)

Subaru Impreza

20 Oct 2009, 10:50

not playing a specialist spinner = asking for trouble

Id even tempted to play 5 spinners if I had to.

Pakistan= Ajmaal and Afridi

NZ= Vettori

India= Ohja, Harbajhan Singh, Mishra

Sri Lanka= Murali and Mendis

South Africa= Van de Merwe and Botha

England= Swann

West Indies= Benn

just think having a spinner to slow down the runs , and adjust the tempo of the game is so important. Ricky Ponting knows this, and played no spinners against West Indies (when the windies racked up our attack)

aussie1st

20 Oct 2009, 11:26

Warner
Hughes
Hodge
David Hussey
White
Watson
Haddin
Lee
Johnson
Hauritz
Nannes

Others in the frame McKay, McDonald, Henriques

bombersno1

20 Oct 2009, 13:59

D.Warner
L.Ronchi
L.Carseldine
C.White
D.Hussey
M.Henriques
S.Smith (NSW)
M.Johnson
N.Hauritz
B.Lee
D.Nannes
S.Harwood

The 747

20 Oct 2009, 19:26

BACCS

20 Oct 2009, 20:02

Not sure because, as the OP mentioned, we have never picked the best T20 side in Australia ever.

TBH we would be better off sending the NSW or Vic team to the T20 WC. At least they are used to playing with each other.

Aussie1st's side looks pretty close to me, except swap Watson and Hussey, Watson not much of a hitter and should not be at 6 in T20.
Watson not much of a hitter? Been watching him at all in the last 3 or 4 years, very clean hitter of the ball, helped by his strong physique. I'd have Watson ahead of D Hussey any day.

mad_eagle

20 Oct 2009, 23:33

At this present time, Johnson is batting too low at #8. He's one of the cleanest hitters in the world when 'in', and could be used anywhere from positions 1-7.

I tell ya what, it would be nice to have Mitch Johnson back at WA for the Big Bash in January, not to mention Chris Gayle opening at the top of the order!!! :thumbsu:

Subaru Impreza

21 Oct 2009, 00:04

speaking of Big bash, can someone give me a reason why cricket australia wouldnt schedule say 10 round robin games instead of the current 5?

Think you are guranteed to get full houses at the stadium if they were available.

5 games seems pretty lucky here and there. Round robin format would separate the better teams from the worst (alas Sheffield shield and Ford Ranger formats)

pacemaker

21 Oct 2009, 00:11

pluga_4

21 Oct 2009, 07:16

You stated BEST in AUSTRALIA.

IMO you would have to bring the following out of retirement

Gilchrist: best hitter of the ball and condiering he is also a keeper its a win/ win
Hayden: MASSIVE HITTER. forms a great partnership with Gilly
Symonds: Although considered as a tosser by some is the ultimate 20/20 player can do it all
Warne: Can still play and his spin bowling is critical to 20 /20. can also hit a ball

while i love these 4 champs, they will now have more bad days than good.

looks like the general consensus is our best 20/20 side consists of basically vics and nsw guys, and fair enough too.

eth-dog

21 Oct 2009, 07:40

D.Warner
L.Ronchi
L.Carseldine
C.White
D.Hussey
M.Henriques
S.Smith (NSW)
M.Johnson
N.Hauritz
B.Lee
D.Nannes
S.Harwood
and you want to be respected... Ronchi got dropped from WA last year, Henriques and Steven Smith are spuds

trev106

21 Oct 2009, 15:29

Watson
Warner
Hodge
D Hussey
White (c)
Haddin
Hopes
Johnson
Lee
Hauritz
Nannes

Godzke

21 Oct 2009, 15:31

We usually laugh at Victorians calling for their own to constantly be in the team. However in Nannes case they are spot spot on.
Yet the prick is playing for Delhi. I'd have us favourites to win tonight if he was bowling for us.

Blue Dimension

21 Oct 2009, 15:35

David Warner
Shaun Marsh
Cameron White *
Shane Watson
David Hussey
Brad Haddin +
Mitchell Johnson
Jason Krejza
Brett Lee
Nathan Bracken
Dirk Nannes

Other: Shaun Tait, Phillip Hughes, Nathan Hauritz

Hard to choose. This would be my personal choice if I had the opportunity. Obviously Clarke is the Captain so will play, and you're likely to see Hauritz in over Krejza. Krejza had a very good T20 campaign domestically last year with not only the ball (where he surprisingly kept things right), but with some power hitting with the bat late in an innings (similar to the role van Der Merwe plays for SA). Though, Hauritz could easily play alongside him also (especially when Watson is the 4th/5th paceman)

Blue Dimension

21 Oct 2009, 15:38

Yet the prick is playing for Delhi. I'd have us favourites to win tonight if he was bowling for us.

Don't think it's his choice. IPL sides have first preference as to whether they will buy a player for their services in the Champions League or so I believe (correct me if I'm wrong).

bouncing back

21 Oct 2009, 15:56

TheColeTrain

21 Oct 2009, 16:13

If our selectors had a clue, which they do not, Dirk Nannes would be the first player picked, easily the best 20/20 bowler in the country.
Warner
Marsh
Hodge
D. Hussey
White (c)
Watson
Haddin
Johnson
Haurtitz
Lee
Nannes.

Clarke isn't even close to our best captain or not.

Godzke

21 Oct 2009, 17:07

Don't think it's his choice. IPL sides have first preference as to whether they will buy a player for their services in the Champions League or so I believe (correct me if I'm wrong).
I initially thought this but then it occured to me that maybe they can nominate. I was under the impression McDonald and White were contracted to IPL teams but maybe they're not.

I realise Hussey is but his team isn't in the Champions League.

Maybe you're right.

TheColeTrain

21 Oct 2009, 17:32

IPL teams get first choice if a player is a member of two teams in the champions league. I am 100% certain of this.

GoDoggies

21 Oct 2009, 17:49

1. Watson
2. Hughes
3. White *
4. Haddin
5. Ferguson
6. Hopes
7. McDonald
8. Johnson
9. Lee
10. Haurtiz
11. Nannes

Blue Dimension

21 Oct 2009, 20:12

I initially thought this but then it occured to me that maybe they can nominate. I was under the impression McDonald and White were contracted to IPL teams but maybe they're not.

I realise Hussey is but his team isn't in the Champions League.

Maybe you're right.

I think they have to pay a fair amount of money to compensate the state side who is losing the player. Victoria was compensated for Nannes.

agree but hauritz over krejza.

Perhaps.

If that's the case then you'd have to play Hughes ahead of one of the pace bowlers imo. Weakens the batting probably a bit too much.

Actually, there's probably one left arm bowler too many in that team (I don't think it should matter, but I think the selectors would see it that way). I doubt they'd select all three unfortunately.

bombersno1

21 Oct 2009, 21:40

and you want to be respected... Ronchi got dropped from WA last year, Henriques and Steven Smith are spuds

You basically need 7 sloggers batting 1-7. You won't get bowled out in a T20 match. Ronchi and Henriques are BIG hitters of the ball and so is Steve Smith who is a more than useful spinner. If you can find another spinner/batsman that deserves his spot then be my guest. Spinners are more dangerous than quicks in T20 cricket.

clees

21 Oct 2009, 22:57

Wrote this in the wrong thread before, so i thought i would post it here as well

1. Warner looks like an absolute star, both with the bat and in the feild. good clean hitter who hits straight, with technique. too many players try to slog the ball and fail to realise that good cricketing shots, especially early in the innings work far better
2. Hughes shows great maturity. knows when to hit and when to settle in. I like the way he and Warner play as a pair, and having openers that form a good partnership with each other is vital
3. Hodge Top class batsman who can rebuild an innings if we lose a couple of early wickets, or score fast if we are going well. Also handy for his spin if one of the 5 bowlers get taken to
4. Clarke I am with the people that think he bats too slowly to be a proper t20 batsman (and lacks the t20 experiance) and thus think that D Hussey would be a much better option, but you have to pick your captain. Who knows, he certainly has the skill to be a star though
5. White possibly one of the best t20 batsmen in the world. extremally versitile, as he can rebuild an innings if needed and one of the cleanest and biggest strikers of the ball going round. Also shows great leadership in the field. Just dont make him bowl.
6. Haddin clearly best wicketkeeper/batsman in Aus.
7. McDonald Doesnt get taken to like Watson and Hopes. Bowls on the stumps with just a bit of movement that makes him extremally hard to hit. Doesnt give the batsman any room. Due to this he picks up wickets for very few runs. The exact type of medium pacer you want for t20. can also can hit the ball down the order
8. Hauritz/possibly Holland. no other spinner has the control needed to constantly get the ball in the right area. Spinners are absolutly vital, but if they get it wrong all hell breaks loose
9. Lee Is bowling back at his best and is proving to be fairly efficive at getting early wickets with out leeking too many runs
10. Siddle continually picks up wickets for few runs, and bowls well at the death. The pick of the vics, who arguably have the best bowling line up in the champions league (along with NSW)
11. Nannes Possibly the best t20 bowler in the world at the moment. Absolute joke that he played for Holland and not us in the t20 world cup (though it was probably worth it to see Holland beat the Poms)

Other players unlucky to miss/names are being thrown around
Clark - has learnt (after initially being taken to abit in t20) to vary his bowling and keep the batsman guessing. His slower Bouncer is one of the best going around. variation is far more important than pace and Clark is one of the best exponants of this going around. Extremally unlucky to miss out
McKay - bowls at the stumps and works on the principal that if the batsman misses he hits, which he often does. Can also bowl yorkers extremally well at the death Would make the team for almost anybody bar Aus (though that could be said about several players).
Johnson - Too much of an attacking bowler who doesnt quiet have the accuracy and variation needed. Still a dam good bowler but dont believe he is entirly suited to t20
Marsh - Decent opener, but lacks the maturity of Hughes. Hughes also has the advantage that he plays so well with Warner.

Watson - This guy is starting to look alot better then what i thought he would, but is still nowhere near good enough to be considered for t20. The type of bowler that batsman love, a bit of pace coming onto the bat, not much variation and isnt that great at sticking yorkers. little better than mcdonald with the bat, but gives up so much with the ball in comparrison that any selector who choises him above McDonald should be sacked on the spot

Tait - leaks too many runs

clees

21 Oct 2009, 23:05

Ferguson - Will be in the team when he gets over his knee reco (assuming he gets back to the same form), for probably Brad Hodge who will be retiring around then
Bracken - No longer the bowler he used to be. leeks far more runs now. Bracken of 18 months ago was the best death bowler in the world but times have changed
Krezja - did people not see him in India? and that was a test match... doesnt have the control needed for a spinner and falls apart abit when tacken to
Henriques - One of the most overated spuds to ever play for an Australian team. His batting is alright, nothing flash, but his bowling is severly below par. at his pace you need to be doing something with the ball, which he doesnt. Batsman must dream about facing this guy in a t20 match. Will be interesting to see of Pollards innings the other night left any mental scars as well..
Not to say he wont become a good player in the future, but right now he has a lot to learn, in terms of decieving the batsman

bipolarbeaR

22 Oct 2009, 19:16

Here's the squad I would play.

Shane Watson
Shaun Marsh
David Warner
David Hussey
Moses Henriques
Cameron White
Brad Haddin
Xavier Doherty
Mitchell Johnson
Brett Lee
Nathan Bracken