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assuming the test team is Hayden, Langer, Ponting, Martyn, Waugh, Lehmann, Gilchrist, Lee, Gillespie, MacGill, McGrath.
How would you rank the contendors for the Australian team, in your own opinion;
Opening Batsmen
1. Michael Slater (Although in the selectors eyes, i'm sure he's done his dash, but for mine is still the safest option if Hayden or Langer needed replacement)
2. Jason Arnberger (Has always been a good player, but just needed a big year like last to assert himself up the top of the Australian rankings)
3. Matt Elliott (Similar to Slater, in that i'm sure the selectors would probably never pick him, but for mine is a very safe option)
4. Michael Hussey (had a terrible year last year, but had a highly succesful county season, and just for his pure longevity deserves to be up there in the rankings, but can't afford another season like last, or he could slip from the selectors minds)
5. Clinton Perren (Been around for a while and never done anything special, but moved into the opening spot last year and was very good. At 28 he still has some time to play at this level)
6. David Fitzgerald (Had a great year last year, and has been good since beginning to make his mark a few year back. Not technically great and quite defensive, but the best available after the top 4).
Emerging Players: Nick Kruger (Qld), Ed Cowan (NSW)
Middle Order Batsmen
1. Martin Love (the selectors confirmed his position as the number 1 contendor last season, and although he didn't cover himself in glory, he showed that he is more than capable of playing test cricket)
2. Michael Clarke (the lovechild of the ACB is an absolute gun, and could rival just about any bastmen in history bar Bradman when he is given his chance. Still a fraction too raw to be put into the test arena just yet).
3. Simon Katich (despite a lean year last year, he is still a very good batsmen, and has now settled in NSW, and could very well be in for a big year like had done previous to last season)
4. Greg Blewett (despite age, he is still getting stacks and stacks and stacks of runs in the SS, and could get a miracle recall if a few injuries find their way into the squad and some experience is required)
5. Andrew Symonds (Has been a member of the ODI team for a number of seasons, and has always produced some good scores at SS level, but has been considered not have the technique nor temperemant for test level. I still think there's a few in front of him, but I dare say the selectors have more in front of him than I have).
6. Michael Bevan (I'm sure he's done his dash t test level, but continues to impress at ODI and SS level, so I wouldn't ever rule out the possibility of him getting a recall)
7. Shane Watson (More of an allrounder and that certainly helps him in these ranking, but I think he's more a batting/5th bowler prospect. Very talented, but still yet to show the world of his potential)
8. Brad Hodge (Had a poor year last year and probably slipped down 3-4 places on the rankings, but is still in the mix, and a good start to the season will see him move very quickly up the placings)
9. Lee Carseldine (Racked up plenty of runs last year, and the fact he can bowl a bit and is an excellent fielder really helps him. He put himself on the map last year, and with some good early performance this year, will move right up into peoples thinking)
10. Mark Higgs (Average over 50 with the bat last year, but still hasn't quite convinced me. His ability to bowl helps him but and he is up in my thoughts, but has a long way to go before he can think about playing test cricket)
Emerging Players: Mark Cosgrove (SA), Shaun Marsh (WA), Michael Bright (NSW), Luke Davies (WA), Marcus North (WA),
Keepers
1. Brad Haddin (been the number 1 contendor for a few years now, and nothing has changed. Probably needs to improve his keeping more before he can see himself in the test team.)
2. Darren Berry (Had a top season last year and it seemed as if he was falling into relative obscurity, but now I think he is not to far from taking Haddins mantle).
3. Sean Clingeleffer (year before last he made a great dash at stealing Haddin's spot, but didn't have near as good a year last year, but is still around in the thinking of the selectors I'd think).
4. Ryan Campbell (high up on the selectors minds for the ODIs but in Test terms, I think he is still a big of a way back from the above three, but a good season will change that)
Emerging Players: Adam Crosthwaite (Vic), James Allsopp (NSW)
Spinners
1. Brad Hogg (I'm not his biggest fan, and although for a breif period it seemed as if he may be reseructing his international career, but his last few international matches have been oridnary. Still the safest choice to backup MacGill)
2. Cameron White (if he could turn the ball more he'd be a gun already)
3. Beau Casson (he does turn the ball, and at 21 years of age has a huge future. Concedes to many runs but that is common of left arm leggies)
4. Nathan Hauritz (more suited to one dayers, but could play a good retaining role in the tests)
Emerging Players: Xavier Doherty (Tas)
Quicks
1. Brad Williams (been around for a while and has some experience, and has proven himself reasonably well in ODIs)
2. Ashley Noffke (has time on his side, but is developing into a very good quick bowler)
3. Nathan Bracken (good left arm option, who is quite attacking, but bowls too many full tosses atm)
4. Michael Kasprowicz (although getting on in age, and despite not having a contract, I'd say he's still in the selectors mind very much so)
5. Matt Inness (Don't know how the selectors see it, but despite his different action he's been picing up lots of wickets in the SS for over 5 seasons now - that can't be ignored for ever)
6. Paul Rofe (Still only 22 and has been reasonably succesful at SS level, and I'd like to think he's not too far from getting at least a geurnsey in the test squad)
7. Michael Clark (Really burst onto the scene last year and gave the SS comp a big shake up, but needs to ensure there's no dose of second year blues)
8. Don Nash (big fella has been on the scene for a while but is still only 25. Had a fantastic season taking 26 @ 16, so if he follows that up may go up the rankings even more)
Emerging Players: Shaun Tait (SA), Michael Cleary (SA), Scott Brant (Qld), Damien McKenzie (Qld), Aaron Bird (NSW)
How would you rank the contendors for the Australian team, in your own opinion;
Opening Batsmen
1. Michael Slater (Although in the selectors eyes, i'm sure he's done his dash, but for mine is still the safest option if Hayden or Langer needed replacement)
2. Jason Arnberger (Has always been a good player, but just needed a big year like last to assert himself up the top of the Australian rankings)
3. Matt Elliott (Similar to Slater, in that i'm sure the selectors would probably never pick him, but for mine is a very safe option)
4. Michael Hussey (had a terrible year last year, but had a highly succesful county season, and just for his pure longevity deserves to be up there in the rankings, but can't afford another season like last, or he could slip from the selectors minds)
5. Clinton Perren (Been around for a while and never done anything special, but moved into the opening spot last year and was very good. At 28 he still has some time to play at this level)
6. David Fitzgerald (Had a great year last year, and has been good since beginning to make his mark a few year back. Not technically great and quite defensive, but the best available after the top 4).
Emerging Players: Nick Kruger (Qld), Ed Cowan (NSW)
Middle Order Batsmen
1. Martin Love (the selectors confirmed his position as the number 1 contendor last season, and although he didn't cover himself in glory, he showed that he is more than capable of playing test cricket)
2. Michael Clarke (the lovechild of the ACB is an absolute gun, and could rival just about any bastmen in history bar Bradman when he is given his chance. Still a fraction too raw to be put into the test arena just yet).
3. Simon Katich (despite a lean year last year, he is still a very good batsmen, and has now settled in NSW, and could very well be in for a big year like had done previous to last season)
4. Greg Blewett (despite age, he is still getting stacks and stacks and stacks of runs in the SS, and could get a miracle recall if a few injuries find their way into the squad and some experience is required)
5. Andrew Symonds (Has been a member of the ODI team for a number of seasons, and has always produced some good scores at SS level, but has been considered not have the technique nor temperemant for test level. I still think there's a few in front of him, but I dare say the selectors have more in front of him than I have).
6. Michael Bevan (I'm sure he's done his dash t test level, but continues to impress at ODI and SS level, so I wouldn't ever rule out the possibility of him getting a recall)
7. Shane Watson (More of an allrounder and that certainly helps him in these ranking, but I think he's more a batting/5th bowler prospect. Very talented, but still yet to show the world of his potential)
8. Brad Hodge (Had a poor year last year and probably slipped down 3-4 places on the rankings, but is still in the mix, and a good start to the season will see him move very quickly up the placings)
9. Lee Carseldine (Racked up plenty of runs last year, and the fact he can bowl a bit and is an excellent fielder really helps him. He put himself on the map last year, and with some good early performance this year, will move right up into peoples thinking)
10. Mark Higgs (Average over 50 with the bat last year, but still hasn't quite convinced me. His ability to bowl helps him but and he is up in my thoughts, but has a long way to go before he can think about playing test cricket)
Emerging Players: Mark Cosgrove (SA), Shaun Marsh (WA), Michael Bright (NSW), Luke Davies (WA), Marcus North (WA),
Keepers
1. Brad Haddin (been the number 1 contendor for a few years now, and nothing has changed. Probably needs to improve his keeping more before he can see himself in the test team.)
2. Darren Berry (Had a top season last year and it seemed as if he was falling into relative obscurity, but now I think he is not to far from taking Haddins mantle).
3. Sean Clingeleffer (year before last he made a great dash at stealing Haddin's spot, but didn't have near as good a year last year, but is still around in the thinking of the selectors I'd think).
4. Ryan Campbell (high up on the selectors minds for the ODIs but in Test terms, I think he is still a big of a way back from the above three, but a good season will change that)
Emerging Players: Adam Crosthwaite (Vic), James Allsopp (NSW)
Spinners
1. Brad Hogg (I'm not his biggest fan, and although for a breif period it seemed as if he may be reseructing his international career, but his last few international matches have been oridnary. Still the safest choice to backup MacGill)
2. Cameron White (if he could turn the ball more he'd be a gun already)
3. Beau Casson (he does turn the ball, and at 21 years of age has a huge future. Concedes to many runs but that is common of left arm leggies)
4. Nathan Hauritz (more suited to one dayers, but could play a good retaining role in the tests)
Emerging Players: Xavier Doherty (Tas)
Quicks
1. Brad Williams (been around for a while and has some experience, and has proven himself reasonably well in ODIs)
2. Ashley Noffke (has time on his side, but is developing into a very good quick bowler)
3. Nathan Bracken (good left arm option, who is quite attacking, but bowls too many full tosses atm)
4. Michael Kasprowicz (although getting on in age, and despite not having a contract, I'd say he's still in the selectors mind very much so)
5. Matt Inness (Don't know how the selectors see it, but despite his different action he's been picing up lots of wickets in the SS for over 5 seasons now - that can't be ignored for ever)
6. Paul Rofe (Still only 22 and has been reasonably succesful at SS level, and I'd like to think he's not too far from getting at least a geurnsey in the test squad)
7. Michael Clark (Really burst onto the scene last year and gave the SS comp a big shake up, but needs to ensure there's no dose of second year blues)
8. Don Nash (big fella has been on the scene for a while but is still only 25. Had a fantastic season taking 26 @ 16, so if he follows that up may go up the rankings even more)
Emerging Players: Shaun Tait (SA), Michael Cleary (SA), Scott Brant (Qld), Damien McKenzie (Qld), Aaron Bird (NSW)
