Squad for 5th Test

[strauchanie59]

The 12-man squad is: Michael Clarke (c), Brad Haddin (vc), Doug Bollinger, Michael Beer, Phillip Hughes, Ben Hilfenhaus, Mike Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Usman Khawaja, Peter Siddle, Steven Smith, Shane Watson.

We are screwed!

 

[ManWithNoName]

So just Punter out for Khawaja with Pup as skipper. Good to see the selectors reacting to our shitness

Congratulations to Michael Clarke btw, only the 43rd Captain of Australia

 

[SebastianVettel]

So two forced changes after one of the most embarrassing series results in recent memory, and the promotion of a detested, overrated and out of form player into the highest office in Australian sport.

Awesome.

 

[Bombers_Forever]

We are screwed!

My thoughts too - both changes due to injury. The only positive is they have brought in Khawaja, who is in form.

Clarke leading in the abysmal form he is in

England can still be hungover and win this test in a canter.

 

[Pinitchio]

In a game which doesn't really mean much, I don't see why you wouldn't want some of the talented younger guys brought in. Selectors have no spine at all.

 

[strauchanie59]

So just Punter out for Khawaja with Pup as skipper. Good to see the selectors reacting to our shitness

Congratulations to Michael Clarke btw, only the 43rd Captain of Australia

And Bollinger in for Harris. TBH I wouldv'e picked Hauritz over Beer. I have a strong hate for Hauritz but I think he could've done well at the SCG. But the selectors don't listen to anyone else but themselves. Aussies to lose by Day 3.

 

[Bombers_Forever]

So two forced changes after one of the most embarrassing series results in recent memory, and the promotion of a detested, overrated and out of form player into the highest office in Australian support.

Awesome.

Couldn't have said it better myself

Seriously, I have tickets to day 1. I might as well just go to a nearby pub to drown my sorrows because it will be embarassing.

 

[The OBSTacle]

Needs more New South Welshman.

 

[The Fonz]

They had a carte blanche to make whatever changes they wanted and couldn't even do it.
If Doug plays that would be 7 NSW guys in the team

 

[peternorth]

They had a carte blanche to make whatever changes they wanted and couldn't even do it.
If Doug plays that would be 7 NSW guys in the team

its the quota written into the CA constitution

/conspiracy theory

 

[The OBSTacle]

They had a carte blanche to make whatever changes they wanted and couldn't even do it.
If Doug plays that would be 7 NSW guys in the team

Ironically, the best performed players so far have been 2 x Western Australians (Hussey, Johnson), A Victorian (Siddle) and a single solitary New South Welshman (Haddin).

 

[The_Reaper]

They had a carte blanche to make whatever changes they wanted and couldn't even do it.
If Doug plays that would be 7 NSW guys in the team

Bit of a stretch to call Watson a New South Welshman.

 

[Rookie]

We are seriously going to give a test to Michael Beer? What a waste.

O'Keefe would have been a much better selection and in fact, would be ideal to take to the world cup. If he prospers, our spinner for Sri Lanka is already picked.

Hauritz / O'Keefe > Beer

 

[demoniac]

Its ok our coach Tim Nielsen just said at the presser that we are a not a bad team. So nothing to worry about really and steady as she goes.

 

[djrossie16]

Michael Clarke waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay better interviews than Ricky Ponting

 

[The OBSTacle]

Its ok our coach Tim Nielsen just said at the presser that we are a not a bad team. So nothing to worry about really and steady as she goes.

Call me cynical, but does anyone else think that Cricket Australia is starting to take on the personality of the Bush administration?

 

[Smokey_22]

We are seriously going to give a test to Michael Beer? What a waste.

O'Keefe would have been a much better selection and in fact, would be ideal to take to the world cup. If he prospers, our spinner for Sri Lanka is already picked.

Hauritz / O'Keefe > Beer

What did you expect? The selectors arent going to drop Beer after he doesnt play a test - purely because of where the game is being played.


The squad announced isn't even news really.

 

[Upgrayedd]

Would of liked to see CA make a few more bold moves, a few guys havent produced, would like to see a few others have a chance rather then CA's Hand Picked talent, they seem to have a few guys singled out for the next 10 years, and anyone else shouldnt even bother.

 

[strauchanie59]

Overlooking the Test Team selected and my thoughts:

Hughes-His last chance. No big score here and you can kiss your bagey green goodbye(although knowing selectors they'll pick him again). Needs to know it is TEST CRICKET and not T20.

Watson- Move down the order and put a specialist opener in (Cosgrove, Marsh, Cowan, Maddinson). With that less pressure and able to focus on bowling as well.

Khawaja- Great prospect. Should do well. One of the leading run scorers in SS this year. Future #3 and if he performs well, could even force Punter down the order.

Clarke- Shouldn't be captain. Saw how it turned out in the ODI series vs Sri Lanka. Bad tactics, silly decisions.

Hussey- Great form and keeps us together. He aint goin anywhere.

Smith- Hasn't done a lot. Like Hughes needs a big performance. Bowled poorly IMO.

Haddin- Deserves the Vice-Captaincy and IMO should be captain. Great batting form but needs to be more agile behind the stumps otherwise Paine and Wade will take over.

Johnson- Too inconsistent but deadly when in form which seems about 2-3 weeks a year. If only he could do that every Test.

Siddle- Great series. Trys very hard and gets rewarded with all the wickets. Took some vital wickets and catches in the 4th Test. Never gives up.

Hilfenhaus- Last chance. Needs a 5 fa or he is gone. With the swing he can really get catches for right-handers and LBWs for Lefties. Could learn to swing it both ways and would be more dangerous.

Bollinger- Poor in Adelaide test. Needs a performance here. Home ground, crowd behind him, I think he could do it if selected.

Beer- Spinners pitch in Sydney and if picked will need to take wickets.

 

[magpie78]

Just saw Clarke press conference on fox sports.
Is it just me or do others get annoyed at his continued reference to Ponting as 'Punter'? I know that's his nickname and has been for years, but where's the respect?
It's a press conference not the change rooms! Call him Rick or Ricky, leave the nicknames for the ground or showers!

Am I being pedantic?

 

[Cousin Jed]

In a game which doesn't really mean much, I don't see why you wouldn't want some of the talented younger guys brought in.

Because they're already in the team?

 

[frankrizzo]

Play 4 quick's, pour buckets of water on the pitch and pray our batting has a fluky day at the office and performs and we save the series....................


ah well we can dream.

 

[The OBSTacle]

Hilfenhaus- Last chance. Needs a 5 fa or he is gone. With the swing he can really get catches for right-handers and LBWs for Lefties. Could learn to swing it both ways and would be more dangerous.

Not up to it.

Should never play if he isn't supported by optimal swing conditions.

 

[PalaceGun]

So just Punter out for Khawaja with Pup as skipper. Good to see the selectors reacting to our shitness

Congratulations to Michael Clarke btw, only the 43rd Captain of Australia

Hopefully the 44th isn't far away...

 

[strauchanie59]

Not up to it.

Should never play if he isn't supported by optimal swing conditions.

Thats why he does well in Tassie and England. Should only play there IMO. Dominates in England big time.