The Ashes squad

[BarneyBent]

OK, it's not long before it's announced. Thoughts, predictions, opinions, and when the squad is finally released, criticism are all welcome.

Regardless of how the XI will line up for the Gabba, I think the selectors have an excellent opportunity to put some pressure on Huss, North and Hauritz while also showing confidence in them by picking a big squad. I know it's a home series and so it may seem like overkill, but I'd love to see a 14/15 man squad named. With injury concerns over Clarke, Katich and Bollinger, a round of Shield matches to come, and Australia A to play, CA have every excuse to name a big squad. If 3 or 4 reserves are included, the official line can be it's cover for the injury troubles, while their presence will put implicit pressure on the underperforming Test players.

Balancing how I want the Test side with being realistic, I'd like the squad to be:

Ricky Ponting (C), Michael Clarke (VC), Doug Bollinger, Brad Haddin, Ryan Harris, Nathan Hauritz, Ben Hilfenhaus, Phil Hughes, Mike Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Simon Katich, Usman Khawaja, Marcus North, Shane Watson

Possibly Callum Ferguson/Steve Smith/Steve O'Keefe in there as well.

In reality I think CA will stick to naming a 12 man squad, and it will be the Test team as it last lined up plus Siddle.

 

[The Governor]

Bring on the Drum Roll for the most incompetent National Selector and Australian opener Andrew "Digga I must play the hookshot" Hilditch to announce the Australian test team that will remind cricket followers of the England TEST XI under Mike Gatting and David Gower back in the mid 1980s. Hi favourite father in law Bob Simpson will by his side to announce the test squad for the Brisbane test match.

We can call the Australian test XI for the 1st test match our Dad's TEST ARMY XI!! (Katich, Hussey, North and Haddin).

If you listened to SEN last night, Rodney Hogg interviewed his former test captain Greg Chappell. Hoggy did a brilliant job where he expressed his opinions in a tactful way. Hoggy made a beautiful comment off the long run that Greg was over qualified for the role as Talent Manager and he should be the Full Time Chairman of Selectors. Greg asked Hoggy if he was bagging Hilditch and Hoggy did not say anything in a cheeky way. Greg told Hoggy that he is happy to serve under Hilditch's chairmanship and we would have to wait and see if CA would appoint him as Chairman of Selectors.

With Greg being employed by CA, he did not bag Hilditch and the fellow selectors.

Here is the likely Ashes Test XI for Brisbane: Unfortunately, Katich will be in the side and CA should give Warwick Hadfield a call to replace Nathan Hauritz. Hauritz could not land a ball on a 20 cent piece with his eyes closed and his figures against Pakistan last summer were a fraud. The Pakistan team threw away the test series!!

Simon Katich
Shane Watson
Ricky (Captain)
Usman Khawaja
Michael Clarke
Tim Paine
Stephen Smith
Mitchell Johnson
Nathan Hauritz
Peter Siddle
Doug Bollinger

12th: Callum Ferguson, Cameron White, Clint Mackay, Ben Hilfenhauss

 

[tazzietiger]

Hilfenhauss has to be in the test team. Not 12th man if we want to be able to win.

 

[BRider]

the governor are u on drugs>

hilfy 12th man right...

first bowler picked.

 

[CAS79]

I think the selectors have an excellent opportunity to put some pressure on Huss, North and Hauritz

Sadly I think if the selectors were intent on putting pressure on the squad they would have delayed this announcement to after the shield games. Allowed Ferguson, Khawaja another chance at big scores and asked North and Hussey to the same.

By picking it so early It would appear their intention is to do the opposite.

 

[courtjester]

1. Simon Katich
2. Shane Watson
3. Ricky Ponting
4. Michael Clarke
5. Usman Khawaja
6. Andrew McDonald
7. Brad Haddin
8. Steve O'Keefe
9. Mitchell Johnson
10. Ryan Harris
11. Ben Hilfenhaus

12. Callum Ferguson
13. Cam White
14. Doug Bollinger
15. Mitchell Starc

 

[mattymac]

there will be no changes from our ordinary team

barring injury

 

[Heisenberg_]

there will be no changes from our ordinary team

barring injury

This will happen and the reaction on this board when Hussey and North are both picked with not extra batsmen could very well destroy the internet.

 

[BarneyBent]

Sadly I think if the selectors were intent on putting pressure on the squad they would have delayed this announcement to after the shield games. Allowed Ferguson, Khawaja another chance at big scores and asked North and Hussey to the same.

By picking it so early It would appear their intention is to do the opposite.

Nah, I don't think you can read much into that. I was reading an article today which suggested that it couldn't be delayed due to media/promotion commitments, and the players preferred to find out early anyway, because they have to do their own media stuff, autographs, promos, etc, and they have to get it in before the first Test. Given that Shield cricket is scheduled for Wednesday-Saturday for every team, there really wasn't any other time for them to get it done but before that. Apparently Greg Chappell indicated to Slats at a function that the selectors aren't happy with picking the squad so early as well, so it's not indicative of the selectors' intentions.

there will be no changes from our ordinary team

barring injury

That's what I'm afraid of.

With Greg Chappell in though, we might see a less conservative approach. I have no doubt Hussey and North will be selected in the squad, but I'm simply hoping for a bigger squad, so that some guys like Khawaja, Hughes, Ferguson might be selected. I'd want White in and around too but I can't see the selectors considering him.

 

[Stan Van Gundy]

I'd like to see Johnson dropped for Harris.

Harris offers good pace like Johnson, yet unlike Johnson he has the ability to keep it tight and build pressure.

An attack of Harris, Hilf, Bollinger (if fit), Hauritz (as much as I dislike him there really isn't any spin option, maybe O'keefe) and Watson would go alright I reckon. Johnson just leaks too many runs.

 

[Stan Van Gundy]

1. Simon Katich
2. Shane Watson
3. Ricky Ponting
4. Michael Clarke
5. Usman Khawaja
6. Andrew McDonald
7. Brad Haddin
8. Steve O'Keefe
9. Mitchell Johnson
10. Ryan Harris
11. Ben Hilfenhaus

12. Callum Ferguson
13. Cam White
14. Doug Bollinger
15. Mitchell Starc

Pretty much the squad I'd have except without Johnson.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Final 11:

1. Watson
2. Katich
3. Ponting
4. Clarke (if fit) * (Ferguson on Standby)
5. Hussey (he'll be there, I hate it but he will)
6. North
7. Haddin (again I hate it, Paine is better)
8. Johnson
9. Hauritz
10. Harris
11. Hilfenhaus
12th Bollinger

Squad members: Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja

 

[CAS79]

the players preferred to find out early anyway, because they have to do their own media stuff, autographs, promos, etc, and they have to get it in before the first Test.

Secondary issues like this should have no bearing on selection date

Given that Shield cricket is scheduled for Wednesday-Saturday for every team, there really wasn't any other time for them to get it done but before that. Apparently Greg Chappell indicated to Slats at a function that the selectors aren't happy with picking the squad so early as well, so it's not indicative of the selectors' intentions.

Sadly this makes it appear as if the promotional is interfering in team selection.

The Team doesn't need to be on stage for selection, if they need to do it mid shield games so be it.

 

[BarneyBent]

Secondary issues like this should have no bearing on selection date

But they've signed contract and everything. Back in August it wasn't expected to be as big an issue.

Sadly this makes it appear as if the promotional is interfering in team selection.

The Team doesn't need to be on stage for selection, if they need to do it mid shield games so be it.

Not so much. It was taken into consideration when the initial date was set, which is fair enough. However, now that date is set and it can't be shifted, so while it's now of secondary importance by comparison, unfortunately they're looked in.

But the point is that it wasn't the selectors' idea, and they're not too pleased with it, so they may choose to name a bigger squad and then cut it down later to compensate. The fact that the date hasn't shifted is not necessarily a reflection of the selectors' attitudes.

 

[CAS79]

Sadly this makes it appear as if the promotional is interfering in team selection.

The Team doesn't need to be on stage for selection, if they need to do it mid shield games so be it.

\




Not so much. It was taken into consideration when the initial date was set, which is fair enough. However, now that date is set and it can't be shifted, so while it's now of secondary importance by comparison, unfortunately they're looked in.

.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/11/14/3065928.htm

Ignoring calls to wait another week, Hilditch will announce the squad at Sydney's Circular Quay on Monday morning in a public event orchestrated by the Nine Network, with captain Ricky Ponting and other players to be interviewed on stage before signing autographs for fans.

Looks like the selection of the team has been orchestrated for promotional purposes when you read that.

 

[BarneyBent]

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/11/14/3065928.htm



Looks like the selection of the team has been orchestrated for promotional purposes when you read that.

It has, and the issue is that in order to do that, they had to lock the date in. And when they set the date, it wasn't thought that there would be so much uncertainty over the team, so getting it over and done with soon would have been considered of greater priority.

Now they're in a shitty position because they CAN'T reschedule, now that is has been revealed they need more time, because they've commited to Channel 9.

Hilditch hasn't "ignored calls" to delay the announcement; he is contractually obliged to announce it tomorrow.

 

[eddiesmith]

It did seem a bit strange but really when you think about it, they cant wait. The squad is always together on the Sunday before the test, Shield matches dont end untill Saturday night, hmm, a bit of a logistical nightmare!

Maybe the fringe batsmen should have done more before the announcement, a double century against SA and a few starts since dont demand selection and runs in Hobart against Englands 2nd attack shouldnt change anything

 

[Bombers_Forever]

Well Khawaja, Hughes and Smith are apparently in the team according to the media. Khawaja, yes, Hughes.............NO!!!!!!!!!!!

Hughes has done nothing since getting dropped, and faild dismally in the last to Shield games. NSW bias is coming to the fore again.........

 

[BarneyBent]

Hughes' last Test innings was an 86*, and he had a good Shield year last year. With Katich in doubt for the first Test, his inclusion makes sense.

Anyway, I'm stalking Usman Khawaja's FB right now, seeing if there's any slip of what the squad might be.

 

[strauchanie59]

Here's mine. Harris' injury has flared up and Starc is injured:

1.Katich
2.Watson
3.Ponting(C)
4.Clarke(VC)
5.Hussey
6.Kwajha?/Hughes
7.Haddin
8.Johnson
9.Hilfenhaus
10. Hauritz
11. Bollinger

12th Man: Siddle/Ferguson/White

Gotta give Johnson a chance. Get some good bounce and speed on the Gabba pitch. Get a few wickets and raise his confidence dor the rest of the series.

 

[legend166]

Well Khawaja, Hughes and Smith are apparently in the team according to the media. Khawaja, yes, Hughes.............NO!!!!!!!!!!!

Hughes has done nothing since getting dropped, and faild dismally in the last to Shield games. NSW bias is coming to the fore again.........

He's the next opener in line. He'll only get a game if Katich is injured.


Also, this media event is going to be a bust. The Australian public does not love the Australian cricket team any more and it looks like it's going to rain in Sydney anyway.

 

[rickyp]

Can someone tell me what time the team will be announced?

 

[Cousin Jed]

In 1 hour 15 minutes

 

[Belnakor]

i'm expecting a "business as usual" team with no surprises, when was the last time there was a shock selection?

 

[amer]

What we'll be absolutely spewing about is the injury to Hazlewood. I'm of the opinion there was a calculated push to have Haze line up in the first test, so it's a spanner in the works for us.

I'd name George.