The 12 man squad for the 1st Test in Brisbane has been released . 4 new faces !

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/cricket/victorian-paceman-james-pattinson-named-in-test-squad/story-e6frfg8o-1226206870598

Good to see some fresh faces. Starc should probably carry the drinks.

India - West Indies. What a riveting finish. Only the second time the scores have ended up equal for it to be a draw.

India - West Indies. What a riveting finish. Only the second time the scores have ended up equal for it to be a draw.

Wow, India were 9 wickets down at the end too!

Interesting perspective from a former coach: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/cricket/former-coach-john-buchanan-fears-captain-michael-clarke-has-too-much-power-as-a-selector/story-e6frfg8o-1226207035644

The 12 man squad for the 1st Test in Brisbane has been released. 4 new faces!

http://www.heraldsun...o-1226206870598

I think we need to start getting used to fresh new faces simply because of the state of our A+ side - age, injury and form wise.

There's a young batsman named Hanscombe who is on the verge of selection for the Bushrangers who I'm told will be very, very good. He has all the makings - technique, temperament and the South Aussies tried to steal him away.

I think we need to start getting used to fresh new faces simply because of the state of our A+ side - age, injury and form wise.

There's a young batsman named Hanscombe who is on the verge of selection for the Bushrangers who I'm told will be very, very good. He has all the makings - technique, temperament and the South Aussies tried to steal him away.

I'm all for the new policy though I was a bit surprised nonetheless ! It's certainly a departure from the immediate past .

And the Vics haven't produced a regular Test batsman since Dean Jones ( last Test 1992 ) Quite absurd when you think about it . Especially given Victoria's rich history in this area . The Vic selectors need to realize that winning Shields doesn't mean much anymore ( to the Australian selectors )

NSW keep producing Test batsman because they promote youth whenever possible . And 19yo Nic Maddinson will possibly be next cab off the rank ( much to the ire of most Victorians ! ) Here's a short video of him .

Victoria had Matthew Elliott who had set himself up for a fine Test career only to self implode through no ones fault but his own.

The issue of the NSW players making Test teams is the fact that NSW produces the best players through a vibrant metro and country set up. Australia's Test history is littered with the evidence that a strong NSW breeds a strong Test team.

I just want the best Test team period. I dont care where they come from. There is nothing more small minded than the ignorant State based parochialism when its comes to the National team interest.

Yeah , though I reckon not producing 1 regular Test batsman in nearly 20 years isn't good enough . And it's got nothing to do with parochialism .

NSW country cricket is very strong and their Grade system is even stronger because of it . And they're not afraid to promote youth .

Now when it comes to Victorian cricket we've done very well in the Shield lately but this doesn't convert to good representation at National level .

Whilst I agree with you Rhino ( in part ) that it doesn't matter where they come from re the Test team , I would still ( As a proud Victorian ) like to see 1 or 2 batsman in the team from Victoria .

A bit like Demon players being All Australian . Though we don't get many of these honours for obvious reasons .

Just on NSW Grade cricket , Canterbury / Bankstown had Thommo and Pascoe as their opening bowlers in the 70's . And no helmets !

Yeah , though I reckon not producing 1 regular Test batsman in nearly 20 years isn't good enough .

That is not in question. Its the reasons put forward for why

NSW country cricket is very strong and their Grade system is even stronger because of it . And they're not afraid to promote youth .

Can you give me examples where Victoria's anti youth policy has crucified it. They promote Cameron White at a youing age to Shield level and gave him the captaincy at 21! They uncovered Peter Siddle at young age in Gippsland in his early 20s. They have promoted James Pattison.

Now when it comes to Victorian cricket we've done very well in the Shield lately but this doesn't convert to good representation at National level .

Thats not true. MacDonald, White, Pattinson, Siddle, McGain, Hussey have all represented their country at various times

Whilst I agree with you Rhino ( in part ) that it doesn't matter where they come from re the Test team , I would still ( As a proud Victorian ) like to see 1 or 2 batsman in the team from Victoria .

A bit like Demon players being All Australian . Though we don't get many of these honours for obvious reasons .

I want the Test team to play its best players...period. I could not give a stuff where they came from. And I am not interested in parochial gratuities

NSW have a very good record of promoting youth and stars of the future. Just look at Cummins, Khawaja and Maddison, they're the future.

When the Aussies return to a strong side, you can bet NSW representatives will make up the majority of that team.

Anyone who watched a fair bit of domestic cricket last season would recognise what NSW cricket is all about.

You're missing my point Rhino - regular Test batsman in the last 20 years - none .

There's been a number tried but that's not my point . I'm making an observation on the end result .

Michael Klinger. Couldn't get a spot at Victoria because he was behind:

Elliott, Arnberger, Mott, Hodge, Moss, Harvey, etc.

Of those, Arnberger was from NSW, Mott from QLD, Moss from NSW. We have also brought in Chris Rogers, Graeme Rummans, and I'm sure others whose names escape me at the moment. These have been designed purely to win games in the Sheffield Shield, not produce Australian players.

Look, right now, at our Shield side (although we are giving more opportunities this year). Chris Rogers won't play for Australia again, yet we have brought him into the side from WA. Peter Handscombe can't get a gig despite churning out runs all year. Michael Hill made runs last year, yet can't get a gig. Brett Forsyth can't get a game. Keath has been struggling a bit, but if you're trying to churn out Australian players then you'd accept that.

The other side is that participation in Victoria is declining. NSW grassroots cricket is very strong, but not so in Victoria. A strong Victorian side is all well and good, but kids don't say 'I want to be like Chris Rogers'.

You're missing my point Rhino - regular Test batsman in the last 20 years - none .

No I didnt. I acknowledged it and agree its not good enough.......

My observation on the lack of representation at Test level for Victorian batsman might have been seen as a complaint about the National selectors but that was not my intention . My point was about the Batsman only as I do think Victoria's bowlers get a decent go at it . I don't reckon there's any bias against Victoria or bias towards any State either . The only Test class batsman who might count himself unlucky is Hodge - wrong place , wrong time for him I'm afraid . Siddons was another with claims .

Another point is that Victoria often seem willing to give young bowlers a go and as I mentioned earlier the Victorian Bowlers do get a decent go at Test level - Hughes , Warne , Fleming , Reiffel , Siddle and now Pattinson .

Perhaps if Victoria took a leaf out of NSW's book and played more young batsmen ( especially at the top of the order ) then things might be different . Though I doubt anything will change .

we going to lose imo

Not if the Kiwis bat in such a cavalier manner.

We handed the first session to them on a plate with some awful bowling and they politely handed it back to us at 4/94. I cant believe Taylor's dumb shot before the break.

Oops now 5/99. Ryder plays another amateur hour shot. Its abysmal efforts like this almost lose you the Test.

Now Vettori in...Kiwis always rely on him.

Oops now 5/99. Ryder plays another amateur hour shot. Its abysmal efforts like this almost lose you the Test.

Now Vettori in...Kiwis always rely on him.

In Vettori's last 50 or so Test innings he's averaged around the 40.00 mark. Over his career he's transformed himself from a handy defensive lower order "end occupier" to a bona fide middle order batsman. What an amazing story about what hard work and a good temperament (not to mention sheer necessity) can do - some of the more talented batsmen on their list should look at him and feel embarrassed at themselves.

Can't think of too many players in Test cricket that I respect more than Vettori.

Absolutely; Vettori's value with the bat is criminally underrated.

Out for 96 - disappointed for him. I was thinking after he punished Lyon for two fours that he might do something silly in the last ball of the over, and he did. Deserved the 100.

Out for 96 - disappointed for him. I was thinking after he punished Lyon for two fours that he might do something silly in the last ball of the over, and he did. Deserved the 100.

Ran himself out....Critical Brain Fade....Given the Australians a chance again....That Partnership was faultless all morning before that.

Watching NZ bowl doesn't particularly inspire.

I'm not a big fan of tricks like bringing on Vettori early. They've done it twice now in Australia's innings and in this case, it really indicates the ordinariness of their pace attack.

hussey should've set up an "i'll drop you if you drop me" deal like clarke did lol