After the Sydney Test we're away for 2 tours (India for 4 tests and then the Ashes) Players can be added to a squad because of injury or sent home if they have a long term injury . If you're correct about the weight issue then India could be the perfect place for Watto to shed a few kilo's ! He is the Vice-Captain so if he proves his fitness then he'll probably get picked (and we do need a decent 5th bowler in our side for depth) .

We never had a great need for a 5th bowler when McGrath , Lee , Gillespie and Warne were operating . Clarke might bowl a bit in India but the English conditions will suit a 4th seamer (Which is normally your 5th bowler)

Cowan deserves a good go at it as an opener and Warner has those match winning attributes so Watto will need to establish himself at the no.4 spot (no.3 could be Hughes, Khawaja or Doolan(?). Clarke and Hussey have got the no.5 and no.6 spots nailed down .

We may have to just get used to Watto playing when he's available . So far, that's how the selectors have viewed him .

I'm getting to the point where I want both Clarke & Watson as specialist batsmen, & don't bowl them. especially clarke, his back gives too much trouble that we can't afford.

Siddle is a must as all look up to him to grind things along when wickets aren't responding. the teams spine. So to me he's the 2 or 3rd seamer.

We need Pattinson,,, & hopefully Cummins, ideally as 2 new ball bowlers.

So either Pattinson, Cummins, & Siddle. with Lyon.

or Pattinson, Siddle, & Johnson/Stark, with Lyon.

could we fit Johnson in as an alrounder?

I'm getting to the point where I want both Clarke & Watson as specialist batsmen, & don't bowl them. especially clarke, his back gives too much trouble that we can't afford.

Siddle is a must as all look up to him to grind things along when wickets aren't responding. the teams spine. So to me he's the 2 or 3rd seamer.

We need Pattinson,,, & hopefully Cummins, ideally as 2 new ball bowlers.

So either Pattinson, Cummins, & Siddle. with Lyon.

or Pattinson, Siddle, & Johnson/Stark, with Lyon.

could we fit Johnson in as an alrounder?

For now, Johnno just needs to establish himself in the side . He'll probably play in Sydney so it could be a case of being in the right place at the right time .

The squad for India will be fascinating . The selectors will probably pick 4/5 quicks and 2/3 spinners . Most tests will require 2 spinners so only 2 of the quicks will generally play (Swann and Panesar both played in 3 of the 4 tests in England's recent tour) Tough conditions but I can see Siddle and maybe the new bloke (Bird) doing ok . Hilfenhaus will always keep running in and Pattinson is going to play in the one-dayers so he's another who will be in the running . And then there's Starc and perhaps Hazlewood . Not sure on the injury status of Harris and Cummins .

Slow turning tracks with very little bounce is what you're generally faced with in India and it's often the bowlers with great heart who prosper . Maybe they'll pick the seasoned bowlers for India and save the young blokes for England (Cummins included) . Whichever way they go there's sure to be disappointments , elation and strong debate .

Hopefully we'll have sorted out our batting by the time the team goes to England for the Ashes .

What about a hand for one of country's most exciting young cricketers and a Demon by virtue of coming from the Melbourne Cricket Club - Glenn Maxwell.

For now, Johnno just needs to establish himself in the side . He'll probably play in Sydney so it could be a case of being in the right place at the right time .

The squad for India will be fascinating . The selectors will probably pick 4/5 quicks and 2/3 spinners . Most tests will require 2 spinners so only 2 of the quicks will generally play (Swann and Panesar both played in 3 of the 4 tests in England's recent tour) Tough conditions but I can see Siddle and maybe the new bloke (Bird) doing ok . Hilfenhaus will always keep running in and Pattinson is going to play in the one-dayers so he's another who will be in the running . And then there's Starc and perhaps Hazlewood . Not sure on the injury status of Harris and Cummins .

Slow turning tracks with very little bounce is what you're generally faced with in India and it's often the bowlers with great heart who prosper . Maybe they'll pick the seasoned bowlers for India and save the young blokes for England (Cummins included) . Whichever way they go there's sure to be disappointments , elation and strong debate .

Hopefully we'll have sorted out our batting by the time the team goes to England for the Ashes .

I see Siddle as our fist seamer picked, as a 2nd or 3rd seam menacing bowler, with great ticker.

Pattinson & Cummins in an Ideal world would be our 2, first strike bowlers.

Then theres Johnson, Bird, Starc, Hilfenhaus. And IMO, Johnson can also be included as a quick Lefty swing/seamer alrounder.

We'll need 'Seamers' over in the 'Old Dart'. Pattinson, Siddle, Bird, Johnson,,, Hilfenhaus?? are they getting Hilf' to fix his action for the Ashes?

I don't keep tabs on the stats in cricket. How does Johnson go bowling on soft English tracks of the past??? They're weather is warming, & seemingly getting wetter, so are the wickets firming up?

I see Siddle as our fist seamer picked, as a 2nd or 3rd seam menacing bowler, with great ticker.

Pattinson & Cummins in an Ideal world would be our 2, first strike bowlers.

Then theres Johnson, Bird, Starc, Hilfenhaus. And IMO, Johnson can also be included as a quick Lefty swing/seamer alrounder.

We'll need 'Seamers' over in the 'Old Dart'. Pattinson, Siddle, Bird, Johnson,,, Hilfenhaus?? are they getting Hilf' to fix his action for the Ashes?

I don't keep tabs on the stats in cricket. How does Johnson go bowling on soft English tracks of the past??? They're weather is warming, & seemingly getting wetter, so are the wickets firming up?

Johnson was bowling very quickly the last time we took him to England.

The trouble was that he could barely hit the pitch.

He is never going to be a reliable bowler but he still has the ability to get 2 or 3 in an over or two.

Solid enough bat ,nice guy and gets the chicks .

I suspect he is picked for the latter reasons as was Brendan Julian.

Pattinson and Cummins have the potential to destroy any batting line up in the future .

When they scrap all this one day crap we have the bones of a very dominant side.

Tony Greig has pulled up stumps on 66.

RIP Tony .

Johnson was bowling very quickly the last time we took him to England.

The trouble was that he could barely hit the pitch.

He is never going to be a reliable bowler but he still has the ability to get 2 or 3 in an over or two.

Solid enough bat ,nice guy and gets the chicks .

I suspect he is picked for the latter reasons as was Brendan Julian.

Pattinson and Cummins have the potential to destroy any batting line up in the future .

When they scrap all this one day crap we have the bones of a very dominant side.

Like kicking, I think hitting the spot is the same as poor kicking or good kicking. apart from technique, it mostly confidence.

We know Johnson has Had issues with this, compounded by the fact they wanted him to be a The Strike bowler, & IMO he choked in that role. But that doesn't mean he can't flourish as a 3rd seamer.

those without the world beater attitudes of Lillee or Warne, can suffer in the heat of the expectation spotlight. see Stuart McGill

Top 20 Bowling Performances > http://www.cricket.com.au/stats

If Johnson is bleeding 5 runs an over against the No 6 Test side then he still has chronic problems At best he is a strike bowler and not a 3rd in line seamer. And while we have Siddle in lion hearted good form he has the 3rd seamers role stitched up. Regardless of his talent I don't want to go into another Ashes series reliant on his erratic delivery

Johnson was bowling very quickly the last time we took him to England.

The trouble was that he could barely hit the pitch.

He is never going to be a reliable bowler but he still has the ability to get 2 or 3 in an over or two.

Solid enough bat ,nice guy and gets the chicks .

I suspect he is picked for the latter reasons as was Brendan Julian.

Pattinson and Cummins have the potential to destroy any batting line up in the future .

When they scrap all this one day crap we have the bones of a very dominant side.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/cricket/australian-paceman-mitchell-johnson-back-to-his-brutal-best/story-e6frey50-1226544749653

Michael Hussey announces retirement

That is another shock . Suppose he goes out on top .

Congratulations on a tremendous career, Mr Cricket . He will be missed, especially for the vitality that he added to the team .

Michael Hussey announces retirement

That is another shock . Suppose he goes out on top .

Congratulations on a tremendous career, Mr Cricket . He will be missed, especially the vitality that he added to the team .

Geez, I wish he told the selectors at the start of our summer campaign.

This is bad for our ashes tilt.

It may have made different decisions.

all of a sudden we are bare in the batting experience dept.

I wonder how bold Inverarity and his fellow selectors will be now that Ponting and Hussey are both out of calculations for the tours of India and England?

Usman Khawaja and Alex Doolan appear to be the next cabs off the rank (along with Maxwell) but I wonder if they're prepared to really look to the future and blood someone like Peter Hanscomb on the tour to India?

Best you scan the list of contracted NSW players for potential selections Jack

Geez, I wish he told the selectors at the start of our summer campaign.

This is bad for our ashes tilt.

It may have made different decisions.

all of a sudden we are bare in the batting experience dept.

Yes, the timing is a bit of a bugger, but then again, when's a good time to lose one of your most experienced campaigners?

I'll be sorry to see Mr Cricket go. He's been an amazing and ultra-reliable player over the years, especially when you consider he didn't make his test debut until he was 30. Like Matty Hayden he had to just keep amassing a mountain of runs at Shield level before the selectors had no choice but to pick him. He turned out to be a gem in all forms of the game as well, in that regard he was probably more versatile than any other player in era of Tests, ODIs and T20s. My hat goes off to him.

Best you scan the list of contracted NSW players for potential selections Jack

I may be wrong but I have this feeling that the NSW thing might be changing. If you include Maxwell who looks like playing in the third test, then 4 of the last 5 test debutants would have been Victorians.

I'm not sure NSW has a batter outside of the current test players who has instant credentials for a test place ATM.

I may be wrong but I have this feeling that the NSW thing might be changing. If you include Maxwell who looks like playing in the third test, then 4 of the last 5 test debutants would have been Victorians. I'm not sure NSW has a batter outside of the current test players who has instant credentials for a test place ATM.

Yes my post was all tongue in cheek.

Whilst I'm plugging for a Victorian I nevertheless do like Doolan and Ferguson.

Yes, the timing is a bit of a bugger, but then again, when's a good time to lose one of your most experienced campaigners?

I'll be sorry to see Mr Cricket go. He's been an amazing and ultra-reliable player over the years, especially when you consider he didn't make his test debut until he was 30. Like Matty Hayden he had to just keep amassing a mountain of runs at Shield level before the selectors had no choice but to pick him. He turned out to be a gem in all forms of the game as well, in that regard he was probably more versatile than any other player in era of Tests, ODIs and T20s. My hat goes off to him.

I share your sentiments Nasher but believe the time has come for Mr Cricket. The number of times he played and missed against the South Africans was almost embarrassing. He has been a wonderful contributor for several years and it's a pity his talent wasn't recognised earlier. One can only imagine the effect a few more years would have had on his statistics.

I share your sentiments Nasher but believe the time has come for Mr Cricket. The number of times he played and missed against the South Africans was almost embarrassing. He has been a wonderful contributor for several years and it's a pity his talent wasn't recognised earlier. One can only imagine the effect a few more years would have had on his statistics.

You are kidding. It has been Hussey and Clarke that has held the batting together for the past 2 years.

A wonderful player and ambassador who goes out on top. Was hoping he would do the Ashes one more time. Big loss.

You are kidding. It has been Hussey and Clarke that has held the batting together for the past 2 years.

A wonderful player and ambassador who goes out on top. Was hoping he would do the Ashes one more time. Big loss.

Kidding in what respect ?

Yes, the timing is a bit of a bugger, but then again, when's a good time to lose one of your most experienced campaigners?

I'll be sorry to see Mr Cricket go. He's been an amazing and ultra-reliable player over the years, especially when you consider he didn't make his test debut until he was 30. Like Matty Hayden he had to just keep amassing a mountain of runs at Shield level before the selectors had no choice but to pick him. He turned out to be a gem in all forms of the game as well, in that regard he was probably more versatile than any other player in era of Tests, ODIs and T20s. My hat goes off to him.

Never a good time, but they may have juggled the lineup to bolster the middle order, or maybe Ponting would have held off for 8 months.

Sorry to see Hussey go so suddenly.

So what bats have we got, Clarke, Warner, Watson, & plenty out of form. other than Johnson?

Who's out there ready to come into the test cricket middle order?

Kidding in what respect ?

After Clarke Hussey has been our best performing bat. I don't the records in front of me but Hussein has been v good over the past 12-18 months and leaves cricket at the top of his game.

After Clarke Hussey has been our best performing bat. I don't the records in front of me but Hussein has been v good over the past 12-18 months and leaves cricket at the top of his game.

Is that Saddam or Nasser making a comeback or do you have a dodgy spellcheck?

Ha ha.

A so called smartphone.

It should read Hussey! !!!

After Clarke Hussey has been our best performing bat. I don't the records in front of me but Hussein has been v good over the past 12-18 months and leaves cricket at the top of his game.

His form has been great since 2009 and I did say he was a wonderful contributor. I'm also pleased he is going out on his own terms.

My suggestion that maybe it is time is based on what I witnessed at the Gabba when he was beaten on countless occasions by Morkel who also troubled Huss in Adelaide and Perth. The fact that Michael was still able to make big scores is a testimony to his concentration and professionalism.

Maybe Morkel just had the wood on Mr Cricket.

The other fact that may have influenced his decision is that of the last 12 times at bat in England Hussey has failed on 8 occasions and averaged 31.3 - far below his overall performance.

Whatever the reason behind his retirement, he has been a magnificent performer for his country.

His form has been great since 2009 and I did say he was a wonderful contributor. I'm also pleased he is going out on his own terms.

My suggestion that maybe it is time is based on what I witnessed at the Gabba when he was beaten on countless occasions by Morkel who also troubled Huss in Adelaide and Perth. The fact that Michael was still able to make big scores is a testimony to his concentration and professionalism.

Maybe Morkel just had the wood on Mr Cricket.

The other fact that may have influenced his decision is that of the last 12 times at bat in England Hussey has failed on 8 occasions and averaged 31.3 - far below his overall performance.

Whatever the reason behind his retirement, he has been a magnificent performer for his country.

Well he batted a long time in both Bris and Perth and batted in double century partnerships while scoring tons.

In the last series, he batted 4 times for 2 tons with an average of near 60. Steyn and Morkel got him twice. Morkel is a very good bowler. He beat Clarke's bat alot too but I would not read too much into that.

Its a bit rich to claim a bowler has any wood on a batsman when they average around 60!

While the decision was ultimately Mr Cricket's there was no indication is performance was waning. Quite the opposite.

With demanding tours of India and England, aged 37 with 4 kids, its a big demand on a consumate professional who believed he was prepared to battle the Test rigours.