MadAsHell

I thought at the start of this summer that Clarke should bat at 3 or at least no 4, however cleary for one reason or another he doesn't seem to want to move which is odd. Doolan is a possability, however I'm reluctant to play someone who has a first class batting average under 40. Last person we picked to be at no 3 with a first class average under 40 was Quiney and look how that went. Khawaja I think is probably the best prospect at number 3. Another option is playing Hughes as an openner and moving Cowan down to number 3. I say that because Hughes has made more runs than anyone else so probably deserves the call up before anyone else. Lyon did have an ordinary test, however Perth's always a tough place for the spinners, even Warne struggled there compared to other venues. As you siad though where else do we go if Lyon struggles? There's the injury prone John Holland, or if you ask me there's a young leg spinner for St Kilda who's yet to play a first class match yet who looks the goods by the name of James Muirhead. In his last district match he bowled 21 overs and took 7/26 and then on the weekend in a 20/Twenty match he bowled 4 overs and took 2/11. He's one certainly worth keeping an eye on. The other option, and one that I think is worth looking at is taking a leaf out of the West Indies of the 80's/90's book and playing 4 quicks and an all round spinner. Pattinson, Cummins, Siddle, Hilfenhaus (Ambrose, Walsh, Holding & Marshall) & either Glenn Maxwell or Steven Smith (Viv Richards/Carl Hooper). With our brittle batting line up I don't think either of Maxwell or Smith could do much worse then others are doing.

Goodbye Ponting, the timing was certainly right!

I thought that McDermott walked because of the tough travelling schedual and this way he can take smaller term roles as he pleases, I could be wrong though? Why they didn't hire Waqar Younis as his replacement though I have no idea? I wouldn't at all be suprised if they all went and Jackson Bird made his debut on his home turf. Mitchell Starc has talent but he doesn't have the control yet. It showed during this test that he's not quiteat the same place as Pattinson and Cummins. Despite his 6 wickets, I thought it was one of the more unimpressive 6 wicket hauls that you're likely to see. I thought Johnson was better then Starc, but he was still far to short for someone who has as good a record at that ground as he does. Playing both lefties didn't work for me and is the reason why I was more keen on Hazlewood to play ahead of either Stac or Johnson. Hastings battled hard but he probably falls into the Nathan Bracken category in that he's probably just not quite fast enough to be a top line Test bowler. One dayers might be more his go. His batting is handy! Jackson Bird on his hometrack could be a real handful. I'd be more then happy for us to have Bird & Hilfenhaus share the new ball for the remaining tests with Sids at first change for the rest of the summer. Once Pattinson & Cummins are up and going then there's a good chance we'll see the last of Hilfenhaus. I am HT, although loosing a wicket 2nd ball of the day wasn't the start I was hoping for. Just a lazy 214 runs more then any other team has ever chased to win a game ever. But I tell you what, if ever it could happen, the WACA with Clarke & Hussey in the form that they've been in with 2 days to go is the place for it to happen. I think it may be a dissapointing end to the series though unfortunatly.

I hope Hastings does play. I reckon with the Fremantle doctor his swing will be very handy and I think he's a better swing bolwing prospect then Hilfenhaus personally. He'd also be a handy no 8, although I think Hazlewood could be useful on this wicket also. I hope we go with Hastings, Hazlewood & either of Johnson or Starc. Siddle will be gutted I reckon, I'm gutted for him!

Truely has been a wonderful career. While personally I have Border and Greg Chappell ahead of him (along with the Don of course) when I think about what Australia's greatest XI woild look like, he clearly be the next best there's ever been for mine! I'll never forget his 156 against England on Day 5 of the 3rd Test against England during the Ashes to save the game. The next highest run getter for us had 39! Came in during the first over of day 5 and was dismissed with 25 balls left in the day. Luckily Lee & McGrath were able to bat out to save the match. An all time great and he's gone out at the right time, allowing whoever his replacement is to have a home series against Sri Lanka to try and settle into the team before tough tasks with tours of India and England, followed by a home Ashes series.

You're preaching to the converted Nasher. I was just playing Devils Advocate and simply giving an opinion as to why he may not have been picked, if I was the selector he would have been in the squad for sure. As I mentioned in another comment though, I think there's a very good chance that he may debut in the first test against Sri Lanka in Hobart. If he performs well there, then he may find himself play out the series ahead of Hilfenhaus.

RR is right. Bellerive is a graveyard. I know Bird can't help but play half his games there, but selectors do take their home ground into account. It's like years back when the same venue was a batsmen's paradise and Jamie Cox mad a mountain of runs but never got a look in ahaead of guys like Elliott and Blewett. I would have gone for Bird personally over Hazlewood, although Hazlewood does have a bright future. We do need a bowler in the McGrath mode which is exactly what Hazlewood is. Hastings would be useful with his swing bowling into the breeze if Hilfenhaus doesn't get up IMO, but I expect Siddle, Hilfenhaus & Johnson to play given it's The Grand Final as the media are putting it and I think the selectors will want seasoned bowlers out there. Come the first test against Sri Lanka, given the work load Siddle & Hilfenhaus would have endured, I wouldn't at all be suprised to see our bolwing line up consist of Starc, Hazlewood, Bird & Lyon once Johnson puts in an ordinary performance against RSA.

Qestion is who plays in Perth? Will both Siddle and Hilfenhaus be up to it, or after their big workload, will we see whole sale changes to the quicks so we have fresh bowlers with the short turn around? Then there's the question of Pattinson's replacement? Do we go with Strac who's carried the drinks for the first two tests and probably deserves the call up? Or do we go a horses for courses approach and pick Mitchell Johnson who;s a WACA specialist who took an 8 for last time he played against RSA at that ground and also had that blistering spell against England in the Ashes? I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'd actually go with Johnson for the reasons above. Seasoned bowler, and if he fails to deliver then he can be stamped with the 'Never pick again' stamp. My XI would be: E. Cowan D. Warner S. Watson R. Ponting (possibly last test) M. Clarke M. Hussey M. Wade M. Johnson P. Siddle (if unfit replace with Hazlewood) B. Hilfenhaus (if unfit replace with Hastings) N. Lyon 12th Man: M. Starc

Essendon supporter mate reckons the best they could offer is Gumbleton and a 2nd round pick. Having said that he doubts they'd let Gumbleton go. Reckon we're in a good position with pick 13 and maybe Petterd.

2nd Test team should be interesting. Of all the players out injured I think Cummins is the only one likely to be fit for Hobart, straight swap for Starc you'd assume? Warner & Khawaja are probably in a bat off to see who survives when Watson & Marsh come back for Boxing Day. Surely Hughes will be one of the 2 to be dropped. I'm expecting the team for the 1st test v India to look like: Khawaja Marsh Ponting Watson Clarke Hussey Haddin Pattinson Siddle Cummins Lyon Warner/Starc 12th man As for NZ I'm not sure what changes they can make, they only have 2 other players in their squad. Maybe Trent Boult in for Bracewell? NZ really need a good pace bowler. Last summer I remember seeing one in a 20/20 match NZ played called Adam Milne but haven't seen or heard of him since. They do have some good batsmen (despite today's efforts), they just need a quality pace bowler and they have the makings of a good team. Edit: End bit about the black caps.

Surely Ponting and Haddin have to make way for Marsh and Wade for the first test against New Zealand now. And unless Johnson can take some wickets without going for 4.5+ runs an over he should get lost also!

Agreed! Reckon Hussey & Marsh are the way to go at the top of the order for now. But no doubt they'll stick with Hughes for awhile now with his Marcus North impression. Some other names to consider for the openning position though are Ed Cowan and Nic Maddinson a little further down the track. Both have very good techniques.

Spot on there TU! I hope we give Lyon time. I do like the look of him. He has truggled since the 1 st test but I reckon he's the best we've got at the moment. I'd like to give him the whole summer to try and settle in, may turn out to be no good but a bit of faith could bring he rewards. Trent Copeland has the potential to be a McGrath clone but I agree his lack of pace is a worry. Personally for our line & length bowler I'd have both Josh Hazelwood (always injured) and Clint McKay ahead of him. McKay could consider himself unlucky. He's far from express also, but I reckon he does have a bit moer on it then Copeland does. Siddle as you said is ok but that's it. With Harris injured I can understand why he's getting a game but as soon as Harris is right to go again I'd bring him in. I reckon James Pattinson would be a better option then Siddle also. Different type of bolwer being a swing bowler but has a lot more upside then Siddle. Johnson is the most annoying bolwe going around. Has the ability to be one of the best but is mentally fragile. I'd like to see Mitchell Starc have a good domestic summe to start putting some pressure on Johnson. And as far as our batting goes some serious changes need to be made. Watson needs to drop down to at least number 4. His batting's suffering cause of the extra bowling we need him to do I reckon so the sooner we drop him down the order like RSA did with Kallis the better. Hussey with his technique should move to open the innings IMO along with Marsh. Khalwaja is probably our best option at number 3 seeing as Ponting hasn't passed 50 in his last 9 innings! Clarke to number 5 cause he has to bat somewhere even though he isn't doing it well and Ferguson should bat at 6 I reckon. There's a lot of issues with the Australian side at the moment. They were unlucky with the weather in the 2nd test but certain areas still need to be addressed.

Hate to be a negative Nancy, even though it was a great effort by Lleyton. But if Hewitt can't beat Wawrinka on grass (Wawrinka's worst surface & Hewitt's best) at home then surely the end is coming. Maybe an Australian Open farewell tournament for Lleyton. Should play in the singles and would also be nice to see him play in the doubles at the Aussie Open with Tomic, changing of the guard if you will. And the mixed doubles with Sam Stosur as she like Hewitt has been our most succesful womens player in the last 30 years. Hewitt, Tomic & Stosur would have to all be willing to do this but it would be a nice way to go out IMO.

Well done on the US Open win Sammy Stosur, first Aussie woman to win a Grand Slam title in 38 years! Suprise, suprise to see another Serena Williams blow up, can't stand that woman! Hopefully she can bring her winning form to the Australian Open in the new year.

Trying to play one day/twenty/20 cricket in a test match. Dilshan's not the sort of person that should be their captain and his batting far to ill disciplined and hardly sets a good example for his team mates. Really like the look of Lyon & Copeland, lets hope they're given a good run at it. Wonder what this means for Siddle?

Anyone watch that Stosur-v-Kirilenko match the other day? Would have to be the best womens match I've ever seen. And I hate womens tennis! Anyone reckon she can take out the open? I reckon she can as long as someone else beats Williams before the final.

Don't like our chances of landing Boak. I'd give Morton for Kane Cornes happily though. Reckon it would be a win win for both clubs and Cornes would have a role to play with us for a few years in the midfield. He'd be good with the clearances and it's always handy to have a tagger in the team despite the press making it harder for them.

I agree that there was no way that many changes were going to be made. It's just what I was hoping to see, CA basically saying enough is enough and we're not going to accept mediocrity anymore. Bailey while not the best batsman in the world I have no doubt could do a better job then what Ponting & Clarke have produced recently, and unlike Clarke, Bailey has actually shown he can leade a side. O'Keefe I agree with you, however I don't think we have any spinners who are good enough at the moment, although I'd back O'Keefe in over Beer every day of the week. Disagree about Marsh being better then Cowan sorry. Over the course of their careers Cowan's first class recrd is pretty much equal of Marsh's, however IMO Cowan is a more technically correct batsman which is what you want at the top of the order when facing the new ball. Siddle right now might be better then Pattinson, but in the long run Pattinson will be a lot better then Siddle and will benefit more from being played now. Siddle is a great battler and gives it his all but will never be a great bowler. As for Johnson until he can learn how to play with some form of consistency and get his head right I don't want to see him in the team. He can go a spend a year playing Shield & County cricket to learn how to do that as far as I'm concerned, don't want to see players coasting by on what they can produce once every 10 tests. (Yes I'm talking about you Michael Clarke!)

Not a big fan of the squad myself, I was hoping to see more radical changes personally, I was being very optimistic and looking to see. E. Cowan M. Hussey U. Khawaja S. Watson (vc) G. Bailey © C. Ferguson B. Haddin S. O'Keefe M. Starc N. Lyon J. Pattinson S. Marsh (back up opener/batsmen) T. Paine (back up keeper) P. Siddle (back up fast bowler) S. Smith (back up spinner/all rounder) Cowan & Hussey opening would of been great, 2 technically correct batsmen who can take the shine off the ball and wont loom to hit out in the openning overs. Watson can move down to 4, allowing him more of a rest and the chance to bowl more at first change. Bailey in as captain (great state captain) and good middle order batsmen along with Ferguson who should be great at 6. Two spinners needed in Sri Lanka and O'Keefe & Lyon are the best we've got. And they can actually spin the ball unlike Beer! Starc & Pattinson will be good opening bowlers, Starc the left arm quick with genuine pace & Pattinson who can actually swing the ball, our first proper swing bowler since Fleming! The other 4 players I selected would of covered all areas needed to be covered in case of last minute injury. And how Ponting & Clarke can continue to get games is beyond me??? They've been terrible for some time and aren't being held accountable, instead they've actually received pay rises! Edit: Replce Hughes with Marsh Edit: Swapped Haddin & Paine around, looking back Haddin doesn't deserve to be demoted yet.

Ok, maybe I've been watching far to much of the World Cup and am sleep deprived and that's why I've come up with this crazy (possibly stupid idea) on how to improve the development of other countries in test match cricket. An EPL style division system where countries can be promoted and relegated from one division to another after a three year period of solid or poor performances. This idea has come about mainly because of Ireland's impressive first 2 performances of this World Cup & the last also. In 2007 they had victories over Pakistan & Bangladesh and drew with Zimbabwe, while in this World Cup they've already beaten England and should of beaten Bangladesh in their first match if it weren't for loosing their last 5 wickets for about 20 runs when they only needed another 50 to win. I had also been impressed with Zimbabwe's openning performances, although they were pretty ordinary last night against New Zealand to be honest. So the way my idea works is the top 7 nations form say the premier division. This being India, South Africa, Sri Lanka, England, Australia, Pakistan & New Zealand. These nations over a three year period must play a home & an away test series against one another. Usual min of 2 tests, max of 5. Where as the current 8th & 9th ranked nations West Indies & Bangladesh form a secondary division along with at first Zimbabwe & Ireland where all of these nations must play a home & away test series against one another over a three year period. These should probably all be 5 test series as there's only 4 teams in this secondary division. The second division counts as a test match and all records, wickets & runs would count towards test match averages and stats. After the initial 3 year period the bottom 2 nations from the premier division are relegated to the 2nd division, the top nation from the 2nd division is promoted to the premier division. Then to try and even everything out, the next highest ranked minow country in the Intercontinental Cup (not sure how many people know about this comp) can also be promoted to test status and start playing in the 2nd division. (This would probably be Afghanistan if anyone's been watching their improvement in the last few years, they're the most improved country by a long way and are reguly beating higher ranked countries like Kenya, Scotland etc). So this way after the initial 3 years there would be 6 countries in the premire division, 6 countries in the 2nd division, and then every 3 years the top 2 teams from 2nd division are promoted while the bottom 2 from premier are demoted. The reason why I like this idea is because it serves a couple of important issues in World cricket. 1: It means the higher ranked countries get to play more often only against the other top countries. Australia wouldn't of had to worry about this series against Bangladesh after the World Cup for example or any of those top end series as there's less countries to play against. Also it means because we have to play everyone inside 3 years it means the headline touring nation from year to year goes England, India & South Africa, and then starts again whith no lull year. 2: It allows Ireland, Zimbabwe & possibly Afghanistan eventually to gain test experience against decent opposition like the West Indies & Bangladesh. They get to play against them more often allowing their skills and experience to improve also. And while many may feel it does little for the likes of the West Indies & Bangladesh, it does give them the chance to create a winning culture, and after 3 years they will have the opportunity to take that culture in against more hardened opposition. 3: The relegation & demotion system would mean that it wont always be the same countries stuck in one division all the time as every 3 years they have the oppotunity to swap over if their performances have warranted it. So I'm curious as to people's thoughts. Obviously I don't expect everyone to love it, and I'm sure there are holes in it. But I just thought I'd see what everyone's thoughts are on expanding the game to include other countries??? Edit: Changed Ireland beating Ireland, to Ireland beating England.

Ok I'm going to talk about the elephant in the room in Marcus North, another duck! Shouldering arms to a quick who's getting the ball to reverse, what a ........... If the selectors are looking for someone to make a string if low scores while getting handsomely paid and traveling the globe I'm willing to my hand up! How long are we going to carry this guy? Had a nice start but disapointing end to the day. Hopefully Watson, Paine & the tail can make a good fist of it and get us to at least 350 so we're right in the match. Really hope we can get a series win here although I highly doubt it.

Your right RR, I know the NSW bias goes back to Trevor Hohns or whoever it was and possibly even further back and it did serve us well when we had once in a generation type players all playing in the same team at the same time such as Warne, McGrath & Gilchrist. However times have changed and the selectors need to get with the times. White did have an ordinary tour of India last time your right however he was picked and really played as a bowler when we all know he's really a batsman who can bowl some handy leggies. He's been in fantstic form in the shorter format of the game for a good 18 months now and I would have thought with North struggling now would be the perfect time to slot C. White into no:6 in the batting line up. Plus he's an excellent captain prospect, or maybe that's why the selectors don't want him in so M. Clarke's toes aren't stepped on??? Your right about S. Smith he's a very good prospect but I probably haven't seen enough of him myself to judge exactly what sort of player he is. Is he a genuine all rounder or is he a bowler who bats very well ala Danile Vettori? Or is he the other way round ala Chris Cairns? One thing's for sure he has a bright future. I have heard good wraps on Hazelwood although is India the place where you want to blood a raw fast bowler if one of the senior bowlers gets injured? India's the sort of place where I think experience and maturity is very important and that's why I would have thought McKay would have been a shoe in for this tour. It's a very delicate time in Australian Cricket with their rebuilding of the side. I just hope the selctors are able to make the tough and right decissions at the right time. I hate to think of the fall out if we loose the Ashes this summer.

And isn't it fantastic to see that the selectors are still handing out the baggy green cap in a paper bag when NSW players receive their baggy blue cap. How on earth did Hazlewood make the squad??? George I'm, suprised by also, especially when you look at McKay's last domestic season. I also would have thought that James Pattinson's the most promising young fast bowler coming through. And North still in the squad but no Cameron White!!! Once we loose this test series 2-0 with North and Hussey scoring a combined total of less then 150 runs will Hilditch finally be held accountable?

Your right RR, that's why although it's something I'd like to see I'm well aware that it wont happen. There just seems to be no end in sight the this great game spiraling down the sink while India holds a monopoly over everyone else.