I remember back in 1985 (when the rebel tour of SA had gutted, particularly, the test bowling ranks) when in an attempt to arrest the slump the test team at one stage included Border (c), Dirk Wellham (who I think peaked at 21) who was the NSW captain and was brought back into the side, Ray Bright who had dropped out of test cricket selection but was brought back and was the capatin of the Vics, and some other old heads… Jeff Thomson might have made the Ashes tour that year.

Didn’t work. And we got belted by England on their next tour here.

The re-invigoration came in 89 when Border was given a team of good young rising batting talent – Taylor M, Marsh, Boon Border, Jones, Waugh S, Healy, and a bowling group that included some experienced heads – Lawson, Alderman, Rackeman (spelling?), and Trevor Hohns (three back from the SA rebel tour), a youngster Cambpell who played 1 test, and I forget who else. Can’t remember if Merv Hughs made that tour. Mike Valetta didn’t get a game in the tests.

So assuming we look forwards, not back, and Warne is not the answer, who?

What we need at the moment, it seems, is some bowlers who can take wickets in tests. Mitch Johnson has really fronted up this season so we’ve got one. We need another three. Krezja is young enough to learn to control the runs more, and has shown he can take wickets… so he get’s selected. Stuart Clark and Brett Lee are old enough and smart enough to fill the shoes of Alderman & Rackeman.

If you work on the basis that Ponting, Hussey and Clarke will be picked, with Hadden, its the other three batting slots which the selectors must be really mulling over. Hopefully Richard Hughes will end up in one of them. They could give the #6 spot to a new captain, but who would it be? the state captains include Katich, White, Simpson & Maher, none of who are likely to get picked ahead of Ponting in the role… but should they pick Simpson as a shrewd tactician to help Ponting even if his batting is not up to it? Doubtful.

My gripe is that the selectors didn’t bring in new talent sooner, expecially the bowlers and opening batsmen. Our “new” guys are in their 30′s. Hayden looks like he should be in the commentry box not padding up.

But again I shook my head in wonder at his grasp of cricket, bowling and tactics – even outside his outstanding record as a bowler, there is no doubt that this is a man who intuitively understands the game.

Something I have always questioned about Ponting. However, say what we will about his captaincy, as a batsmen leading from the front – the captains knocks – he cannot be questioned.

But, despite the fairytale piece, Warne won’t come back to test cricket.

We can still hope. I still hold out for Richard Hadlee returning to the Black Caps……….

Agree with Rob. The opportunity to make Warne test captain has passed. My favourite Aussie test skipper – Ian Chappell – often argued Warne should have been made captain ahead of Steve Waugh.

Unfortunately, at the time – early 1999 – Warne was returning from a shoulder operation, & hadn’t played much cricket of any kind. His only test of the 1998-99 Ashes series was the 5th & last, also Mark Taylor’s swansong. However, when Waugh was injured for several one-dayers, Warne filled in brilliantly.

But it was too little, too late. The ACB (or CA) had already made their mind up with Waugh. There have been other great cricketers overlooked for the Australian captaincy. The first name immediately coming to mind being Keith Miller. Many contemporaries believed Miller should have got the nod over Ian Johnson.

Your suggestion is interesting, nevertheless. Warne would still be under 40 for the Ashes series. On the channel 9 commentary interviews & coaching classes, he looks very fit, & as mentally sharp as ever, as you say.

The downside, is that it would in any case, be only a stop-gap measure. Australian cricket has to move forward, not go backwards. It’s a deliciously tempting thought, but the opportunity I believe, has passed.

Spiro, another thought, on whether it could happen. Sometimes great administrators can inspire great things from their players. Is there an administrator in the CA board &/or selectors with the courage to make such a mighty call?

Sadly, I think not!

I beleive that Warney would make a great captain and could even play on for a couple of years more, how old was Clarrie Grimmet when he retired, or even Don Bradman?

Also could someone tell me how much say in Tactics that the coach has? is it right to blame Ponting for “uninspired captaincy” shouldnt Neilsen also carry some blame?

Surely the Sydney Test is the perfect opportunity for the selectors to shows some intestinal fortitude – Dorp Hayden, Drop Lee, Drop Symonds – Give Hussey a stiff warning, Drop Ponting from the captaincy. Promote some of the YOUNGER state cricketers. Frankly if I was selecting then a state cricketer wouldn’t get a look in if they were older the 26 or 27.