As sheek alluded to, just because Merv and Boony have mo’s doesn’t mean they have the wisdom required to be selectors.

Furthermore, as a batsman Ricky Ponting’s value cannot be questioned, as a leader (in terms of leading by example) once again, hard to argue, but as a tactician, he has been found wanting on many occasions. As an example, when the Saffers left their batting powerplay really late in the first game of the ODI series, then ended up winning the game. Ponting then did this in the 2nd game, despite the fact that the momentum had deserted them, but he simply saw a good idea by Johan Botha, then tried to copy it. This I feel is the complexity of his decision-making.

Blair

It’s very hard for the lower order bashers – when, they are exposed at the 30-40 over mark rather than say in the 43rd/44th over time frame where they can block 1 and start teeing off like in a 20/20.

1Haddin
2Marsh
3Ponting
4Clarke/D.Hussey/Hodge
5Hodge/M.Hussey
6Warner
7Hopes
8White
9Bracken
10Tait
11Clark

Hilditch & Cox, more difficult to tell. Both were fine technicians – journeyman – for Australia cricket. But not possessing that extra brilliance. Could it be the same with their selection style? Ditto Tim Neilson, a competent gloveman & wonderful team player for SA. As national coach, does he have that ability to think outside the square?

Ricky Ponting has been caught out lacking imagination & daring. Back in 2006-07, he had Warne, McGrath, Gilchrist, Langer, Hayden & Martyn, who are all now gone. He had class & experience to pull the team out of the jam. He really didn’t need to think too much about his cricket – it just happened. Not any more!

Life is a cycle of birth, decay & rebirth. To appreciate the next golden era, we need to experience some short-term pain – That’s life! Of course, the trick is always to make the ‘uppers’ run as long as possible, & the ‘downers’ run as short as possible.

This is where the “clever” people – of human insight & wordly prescience – come in very handy. People like Robbie Deans, for example. Or Lawrie Sawle, for a cricket example.

This Australian squad is probably the most “unknown” outside of Australia for a long time. I am also not sure on what you base your assertion that only Dale Steyn and maybe Kallis would be selected from the current players available. Are you saying that JP Duminy(ODI ranking 37) will not be selected ahead of David Hussey(ODI ranking 86)? David Warner ahead of Herschelle Gibbs? No place for AB de Villiers? Cameron White, Ben Hilfenhaus, James Hopes and David Hussey are hardly worldbeaters at the moment and even David Warner has had only 2 innings to beat his SA counterpart.

You also say that “The difference between the sides is not a talent difference in other words but a difference in tactics, strategy, preparation and captaincy.” So if it is not a talent difference between the teams why would you pick 9 Australians and only 2 South Africans?

I think that too much is made of selection and coaching, someone still needs to go bat and bowl and it is in those departments that Australia failed. Also, I have to differ from you that Australia “should be” on top. It is playing average cricket at the moment against an relentless opponent. South Africa has now won series in England and Australia and drew a series in India. Maybe South Africa is just better at cricket at the moment?

As a South African, I almost feel let down by the ease of our victories on this tour. It is like catching a unicorn for us! I understand we have a settled team, and you have major problems your side, but come on.

Your whole country should stop complaining about losing players, injuries, etc. as we have had the same. Come on, Graham Smith is injured, and Shaun Pollock has retired recently. The difference is we have given our younger players enough preparation and exposure, and I think they actually clearly know what their roles are in the side.

Remember, we had major problems after the South African ICC one day world cup, and pretty much, every other one for that matter, so we know how much it hurts to loose.

Your country’s cricket bosses should draw a line in the sand, take ownership, sort themselves out first, and then ACTUALLY WORK OUT A PLAN, as to what is the way forward.

The way things are going, the Poms might actually give you a run come ashes time, which we really don’t want as they have just replaced one south african born captain for another!!!!!!

Good luck my friends…

Interesting article. Can you elaborate on which South African players won’t be considered for the equivalent Australian sides and if you have to compile a ODI squad comprising players from both sides who would you choose?

Ponting is not the answer as capt, but nor is Clarke. Sadly, I dont know who is, unless it is the likes of White. Surely now is the time to experiment and get the nucleus of a competitive team together.

I too would stick with Marsh and Warner. I particularly liked their combined innings a few days ago. Marsh could have gone on with it more, but at least it was a good start. Warner, after massive scrutiny and an unbelieveable debut, has managed to make two big scores. This is better than it looks given his inexperience in the spotlight. The others, well, change the squad and see who responds and who doesnt. Hodge needs a spot there somewhere.

I think we’re performing poorly because our players don’t understand or know the role they need to play, and during games if that role changes, do they know how and when to adapt? Cameron White is the classic example. He’s picked as an allrounder, but barely ever bowls. Warner keeps getting told to get stuck in and smash the ball around, but if the strategy is to tee off from the first ball, there needs to be some patient batting down the order to seek out singles and two’s and our players don’t seem to know that tactic.

In my mind, this comes back to some of Spiro’s comments. The team is struggling based on communication, tactics and understanding of their roles (with some injuries and form slumps thrown in). On that basis, there is a CLEAR problem with the leadership of the team from the Selectors, Coach and Captain. If the answer isn’t to sack them, then they need help to re-assess the approach needed and adapt.

Tim Paine seems more suited to the longer form of the game (alas, Gilchrist’s success has seen Haddin confused as a test keeper AND a ODI keeper!!). Crossthwaite perhaps more a short form keeper/batter. Hopefully both can push on.
Henriques has a long, long way to go………as a bowler………he, like C.White, wouldn’t be earning a game on his bowling.
P.Hughes seems the one (along with M.Klinger) with the current domestic stats on the board.

Tait is a liability presently. He can’t be right. He struggles to bowl more than 2 overs in a spell at any pace……….gawd……..how soon until Siddle is right to go again??

(and then of course, there’s Tait in the field?!?!?!)

The Warner experiment is perplexing. They’ve broken all the rules, all the policies and all the pathways have been ignored. And have done so with a kid against the best opposition in the world………..heck…….it might work.

btw – Spiro -
Katich as a batting and spin option – - main question that relates back to the test series is around his shoulder. When people criticised Ponting for not bowling Katich,very few were aware that Katich was carrying a shoulder and that being the in-form batter at the top of the order, Ponting was best to NOT risk his aggravation of niggles by asking him to bowl. I doubt that things have changed so much by now.

I guess one thing, the way that Hauritz was cleaned up by A.Morkel the other night, Ponting may as well be bowling C.White.

A couple of quick points:
- Mike Hussey would appear to be better suited at coming in at 6 in the ODI side, but Clarke and Symonds absence has forced his move. That said, David Hussey bats at 4 for Victoria, so why bat him at 5? Swap them at the very least, to try and bring back some familiarity to their usual roles.
- Brad Haddin, while definitely in a bit a form slump with both gloves and bat, is being wasted down the batting order. I think it’s worth trying him opeining with Marsh, with Marsh playing the anchor role his father made into an art form. For Haddin, this serves two purposes: it forces some discipline into his batting (because that was an U12 shot to get out yesterday), and it also forces him to ‘get in’ before teeing off. He’s done it successfully for NSW, so it shouldn’t be a stretch for him.
- The Warner experiment, while theoretically entertaining, might not be working. As I wrote last week, I still want to be wrong about this, but the thought won’t go away…
- Stop buggering around with the spin bowlers. Seriously!! If Hauritz is the guy currently, let him play more than one game in a row!! If it’s Krezja, then let him play. But stop picking part-timers and leggies who don’t bowl!! Or, if he’s in the side, let Warner bowl – from all reports, he can bowl offies to the lefties, and leggies to the right-handers. So try it!! Someone throw him a ball in the nets!!

This is bordering on a rant now, so I might stop myself there. Hopes has done OK since I enquired what his and White’s roles are in the team, so he can stay. Tait is becoming too predictable again too, so maybe Stuart Clark needs to come back in?

Finally, some kids worth trying (?):
- Phil Hughes, in all forms like Spiro has suggested, and he showed the other night he’s just as capable blasting as he is grafting his runs.
- Tim Paine, the young Tassie keeper has made hundreds opening in 1- and 4-day cricket, and is still in his early 20s. He’s playing for Ruddy’s XI on Thursday, and it’ll be him rather than Hartley or Crossthwaite who’ll push Haddin.
- and the young allrounders from NSW, Steve Smith and Moises Henriques. Yes, they’re young, and no they probably haven’t earned it just yet, but would it hurt to get them “in the system” early, so that by the time they’re 23 or 24, they’re used to the international game?

end of rant, apologies to all….

Spiro, I don’t agree with you (and many of the commentators) that the batting power play has been used incorrectly. Afterall, how was Ponting to know that his team would be so inept that they couldn’t make the 50 overs. I expect that his plan was to consolidate the partnership with Hussey and himself from the end of the bowling power plan (16 overs), for around 10 to 15 overs before bringing the batting powerplay into effect in order to take some risks and do some real damage. If he and Hussey had stayed in, you woundn’t even be suggesting that it was used at the wrong time. It was used well in the third game – because Australia got off to a good start and hadn’t lost any wickets. It is really the failure of our batsmen to rack up long partnerships that has made the batting powerplay ineffective. A lot of the blame can be laid at Hussey’s feet – I think it was game 2 where he was dismissed first ball of the powerplay, and game 4 dismissed when they looked to be getting on top, and I assume considering using the powerplay.

Won’t happen I know but I’d like to see Ricky rested and Dan Marsh have a go as 1 day captain. Marsh has done well with Tasmania and has a great approach.

Haddin is a very average batter. And a worse keeper. I’d like to see the Vics just focus on Adam Crossthwaite for a while…..to give him the chance to ‘ascend’ to national duties.

Cam White suffers from an ill defined role. Australia runs the risk of ruining a talented cricketer by not being able to give him clear direction……….presently, he’s a luxury in the side, but it need not be that way.

David Warner – - is exciting,………but………..this ain’t domestic 20/20 anymore.

However – along the way, too many Australians in the top 4 have got starts and not gone on with it. Too often, after 20 overs they are in a ripper position, but, key wickets keep falling just as the throttle should be pressed.

- – - – the irony at present, if we were playing almost anyone other than Sth AFrica, we might not be having such concerns. (perhaps India too).

Actually I’m sure they’re not because Cameron White is still getting a run. As admirable cricketer as he is, he just isn’t up to international standard.