Over the last couple of years, both the Test and ODI sides have very carefully ordered the side to keep the LH-RH combos in play. NSW in the CLT20 made no secret of the fact that by having up to four or five guys padded up at any one time, they could go as far as even picking a LH dasher or a plodder (if not in those terms) if required as well as keeping the LH-RH combination.

(edit) I should add Mick, that I agree Watson SHOULD shuffle down to 5, but as I mentioned, I don’t know this will be as permanent as you might hope. No doubt there’s pressure on Hussey and North, but I think we’re looking at a temporary shift here.

I still think Ponting will play, even if only 80-85% right..

If they all make runs they have a hard choice to make but if hughes misses out they wont drop him.

If Hughes bats at 3 it is a clear sign that his return is temporary and Watson is seen as the long term opener. In that scenario even if hughes makes runs he will have to make way.

My preference is Hughes to open and if Hussey and North make runs one of them still misses out. They wouldn’t be the first players dropped after making a hundred.

Brett I think you are overplaying this left right thing.

Give it to Katich – he is a “real” Aussie man (plus he actually has some captaincy experience).

I think it’s just a case of least disruption by having Watson or Katich bat at 3. In fact with Katich at 3 – and he has been a 3 most of his adult life, remember – they can go back to a LH-RH opening pair, and maintain alternating lefties and righties from Hussey to Nathan Hauritz at 9…

A chance to put Watson in his rightful spot at 5 or 6 and they don’t take it?

No, I’m not a Clarke apologist. The guy is self-absorbed and can be quite the narcissist. Is that leadership material? No, but he only can improve in the face of responsibility, not avoiding it.

The Katich altercation was not ideal, but I think there are grounds to request that even if it is rejected. Clarke was entitled to request, and Katich even more so to tell him to get stuffed.

Is he tough mentally? Yes. While you ponder about some dismissals in this series, there are some fine knocks in the mix to show how tough he is. I remember him scoring 130 at Bangalore in 2007 on the one day series while suffering gastro. It was a brave knock that lead us to victory.

Best reader? No, but nor is Ponting. While you can be born a leader, you can also grow into it. Clarke will do that.

A critical member of the side since 2004? Crikey, are you his own personal apologist? For the last 12 months I’d say. The guy has become a terrific test batsman, one of our 3 best. No doubt about that. He’s worked hard.

But witness his dismissals in the last test, and some in the Ashes. How can that happen? I can’t live with a captain who is so obviously out-thought. Ditto Ponting too often.

Remember the altercation with Katich? Are Clarke’s priorities right? Renmember this is the same Clarke who wanted them to change their tradition of singing the Southern Cross in the evening, so it could be done quickly to suit him so he could go out to dinner with his girlfriend.

Is he the toughest there, mentally? No.

Is the the best reader of the game there or the most innovative thinker? No.

Does he have the total respect of his teammates? No.

Will he do a good job on Boxing Day? Most likely.

But he isn’t the best man for the job, pure and simple. Katich satisfies all of the above and then some, however the selectors “earmarked” Clarke for the captaincy a few years ago, so are sticking with that.

In short, to borrow a Maori word, he just doesn’t have the mana to be the Aussie cricket captain. I don’t see it.

For all of the public perceptions regarding the bloke, some of them none too favourable, the guy has been a critical member of the side since 2004. He’s scored hundreds, taken crucial wickets and effected brilliant runouts during that period. He has said no to two years of IPL riches because of family reasons, a gesture that shows it’s not all about money.

He’s forthright and honest in his opinions, and participates heavily in promoting cricket grassroots. He goes to schools regularly, talks to kids and encourages them to play.

He showed ticker last year for telling Symonds to go home in his first duty as one-day captain. That alone showed he isn’t going to brook indiscipline.

Fans say they want characters in the game, yet the same fans will seethe when discipline is compromised. It’s an awful hypocrisy on our part. For all the criticism levelled at players and administrators, fans aren’t perfect either.

All I know is if Michael Clarke leads us out on Boxing Day, he will do a good job. He has a legacy to follow. This is a guy who donned his baggy green on debut in Bangalore before scoring his ton, and who barely celebrated when bringing up 3 figures at Lord’s when defeat was imminent.

Don’t tell me he doesn’t put the team first…

I have dreaded this day.

But what I think will happen is that Hughes will come in, Watson will go to 3, and Clarke will stay at five, so as to maintain the right-left-right-left-right-handed order from 3 to 7. Watson could go to 5, if Clarke goes to 3, and achieve the same thing, but I think they’ll go for minimal disruption to the order and just slide an opener – either one, actually – down to 3.

That all said, I think Ponting will play in Melbourne anyway…

But, he is not a player for the crisis. Yes he has on occasions, but not consistently. dropping two catches in the last mathc and literally giving his wicket away in both innings is NOT the behaviour of a captain, and certainly not of a captain of a team being rebuilt. Cant imagine Border, Waugh, either Chappell, or Taylor dropping catches or giving their wickets away, even when struggling for form.

Katich for Captain.