Surely the Australians can do better than Nielsen. I know that Darren Lehmann is very highly regarded by people in England. I wonder whether in ten years people might look back at John Buchanan’s era in the same way that English soccer supporters now look back on Sir Alf Ramsey?

Punter has very little clue about captaining spinners.

haurtitz is doing well. two 5′fers in the second innings. he’s made of the right stuff. back him. confidnce is very importatn for a spinner.

I certainly think we can beat the Poms, though I think they are building into a well balanced team. The last two series over in England (which I have been (un) fortunate enough to attend) have been pretty close where Australia have only lost a session or two rather than a day or two. I dont have any answers for how we should make up our side, but I think we need to tweak one or two things to be a decent team again.

Are we becoming over-analytical & hyper-reactive?

Any national sporting team is in constant change, constantly evolving.

Another thought – there doesn’t appear to be the same confidence with players coming through Sheffield Shield as in the past. Once upon a time, the selectors didn’t worry too much about a player’s experience. if he was performing against the best in SS, he was deemed good enough for the test team.

The only unknown being if he could carry his temperament over to the international level. I guess when the best 20 odd players are taken out of the SS regularly, it does reduce its overall quality & capacity to produce ready made test stars.

And also, where and for who he did he take first class wickets that weren’t in Australia??

With a reliable No 6 and Hilfenhaus fit the team can win the Ashes.

I think we have enough back-up spinning depth now that Kato has started bowling, just need to get Clarke right. I would personally like to see Jacques recalled to the opener spot and Katich down to 5 (Hussey dropped). This would be my side:

1. Phil Jacques
2. Shane Watson
3. Ricky Ponting
4. Michael Clarke
5. Simon Katich
6. Brad Hodge
7. Brad Haddin
8. Mitchell Johnson
9. Nathan Haurtiz
10. Ben Hilfenhaus
11. Doug Bollenger

12. Steve Smith

I really like the idea of Smith bowling 4 or 5 overs per innings and be brought on slowly. A great deal of pressure could be applied with quality spin working in tandem especially against tailenders not familiar playing against it.

Siddle has to be admired for his whole hearted efforts but he is somwhat robotic and needs to get wickets. I would take Josh Hazelwood to NZ. Having written an article calling for the re-inclusion of Hughes, I too was dissapointed with his efforts in the last test.

Glad you mention Hilfenhaus too, for I think he’s been the bowler Australia have missed. Siddle is an honest, whole-hearted bowler, but the breakthroughs just aren’t there for him, and currently he offers nothing that Doug Bollinger doesn’t already provide (batting heroics last Wed aside).

All reports overnight and this morning suggest North has the backing of coach and selectors, with the suggetsion being that Hughes will make way for Katich if fit. I’m a bit here and there on this, I don’t think it’s too big an issue just yet.

Interesting you mention the U19WC too – there’s some interesting names in the Australian side: Mitch Marsh as you mention, Josh Hazelwood, Alistair McDermott, plus a swag of kids already playing in the Futures League. And being broadcast on Fox Sports too…

Ponting will continue at three for the next 5 tests( Hobart,NZ and 2 in England against Pakistan). I do not see him dropping down the order and nothing Michael Clarke has done suggests he is ready for it.

Coming to Hauritz he compares very favourably with Mallett,Peter Taylor,Tim May and Colin Miller.His strike rate of 59.5 is close to Australi’a best,Colin Miller at 59.2,and better than Mallett,Laker,Prasanna and Venkat. It is also marginally better than Swann’s. The nature of offspinning is such that they dont have a legal “wonder” ball. Laker’s phenomenal 19 wickets in a match owed a lot to one of the weakest Australian batting sides,a crumbling pitch and good bowling from Lock at the other end. I am not suggesting Hauritz is as good as Prasanna or Laker. I am pointing out that Nathan Hauritz is getting better and with more self belief will improve his flight and loop. Mallett is working with him and was instrumental in getting him to bowl a more attacking line to the left handers,that is on the leg stump and encouraging them to sweep aginst the spin.He got Butt out like this in the second innings. So,at this stage of his career,Haurtiz is better than Taylor,May and Miller.Incidentally,Laker had an average in the low tenties and the rest are around thirty or more. Pitches,quality of opposition and runs to play with all affect the performance of a spinner.

Having Steve Smith in and around the squad can only help. Another one to watch is Jon Holland. He is a good young left armer and is prepared to toss it up. Not defensive like Ray Bright used to be. So there are options and I think the selectors are aware of this.

Haddin continues to impress and his keeping in the Sydney Test was superlative. Siddle is a trier and is becoming an enigma. He was unlucky as he beat the bat a lot but you are right he needs to develope some variety like a slower ball. He batted with courage but he is in the side for his bowling.

That all said, I wouldn’t at all be surprised to see him go to NZ, or to England for the return Pakistan series at least. I’m sure the CoS wants him to have a few Tests under his belt before the Ashes next summer.

(Sydney Grade cricket followers would know Smith knocked up 170-odd not out on the weekend off about 130 balls, and then took 2/3 off four or five overs late in the day)

does he still babysit and if so will he discipline my nephews if they keep misbehaving? I may need to give him a ring for that……