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Moving on from the Ashes: the team Australia needs

Roar Rookie
29th December, 2010
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Roar Rookie
29th December, 2010
8

This Ashes series has been painful to watch to say the least. From the titanic partnership at the Gabba, to constantly seeing the top order fail, and to eventually the elated looks on the English faces as Prior grabbed the Hilfenhaus edge to retain the Ashes.

The Australian side is in desperate need of overhaul.

My 11 going ahead would omit both Ponting and Clarke.

I’m a massive fan of Ricky Ponting but like so many others before him the time has come for him to go.

Clarke on the other hand has been in horrible touch since his promotion to no. 4 in the order and since his engagement to Lara Bingle fell through. If he wants the captaincy, score some good runs for NSW.

1. B. Haddin: I think he is one of Australia’s best batsmen but too often nowadays finds himself without a batting partner and prone to playing a silly shot. Playing up the order may see him check those shots and play a longer innings. Some evidence of that was shown in a few ODI matches as an opener and he batted deep into the Aussie innings.

2.P. Hughes: Has potential to be a prolific batsman, needs some technical work, but is young and can go on to have a long successful career. However if Simon Katich is healthy I would have him here instead of Hughes until Katich retires.

3.U Khawaja: Great young batsman, looked really good thus far at a first class level, brings some youth to an aging Aussie side.

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4.S Watson: His deficiency of getting a start and not going on to make a big score is a big problem for an opener. I think a move to the middle order would do Watson a world of good.

5.M Hussey: This series has shown that Mr Cricket still has runs to offer. He will be a veteran in the middle order and can hopefully pass on a lot of experience to a young side.

6.C White (C): Has become a pretty good 4 day batsman and has captained Victoria forever. He’s a good fielder and is rumoured to be able to bowl the odd leggie. In my opinion would make a great number 6 and a decent captain as well.

7.T Paine: Steve Waugh said he expects Paine to be the captain one day, and he’s a talented batsmen. I think bring him in as keeper and taking the gloves of Haddin would make Haddin a better batsman and Paine can definitely hold his own with the willow.

8.S Smith: Tons of potential just isn’t a Test batsman yet, bring him in as the team’s main spinner and stick with him. If he is half as talented as you hear he’ll get there, he has plenty of time to be the next spinner as well.

9.M Johnson: Showed in Perth the kind of bowler he can be and just for that I have him here. Provided his technique doesn’t leave him again he can be a dominant bowling force and a handy lower order batsman

10.P Siddle: A real workhorse bowler, great fighting spirit, never say die attitude. Great man to have on the team.

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11.D Bollinger: This was a real toss up for me, I wanted to say Ryan Harris but with his injury I chose Doug. I think this spot is really up for grabs as there a few up and coming and a few other already established bowlers out there but at the moment a healthy Harris, or Bollinger would be the pick of the bunch.

That’s my team going forward from here, not very flash but with some patience I think it could stop Australia’s free fall down the rankings.

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