Opinions about the Australian cricket team are like lawnmowers – most Australian males have one. Amateur selection panels will have reached fever pitch in pubs around Australian this past weekend.
It is clear from the 13-man named squad named for Brisbane on Friday that the selectors were not ready to make the tough decisions just yet. We should not be surprised, the Hilditch era has been marked by respect for incumbents, meaning Hussey and North get another chance.
In contrast, my team contains a few surprises including Ed Cowan, Steve Smith and Ryan Harris. The notable omissions are Hussey, North, Hauritz, Doherty and Siddle. My eleven and the reasons behind my selections are below.
While I have advocated for Ponting’s sacking as captain in the past, now is not the time. He retains the (c).
Oh, and for the record, on a bouncy Brisbane track, I like Australia in Brisbane.
Katich: Now a circumspect, mature batsmen who provides stability to the top of the order. After being dropped following the 2005 ashes, Katich has shown an iron will and come back stronger than ever. Not pretty but gets the job done.
He is also a possible future captain if Ponting loses this series and Michael Clarke really does have reputation issues in the dressing room.
Cowan: Most people will be looking at this name with some bemusement, not only because Cowan is a relative unknown but also because Watson has flourished in the opening position for the last couple of years. Watson opening was only ever meant to be a stop gap measure and now is the perfect time to put a specialist opener into this spot.
Watson could be one of the great all rounders we have ever produced but he will need some batting pressure taken off him to reach his full potential. Cowan for mine is the best young opener in the country (I outlined his credentials in a recent article) as Phil Hughes does not have the technique to cut it at the highest level against the new ball.
Ponting (c): First man picked. Second best batsmen of his generation. Last chance to prove himself as captain. If we lose the ashes at home Ponting’s already tainted legacy will be in tatters.
Ponting’s best moments as captain have all come with the bat in hand. If we are to win the Ashes this legendary number three needs to have the series of his illustrious career.
Clarke: Along with Katich and Ponting, the vice captain has become part of the backbone of our batting line up. While he has gone through a lean patch of late, this cricketing rockstar likes the big stage and there is none bigger than the ashes.
In his early career Clarke was prone to rash strokes when he got tied down but he seems to be much more at peace with slower paced innings these days. He is now an accumulator with a fine technique and a beautiful driver of the ball.
Watson: I will put my hand up here and admit that I thought Watto did not have the mental strength nor the stamina to prosper in test match cricket. His early career was plagued by constant injury but the last 24 months have been healthy and happy times.
Deserved the AB medal last year and will be key with bat and ball.
Smith: Fortune favours the brave. It looked like a big call to give Warne his debut at 23. Not to say that I am comparing him to the great man, at this stage all they have in common is blonde locks. This kid just looks like he has something about him – the mental x factor that marks champions.
He can also bat, so by picking him at number 6 you are effectively saying score some runs and if you can take some wickets as a leggy that is just a bonus. On the flip side we would not be picking anyone as a designated frontline spinner – the truth is we don’t have one.
Haddin: Despite having established himself since the retirement of Gilly, Haddin’s injuries have opened the door for Tim Paine who placed significant pressure on him with tidy keeping performances and some handy runs in India. Paine’s time will come, now is Haddin’s time to prove that like his predecessor he can turn games in a matter of an hour with sweet timing and myriad boundaries.
Johnson: Captains love genuine express bowlers because cricket is such a psychological game and they create fear. Johnson is deceptively quick often producing deliveries close to 150kmph and not just in the first hour of play. The problem is his radar. He was inaccurate as a youngster and inconsistency has been one the consistent themes of his career to date.
On the up side he is a genuine wicket taker and Ponting has gone to him when games are on the line. He needs to start well.
Harris: One of the bolters in this team. In many ways he nudges Peter Siddle out of this spot. Harris is accurate and deceptively quick. He can move the ball both ways and is as strong as an ox.
Hilfenhaus: My tip to be the key man with the ball in this series. The art of new ball outswing bowling is all but lost in modern cricket but Hilfenhous is a renaissance man in this sense. Ricky, please give him enough slips because he will take the edge plenty this summer.
Bollinger: In the mould of the old school fast bowler. Likes to hurt batsmen, likes to talk allot and gives 110 per cent for his captain every time he is given the ball.
Fast lefthanders are worth their weight in gold – we are lucky to have two and should not be worried about picking both.
GG
Guest
Siddle. Joke.
Fool2242
Guest
I would have to agree with Terry K. Now lets get real. I will admit that Ponting may not be the best captain Australia has ever seen, but he is the world's best number 3, and to call for his sacking is just ridiculous until a successor has actually cemented their place in the Australian team!. There have only been two comparable batsmen in the modern game Lara and Tendulka. Unfortunately there is no one on the horizon for Australian captaincy, except perhaps C White, who has not managed to even make the test team! Again I pull my hair out, what little is remaining, with the selection of Piddle (Siddle). Siddle as has previously been stated bowls at least a foot to short and cannot move the ball AT ALL! To stir the pot: why has there been no talk of S. Clark; one of the few bowlers that has managed to have an average of under 25 in the test arena, except Bollinger, admittedly he has an age issue but modern sportsmen can effectively compete until much older these days, even bowlers (McGrath); has every one forgotten how old S. Waugh and even Bradman were when they retired? I would currently play Bollinger instead of Siddle, depending on fitness! If any other bowler breaks down Harris or S. Clark
Lolly
Guest
The answer to the headline is obviously the same players who won the Ashes in England 2009.... oh.
jameswm
Guest
It's just typical. You're likely to play on a greentop, so you go with the bowler who doesn't move the ball, rather than one who moves it both ways. They like Sids because he's Ponting's mate, spits venom and "hits the deck", and might get up the Poms. Dougie does most of that, bbut moves the ball and takes more wickets. I can't believe they have opted for Siddle. No idea. The best three seamers at the GABBA would be Hilfy, Harris and Cameron frankly.
Terry Kidd
Guest
The selectors have no idea. They have just dropped Bollinger in favour of Siddle allegedly because he hasn't bowled enough overs or taken enough wickets. WTF???? Bollinger has bowled more than Siddle and has taken more wickets. Bollinger will give 150% every time he takes the ball and is dangerous. Siddle is pedestrian and will get smacked all over the Gabba. I say sack the selectors. Get rid of the lot of 'em. Begone you idiots.
GG
Guest
Did somebody say Warney?? I think Ed Cowan has a bright future but agree with jameswm that he needs another season of a lot of runs... plus Watson and Katich are one of the few combos working for us. It is a team that is a little hard to get excited about, but we have some genuine stroke makers there. Its our attack that has the question marks hanging over it. I also like Australia at the GABBA...
Oracle
Guest
Paine's broken finger is a huge loss. Means that Haddin is assured of playing every Test, and can bat like a millionaire without anyone breathing down his neck. Let's hope that Clarke puts the team ahead of himself for the Brisbane Test. Any remote doubt on his fitness, and he should not play.
Whiteline
Guest
Smith isn't the answer at this stage - he may be later but not now. Siddle - glad there is no love for him here - sorry...not the answer now or in the future! He must not have access to DVD. For two years he bowled a foot too short and wonders why he beats the bat but rarely finds the edge...fascinating. Haddin - I've never been a fan but last summer his keeping was pretty sound. I agree that he self destructs when he bats but he does tend to bat well in partnerships and that's something Australia needs.
Joe Karsay
Expert
Formeropenside - While this team lacks the legends and characters of some our recent sides it is still our national side and the fact that we are playing the old enemy should be enough to get you excited. Bob - I have to agree D Hussey was the leading run scorer in the Pura Cup last season and I can't understand why his name never gets mentioned. It could be like when M Waugh replaced his brother! Fisher Price - Agree Haddin would have been feeling the pressure but Paine's injury will have released some of that.
Bob
Guest
Do you seriously think Steve Smith a better bat than Cam White? Whats all this love for NSW guys about? 6 out of the first 7? Their Shield results don't reflect that. Then again the selectors agree don't they- Brad Hodge, David Hussey and Cam White are never even considered.
Fisher Price
Guest
I've been a supporter of Haddin in the past (even over Gilchrist post-2005) but he regularly fails with the bat, generally getting out to an aggressive drive. And let's be honest, it's not his wicket-keeper that got him in the side.
beowulf
Guest
I'm with you mostly, though Haddin has done nothing wrong and is one of the world's best keeper-bastsmen. I'd keep him for a while whilst the new middle order embeds. Agree O'Keefe is a must and Smith needs another 12 months, but everyone remember he is a #6 or 7 batsman who can bowl a bit - nothing more. He'll give you 10 overs and get 1-40. Need 3 fast bowlers, an offie and Smith in the future and it will be pretty well balanced....just not quite yet.
formeropenside
Guest
*shrug* I'm not too enthused about this Australian team. I dont really care if any particular player does well - I'm not particularly a fan of any of them. It would be nice to see if Johnson can still perform to a high level, but thats about it.
Fisher Price
Guest
Yep, Hussey-North-Haddin is a major liability.
jameswm
Guest
Harris has had one game back from a serious knee injury (a very good one) and his knee flared up and he hasn't played since. Only a fool would risk him for the 1st test. I'd pick him in a flash if his fitness was guaranteed though. I don't see how you can have two all rounders at 5 and 6. Our openers are one of the few things working, so it's folly to change them, even though you're trying to squeeze Cowan in. EC needs a season or two more of a lot of runs. I don't think Smith is up to it yet - not quite. If it weren't for the injury in that meaningless game my team would have been: Watson Katich Ponting Clarke if fit Khawaja Ferguson Paine O'Keefe Johnson (just) Hilfenhaus Bollinger (Harris if fitness guaranteed) 12th - Steve Smith, though he should go and play Shield cricket rather than hang around the others. So a new 5-6-7-8 for me (though Paine played last test), three rookies in the same team. I wasn't fooled by the single centuries of Hussey and North recently - they might get one score in 4 innings in the 1st 2 tests, and three failures. Or 4 failures.