Selecting Australia's 2013 Ashes squad

From the squad I selected last year, you could leave out George & Hazelwood, and bring in Pattinson and Cummins. It'll be interesting to see how James Pattinson and Pat Cummins will go in English conditions. The Australian selectors would be wise to monitor the progress of Ben Hilfenhaus between now and England 2013, because I would imagine them wanting Hilfenhaus to be the 'Terry Alderman' type bowler-the one who exploit English seam and swing conditions. But the Australians got to do something about their batting between now and England 2013. While Ponting and Hussey have extended their careers for now, however would they still be in the team when the selectors sit down to name the 17 to go to England?

1. Ed Cowan 2. Shaun Marsh 3. Usman Kawajah 4. Callum Ferguson 5. Cameron White (c) 6. Shane Watson 7. Tim Paine 8. Andrew McDonald 9. Steve Smith 10. Peter Siddle 11. Mitchell Starc 12th man - Michael Clarke

nah! I just don't like pushy bloggers!

you don't rate Paine? And you DO rate McDermott the younger?

Closer to the mark, but will Watson's 50's be enough in two and a half years time? The South African's will clean out Hughes' cage next time they play him. He is no certainty by a long shot. Cam White is a moral, and should be captain,plays Clarke on a brake in that regard. Clarke's 32 year old back will be gone, Harris will need to be wheeled out to play at almost 34. Hilfy will be there. James Pattinson will be well an truly in the picture if can stay fit. Mitchell Marsh will definitely be there and the big one from left field could well be Alex Keath. He is a gun.

Phillip Hughes Shane Watson Usman Khawaja Michael Clarke Cameron White Steve Smith Tim Paine Steve O'Keefe Mitchell Johnson Mitchell Starc Ryan Harris 12th Man: Mitchell Marsh Josh Hazlewood Peter Siddle Peter George Matthew Wade Nic Maddinson Callum Ferguson

While they've not started to significantly tail off in performance, their great batting lineup is getting pretty long in the tooth. Maybe there are players able to step into the shoes of Tendulkar, Laxman and Dravid - but they'll leave a very big hole. And while their bowling was good enough to beat Australia 2 nil (just) they struggled in 2 tests v NZ before winning the 3rd (admittedly pretty strongly). Doesn't suggest to me that all is right with the world from their point of view. Not saying they won't stay on top - just saying it's no certainty at all.

with your Paine as captain, that'll be all the keeper can handle I agree with Betty - McDermott's still a kid, there's a lot of improvement in him

christ if Alastair McDermott's 127kmh pies are the best we've got, we are in very serious trouble.

I'd like to see Cameron White included. I'd also like to think we'll have a bit of bowling talent by then. McDermott's looked good in the short game and if he lives up to his Dad's name, could be a good honest contributor by 2013. Spinner - ? Let's see how Beer goes next week. Good luck with that coaching lineup.

Here's the headline....Aussies drop Bollinger for BEER! Beer,hughes,smith,johnson in Bollinger,Doherty,North out.

Ric Charlesworth, you are on another plannet. This has been debated on the roar previously. 1, he is a hockey coach. 2, he was almost run out of NZ after he shocking effort with their national side. 3, his experiance with cricket is very dated and limited. Choose a proper coach, please

Paine to come in and be captain. They need to phase them in with a logical succession plan, though. Hussey to go at the end of this series - for Khawaja. Smith in now for North. Our best quicks in order right now are probably Harris Copeland (sure, untried in tests) Hilfy Cameron Johnson Siddle Bollinger George Starc

I wouldn't write Haddin off totally so far as 2013 goes. He's 33 now so it's not beyond realms that he'll still be going in 2-3 years time. Having said that, Paine has already shown he's more than capable of performing at the highest level, so I'd have no qualms about him being the #1 keeper by then. Similarly, if Johnson can get his head sorted, and consequently his action, he might, I emphasis might, still be a candidate. Clarke and Watson will be the senior figures batting wise by then. Bollinger and Hilfenhaus - 50/50 chances. If Harris was a few years younger he'd be a possibility too, but at 31 with those knees and that build, his longevity in the game is a fragile prospect. For mine, Clarke and Watson are likely the only near certainties, whilst the rest of the current squad will be clammering to clog up commentary boxes by then.

interesting article , there has been much debate about the Australian team as we have lost a game to England and it looks like we will lose the Ashes. We are now number 5 in the world. The Ashes are indeed an important and historic series but i believe that there seems to be a disproportiate amount of attention placed upon beating England. We should not be overly concerned with the Ashes in 2013, we have important series against South Africa, Sri Lanka and India to play before then. If we continue to use England as a benchmark we are not setting out sights high enough - India are set to dominate cricket from here to Eternity. they are already world number one and beat us 2-0 recently ( which was reported as being a bad sign for the ashes rather than a significant loss in itself). By sheer weight of numbers and their expanding middle class means they will be at the top of the tree. Yes it is great to beat the POMs but i feel that it shows a lack of respect for other great cricketing nations by putting an over emphasis on the Ashes

He gets wickets too, Willy. 57 in 9 1st class games. Roebuck said Cameron was the best bowler in that match, though. My bowling attack for Perth would be Harris, Copeland, Hilfy and one of Siddle, Johnson, Cameron or McDonald. I'm assuming you have Smith and Watson to add to that from the top 6. In fact if you've got Smith, go for Cameron. They will pick Harris, Johnson, Hilfy and one of Siddle and Hauritz. The selectors have got it in their head that Siddle, Johnson and Hilfy did well in SA so they're the best combination - but that was 21 months ago.

Why isn't Trent Copeland being talked about as a replacement now? His wicket taking record in Sheffield Shield has been excellent for two seasons and - importantly - he has proven he can tie up an end with economical bowling. I see that he's currently going at about 1.5 runs per over v South Australia again today. That's what the Aussies need.

i agree with most of the line up, but i would have Johnson leading the bowling attack with Ben Cutting.

Mattay - I'm writing an article on that succession planning today - in fact I've already put that in as the title!

Hilfenhaus as well, TC, he's only 27 now...