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.
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.
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.
Aaron Doherty
Roar Rookie
The idea with having Haddin and Paine in the side was that Haddin didn't have to wear the gloves, allowing him to concentrate on his batting, considering he is probably one of the best in the country at the moment and would still retain his spot in the side as a specialist batsmen.
arnold52
Guest
1. Katich (C) 2. Hussey 3. Khawaja 4. Ponting 5. Watson 6. Haddin 7. Smith 8. Johnson 9. Harris 10. Siddle 11. Bollinger others i like: Batsmen - Hussey (D), White, Marsh, Ferguson Bowlers - Copeland, Starc, Hazlewood, Cameron, O'Keefe (Can you tell I'm from NSW?)
James D
Guest
I agree with all of that except McDonald - I would have Steve Smith who is a totally different cricketer and they both are good but i like the fact Smith bowls Leg Spin - a truly rare art at the top level (or any level really) and something that should not be underestimated.
James D
Guest
C White got a ton against England once the game was lost in Hobart. However when the pressure was on (3/60) he got bowled for about 5. But you want him to be captain? Because Ponting struggles under pressure??? Ill Take Ponting and his average of 54 thanks. Not as Captain though.
Joel D
Guest
Brilliant comment James. Stick with a player who has shown no sign of scoring runs over another who has constantly improved since starting as a number 8 and while my not show form, at least has potential to.
Josh
Guest
That is a horrible side, even to the point where I would say it is worse then the one that just got flogged. Cameron White isn't up to the standard for his batting and Australians don't pick captain we pick a team and then a captain. My side for Next Summer - Because that is when this matters with a small practice tour in between - I think Katich, Ponting and Hussey all have to move on to give Australia a fresh start and a new captain a new team and era Shane Watson - Despite the fact he seems to struggle to go on to a big hundred at this stage he is still avreagi ng over 50 as an opener - what more can you want. Any move down the order exposes him to more spinners and I am not sure that will help him Shaun Marsh - Has been in really good form this year, has experience through the Australian one day team, was picked for Australia A with Hughes but had to withdraw injured so is the natural next in line after Hughes and has been showing form and technique. He has a strong family background in the Australian set up as well. I think the responsibility will help him and is my pick as the best current option to open with Watson Usman - With no Ricky - Usman is the man, he has shown not only great form and run scoring ability since entering the NSW side but also a great technique - No other option at number 3 for me Mark Cosgrove - I have kept Clarke in my team but slipped him back to his more comfortable position at number 5 which I think suits his batting better. This left me a whole at number 4 and I think Cosgrove is definatly the best option, a good enough player of pace to have opened for his state and a great player of spin. He has had his difficulties mainly around his fitness but now he is decently fit and continues to score heavily in a season when few are. He has always been probably the most talented of his generation and reminds all not just in physique but other areas of Boof Lehmann Brad Haddin - Good enough to bat at number 6 and this will allow him to play his natural game and not be hitting out as much because his partners are falling around him. The suggestion he open is ridiculous and the same reason Gilchrist didn't open - after perhaps 2 days in the field you can't send a keeper out to open, the idea of 2 keepers in the one team is also stupid it is a waste of a spot Andrew McDonald - This position is somewhat open and I went with McDonal due to our lack of batting strength and bowling strength meaning a good all rounder - who has been in fantastic form with bat and ball when not injured and shown the right temprement for test cricket . Steve Smith or Steve O'Keefe if he doesent take the postion below can continue to fight for this spot Steve O'Keefe/ Nathan Hauritz- Either O'Keefe who is a bit younger or Hauritz both have been in great form with both bat and ball and unlike other spinners they have been taking wickets at a decent average and both scoring runs - O'Keefe is the better batsmen and prob bowler as well but Hauritz has the experience and is in the form of his life - Why the selectors have persisted with leaving him out for the strugglers we have seen is beyond all Mitchell Johnson - Needs to work on his consistency and definatly shouldn't be immune from being dropped again but on his day is still the best strike bowler in the country and a devestating batsmen - If only he performed regulary but still a definate Ryan Harris / Doug Bollinger- With Harris having a bad run with injury unsure weather he will make it next year but one of these two needs to be in the team as a strike bowler- Bollinger needs to be fitter but the selectors are soemwhat to blame here and Harris less injured Peter Siddle- The Big Vic has proved himself a key team member this year and has taken wickets and big lots of wickets and shown agression Outside of the top 11 the key players to keep an eye out for Batsmen - Lynn from QLD and Maddison from NSW both young and playing well Ferguson might get a run but for me hasnt done enough in a long career and not enough Hundreds Bowlers - Josh Hazelwood from NSW out injured at the moment but the next top test bowler for mine once he gets back from injury and given he was taken over last year so do the selectors. Got his first NSW contract when still at school in Tamworth Hilfernhaus has had his chance and just doesent take enough wickets
James D
Guest
No. C White is not a test top quality standard player. I would have a poor form Ponting everyday of the week instead of Cam White. Haddin should be captain.
The Clint
Guest
I would love nothing more than Cam White to not only be selected as a batsman, but as captain. I think it's no secret around here that he is the best captain in the country. Plus he is more than good enough with the bat. I would have had him ahead of smith, North and Hughes for selection at the start of the ashes........ But I'm not a selector :P