CA contracted players: Johnson holds on, Cowan missed out

Johnson is lucky to be in the best 17 fast bowlers in the country, let alone the 17 best cricketers.

I don't think he can change his style Alexander. I think he has a very certain pattern and is very much a rhythm bowler. He has probably been bowling the same way for many many years so it is programmed and would take years to change that, which is time he does not have. Plus I'm sure in his mind he probably thinks he can become more accuracy without changing anything, except maybe a wrist position, or elbow angle etc. Let's cut him and lets move on.

I absolutely agree. And if he has improved and can now bowl as part of our bowling unit, as opposed to continuing the erratic style which characterised his bowling prior to his injury (most notably in the last Ashes series), then (as has been echoed by people above) let him demonstrate this through shield cricket so that he is only chosen for the test team when he is among the best four bowlers on current form.

How can anyone at CA HQ miss the fact that since Johnson has not been playing our bowling unit has hunted like a pack, working with each other, strangling the batsmen of runs, before finally picking up their scalps. Johnson is the most erratic bowler I have ever seen and England smashing him around in the last two Ashes campaign will justify that statement. He has no place in the current team nor in a future, which Pattison, Cummins and Stark the future. The aforementioned players also have different elements which can work together in getting wickets in all conditions, the raw pace and angle in from Cummins, the swing of Pattinson and the bounce from Stark ( needs to be blooded but will hopefully get there ). It is an exciting time for fast bowlers in Australian cricket, going back to Johnson is a step backwards, one I hope we do not take. I'm sure there's an IPL team waiting for him.

I suppose it may simply mean that the selectors think one opener's position is not filled. Cowan can get it, Hughes can get it, Marsh can get it, anyone can get it as long as they are good enough. Not such a bad thing. But I do agree that it's weird Johnson gets a contract. They might as well have cut the list down to 16 and save more money.

On those 3 criteria, it's ridiculous that Johnson got a contract and Cowan didn't. Tests and form in the last 12 months having a priority? Apparently not!

I absolutely agree that Johnson will not be selected again, and certainly not in the next 12 months. There have been a range of bowlers (Ryan Harris, Ben Hilfenhaus, James Pattinson, Pat Cummins, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Stark) who have been given opportunity in his absence and proven their ability to bowl consistently (something Johnson seemed to struggle with at any ground that wasn't the WACA).

Dan, Even though I disagree with you it's good to see you still supporting Lee like you did for my article - http://www.theroar.com.au/2012/03/26/brett-lee-drop-the-man-and-the-chainsaw/ Lee dismissed Tendulkar 5 times in tests (avg 50.4) and 9 times in ODI (avg 17.00). Which proves the point awesome ODI bowler (back then) but not so good in Tests. Well done by him to retain his high contract rating given his ordinary test output.

What exactly do you expect Invers to say? "Oh well, he's a bit mediocre but he's the best we can do at present?" It might be truth but it's hardly the selectors' place to state that sort of thing. Cowan has only been in the team since the Indian tour. He wasn't the first opener chosen by the new selection committee. It seems that any player that someone doesn't agree with being in the team is automatically interpreted by that someone as being 'mates' with or being a 'favourite' of the coach, skipper or selectors.

Perhaps Cowan's bright persona provides a counter to the total gormlessness of those who appear regularly in TV ads.

Maybe Cowan can deliver a stirring/cringeworthy patriotic address in which he regales those gathered about how his body and soul run on Aussie spirit, soldiers' exploits, mateship etc. etc.

A reflection on Johnson's mediocrity rather than Lee's decent career.

Brett Lee started very, very well, but ultimately as a Test bowler he never really reached the heights his early fast, full, swinging stuff suggested he might and, like Symonds, the 2009 home summer was one too far for him.

Don't forget SA won 3 Tests against Australia that summer. Though admittedly that did coincide with Johnson's purple patch which belied the fact that his bowling action and batting techniques are flawed.

Our definitions of either "one of Austalia's best bowlers" or "quite a while" differ somewhat. I would say that for one summer, at most, and quite possibly only the one series in South Africa he was one of Australia's best bowlers. His Ashes campaigns, bar one Test in Perth, have been diabolical so I wouldn't want him as a mentor based on that record - and I really don't think a contract should be given on the basis of a possible mentoring role in twelve months time. Apparently he was given a two year deal last time arond, hopefully that is the only reason he has a contract this time around. A legacy contract, rather than a deserved one. And, with more hope than expectation, hopefully he can come good again. If he ever does, there's no reason not to play him; but the evidence isn't very strong that he will do so.

Rhys, totally understand where you are coming from; but if he is the best in the country- i don't see why age should be a factor.

I know it seems like a far-fetched idea given his form at the moment but Johnson was one of Australia's best bowlers for quite a while. He was instrumental in the 2009 Australian summer against South Africa, he has played ashes which will help players like Cummings etc. who haven't played one but are on the verge of playing their first. I think CA do have a plan, i mean i don't think he will be break into Australia's best eleven in the near future. Otherwise you would.t be making such rash decisions if you are cutting eight player contracts.

D. Hussey is a fine batsman and is arguably showing some of the best form of his career. If Test places are picked on form (which they should be), then I have no problem with him making his Test debut on that basis. However, David Hussey will turn 35 next month. At best he is an interim solution for any middle order worries, and in any case who would he replace? Will one of the ageing Ponting or Michael Hussey (37 going on 38) be replaced by somone just 2-3 years younger? Age shouldn't be a determining factor over and above form, but it's a sad indictment on the under 30 batting ranks in Australia if someone makes their Test debut at a time when most batsman are having the words 'Test retirement' associated with their name.

Quote: Inverarity is an unabashed fan of Cowan's intelligence and even temper, and described him as an "integral" member of the Test XI. "Everyone must keep performing, but Ed is firmly in place as our opening batsman at the moment. He is firmly in place," Inverarity said. "He is a fine young man, an intelligent man and he is an integral part of the test team. We have in as captain of the Australia A team and we think he has real leadership potential. He has four matches in England which will be terrific preparations for the Ashes the following season." So, don't worry about Mr Ed cause he's so intelligent, Invers will make sure he gets a start every time he can, even picked him already for the Ashes too it seems! How can he possibly say that a year ahead of the event. Doesn't matter about his cricket performances, inconsistency at test level, he's 30 yo, his 20's are as good as 50's (just ask him, he'll tell you) and I have seen enough comments written by Ed himself to know that he is NOT leadership potential, surely they jest at that idea. No shortage of talking himself up and that in a new player on the test scence is quite unattractive. This stuff implies to me that he is not a team player to start with. He's not worthy to be the captain of any other team(s) but it's OK, his brilliant "intelligence" will apparently get him by. Favourtism is so obvious with the new and not so improved NSP.

Well said bob, totally agree -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.