The Twenty20 squad for the upcoming matches on Australia Day (26th) and the 28th were named today with several players who were in the T20 World Cup squad not included.
They are Cameron White, Dan Christian, Brad Hogg, Clint McKay, Ben Hilfenhaus and most noticeably both the Hussey brothers with Mitchell Johnson also omitted in addition to Shane Watson and James Pattinson, who are yet to prove their fitness.
However, bad boy Shaun Marsh and veteran Adam Voges return to the side after their exile from the international scene.
Marsh has not played an international match since last year’s T20 against India and Voges has not played since early 2011 when he was man of the match against England in Perth.
Both players have been in good form in the BBL with Marsh topping the run scoring charts with 412 runs at 59 at a strike rate of 129.
The squad only features three players from the test series in David Warner, Matthew Wade and Mitchell Starc. It also includes three Aaron Finch, Glenn Maxwell and Ben Cutting from the ODI squad, but they have only played a combined number of eight ODIs.
The rest include Ben Laughlin, James Faulkner, Xavier Doherty and captain George Bailey.
What is really surprising are the omissions of David Hussey, who is arguably the best T20 player in the world, Cameron White, who is coming off an 88 in the semi-final against Brisbane, and Clint McKay, who has not only bowled well in the ODIs but is probably our best limited overs bowler currently.
Dan Christian, who was also not included, has been in terrific form with the ball and reasonable form with the bat.
“We’ve just picked the best squad that we can,” is what chairman of selectors John Inverarity said at the MCG, but the fact is without Clint Mckay nor Mitchell Johnson, our bowling attack looks very inexperienced and weak whilst without David Hussey, Cameron White or David Hussey, our middle order looks the same.
Despite the fact the top three in Warner, Finch and Marsh looks very strong statistically and with Voges and Bailey in the middle order, it is still not our best XI.
However, the squad looks better and probably stronger than the ODI squad was for the first two ODIs this series.
Although it isn’t the best Australia T20 side, almost every player in the squad is coming off either good form in the BBL or good form in the ODI series.
I would’ve liked to see Tim Paine given a chance to resurrect his international career or even James Hopes possibly.
I would’ve also liked to have seen Watson included in the squad to give a chance to prove his fitness and if he had played, get back into some sort of form.
White line
Guest
Warner couldn't captain the under 12b team... The rest of the boys would be smarter than him
piyush
Guest
]well done might but i prefer the squad like this david warner(c) ,matthew wade ,aaron finch,shaun marsh , clint mckay , dan christain , david hussey , mitchell johnson , shane watson , mitchell starc .
piyush
Guest
david warner is the best opening batsman in the world david warner should be picked in every game brad hodge should be also be back at the australian squad
aggregated drupe
Roar Pro
Mckay for Cutting, Dave Hussey for Bailey, Christian for Maxwell. And possibly Pomersbach or Rohrer for Voges.
Matt F
Roar Guru
A fast bowler short? We picked four of them!
sittingbison
Guest
lol Invers said Hoggy wasnt chosen because he was told the WT20 was his swansong. The real problem is Bailey being picked as captain. Redunculous. Pomersbach is actually a middle order batsman. As is Joe Burns. And we are a fast bowler short, either McKay or Johnson needed to be picked.
Renegade
Guest
David Hussey is certainly no where near being the best player in the world in any form of cricket. Cameron white has made one decent outing and Clint Mckay shouldn't even be in the ODI squad. There were only 2 people unlucky to miss out here and they were Pomerbasch and Beer. I would also have Johnson in there somewhere otherwise it's a pretty decent side for a T20 match.
Matt F
Roar Guru
The problem for Pomersbach is that we already have three T20 openers in the squad in Marsh, Finch and Warner. As well as Pomersbach played at the end of the tournament I can't justify him being picked ahead of those three and there are only so many top order spots available. Marsh/Finch, Finch/Warner or Marsh/Warner would also be pretty awesome opening combinations, potentially.
Matt F
Roar Guru
I wouldn't call White's omission surprising. He struggled all tournament until the semi where he made a good score as opener. The problem is that Finch, Warner, Marsh and even Pomersbach (who wasn't picked) are all openers and all are better than White. It's hard to pick White as a 4, 5 or 6 because he failed there for the Stars. Hopes wasn't great this tournament either. The major unlucky ones for me were Ben Rohrer and Michael Beer. On form Bailey wouldn't be there but he's captain so remains. Rohrer could have easily slotted in there while Beer was the standout Australian spinner for the tournament, though Doherty was pretty good as well. Actually I've just seen that Beer hurt his shoulder yesterday and is in doubt for the India tour, though this apparently happened after the T20 squad was named Obviously Pomersbach is a little unlucky as well but it's hard to fit him in given we already have three openers in the squad who all deserve to be there.
Kristin Carville
Roar Rookie
Have to disagree with you on some of the points here. Yes Cameron White scored a very good 88 in the semi final, but what has his form been like before that? Apart from a good finish to the IPL his form in general has been veyr poor for 2 years and he was very lucky to even make the squd for the WT20. Rohrer and Pomersbach are very unlucky to have missed out, as was Joe Burns. And as for the bowling - Christian's owling form has not been terrific as you say. He did bowl well in one game to get a 5 wicket haul, but overall he went at 9.3 per over in the comp. You say it is a weak attack with no Johnston and McKay - but have you watched Ben Laughlin? Leading wicket taker, went at 7.1 runs per over, I'd say he is pretty strong. McKay definitely unlucky to be there. Would like to have seen them pick Michael Beer instead of Xavier Doherty. Also feel you contradict yourself when you say its not our best XI but it is a side picked on form - so therefore is it not our best XI at the moment?
Trev
Roar Rookie
It's a broken record but Hodge can be counted unlucky as well.
josh
Roar Rookie
I'd say its pretty solid. Mot sold on Bailey in the T20 format. At least this team has some semblance as being picked on form.
formeropenside
Guest
Joe Burns. and Hartley as keeper
Tenash
Guest
the guy who was robbed most is definately Luke Pomersbach he is the best t20 batsman in australia on form alongwith S Marsh. Can u just imagine those 2 opening together? It would be freaking awesome. Also other changes on current BBL form would be Ben Rohrer and Chris Lynn for Bailey and Maxwell. What do u think guys ?