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Well played national selectors in naming Usman Khawja, Chris Rogers, and James Faulkner in the 16-man squad for the Ashes.
After a summer of weird and hard-to-follow selections, the panel has come good.
Rogers especially. At 35, he could have been so easily overlooked as he has been for years, despite being a consistent run-getter in both Australia, and England.
In 233 first-class games in both countries, Rogers has accumulated 19,107 runs at 50.01 with 58 tons, and a top score of 319 for Middlesex against Gloucestershire in 2011.
Last Shield season 742 for the Vics at 49.19. He deserrves to be on the plane.
So does Faulkner. He’s only 22, 23 in a week, but seems to have been around forever.
His recognition stems from this season where he was so instrumental in Tasmania capturing the Shield.
In the decider, Faulkner scored 46 and 89 in the bottom half of te order, and took 3-40 off 22, and 1-20 off 14. He will relish those seaming England tracks.
Khawaja is a different kettle of fish. He was owed one by the selectors for treating him so shamefully on the Indian tour.
The panel compounded their treatment by not sending Khawaja home to Queensland where he could have played five games, including the final, instead of being a daily net man in India.
Justice has been done; better late than never.
The exclusions – Mitchell Johnson, Steve Smith, Moises Henriques, Xavier Doherty, Glenn Maxwell, and Ben Hilfenhaus.
Steve Smith can be counted as stiff. He showed up the top order in his two Tests in India and had there been a 17-man squad as originally intended, he probably would have made it. Cold comfort though, he had a foot on the plane.
There will be better days for Henriques, he has all-round talent. There’s a big question mark over Maxwell, and the end of the road looms likely for Johnson, Doherty, and Hilfenhaus.
Unlucky for Ashton Agar (19), and Fawad Ahmed (32) two spinners with great ability.
Agar will be in England during the tour, and could be called on. He will be a long-term baggy green capper.
The squad:
Michael Clarke (c), Brad Haddin (vc), Jackson Bird, Ed Cowan, James Faulkner, Ryan Harris, Phil Hughes, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, James Pattinson, Chris Rogers, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc, Matt Wade, David Warner, and Shane Watson.