With the Ashes approaching and increasing amounts of work/study to procrastinate from it’s time to take stock of Australia’s side and prospects.
In recent days we have had Ricky Ponting’s views (albeit via Murdoch press) bandied about the world begging for a return to better days, with better captains and better batsmen.
Fair enough – to a degree. Regarding the captaincy, Michael Clarke has been a revelation on the field with his tactics and skill.
He treats his bowlers as skilled weaponry to be deployed at specific times to further weaken the opposition, while dragging his batsmen into battle behind him with force and finesse.
The loneliest place appears to be at his war council table, where a dearth of ideas and support has seemingly held Australia back from creating the great the counter-offensives it needs.
With that in mind, here are what I believe to be the men that can start it off in Brisbane:
1. Chris Rogers
2. David Warner
3. Shane Watson
4. Michael Clarke
5. Steve Smith
6. George Bailey
7. Brad Haddin
8. Mitch Johnson
9. Peter Siddle
10. Ryan Harris
11. Nathan Lyon
Johnson and Warner get the nod for their potential devastation and to show the world how people can prosper under Captain Clarke. Bailey offers a cool head, cooler hands and compliments Haddin and Smith in the think tank.
This side does however require a bit of forward planning: Haddin, Rogers and Watson will not be long for this world (one-eyed, old and well… Watson).
The second push will see the likes of Hughes, Khawaja and the second coming of Cowan reach their potential in 2014/15 before heralding Maddinson, Silk and Co.
With any luck one day we will finally see the trio of Starc, Cummins and Pattinson all bowling missiles down to a battered and beaten England.
Australia can beat England this summer. I believe they will too.
But the Gabba is the first battle only. It’s now Australia versus the world – and it will be longer than a six day fight, this war will take years. But it can, and will, be won.
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
Haven't we had enough "Here's my team for the Ashes" posts? Especially when you are just picking the 9 players basically already guaranteed spots and then doing something as stupid as saying that Bailey's ODI form, which he's never in his career shown coincides remotely to form in the longer format, is reason to pick him for the one batting spot available. Please. Enough already!
rp
Guest
Trotts career is ending
Brendon the 1st
Guest
Khawaja and Johnson, no thanks, I'd like to actually win. Khawaja is about 6th in line and Mitch may win or lose it in the first day, risking one of them would be silly enough but both, not a chance
Dan Ced
Guest
My Team (pending domestic form before the Ashes): Rogers, Klinger, Watson, Clarke, Khawaja, Smith, Paine, Johnson, Siddle, Harris, Lyon, (Faulkner 12th man) Seems the majority would go with Hartley over Haddin/Wade/Paine but he's injured supposedly. Faulkner 12th man in case bowling depth or injury causes an issue. Cutting has been mentioned as a worthy replacement for Starc/Johnson, was unlucky not to get a cap last year. I'd be willing to de-list Johnson for him, I just haven't seen enough of him yet. Klinger in for Watson because I'm biased, but he's in form and an experienced campaigner. Also good addition to any leadership group, since I'm buggering off Haddin from the team.
Dan Ced
Guest
On current form you'd have to consider Faulkner over Henriques, but I'd probably still shove Khawaja in that spot unless bowling depth is questioned in the first test of the series. How pacey is Cutting, much of a strike bowler? Perhaps I could put him in my lineup instead of Wayward Johnson. I don't think there is quite enough time to consider a replacement for Haddin, Although Paine is looking good in Ryobi, Ludeman too but not as much with the bat. Wade scoring well with the bat but I've seen his standard of keeping and I'm not a fan.
Dan Ced
Guest
White has scored well and consistently(haven't seen him do it though). I've had my eye on him, but Klinger is still ahead in runs this Ryobi comp. :)
Dan Ced
Guest
I like this team, I think Warner needs this season in domestic competition to grow up. You can safely ignore his form until Finch hits a rough patch in ODI's again. Klinger in his place. I really wish there was a pacey alternative to Johnson that I know about, his shortcomings are well documented even if his current form is decent (don't want to blood someone in the Ashes really, what are our high pace options domestically?) I've become a critic of Haddin, although I'm certain they won't replace him until after the Ashes. Paine looking decent with gloves and bat. Ludeman showed glimpses last season and always looks decent with the gloves to me but his batting can still be a bit flaky. Hughes can keep his ODI spot but I feel Khawaja is probably the better bet for larger scores, hopefully he doesn't prove me wrong. I'd like to replace Siddle with Sayers next year some time if Sayers good form continues, but not for this Ashes.
Aakash bhat
Guest
Aus will win the ashes 3-1
TonyM
Guest
I would open with Klinger instead of Warner.Warner has been inconsistent in the Ryobi Cup.The fact there is only a couple of Shield games before the 1st test makes it hard to select on long term form.I would go for Moises Henriques at number 6.Watson only as a specialist batsman so it gives them to bring in a allrounder in the middle order.I would have Cutting in as the replacement for Starc.Unfortunately you just don't know what you are going to get from Mitchell Johnston.I would prefer to see him getting bags of wickets in Shield cricket that he has achieved some consistency.Haddin will be in the side .I would have gone for Hartley except he is out injured.My side is as follows: Rogers Klinger Watson Clarke Smith Henriques Haddin Cutting Siddle Harris Lyon
Blowsey
Guest
Good article! Extra Hype might be one way to break down England and this article certainly gets the Hype Whirlwind going!!!! Sadly this is a bit of a "Dads Army" selection. Then again England did it in the Rugby!
Buckers
Guest
Hughes should open. He didn't do all that much wrong in the Ashes! He made 81*, 1 & 1. And he is batting well in India! Bailey is not Test match material.
Swampy
Guest
Age for a keeper is entirely relevant. Haddin's reflexes are not going to improve in the next 6 months. I would prefer to see what Paine or someone else has to offer than stick with Haddin. We will look like idiots if Paine or someone else comes in next season and is very solid at test level, when we had the opportunity to pick them now and didn't. For the record I hope Haddin (should he play) does well - I just fear he has declined a lot with his batting and that is what he holds his spot for over other better keepers.
Timmuh
Roar Guru
Who cares about his age? For Test selection, utterly irrelevant. As I said, I would take Hartley, who I believe to be the best gloveman. Paine is not the keeper he was before his injuries, and from memory has never scored a First Class hundred when playing as wicketkeeper. I think he has one century, which was made with Clingeleffer still keeping for Tas. Paine is probably behind Haddin on the batting front, despite Haddin's brainsnaps with the willow. Not that I think batting should play a major part when selecting a Test keeper anyway.
Swampy
Guest
Your use of the word 'good' belies your argument. At 35 and poor with bat along with being 'good' with the gloves means we should pick someone who is very good or excellent and can do more with the bat.
Timmuh
Roar Guru
His glovework towards the end of the Ashes was pretty good, far better than merely "better than Wade". One chance aside, the last three Tests he was good. The first two were not so good, but even then not Wadastrophic. IMO, Hartley has been the best gloveman in the country for a few years now, but apparently has an injury at the moment. Regardless of who we believe should be in (and I would go with Hartley if fit, perhaps Ludeman next in line) Haddin will be picked.
Hookin' YT
Guest
Silver Sov, thats not a bad side. Probably the best we can do. Spot on Haddin has to go and the Bailey Johnson thing has a touch of the Sarah Palin about it. -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
Alex
Guest
With bailey in terrific odi form, why hasn't anyone mentioned Cameron white who is also in great ryobi cup form.
Manoj
Guest
My team is: Rogers, Warner/Klinger, Watson, Khawaja, Clarke, Smith, Haddin, Johsnon, Harris, Siddle, Lyon
Manoj
Guest
Good comments, i think the way Ryobi form is going you will have Khawaja, Hughes, Klinger and Warner fighting for spots via shield runs and that's good for Australian cricket.
Manoj
Guest
Good article, only change i would make is to have Khawaja in the top 6 but it all depends on early shield form. He has started Ryobi well and if he can carry thta into shield he deserves to be at Brisbane. Bailey needs to get shield runs in the one game he gets when he returns even if its just a 50