The squad for the four Test matches to be played is:
Code:
PLAYER STATE AGE
Ricky Ponting, Captain TAS 33
Michael Clarke, Vice-Captain NSW 26
Doug Bollinger NSW 27
Stuart Clark NSW 32
Brad Haddin NSW 30
Matthew Hayden QLD 36
Michael Hussey WA 32
Phil Jaques NSW 28
Mitchell Johnson QLD 26
Simon Katich NSW 32
Jason Krejza TAS 25
Brett Lee NSW 31
Bryce McGain VIC 36
Peter Siddle VIC 23
Shane Watson QLD 27
Interesting squad there. Krejza is a decent off spinner who can bat a bit from what I have heard, but I don't see why he should of been selected. He will not get a run while Bryce McGain is there. But as in my report, he may just be this spinner Australia are blooding. I said, "The next topic I wish to cover is Australia's spinner. We need one, who is a front line spinner, not some part timer, like Andrew Symonds or Michael Clarke. Although Clarke has been talking to former leg spin king, Shane Warne, not doing much bowling, just discussing field placements, how to bowl to certain batsmen, where to pitch it, etc.
I think Australia's spinner should be Bryce McGain, even though he is a quick fix. He will be good enough for the tour of India, New Zealand's tour here, and finally the South African tour. However, we may need to blood a spinner, for the 2009 Ashes, because if McGain can't last that long, we will be lost on the spin friendly pitches of England." This is correct, and Australia may just be making the right move in selecting him, so he can hang around the team a bit, and get the feel of things. I can see him sending down a few in the One Dayers as well, where McGain can be rested.
Watson will only be for the One Dayers.
Great to see Bollinger in the side, exactly what we need, so he can play Tests and Johnson can bowl in the ODI's. As I have said many times before, he is a one day player, and he gets the ball to bend back in to the right handers, which is great. It will be interesting to see how much swing any of the Australian bowlers can get from these pitches.
From the squad above, I think we can expect a side looking a little something like this:
1. Matthew Hayden
2. Phil Jaques
3. Ricky Ponting
4. Michael Hussey
5. Michael Clarke
6. Simon Katich/Shane Watson
7. Brad Haddin
8. Brett Lee
9. Stuart Clark
10. Bryce McGain
11. Doug Bollinger
The only position I am unsure about in there is number 6, where we no longer have Andrew Symonds, for this tour at least. I think Simon Katich should be selected over Shane Watson, for 2 main reasons;
1 - Because Katich is better at rebuilding innings after losing a few wickets, where Harbhajan and Kumble will rip through our top order on our pitches.
2 - He offers more spin, which is what you need on Indian, low, spinning pitches. And with Lee, Clark and Bollinger holding up the fast bowling attack, as well as McGain sending down some leggies, another fast bowler is not needed.
One more note, I don't know where McGain bats, so I just slotted him in at number 10. Correct me if he would bat in a different spot.
And yes, that did drag on, and makes no sense at all.
Jake's cricket posts are great value IMO. One of the best young CC posters we've had on here in my time I reckon. Has been overlooked somewhat due to the unnecessary stuff with spinksy, that isn't really going on now.
Jake, hope you stick with us here at CW as I reckon you might well turn out to be an awesome poster.
Thanks mate. I have really been trying to improve my foruming of late, and I think it has been going alright. I love my Cricket, and have a good knowledge, for someone my age at least. Also, thanks to everyone who commented on my preview, it was a bit washed up and fast, but it was good enough to post up imo.
? At least they picked McGain who definitely deserves to be their. A bit disappointed that Bracken isn't even in the squad IMO. Reckon his slow cutters could be very useful on the Indian pitches.
