After reading a British article entitled "These Aussies can't catch, can't bowl & can't scare us", it got me thinking - what could Australia do to put some fear back into the English side for the upcoming Adelaide test?
As a whimsical hypothetical, do you think there is any way we could compile a squad that would actually make England feel somewhat uncertain and lose some of their confidence?
Currently, I think if the Aus squad stayed the same, England would go into Adelaide at a peak in confidence - they know our attack doesn't have any weapons which can harm them, and that some their bowlers can trouble our batsmen. Given that, I propose the following team which I think could instill some uncertainty back into their side:
Watson
Hughes (although he hasn't performed well against England, they know he can take a game away from them)
Ponting
M Hussey
D Hussey (in for Clarke, because they probably now see his injury as a weakness to exploit. Plus they would be aware of his dominant FC career)
Katich
Haddin
O'Keefe (in for Doherty. He performed pretty well against them in the Aus A game and scalped Pietersen. Plus they know he is a good batsmen.)
Harris (has ominous recent form and is an intimidating figure)
Copeland (X-factor bowler, they would know almost nothing about. Freakish FC stats.)
Bollinger (excellent recent form coupled with an impressive start to his test career).
So overall they would see a line-up with good batting down to no. 8, a dangerous opening combination, a spinner who has perfomed well against their batsmen and a potent and foreign looking fast bowling attack. This may not be the best team for the game, but I think it could bring some fear back to the Poms before it starts.