I think the Aussie selectors picked Kat over Jaques because they're aware of what he can do. It's easy to pick a guy when he's hitting the ball well (as Jaques is right now) but the unknown quantity is what would sway them a bit. It would not have escaped their notice, for example, that a lot of Jaques' runs were scored square on the off-side and that is his strongest area and that the opposition apparently missed that. Once bowlers pick up on that, he'll be tested because he has a bit of Hayden about him; quick to jump on the front-foot and nail the ball through point but when cramped for room, looks vulnerable. That's exactly how Pollock got him in the first-innings of his first Test. That and they know if they drop Kat, he's unlikely to come back so they're giving him every chance to do well.
That said, I don't think he should be out of the team. I don't think Hodge should have replaced Punter; I would have opened with Jaques and had Kat at 3 for this match. Long-term, well, I'd be playing Jaques at every opportunity. Give him every opportunity to find his feet at international level before the WC.
howardj: Man, you assume a lot with very little evidence. You really like this 'evil Buchanan' theory of yours, don't you? Every time something weird happens, you blame him. How on Earth would you know how far his reach goes? Ponting is on record, in fact, as saying that stuff like batting order, etc. is largely down to him as captain.
