*Official* First Test at the Gabba

[Nate]

Doherty and maybe Siddle the surprises. As has already been said - SO much hangs on this next week. Pray for good weather.

 

[James]

I went down for the announcement and it started to absolutely pour down with rain. Now I'm back at my desk soaking wet.

Damn weather!

 

[JBMAC]

Ricky Ponting (c),
Michael Clarke (vc)
Doug Bollinger
Xavier Doherty
Callum Ferguson
Brad Haddin
Ryan Harris
Nathan Hauritz
Mike Hussey
Ben Hilfenhaus
Mitchell Johnson
Simon Katich
Usman Khawaja
Marcus North
Peter Siddle
Steven Smith

Shane Watson

17 man squad.Who will be in first eleven?

 

[howardj]

Ricky Ponting (c),
Michael Clarke (vc)
Doug Bollinger
Xavier Doherty
Callum Ferguson
Brad Haddin
Ryan Harris
Nathan Hauritz
Mike Hussey
Ben Hilfenhaus
Mitchell Johnson
Simon Katich
Usman Khawaja
Marcus North
Peter Siddle
Steven Smith

Shane Watson

17 man squad.Who will be in first eleven?

I already out scooped you by exclusively revealing this squad much much earlier lol

On your question, I think Usman, Ferguson, Smith, Doherty, Siddle and Harris (because he is injured) will miss.

 

[Ruckus]

Where the hell is Phillip Hughes?

 

[Johnners]

Squad is a bit baffling but anyway. Still don't think we'll see any major changes for the first test barring ones forced through injuries.

 

[vic_orthdox]

Think Howie is on the money. Siddle to be 12th for mine.

 

[Nate]

Where the hell is Phillip Hughes?

Still trying to remember how to score runs for NSW.

 

[Prince EWS]

Doherty?

 

[Johnners]

Quite

 

[howardj]

He only just beat Krejza for a spot in the Tassie XI

 

[Spark]

Yeah I'm banking on the same team as last time.

 

[Prince EWS]

Yeah I'm banking on the same team as last time.

After seeing the squad, I actually really hope so now. Otherwise we might be subjected to Ferguson or Doherty.

 

[Ruckus]

Can someone explain how naming squads works? They announce a massive 17-man squad, yet will trim it down to 12-13 players next week. Isn't there like an upper limit to how big the initial squad can be?

 

[howardj]

Can someone explain how naming squads works? They announce a massive 17-man squad, yet will trim it down to 12-13 players next week. Isn't there like an upper limit to how big the initial squad can be?

limited only by the number of players that can fit on the Opera House steps

 

[Noble One]

Doherty? I know he stands only a 5% chance of being selected, but it is seriously frightening that he was included in the squad. The Australian selection policies when it comes to spinners is terrible. One good game and you will make the Test squad.

The other selections are fine; Ferguson was always going to be selected. Some may complain that McDonald should be selected, but he wasn't selected for Australia 'A', so he was never going to get a crack in the Test squad.

If I was picking a bloated squad that was to be cut back, I would simply have selected the Test and Australia 'A' squad and then cut it back when need be. I'm not sure what attitude the likes of Hughes and White may carry into the tour game knowing they aren’t seen as part of a 17 man Test squad.

 

[Prince EWS]

Doherty? I know he stands only a 5% chance of being selected, but it is seriously frightening that he was included in the squad.

Yeah, I was pleasantly surprised when he wasn't picked for Australia A. Evidently he wasn't picked because he was a shoe-in regardless.

 

[Ruckus]

I'm really suprised Hughes isn't in the squad because I thought Katich was one of their main concerns. If he is injured, or his injury becomes exacerbated and he can't play, I wonder who is the replacement opener?

 

[outbreak]

It's stupid announcing the squad so early. Should be happening after the Aus A game has been played. What happens if players go out next round and ton up against England or in their shield games and players in the squad make ducks? No chance of bringing them in for the first test now?

 

[Noble One]

I'm really suprised Hughes isn't in the squad because I thought Katich was one of their main concerns. If he is injured, or his injury becomes exacerbated and he can't play, I wonder who is the replacement opener?

The Australian selectors don't have to stick to the squad selected. If Katich couldn't play they would just call in Hughes. This isn't like the World Cup, Australia can select 50 players for the squad if they really wanted too.