Australia's Ashes squad named.

[Mr. Wicket]

16 men. Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke, Stuart Clark, Brad Haddin, Nathan Hauritz, Ben Hilfenhaus, Phillip Hughes, Michael Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Simon Katich, Brett Lee, Graham Manou, Andrew McDonald, Marcus North, Peter Siddle, Shane Watson. No real arguments aside from :banghead: McDonald :banghead:, who could still be somewhat handy if there's an old-school damp English seaming wicket. Manou is a bit of a surprise, but no complaints having him as backup keeper ahead of others based on his showing this season. No Hodge = me happy, so maybe that makes up a little for :banghead: McDonald :banghead: And I await Prof's thoughts on the lack of Symonds. :--D

[cowboysfan]

wow-they selected the most brittle man in international cricket Shane Watson and Andrew macdonald instead of Symonds.there is no way Watson is going to last the whole 5 match series.he might actually get injured in the world cup so Symonds can actually play in the Ashes.

[Mr. Wicket]

Symonds is brittle with the bat and useless with the ball in England. A bit of pace will have him nicking to the cordon non-stop this series. Watson's batting is significantly better, and Ronald McDonald hopefully will not need to play - if they need to, they can pick North ahead of him and then four quicks in Clark, Bung, Mitch and Siddle. (Just wish Bung had been axed for Bollinger. Ah well. :(()

[f.b.m]

From what I can see, ACB is taking revenge on Symonds for his behaviour and attitude problems (no other explanations for him being left out). And as far as Ronald McDonald goes, I somehow started to be convinced by his "ability" with the ball. Yes, its a slow, painful process but it could happen to you this series, Salil. And as for him bowling in English conditions, he bowled reasonably well in the Sydney test against SA where the wicket was dry and slow and he had said that he prefers those type of wickets. He then went on to bowl quite well in South Africa. Yea he didnt set the world on fire but he did exactly what his captain told him to do. The worst selection I think is Hauritz instead of Krezja. I cant believe that an off spinner who doesnt know how to bowl an offspinner has been selected for an ashes series. Still, the best option imo would be to play no spinners at all and just squeeze a few overs from North and Clarke.

[Mr. Wicket]

I dunno fbm, his performance in the last series v. Steyn was rather iffy and I don't think he's #6 material any more. Certainly not ahead of Watson (who has really shown a lot of improvement and application with the bat) or North. McDonald IMO is more in contention for a bowling a/r spot at 8, so more in competition w/ a fourth bowler than with Symmo. As for Ronald McDonald, I hope you are right. Better yet, I hope neither of us is given a chance to be proved right, and that Watson/North fill the all-rounder's spot with four specialist bowlers being selected in all 5 tests. Hauritz instead of Krezja is understandable, as bad a decision as it is. CA recently named their central contracts, and Krezja was not handed one. Hauritz was. So I had already reconciled myself to that idiocy. Agree though that no spinners are necessary. Johnson, Clark, Lee and Siddle + an a/r will do just fine.

[cowboysfan]

Symonds is brittle with the bat and useless with the ball in England. A bit of pace will have him nicking to the cordon non-stop this series. Watson's batting is significantly better, and Ronald McDonald hopefully will not need to play - if they need to, they can pick North ahead of him and then four quicks in Clark, Bung, Mitch and Siddle. (Just wish Bung had been axed for Bollinger. Ah well. :(()

lol-Symonds averages 40 in tests while Watson averages 19(with one measly 50 to his name).In my mind its no contest.Symonds is being punished for his behaviour and its unlikely he will make it to another Ashes squad if he doesnt play in this one.

[King]

No Symonds.... surprised I am but I guess it's ok. Last time around Symonds was dropped from one of the ODIs because he was utterly drunk when he made it to the ground. He has repeated this quite recently too so displine ahead of talent works for me. Never know how the younger players may actually do. They have to be given a good chance. Would have liked to see Hodge in the team, terrific batsman he is. For the first time in over a decade the Aussie team on paper looks easily beatable. That said what's on paper don't really materialize often and the team that plays better overall cricket without even the reputed players in fact wins the games.

[Mr. Wicket]

For the first time in over a decade the Aussie team on paper looks easily beatable.

Yes. But by England? India and South Africa are clearly superior teams to them. England IMO are not, unless they get spininng pitches on which Swann will be the difference between the two sides.

[Chandan]

So the squad is basically like this: Batsmen: Hughes Katich Ponting Clarke Hussey North Allrounders: Haddin Monou MacDonald Watson Bowlers Lee Johnson Hilfenhaus Siddle Clark Hauritz Why don't they have someone for a batting cover? Why are they giving 30 years old Monou the exposure which he might never utilize? Why not choose a young keeper from the domestic scene like Heartley, Wade or Ronchi? Pace bowling department looks satisfactory. I'm sure Bollinger will get chances in future. But right now Johnson, Siddle and Hilfy are doing fine. If needed, they have Lee and Clark to fall back on. Spin is as good as non existent.

[Mr. Wicket]

Because Ronchi has been in god-awful form this season and his keeping's scratchy. Hartley is very good behind the stumps, and lousy in front of them. Wade is nothing special. If Haddin gets injured for any reason, I'd want Manou playing ahead of Ronchi and the other two jokers.

[Chorazin Reto]

""and Ronald McDonald hopefully will not need to play"" How did this clown get selected, why not take Jaques for extra batting cover or something, why an extra all rounder and Ronald Mcdonald at that. I would take Symonds easily over Ronald Macdonald, its a no brainer. And they are persisting with Horrid who throws pies all day, seriously the part time spin of Clarke, Katich, North i think is more than enough. Overall from what ive seen of Horrid, pups spin is almost on par. The only reason i can think of for his selection is an old school heavy English track where they will want spin operating from both ends for extended periods. Watching Horrid bowl makes me want to throw bricks at the TV.

[Chandan]

Guess you all will love this here: Nasser's assessment of Australia's Ashes squad

[diegovegaz]

good enough to beat england fair and square

[Shane]

A strong squad, good to see Watson back in the mix. Probable XI for the first Test. Hughes Katich Ponting Hussey Clarke Haddin Watson Johnson Lee Hilfenhaus Hauritz Preferred Hilfenhaus over Siddle, coz the conditions in England might suit his type of bowling.

[Lord]

A strong squad, good to see Watson back in the mix. Probable XI for the first Test. Hughes Katich Ponting Hussey Clarke Haddin Watson Johnson Lee Hilfenhaus Hauritz Preferred Hilfenhaus over Siddle, coz the conditions in England might suit his type of bowling.

i wud play both n drop Hauritz

[Shane]

i wud play both n drop Hauritz

Considering the Pommie's prowess against spinners, i would like to play atleast one spinner, with Katich and Clarke as part timers.

[cowboysfan]

Considering the Pommie's prowess against spinners' date=' i would like to play atleast one spinner, with Katich and Clarke as part timers.[/quote'] what about the aussies prowess against spin?.they have looked godawful recently against even part timers.

[Shane]

what about the aussies prowess against spin?.they have looked godawful recently against even part timers.

Wokay, but i thought we were discussing the Auzzie Eleven.

[cowboysfan]

when is the English team announced?.It will be interesting to see if they incluse Monty in the squad.Already there has been sme grumbling about the Cardiff pitch as it is rated poor for offering "excessive spin".

[amits]

y no shaun marsh :banghead: