ASHES 2010/11: Australia's squad

[Feed]

Injury-hit Australia forced to name a huge 17-man squad for Ashes opener Australia have named an extended squad of 17 players for the first Ashes Test against England starting in Brisbane on November 25. More... Selectors cover all bases for Ashes opener Jamie Pandaram November 15, 2010 Ashes call-up for 'exciting' new faces An extended squad of 17 players has been selected for the opening Ashes Test in Brisbane next week. Tasmanian left-arm spinner Xavier Doherty is the shock pick in an expanded squad of 17 chosen by the Australian selectors for the opening Ashes Test in Brisbane, starting next Thursday. Incumbent spinner Nathan Hauritz's spot is in doubt following a forgettable tour of India and an inconsistent display for NSW last week in the Sheffield Shield match against Victoria at the SCG. Fellow New South Welshman Steve Smith is the third spinner named in the squad. Doherty, who took four wickets in his one-day international debut against Sri Lanka in Melbourne two weeks ago, could be thrust into the Ashes frontline for his Test debut in Brisbane. ..Selectors have been forced to name an unusually expanded squad due to injury concerns to Michael Clarke (back), Doug Bollinger (stomach strain), Simon Katich (thumb) and Ryan Harris (knee). Young opening batsman Phillip Hughes was left out of the squad with middle-order candidates Usman Khawaja and Callum Ferguson called in as cover. Khawaja and Ferguson have their chance to press their claims for a Test debut in this week's Australia A match against England in Hobart. Clarke, Katich and Bollinger downplayed their injury concerns today stating they would be fully fit for the Ashes opener but Harris's chronic knee injury is more of a concern. Clarke, who spent long periods of NSW's Shield match against Victoria off the field after aggravating his back while scoring a century, is supremely confident he will be fit. "The back's OK," he said. "It's still a little bit stiff but I'm certain it will be fine for the first Test in Brisbane." Selectors will trim the squad after the next round of Shield matches starting on Wednesday. In all, five quicks were selected with Harris forcing his way in following a career-best Sheffield Shield return in Tasmania last week. Harris claimed 9-140, but team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said the joint required ongoing management. "His [Harris's] availability for the first Ashes Test will be determined later this week," Kountouris said. Chief selector Andrew Hilditch stressed the large number of players selected was a result of wanting to see players in more first-class action. ""It's a longer squad than normal primarily because we want to take a look at the next round of Sheffield Shield games and the very important Australia A series," chief selector Andrew Hilditch told a handful of fans at a rain-soaked announcement at Sydney's [ Images ] Circular Quay. "The squad will be reduced to 12 or 13 immediately before the players arrive in Brisbane. It will be a lot of pressure on the players with such a big squad." ," Hilditch said. "The [selection panel] has been pleased with the performance of the Test side in India. However, we were obviously disappointed in the result with two losses in games where we felt the result could easily have been different, and we realise there are some important areas we need to improve on before this summer's matches. "Nathan Hauritz has performed exceptionally well over the past 12 months for Australia and one of the biggest decisions we will need to make is whether we go into the first Test in Brisbane with a right-arm off-spinner or with the variation of a left-arm orthodox bowler," Hilditch said. Australian squad: Ricky Ponting (captain), Michael Clarke (vice-captain), Shane Watson, Simon Katich, Callum Ferguson, Mike Hussey, Marcus North, Usman Khawaja, Brad Haddin, Nathan Hauritz, Steve Smith, Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle, Ben Hilfenhaus, Doug Bollinger, Ryan Harris, Xavier Doherty.

[rusty_theron11]

This Ashes series will be very tough. Both sides are charged up in this series.

[hari504504]

*Usman Khawaja : Prolific domestic batsman, could easily cement his spot in the current Aussie senior batting line-up given a chance. likewise for Ferguson Aussies better use the unknown quantity - Doherty in the First test..spring a bit of a surprise. Hauritz has had his share of chances.

[Bradman99]

Interesting, no Phil Hughes there. He hasn't done much lately anyway

[Feed]

Australia's overblown squad smacks of concern, indecision and disarray Australia picked their team for the Ashes yesterday. Or rather they named 17 players, enough to fill a squad for a packed three-month tour rather than one match, the first Test at Brisbane in nine days. Maybe they think that many will be needed to beat England. More... Australia's overblown squad smacks of concern, indecision and disarray In a rare show of insecurity hosts name 17 players ahead of first Test as team struggles for form and fitness By Stephen Brenkley Tuesday, 16 November 2010 Australia picked their team for the Ashes yesterday. Or rather they named 17 players, enough to fill a squad for a packed three-month tour rather than one match, the first Test at Brisbane in nine days. Maybe they think that many will be needed to beat England. Whatever the reasoning, it smacked of indecision, concern and procrastination. The announcement, made in a specially convened event at Sydney Harbour, was less like selection than organising one of those competitions in nursery schools where everyone wins a prize. At one point, it was possible to think every professional cricketer in the country was about to be given the selectorial nod. But they stopped at 17, the youngest at 21 years old being Steve Smith, a leg-spinning all-rounder, the eldest at nearly 36 the captain, Ricky Ponting. Three of them, Callum Ferguson, Usman Khawaja and Xavier Doherty are uncapped at Test level, another, Ryan Harris, has played two matches. There is no chance that three debutants will play in Brisbane. The caution has partly been enforced by injury doubts but the poor form of senior players allied to the recent 2-0 defeat in India after they made above 400 in the first innings of both matches has seriously taken the spring out of the Australia step (the swagger in the hips disappeared long ago). By prevarication and the picking of walking wounded they are turning into the England of not so long ago. It means there are still places to play for in the final round of Sheffield Shield matches coming up this week and perhaps especially in the four-day encounter between Australia A and England in Hobart starting tomorrow. Rumours had abounded for days that the showbiz event in the shadow of Sydney Opera House would be less than conclusive. So it proved, which made the exercise fairly meaningless. It was staged partly to add razzmatazz to the series, partly no doubt to satisfy sponsors but it did not fulfil expectations. The intended ostentation embraced a tent, a plucky Channel 9 commentator, a crowd of around 30, many of whom must have been disappointed not to be picked, and a wet morning in Sydney. There was the distinct feeling of a parade being rained on. It may as well have been in a dungeon. At any other time over the past two decades, had such a carnival been felt necessary, make no mistake that the Aussies would have named 11 players and a 12th man and said something like: "Right mate, that's our team, beat it if you can. And by the way we don't think you've got a prayer." Then it might have worked. Nothing of the sort accompanied Andrew Hilditch, Australia's chairman of selectors, yesterday as he read out the names. He was clearly not entirely comfortable with the proceedings but these days, as his counterpart Geoff Miller has found in England, such chaps are expected to be song-and-dance men as well as good judges of cricketers. Hilditch and his fellow selectors have decided not to reveal their hand yet because they do not know what it is. There was an element of their being railroaded into yesterday's undignified little bash with the match of all matches not starting until next week. Nonetheless, it sheds some light on the state of Australia. It does not mean that they will not compete as though their lives depended on it and it certainly does not mean that they will not win, but to be this close to a major series and to be so uncertain of what is your best XI is leaving it late at best and indicates disarray and disagreement at worst. Hilditch said: "The national selection panel considers it prudent and appropriate to look at the next round of Sheffield Shield games and the Australia A clash before finalising the team for the first Test of the Vodafone Ashes Series in Brisbane. From a logistical point of view and with these important games yet to be completed we have named an extended squad of 17 with 10 days before the first Test begins. "The national selection panel has been pleased with the performance of the Test side in India, however we were obviously disappointed in the result. With two losses in games where we felt the result could easily have been different we realise there are some important areas we need to improve on before this summer's matches." Shorthand for: "We haven't got much of a clue, we think we'd like to change but wonder if we dare." Of the three uncapped players, Ferguson and Khawaja are probably about to be engaged in some form of bat-off in the match against England. Both are playing for Australia A, both have had formidable starts to the season. Ferguson, an upright right-hander, was impressive in the one-day series in England in 2009 when he made two fifties, and Khawaja, a left-hander, is reported to be exhilaratingly talented. The men they have particularly in their sights are the West Australians, Mike Hussey and Marcus North. Hussey, who had an explosive start to his Test career with three hundreds in his first nine innings, has now gone 13 without, seven without a fifty. It is looking a harder game. As for North, doubts have frequently been cast about his ability to cut it at the highest level but he has continued to defy critics with runs in the nick of time and did so again in India with a second Test hundred. But there is another batting concern about Michael Clarke, vice-captain, heir apparent. His Test form has not been supreme in recent matches but it is his back which is giving cause for concern. He has a chronic condition which affected him once more in his Shield match for New South Wales last week, when he made a hundred. The Australian medical team seems confident he will be fit but they also know that with dodgy backs nothing is certain. Harris, one of five fast bowlers named, is suffering from the after-effects of a knee operation, with the joint still prone to swelling. Fellow fast bowler Doug Bollinger and opening batsman Simon Katich had to play club cricket at the weekend to test their fitness. Two spin bowlers have been named, Nathan Hauritz and Doherty. Hilditch could hardly have made it clearer that the Tasmanian slow left-armer, Doherty, is well in the frame. Hauritz has performed with aplomb for Australia, not least considering the boots he has to fill belonging to Shane Warne, but he was deeply disappointing in India where the home batsmen had him for breakfast as six wickets, one every 90 balls, at 65 runs each testify. Hilditch said: "Nathan Hauritz has bowled exceptionally well over the past 12 months for Australia and one of the biggest decisions we need to make is whether we go into the first Test with a right-arm off-spinner or with the variation of a left-arm orthodox bowler. Xavier Doherty has been very impressive, in particular last season and the start of this season." They, too, are involved in a bowl-off for their state sides this week as New South Wales take on Tasmania and it sounds as if Hauritz must bowl out of his skin. Naturally, nothing has been given away about the dynamics of the selectors' deliberations. But there is a feeling that the addition of Greg Chappell to the panel has added a new impetus and that he is pushing for change of some sort. He will remember that he was given his chance at 22 and took it by scoring a hundred against England in his first innings. Australia could have five men over 30 in the top seven. Or they may not. At present, with the first Test rushing upon them, they do not know. Countdown to the Ashes: 9 days 9 Australia won the first official Ashes Test by nine wickets at the Melbourne Cricket Ground during England's tour in 1882-83. In August 1882, after England had lost at home to Australia for the first time, the match bails were burnt and placed in an urn – creating the Ashes. England went on to win the first Ashes series 2-1. The baggy greens' 17-man Ashes squad Ricky Ponting (captain) Age Tests Test ave Best 35 148 Bat: 54.68 257 Bowl: 48.40 1-0 The Aussie skipper has won seven of 15 Tests as captain against England, five of which took place when England last visited Australia Michael Clarke [/b ]Age Tests Test ave Best 29 64 Bat: 48.91 168 Bowl: 38.52 6-9 The 29-year-old has four centuries to his name against England in 15 Tests. In his last Ashes series in Australia he averaged 77.80 with two hundreds Simon Katich Age Tests Test ave Best 35 54 Bat: 45.96 157 Bowl: 30.326-65 The 35-year-old left-hander has only scored three half-centuries against England in 11 Tests Mike Hussey Age Tests Test ave Best 35 54 Bat: 49.75 182 Bowl: 51.50 1-3 Hussey averaged an outstanding 91.60 runs on England's last tour Down Under, which included one century and four fifties Marcus North Age Tests Test ave Best 31 19 Bat: 37.40 128 Bowl: 37.00 6-55 Scored 125 not out on his debut against England at Cardiff in 2009. He averaged a sumptuous 52.42 for the series Usman Khawaja Age Tests Test aveBest 23 - - - Has scored six centuries in 23 first-class appearances, averaging 52.82 and has a highest score of 214 Callum Ferguson Age Tests Test aveBest 25 - - - Has a fine average of 46.07 in 26 ODI's for Australia that includes five half centuries Brad Haddin (wkt) Age Tests Test ave Best 33 27 Bat: 38.62 169 Was one of four to hit a century against England at Cardiff in 2009. The others were Katich (122), Ponting (150) and North (125*) Shane Watson Age Tests Test ave Best 29 22 Bat: 39.94 126 Bowl: 28.20 6-33 The burly opener scored two fifties on his debut against England at Edgbaston in 2009 Steven Smith Age Tests Test aveBest 21 2 Bat: 25.00 77 Bowl: 27.33 3-51 Took 3-51 against Pakistan on his Test debut in July earlier this year Xavier Doherty Age Tests Test ave Best 27 - - - Took 4-46 on his ODI debut against Sri Lanka, despite losing by one wicket Mitchell Johnson Age Tests Test aveBest 29 38 Bat: 22.88 123* Bowl: 29.06 8-61 Johnson walked away with second innings figures of 5-69 as Australia blew England away to win by an innings and 80 runs at Headingley in 2009 Nathan Hauritz Age Tests Test ave Best 29 17 Bat: 25.05 75 Bowl: 34.98 5-53 Broke a finger in the third Test at Edgbaston in 2009, ruling him out of the final two matches Ben Hilfenhaus Age Tests Test aveBest 27 13 Bat: 17.00 56* Bowl: 31.06 4-57 Claimed the most wickets by either team in the 2009 Ashes series with 22, coming at an average of 27.45 Doug Bollinger Age Tests Test aveBest 29 11 Bat: 6.71 21 Bowl: 23.79 5-28 In four of Bollinger's six Test series, his bowling has averaged less than 22 Ryan Harris Age Tests Test ave Best 31 2 Bat: 28.00 18* Bowl: 23.00 4-77 On his Test debut against New Zealand, Harris took match figures of 6 for 119 Peter Siddle Age Tests Test aveBest 25 17 Bat: 16.00 38 Bowl: 31.53 5-21 The second of his two career five-wicket hauls came against England at Headingley where he picked up 5-21

[hari504504]

More... Australia's overblown squad smacks of concern, indecision and disarray

Psy-Ops ??!!..:headshake:. Remember Pacman vs Margarito..

[f.b.m]

Australia name entire country in Ashes squad In order to ensure that no metaphorical stone is left unturned, the NSP have selected every Australian there is in a an expanded test squad. Greg Chappell said, “It’s a holistic cricket squad, we could have limited ourselves to just the 13 or so players that are most likely to play for Australia, but what about Mavis Brown from Epping, the poms know nothing about her. She is a complete surprise to them, how will her plastic hip help her get turn, no one knows. Also, it is important to not give the poms what they are expecting. This squad might look like we have just put the entire voting registry on it, but it is way more than that. Way moreâ€. Simon Spehr of Camperdown was over the moon to be selected, “I’ll be honest, I’ve been waiting for this call all my life. It wasn’t a call, obviously, they couldn’t call everyone, but to know that my name was in the squad was more than enough. Mo mother was so excited for me, but then even more excited for herself.†Former legend Dean Jones was also ecstatic about the squad, “I knew the selectors hadn’t forgotten about me. Commentating may not seem like the ideal preparation for playing in a test. However, since my time out of the game I think I’ve learnt a few things, especially from Hashim Amla.†While almost every Australian selected in the squad was happy, there has been some negative feedback. The English press believe this is a desperate move from a insane cricket selection panel who have completely lost the plot. Russell Crowe and Sam Neill were both visibly upset and not getting selected. And Germaine Greer complained bitterly about Steve Irwin’s inclusion. The squad is expected to be trimmed down to 10,000 by the 20th of November. Source

[Feed]

ASHES 2010/11: Mike Hussey makes cut for Brisbane as Nathan Hauritz is axed from pruned Aussie squad Mike Hussey appears to have saved his Test career with a timely century after Australia trimmed their squad to 13 to face England in the first Test next week.More... Hussey makes cut for Brisbane as off-spinner Hauritz is axed from Aussie squad By Paul Newman 20th November 2010 Tons of fun: Hussey saved his place with a well-timed century Australia will rely on an Ashes X-factor after this morning naming uncapped spinner Xavier Doherty in their final 13-man squad for the first Test in Brisbane. Doherty, who has a modest first-class record for Tasmania taking his wickets at 48 apiece, was picked ahead of Nathan Hauritz, who was one of four players who failed to make the cut from the original Australia squad of 17. Usman Khawaja, Ryan Harris and Callum Ferguson also miss out but Mike Hussey is retained after his century for Western Australia yesterday and there is a place for leg-spinning all-rounder Steve Smith despite his mauling by Ian Bell during England's match against Australia A here at the Bellerive Oval. Doherty, the ninth specialist spinner to be picked by Australia since Shane Warne's retirement, has almost certainly been selected with Kevin Pietersen in mind as he is a slow left-armer. Out in the cold: Hauritz won't play any part in the first Ashes Test Pietersen gave England a minor injury scare this morning when he left the field on the final day of England's last warm-up match to have treatment on his right hand. But it just turned out to be a minor cut to his finger. Tim Bresnan had earlier enhanced his attempt to be taken more seriously by claiming the lead role in another impressive bowling display from England's Ashes reserves yesterday. Australia's 13-man squad to face England in BrisbaneR Ponting (captain), M Clarke, D Bollinger, X Doherty, B Haddin (wkt), M Hussey, B Hilfenhaus, M Johnson, S Katich, M North, P Siddle, S Smith, S Watson. Bresnan accepts that his main job over the next few weeks could be as a cheerleader, raising the spirits of those on the by being the willing butt of Graeme Swann's jokes. Yesterday, however, Bresnan provided the punch after being the punchline in Swann's video diary, taking the three Australia A wickets to fall as England pushed for their second win in three matches. There are those who feel Bresnan should be in England's first Test line-up at the Gabba next Thursday as the only bowler good enough to bat at No7 and balance the side with a five-man attack. England have ruled out that option, mainly because they feel Bresnan' s strong bottom hand makes him vulnerable to playing across the line against the very best bowlers. Yet his inclusion in the tour party shows England would still like him up their sleeve should their four-man attack struggle to take 20 wickets. In the thick of it: Doherty (centre) has been named in the 13-man squad He shone in his primary role as a bowler yesterday on a Bellerive Oval pitch that had lost its spite. Bell took his overnight century to within eight runs of his first double hundred as England posted the formidable first-innings score they will be looking for once the real business begins. Then, with a lead of 293, they were held up in their attempt to record a crushing victory as Australia A would not lie down a second time. Enter Bresnan to take three key wickets and ending the hopes of Khawaja and Ferguson of playing at Brisbane. And until opportunity knocks, Bresnan will be happy to feature in Swann's video diary on the ECB website - he is the best executor of the 'sprinkler' dance in the latest episode which swept the internet yesterday-and as the subject of Tweets like the one Swann posted upon his early departure for Brisbane. 'Shame to be leaving the lads behind. I hope someone feeds Tim Bresnan and tucks him into bed with me and Jimmy gone.' Bresnan would have slept soundly last night after a job well done. Australia's 13-man squad to face England in Brisbane R Ponting (captain), M Clarke, D Bollinger, X Doherty, B Haddin (wkt), M Hussey, B Hilfenhaus, M Johnson, S Katich, M North, P Siddle, S Smith, S Watson.

[Feed]

ASHES 2010/11: Michael Clarke injury concern forces Australia to call up Pakistan-born Usman Khawaja Australia have called Pakistan-born batsman Usman Khawaja into their squad as standby for Michael Clarke ahead of the opening Ashes Test in Brisbane on Thursday.More... Michael Clarke injury concern forces Australia to call up Pakistan-born Usman Khawaja By Sportsmail Reporter 22nd November 2010 Australia have called Pakistan-born batsman Usman Khawaja into their squad as standby for Michael Clarke ahead of the opening Ashes Test in Brisbane on Thursday. Clarke is continuing his recovery from a back injury and a decision over his fitness to face England will be taken after the next two days of training. 'Michael Clarke is recovering from a lower back injury sustained in a recent Sheffield Shield game and is expected to train tomorrow and Wednesday,' said Cricket Australia physiotherapist Alex Kountouris. 'He is making good progress in this recovery and further assessment regarding his availability for selection will be made following the next two days of training.' Cricket Australia's national selection panel (NSP) chairman Andrew Hilditch claimed 23-year-old New South Wales batsman Khawaja would prove a capable stand-in if called upon. 'As there is some doubt over Michael Clarke's fitness for the Brisbane Test match, it was felt prudent to bring a standby player into the squad,' he added. 'Usman has been added as a result of his strong recent domestic form and the NSP's belief that should the opportunity arise he has the ability to perform well at the international level. 'We intend to give Michael as much time as possible to prove his fitness and a decision on his availability will be made in consultation with the team's medical staff after the next two days of training.' Khawaja will join the Australia squad in Brisbane on Monday night. Australia squad Simon Katich, Shane Watson, Ricky Ponting (capt), Michael Clarke, Michael Hussey, Marcus North, Brad Haddin (wk), Steven Smith, Mitchell Johnson, Xavier Doherty, Peter Siddle, Ben Hilfenhaus, Doug Bollinger, Usman Khawaja.

[Indiafan-Hyd]

Hope he is clean of Pakiness and will not cheat...match fix etc... and play by aussie code of ethics

[Sid]

Seen him bat,gotta say he is nothing special

[vvvslaxman]

This is when you know Australaia has hit the rock bottom :cantstop:

[Bradman99]

^ Khawaja is a special talent, Aussies next big star. Why is this when u know aussies have hit rock bottom? Because they are giving a youngster a go? Not to mention a highly talented youngster.

[Feed]

Michael Clarke's back injury may press rookies into action Australia may be forced to play two Test debutantes in the Ashes opener after fears grew over Michael Clarke's back injury. More... Michael Clarke's back injury may press rookies into action By Dean Wilson 23/11/2010 Australia may be forced to play two Test debutantes in the Ashes opener after fears grew over Michael Clarke's back injury. Usman Khawaja, fresh from his first-ball duck against England in Hobart, has been called up as cover for the Aussie vice-captain as the home team's preparations plunged further into chaos. Should Clarke, who is suffering from disc trouble in his lower back, fail to recover in time to play at the Gabba, Australia will hand debuts to both Khawaja and left-arm spinner Xavier Doherty. After missing practice yesterday, Clarke has two days to prove his fitness. But he also accepted that the decision may have to be taken out of his hands, since he is so desperate to play. "I don't think it is about how much I want to play, that is a given, but the expertise of physio Alex Kountouris plays a big part," said Clarke. "I am still a bit stiff and sore hence me not training on Monday, and the goal is to get as close to 100 per cent by Thursday as I can and I am pretty confident I will be OK. "I have this degeneration in my discs and sometimes it flares up so I have to make sure I do all the right things. "If it was up to me I'd say let's risk it, get me out there I want to play, but we've got to make the right decision for the team."

[Feed]

Ashes preview: Clarke fit for first Test, Siddle wins battle with Bollinger Australia batsman Michael Clarke is fit to start the first Ashes Test against England on Thursday but fast bowler Doug Bollinger will miss out, captain Ricky Ponting said on Wednesday. More... Siddle wins battle with Bollinger Greg Buckle November 24, 2010 - .AAP When Australia's Test squad sat in the grandstand at Allan Border Field earlier this week for a media day, Doug Bollinger walked past Peter Siddle and playfully kicked his chair. By Wednesday, captain Ricky Ponting had announced Siddle would play in the first Ashes Test and Bollinger wouldn't. Both players are coming back from injury, but Siddle got the nod and Bollinger is left to kick some stones around. Advertisement: Story continues below While left-armer Bollinger could be regarded as more likely to hoop it around in the swing-friendly conditions at the Gabba, Siddle says seam will also be a big factor. "It suits both," the Victorian quick said. "Any fast bowler who gets the opportunity to bowl on it is going to be excited." Siddle hasn't played Test cricket since January due to a stress fracture in his back but skipper Ricky Ponting enjoys the whole-hearted seamer's aggressive style on a juicy pitch. Bollinger, who missed the second Test in the 2-0 series loss to India last month with a side strain, has 49 wickets from 11 Tests at an excellent average of 23.79, far superior to Siddle's record of 60 at 31.53 from 17 Tests. Siddle, nicknamed "Sid Vicious" during his time at the national cricket academy, brings plenty of aggression to the table as he prepares to target England captain and opener Andrew Strauss. Turning 25 on Thursday, Siddle says he's at his best when he's fired-up and charging in to bowl. He says his "eyes go red when I get going". Bollinger returned to first-class action last week for NSW, while Siddle was rested from last week's round of Shield games after taking 2-55 and 2-42 in Victoria's draw with NSW at the SCG the previous week. "Lack of bowling over the last few weeks has been as much to do with it as anything," Ponting said of Bollinger, who is known to be furious over his non-selection. The pressure on Siddle will be immense, not only to give Australia a good start in the field but to hold onto his place in the side against the challenge from Bollinger. "Being out for so long and missing so much cricket, and other blokes coming in, it does put pressure on you when you come back to show people that you can do it," Siddle said. "It is going to be a big challenge but I'm fitter and feeling better than I ever have. I've got three Shield games in." Siddle took 20 wickets in the 2009 Ashes series and says he's better for the run. Clarke fit MICHAEL CLARKE looks assured of playing the first Test, increasing the likelihood that Australia will field just one change from their most recent clash against England at The Oval. Peter Siddle is tipped to play ahead of Doug Bollinger, all but ensuring that the only new face from the last Ashes Test would be Xavier Doherty in place of Stuart Clark. Clarke appeared uninhibited during a 45-minute batting session yesterday and, while the final decision on his availability will be made tomorrow morning, all signs point to a full recovery. The team's physiotherapist, Alex Kountouris, said Clarke was ''really positive'' after the training session. ''He got through today well and it's important to wait to see how he pulls up tomorrow,'' Kountouris said. ''Michael will bat again on Wednesday and a final decision will be made on Thursday morning.'' Mitchell Johnson added: ''He says he's pulled up pretty well from it. He's still got another two days to prove himself, but he said he felt pretty good with what he did, so it's good signs for him and Australia. ''He's got a couple more days. It's what you feel inside. There are times when you're probably not 100 per cent or close to 100 per cent at the start of the game and then you feel fine. There have been times when I've felt not quite right but gone into a game and been fine. It's about knowing how he feels. ''I'm sure he's gone to games feeling a bit stiff and come out fine. Not having Michael in the team would be a big loss but he's been doing everything he can to get right.'' Australia's players are desperate to atone for the disappointment of last year's Ashes defeat. All have been tested and backed by selectors to deliver the result this time around. ''There's always been a rivalry,'' Johnson said. ''The build-up gets to most people, but once we're out there it's another Test match and series we want to win. ''With the emotions, you've got to learn to know how far you can take them, and let your skills take over from there. That's what we want to do in this series. We want to play to our skills, not our emotions. England have obviously got a lot of confidence from playing extremely good cricket in the last 18 months, so there's a lot of confidence in their side.'' Alastair Cook, England's opening batsman, said defeating Australia at Lord's for the first time in 75 years in the last series gave them confidence they could end the hosts' remarkable 22-year unbeaten record in Brisbane. ''Australia have got a great record here, we've talked about that. They've won 16 of their last 20 [Tests] here, it's another challenge that we in the England side have to overcome,'' Cook said. ''A bit like the Lord's one, the first time in 75 years, which we managed to do. We know that challenge is there and we know it's a tough thing to do but that excites us as well. We've got the chance to do something very special.'' Cook responded to threats from Johnson, who had earlier warned England's skipper Andrew Strauss to expect a short-ball reception at The Gabba. ''He's a fighter isn't he?'' Cook said of Strauss. ''He loves that and his record is second to none at the top of the order. ''He has handled it so well, the pressure of being England captain and also opening batsman over the last 18 months. ''But he's a fighter and he'll definitely look forward to that challenge.'' Cook himself must shed an unwanted tag - that he fails to perform against Australia. ''It's obviously the one thing I've got to prove to people, it's the one side I haven't done as well as I've done against the other sides,'' Cook said. ''I can't hide behind the facts of that statistic. Hopefully … in the next two months I can prove people wrong on that.'' Johnson sees a weakness in the England bowlers' relative lack of experience on Australian pitches. ''[James] Anderson was here and didn't do too well last time, didn't get the ball to swing like he does back home, and Stuart Broad hasn't played a Test here,'' Johnson said. ''They've come here early to get experience on our type of wickets, they've played on a few green tops and it looks a little green out there at the minute. ''Hopefully that's where we can be a lot stronger - in our bowling. We've got better experience of bowling on these type of wickets."

[Guest Shivani]

'the empire might have crumbled but the Ashes at home are still Australian property'

[Sir john]

bad luck for douggy :sniffle:

[Chandan]

Australia bowling till now: Johnson has been below average, almost bordering rubbish; all over the park, short, full, wide, half-volley, full toss--everything. There has been no consistency, apart from being innocuous and expensive. I've only watched from 2nd session though. Hilfenhaus has been getting lovely swing but is not making use of it by being too wide and batsmen being comfortable in leaving him. Siddle is the only bowler who has bowled fulled, tried to draw the batsmen forward and have lured them in nicking it. So why is Australia obliged to play Johnson? Why can't they play Bollinger who is a much much better bowler?

[b555]

Cricket-Australia call up Bollinger and Harris for second test http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/29112010/2/cricket-australia-call-bollinger-harris-second-test.html

[Feed]

Call-ups for Harris, Bollinger as pace pair fail MITCHELL Johnson remains the top Australian in the latest ICC Test bowler rankings - but cricket writer Robert Craddock thinks he should be dropped. More... Call-ups for Harris, Bollinger as pace pair fail Jesse Hogan November 30, 2010 BLUNTED Australian pacemen Mitchell Johnson and Ben Hilfenhaus are officially on notice for Friday's second Test in Adelaide after selectors reverted to the expanded five-man attack they chose a fortnight ago. Ryan Harris was recalled to the national squad in the immediate aftermath of Australia's draw against England at the Gabba, while Doug Bollinger, who took 3-32 at the WACA Ground yesterday, will be pulled out of NSW's Sheffield Shield match against Western Australia a day early to prove himself in training for the match at the Adelaide Oval. Selectors recalled Harris and retained Bollinger after lead pacemen Johnson and Hilfenhaus managed only one wicket between them in 93 overs in the Brisbane Test. It was the first time in Johnson's 39 Tests that he has gone wicketless across two innings. Advertisement: Story continues below While Australian captain Ricky Ponting defended his paceman, insisting he had ''never played on a Gabba wicket like that in my whole career'', he believed no pace slots were guaranteed for the second Test. ''There's no hiding the fact I felt we could have bowled a lot better as a group,'' he said. ''It felt like I exhausted every option as far as trying to do different things with fields and tactics and whatever else. We just weren't able to break their top three players. ''I don't think anyone's certain yet; the fact that we brought two fast bowlers in I'm not sure anyone is certain. We'll wait and see how everyone pulls up in the next couple of days, and go with what we think is our best attack.'' Harris was withdrawn from the original 17-man Ashes squad because of a recurring knee injury. He took six wickets for Queensland in the rain-affected Shield match against Victoria, drawn yesterday, and four in the one-day match that preceded it. Bollinger was passed over for the first Test mostly because of a lack of competitive bowling since being injured on last month's tour to India. The high pace that Johnson relies on for much of his success in Tests was missing for all of the Gabba match. Yesterday his deliveries failed to reach 140km/h - medium-fast all-rounder Shane Watson's deliveries peaked at 137.7km.h - and averaged only 135.3km/h across his nine overs. England's declaration just before tea yesterday left Johnson wicketless in four of his past Test innings. Ponting insisted the left-armer's state of mind throughout the match was ''particularly good'', and disputed the relevance of the underwhelming bowling speeds Johnson recorded during the match. ''I don't think there were many balls in the whole game that reached 140km/h; I don't know if the speed gun was down or not,'' Ponting said. ''I don't remember seeing [England's Stuart] Broad get up there, either. Mitch at his best is a bit quicker than 140. He is 145 and pretty consistently around there. But I think Broad's pretty much the same, so I'm not sure why the speeds were down.'' Across the Test and two Shield matches Johnson has played since returning early from India, he has taken nine wickets at 42.56. If the impressive 5-35 he claimed against Victoria recently is discounted, that average balloons to 47. Swing bowler Hilfenhaus is also struggling for form. In the same period, in Shield games and the Brisbane Test, he has taken seven wickets at 60.7. In his past three Tests, he has averaged 57.6 runs a wicket. The right-armer's pace has also been underwhelming, and he has conspicuously lacked a bouncer. The complication for selectors, if they swap Johnson for Bollinger, is that this would weaken Australia's lower order. Johnson, who bats at No.8, averages above 20, and Bollinger averages 6.71. It could persuade selectors to do a double swap, with Bollinger and Harris in for Johnson and Hilfenhaus, as Queensland's Harris has scored five half-centuries in the Sheffield Shield this season. Ponting agreed that this week's Test being played at the Adelaide Oval, Harris's home ground before leaving South Australia just over three years ago, could be taken into account. ''He's going to bowl the right length for Adelaide conditions … which you need to do down there if you want to have success,'' Ponting said. Australia squad Shane Watson, Simon Katich, Ricky Ponting (capt), Michael Clarke, Michael Hussey, Marcus North, Brad Haddin, Mitchell Johnson, Xavier Doherty, Peter Siddle, Ben Hilfenhaus, Ryan Harris, Doug Bollinger.