ASHES 2010/11: Australia's squad

[achilles]

Ryan Harris. That man is rising through the ranks. Mitchell might get another game though, given that he's been a good performer for Australia and is also a decent batter.

[Feed]

Mitchell Johnson dropped by Australia Mitchell Johnson is dropped from the Australia side for the second Test against England in Adelaide, Ricky Ponting confirms. More... Australia fast bowler Mitchell Johnson dropped from Australia squad for Adelaide Test AAP December 02, 2010 Paceman Mitchell Johnson has been dropped from the Australia side for the second Test against England in Adelaide starting on Friday. Captain Ricky Ponting said on Thursday a final starting XI would be decided before play, but confirmed Johnson had been omitted from the 12-man squad. Quicks Doug Bollinger and Ryan Harris are the pair vying for Johnson's spot in the starting team. "Mitchell Johnson is out of the side, so we are down to the other quickies left and we'll decide the final make-up of the XI in the morning,'' Ponting said. "The selectors felt that he just down on a bit of form and down on a bit of rhythm, I think that was probably highlighted in the last game. "As we all know, the game of Test match cricket is hard enough as it is without having to try and find those types of things in the middle of a Test match.'' Ponting said Johnson was noticeably out of touch. ''... He has got a little bit of time now obviously before the Perth Test match to hopefully rediscover some of that rhythm,'' Ponting said. "Everyone standing around the nets and watching him and watching him during the game last week realised he was a little bit off the mark and a bit off bowling the way that we know he can bowl. "Quite often when we see most of our guys, it only takes (bowling coach) Troy (Cooley) and the coach (Tim Nielsen) and myself a few minutes to stand there and watch, and you just know whether those guys are in good touch or not.'' Johnson showed understandable disappointment at losing his place, but said a lack of wickets in the first Test at the Gabba had counted against him. "It's obviously disappointing but it's not the end of the world,'' Johnson said. "We still have a lot of Tests to go in this series and I'm going to be working my way back into this Test team and hopefully play a big part. "There are some things I am going to work on in the nets and I was a little out of form in the last Test, so there's a bit of work for me to do.'' Ponting indicated that the final spot in the team may be between swing bowler Ben Hilfenhaus and recalled paceman Ryan Harris, who began his domestic playing career in Adelaide before moving to Queensland. "Hilfy's strengths are his ability to swing the new ball, he's a very consistent bowler and bowls in good areas to tie batters down,'' Ponting said. "Ryan's strengths are that he has played much of his cricket here, he's probably slightly quicker in the air, he hits the wicket harder than Ben does and probably he's the better reverse swing bowler for later in the game. "Ben did a terrific job for us in the India in conditions that will probably be similar to what the wicket will be like here, particularly over the last couple of days. "It makes that decision a pretty difficult one which is why we need a fair bit of time to think about it.'' Australia: Ricky Ponting (capt), Michael Clarke, Simon Katich, Shane Watson, Marcus North, Mike Hussey, Brad Haddin, Xavier Doherty, Doug Bollinger, Ryan Harris, Peter Siddle, Ben Hilfenhaus. (12th man to be named).

[The Dark Horse]

Good move, it should be Bollinger.

[Jersey #10]

I am not surprised!

[Sachinism]

From an English perspective - aww shucks

[b555]

Hilfenhaus in danger of being dropped http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/02122010/28/hilfenhaus-danger-dropped.html

[Ram]

So they did choose to bite the bullet and take the hard decision. Now the question is, will Harris replace Hilfenhaus as well?