30 man preliminary World Cup squad

[likka]

As long as they keep Hussey at 6.

Yes, he could go up the order and be successful but the team really needs someone of his calibre playing the Bevan role.

He is the perfect person to either:
- rescue the team when in trouble early
- guide the team home in a tight run chase
- come in and spank some late runs when the top order has done their job.

I don't think we have anyone else in the squad that has the composure, reliability and mental strength to consistently excel in those potential scenarios. We do have others that could either open or get the job done at 4.

Top six I would like to see:
Gilchrist
Hayden
Ponting
Clarke
Symonds
Hussey

 

[bus24]

The good thing about the middle order is there is so much versatility there.

Clarke, Symonds, Hussey, White

The middle order of dreams

 

[DIG]

As long as they keep Hussey at 6.

Yes, he could go up the order and be successful but the team really needs someone of his calibre playing the Bevan role.

He is the perfect person to either:
- rescue the team when in trouble early
- guide the team home in a tight run chase
- come in and spank some late runs when the top order has done their job.

I don't think we have anyone else in the squad that has the composure, reliability and mental strength to consistently excel in those potential scenarios. We do have others that could either open or get the job done at 4.

Top six I would like to see:
Gilchrist
Hayden
Ponting
Clarke
Symonds
Hussey

Hussey's been batting at 7 normally, but I agree he's the best ODI finisher we've seen since Bevan, probably better cos he can be far more explosive.

#6 is perfect for Huss.

White looks perfect at #7 so hopefully he can cement his spot now. Explosive batter, but could knuckle down if need be, fine fielder, and handy ODI bowler for a few overs at least.

My (perfectly balanced ) final squad, right now, would be:

Gilchrist
Hayden
Ponting
Clarke
Symonds
Hussey
White
Lee
Bracken
Clark
McGrath

Hogg
Watson
Haddin
M Johnson

9 to share top 7 duties:
3 genuine all-rounders (watson, symonds, white)
4 batsmen
2 wicket-keeper batsmen (Haddin's form's good enough to double as a backup batsman alone)

6 bowling options to round out the bottom 4:
5 quicks
1 spinner.

 

[likka]

Hussey's been batting at 7 normally, but I agree he's the best ODI finisher we've seen since Bevan, probably better cos he can be far more explosive.

#6 is perfect for Huss.

White looks perfect at #7 so hopefully he can cement his spot now. Explosive batter, but could knuckle down if need be, fine fielder, and handy ODI bowler for a few overs at least.

My (perfectly balanced ) final squad, right now, would be:

Gilchrist
Hayden
Ponting
Clarke
Symonds
Hussey
White
Lee
Bracken
Clark
McGrath

Hogg
Watson
Haddin
M Johnson

9 to share top 7 duties:
3 genuine all-rounders (watson, symonds, white)
4 batsmen
2 wicket-keeper batsmen (Haddin's form's good enough to double as a backup batsman alone)

6 bowling options to round out the bottom 4:
5 quicks
1 spinner.

Looks good to me.

My only issue is over Stuart Clark in ODI. His perfect line and length in test cricket can be rather inviting in ODI.

Be out of him, Johnson and Hilf for the last pace spot.

White and Watson will fight for the final alrounders spot, but with Haydos opening expect White to prevail. This assumes Watson is healthy come April.

 

[Joe Mama]

It's not a bad 30 man squad (except they've got Simon "The dud" Katich, James Hope(s)less & Nathan Hauritz (surely, the worst player ever to be given a Baggy Green in the last 15 years), but i'm suprised that they didn' find a place for Chris Rogers from WA, and Michael Klinger from Victoria.

They're both young top order players in good form (especially Klinger) and i'm not sure what more they could've done to get in the top 30 (except that they needed to pick more allrounders & bowlers), but I'm hoping that none of the three stooges i've mentioned get into the World Cup team, because that would be a sick joke.

FWIW, I'm glad they've given Hilfenhous a go, he's really earned it.

 

[DIG]

Looks good to me.

My only issue is over Stuart Clark in ODI. His perfect line and length in test cricket can be rather inviting in ODI.

Be out of him, Johnson and Hilf for the last pace spot.

White and Watson will fight for the final alrounders spot, but with Haydos opening expect White to prevail. This assumes Watson is healthy come April.

Fair call on Clark. I've assumed he can carry his summer's form into the one day arena, but this series will tell whether that happens or not. I reckon he will tho, he's on fire!

 

[DIG]

It's not a bad 30 man squad (except they've got Simon "The dud" Katich, James Hope(s)less & Nathan Hauritz (surely, the worst player ever to be given a Baggy Green in the last 15 years), but i'm suprised that they didn' find a place for Chris Rogers from WA, and Michael Klinger from Victoria.

They're both young top order players in good form (especially Klinger) and i'm not sure what more they could've done to get in the top 30 (except that they needed to pick more allrounders & bowlers), but I'm hoping that none of the three stooges i've mentioned get into the World Cup team, because that would be a sick joke.

FWIW, I'm glad they've given Hilfenhous a go, he's really earned it.

Hopes has had an excellent summer. Leading wicket taker by a mile in FR cup, plus a century to his name. Don't have foxtel eh?

 

[Joe Mama]

I do have Foxtel, and you're right, Hopes has done well but I still think that Rogers & Klinger deserve to be in the squad of 30 more than Simon Katich & Nathan Hauritz.

 

[DIG]

I do have Foxtel, and you're right, Hopes has done well but I still think that Rogers & Klinger deserve to be in the squad of 30 more than Simon Katich & Nathan Hauritz.

Yeah, none of those three should end up in the final 15. I don't think they will. The 13 they've picked for the tri-series the selectors will expect to go, plus Watson and 1 other.

Klinger's definitely a tad unlucky not to be in the 30.

 

[likka]

Fair call on Clark. I've assumed he can carry his summer's form into the one day arena, but this series will tell whether that happens or not. I reckon he will tho, he's on fire!

ODI very different to bowling in tests. Consistent line and length can get punished... hopefully Clark does well.

 

[DIG]

ODI very different to bowling in tests. Consistent line and length can get punished... hopefully Clark does well.

McGrath seems to go alright....

But you're right, he'll need to be able to bowl better slower balls, yorkers etc than he's shown in previous ODIs, for the variety. I wouldn't pick him ahead of Lee, Bracken and McGrath but he'll get plenty of chances as they rotate thru the quicks during the series. He may be better use early, maybe even with the new ball - than at the death.

 

[Scotland]

Ricky Ponting TAS 32
Adam Gilchrist WA 35
Andrew Symonds QLD 31
Brett Lee NSW 30
Glenn McGrath NSW 36
Michael Hussey WA 31
Michael Clarke NSW 25
Stuart Clark NSW 31
Brad Hogg WA 35
Shane Watson QLD 25
Simon Katich NSW 31
Brad Haddin NSW 29
Phil Jaques NSW 27
Mitchell Johnson QLD 25
Adam Voges WA 27
Marcus North WA 27
Daniel Cullen SA 22
Shaun Tait SA 23
Nathan Hauritz NSW 25
Shane Harwood VIC 32
Matthew Hayden QLD 35
James Hopes QLD 28
Nathan Bracken NSW 29
Andrew McDonald VIC 25
Brad Hodge VIC 32
Mark Cosgrove SA 22
Ben Hilfenhaus TAS 23
Travis Birt TAS 25
Shaun Marsh WA 23
Cameron White VIC 23

Bolded names are who I think will be the likely 15 selected. If Watson isn't fit, I think Jaques will get the nod ahead of Hayden and North.

 

[bus24]

Bolded names are who I think will be the likely 15 selected. If Watson isn't fit, I think Jaques will get the nod ahead of Hayden and North.

Seeing Hayden is included in the CB series squad and Jaques is not, most would disagree

 

[Drummond]

preliminary squad of 30 for the ICC World Cup, which will be shortened to 15 players before the 13 February deadline, is as follows: State Age
Ricky Ponting TAS 32
Adam Gilchrist WA 35
Andrew Symonds QLD 31
Brett Lee NSW 30
Glenn McGrath NSW 36
Michael Hussey WA 31
Michael Clarke NSW 25
Stuart Clark NSW 31
Brad Hogg WA 35
Shane Watson QLD 25
Simon Katich NSW 31
Brad Haddin NSW 29
Phil Jaques NSW 27
Mitchell Johnson QLD 25
Adam Voges WA 27
Marcus North WA 27
Daniel Cullen SA 22
Shaun Tait SA 23
Nathan Hauritz NSW 25
Shane Harwood VIC 32
Matthew Hayden QLD 35
James Hopes QLD 28
Nathan Bracken NSW 29
Andrew McDonald VIC 25
Brad Hodge VIC 32
Mark Cosgrove SA 22
Ben Hilfenhaus TAS 23
Travis Birt TAS 25
Shaun Marsh WA 23
Cameron White VIC 23

What are they thinking?

 

[stmookeyj]

Jaques hasn't been in outstanding form, so it won't be a shock if he's not going.

 

[i_hate_scams]

If fit id say,

Ponting
Gilchrist
Symonds
Lee
McGrath
Hussey
Clarke
Clark
Hogg
Watson
Johnson
Bracken
Hilfenhaus
Hayden
White

Is the 15 we will take.

replace hilf with a batsman, and will pretty much be the final squad. Plus, hussey will be the reserve keeper if Gilchrist needs a break.

 

[jefffff34]

What are they thinking?

Of course you wouldn't want to give some credit to someone like McDonald with his current stats.

FC - Bat: 101 Bowl: 35
LA - Bat: 26 Bowl: 32
TT - Bat: 4* Bowl: -

 

[Rocco Jones]

Gilchrist
Hayden
Ponting
Clarke
Symonds
Hussey
White
Lee
Bracken
Clark
McGrath

Hogg
Watson
HaddiN
M Johnson

Agree with the squad of 15, just would have Hogg in the XI ahead of Clark atm.

For those with Watson and White in their squads, if Watson is injured would you replace him with another all-rounder (cue incredibly orgiinal jokes about White not being an all-rounder) or a specialist?

 

[Benny_]

Hilfenhaus should make the cut but probably wont

 

[the grasshopper]

FWIW, I'm glad they've given Hilfenhous a go, he's really earned it.[/quote]


yeah i reckon its great theyve rewarded hilf in the squad and the 20/20, without a shadow of a doubt he is the best bowler outside the current test 11 bowlers (clark lee mcgrath) atm, he is bowling bettr than wat tait or johnson ever have so far in their careers..
shud prob be mcgraths replacement next test series if everythin keeps going the way it is,,i dont think u wud want a lee/johnson lee/tait (especially) combo just yet cud be damaging

 

[bus24]

yeah i reckon its great theyve rewarded hilf in the squad and the 20/20, without a shadow of a doubt he is the best bowler outside the current test 11 bowlers (clark lee mcgrath) atm, he is bowling bettr than wat tait or johnson ever have so far in their careers..
shud prob be mcgraths replacement next test series if everythin keeps going the way it is,,i dont think u wud want a lee/johnson lee/tait (especially) combo just yet cud be damaging[/quote]

Ya def cud be da chance for da world cup ya know. hes da star of da futr. he betr dan clark or johon.

Use some punctuation, please

 

[marto9000]

harwood-wtf hes been injured for most of the year but hes starting to hit some form, i thought denton would have been a better choice.

macdonald, hope he goes hes the best red hed in the country at the moment

white- hell play, number 6

 

[bus24]

harwood-wtf hes been injured for most of the year but hes starting to hit some form, i thought denton would have been a better choice.

macdonald, hope he goes hes the best red hed in the country at the moment

white- hell play, number 6

White will bat at 7 and Harwood is just a token selection.

Lots of Token selections in that 30.

 

[mcphee_is_a_gun]

White will bat at 7 and Harwood is just a token selection.

Lots of Token selections in that 30.

Harwood has perfoemed very well when hes played. Has looked like getting wickets in every match hes played. Is a way better bowler than Lewis and Denton imo and rekon if he got an opurtunity and ond day level he could be a very good player for Australia.

 

[eddiesmith]

9 NSW players, damn, how would feel to be the couple of unlucky hacks that missed out?