Australia Test squad - 2014

[Carbine Chaos]

Want Coulter-Nile in the squad.

 

[Carbine Chaos]

Chris Rogers
David Warner
Shane Watson
Michael Clarke (c)
Steve Smith
Mitch Marsh
Chris Hartley (+)
Mitchell Johnson
Nathan Coulter-Nile
Peter Siddle
Nathan Lyon

 

[Mego Red]

Who is a batsman anyway

Pattinson.

Yes, it took me a while to realize the typo. I thought you were being a smart ass about him playing as a batsman in district cricket.

 

[scoremachine]

Warner
Rogers
? Keep Doolan for now I guess ?
Clarke
Smith
? M Marsh did enough to retain a place, but I'm far from sold; especially as I don't believe in the idea that there must be an all-rounder, but we have no batsmen.
Haddin/Hartley
Johnson
Siddle
Behrendorff
Lyon

12th: Sayers

Assuming Harris, Pattinson, Bird, Hilfenhaus are either unavailable or do not have enough match fitness. Cummins needs to actually produce at FC level again for a while.


Possible selectors XI
Warner
Rogers
Watson
Clarke
Smith
M Marsh
Haddin/Wade
Johnson
Starc
Siddle
Lyon

Such a shame Joe Burns seems to have lost the knack of making runs in the last couple of years.

I'm tipping Joe Burns to be our next long term number 3, admittedly i haven't seen a lot of him batting but whenever i have i have been very impressed. Seems to have a lot of time to play the ball.

Would be good if he batted at 3 for Queensland and didn't open so he can get used to coming in first drop. Still only 25 so if given a chance i reckon he could rise to the next level.

 

[Mego Red]

Why does anyone think the selectors won't pick Watson?

 

[Torz]

Chris Rogers
David Warner
Shane Watson
Michael Clarke (c)
Steve Smith
Mitch Marsh
Chris Hartley (+)
Mitchell Johnson
Nathan Coulter-Nile
Peter Siddle
Nathan Lyon

Like it, though I would prefer Hughes to Rogers.

 

[Black Diamond]

To be honest I don't really get this Coulter-Nile excitement. To me he looks a rung below our group of young fast bowlers, his only advantage being he isn't injured.

If three is a problem then Ed Cowan should get a look in. Yes, he has a bit of a flop before, but almost all of the options have failed before or have had pretty ordinary FC careers. Cowan has had a decent start to the summer and will be better for the experience of his last stint in the team.

It would seem they will prefer Watson at six. I think Watson is at his best in the top order though. If Watson is destined for six then I'd go with Cowan at three.

My team:

Warner
Rogers
Watson
Smith
Clarke
White
Haddin
Johnson
Harris
Siddle
Lyon

 

[Doodlesweaver]

Why does anyone think the selectors won't pick Watson?

No idea. If he looks fit enough to bowl, he's in. So it is and so it has been for some time.

 

[Doodlesweaver]

To be honest I don't really get this Coulter-Nile excitement. To me he looks a rung below our group of young fast bowlers, his only advantage being he isn't injured.

If three is a problem then Ed Cowan should get a look in. Yes, he has a bit of a flop before, but almost all of the options have failed before or have had pretty ordinary FC careers. Cowan has had a decent start to the summer and will be better for the experience of his last stint in the team.

It would seem they will prefer Watson at six. I think Watson is at his best in the top order though. If Watson is destined for six then I'd go with Cowan at three.

My team:

Warner
Rogers
Watson
Smith
Clarke
White
Haddin
Johnson
Harris
Siddle
Lyon

Cowan had 17 tests in a row. I'd much rather see Cam White at 3 or even Mitch bloody Marsh than Cowan again.

 

[bird_man]

Chris Rogers
David Warner
Shane Watson
Michael Clarke (c)
Steve Smith
Mitch Marsh
Chris Hartley (+)
Mitchell Johnson
Nathan Coulter-Nile
Peter Siddle
Nathan Lyon

Beside Hartley, I think this is the team they will go with. Although, do you think we really need two all rounders if Watson is bowling? I don't see Marsh in the top 6 batsman in the country so I see no need to pick him at 6.

 

[BluesMan]

What I want to see:

Warner
Watson
Hughes ( cant believe I said that)
Smith
Clarke
M.Marsh
Hartley
Johnson
NCN
Siddle
Lyon

What I think we'll see:

Warner
Rogers
Watson
Clarke
Smith
M.Marsh
Haddin
Johnson
Hazelwood
Siddle
Lyon

 

[Carbine Chaos]

Beside Hartley, I think this is the team they will go with. Although, do you think we really need two all rounders if Watson is bowling? I don't see Marsh in the top 6 batsman in the country so I see no need to pick him at 6.

Marsh earned his spot for now as far as I'm concerned. Plus I'd rather play Marsh at 6 than the likes of Doolan at 3.

 

[Kram]

I wish they would pick Hartley but they will never give him a look in, heck the would probably give Wade another go in front of him..

 

[Carbine Chaos]

I think Hartley is the perfect stop-gap solution until Whiteman is fully Test-ready in a few seasons time.

 

[bird_man]

Marsh earned his spot for now as far as I'm concerned. Plus I'd rather play Marsh at 6 than the likes of Doolan at 3.

Agree with that one. And he didn't do a lot wrong. I just think their are better batsmen out there.

 

[bird_man]

Can't see them dropping Haddin for anyone unfortunately. I think they value his leadership too much....

 

[Kram]

Hartely doesn't have enough x-factor and values his wicket too much to play for Australia.

 

[The_Reaper]

Hartely doesn't have enough x-factor and values his wicket too much to play for Australia.

It's really refreshing seeing how much players like Bancroft value their wickets.

 

[Doodlesweaver]

It's really refreshing seeing how much players like Bancroft value their wickets.

It's a relief. Nice to see a turtle instead of a whole stack of entertaining hares.

Can see Greg Chappell and Boof shaking their heads - 'doesn't bat fast enough'.

 

[Black Diamond]

Cowan had 17 tests in a row. I'd much rather see Cam White at 3 or even Mitch bloody Marsh than Cowan again.

Cowan was pretty consistent over that period and is in good form right now with two centuries from two matches. The cupboard is empty and he is as good an option as any.

 

[Bradesmaen]

Want Coulter-Nile in the squad.

Shouldn't and won't make the Squad unless Lehmann has completely lost the plot. Not even WA's best bowler. Severely overrated because he can throw the bat and bowl fast.. unfortunately bowling fast means jack if you can't control it.

 

[Phone]

I mean, if you're one of those people who really actually believe you should pick the most in-form batsmen or whatever, then you've gotta support picking Cowan.

It's just that in Cowan's previous stint you've got a pretty good example of how silly an idea that actually is. he didn't disgrace himself, he was ok, and he shouldn't've been dropped at the moment he was, but he was only ok. Just pick who you think the best batsman is. Dont let 2 matches complicit things.

 

[The_Reaper]

I mean, if you're one of those people who really actually believe you should pick the most in-form batsmen or whatever, then you've gotta support picking Cowan.

It's just that in Cowan's previous stint you've got a pretty good example of how silly an idea that actually is. he didn't disgrace himself, he was ok, and he shouldn't've been dropped at the moment he was, but he was only ok. Just pick who you think the best batsman is. Dont let 2 matches complicit things.

That said a good score by Shaun Marsh here (touch wood) would have him in the box seat.

Given he has the CA contract and played in South Africa he's already in contention.

 

[Bradesmaen]

I mean, if you're one of those people who really actually believe you should pick the most in-form batsmen or whatever, then you've gotta support picking Cowan.

It's just that in Cowan's previous stint you've got a pretty good example of how silly an idea that actually is. he didn't disgrace himself, he was ok, and he shouldn't've been dropped at the moment he was, but he was only ok. Just pick who you think the best batsman is. Dont let 2 matches complicit things.

Unfortunately the Australian selectors have been watching too much AFL. Representing the country should be the best of the best. They have Aus A for a reason. You dont need to "blood youth" like AFL teams because there is no grand final of Test Matches in 4 years that you need to win.

 

[Black Diamond]

Those two approaches to selection: picking on form or picking who is most likely to play well, aren't mutually exclusive.

For example, Cowan's current form can be evidence that we can squeeze another ok period out of him. It just may be that another ok period from Cowan is better than what anyone else can produce.