Our current test team is the second oldest running around, behind England. The average age (assuming Brett Lee is included at the expense of Miller) is 29.5 years. With that in mind, I have put together the best test team I can find of players who will still be under 30 at the end of this year:
Hussey
Maher
Love
Ponting
Symonds
Katich
Haddin
Gillespie
Brett Lee
Bracken
Inness
The best candidates beyond them are Cameron White, Dietz, Hodge, Clarke, Kremerskothen, Mail, Higgs, Wates, Marsh and Nash.
Not particularly imposing.
Assuming both Waughs will be gone within a year or two, I think the best idea would be to bring Katich into the team to replace one of them, and promote Gilchrist up the order (as captain) with Haddin as keeper. Only Hussey looks likely to be an opener, so one of Slater and Hayden are safe no matter what they do. The bowling looks okay, as long as Gillespie and Lee stay fit.
But at any rate, our side looks likely to remain pretty old for at least five years, unless some raw talent comes through pronto.
My understanding is that the Australian team has been strong because of the competition for spots. The next generation looks a bit thin on the ground, so what does this mean for our competitiveness in the future?
Or are there more guys coming through who I have missed?
Hussey
Maher
Love
Ponting
Symonds
Katich
Haddin
Gillespie
Brett Lee
Bracken
Inness
The best candidates beyond them are Cameron White, Dietz, Hodge, Clarke, Kremerskothen, Mail, Higgs, Wates, Marsh and Nash.
Not particularly imposing.
Assuming both Waughs will be gone within a year or two, I think the best idea would be to bring Katich into the team to replace one of them, and promote Gilchrist up the order (as captain) with Haddin as keeper. Only Hussey looks likely to be an opener, so one of Slater and Hayden are safe no matter what they do. The bowling looks okay, as long as Gillespie and Lee stay fit.
But at any rate, our side looks likely to remain pretty old for at least five years, unless some raw talent comes through pronto.
My understanding is that the Australian team has been strong because of the competition for spots. The next generation looks a bit thin on the ground, so what does this mean for our competitiveness in the future?
Or are there more guys coming through who I have missed?