New Ashes Squad

Ok, my first blog was backing some older players that were out of form. Mike Hussey answered. Thank you so much Mr Cricket. You are the one. I also backed some newer players or ones that had been out of the side for a while. Haddin (if I didn't mention him, i should have, Paine was giving him something to think about. My boy Pete Siddle answered the call in the first test. That hat trick will be a memory he'll take to the grave. I was listening on the radio on the way back home from Melbourne. I'm sure the people in the next cars were as excited as I was, even though they were the ones staring at me! But since, gone missing. Harris tried hard, and was apparently picked under the 'horses for courses selection policy'.

But time is time now! This is it! No point throwing those 'we didn't execute the game plan' or 'we were just outplayed but had our moments' NO! the time for excuses is up! I'm not used to seeing us lose like this. The last time we lost an Ashes series at home was the year I was born! I know that everybody needs the time to re-build, and we (as we hear 100 times a day) don't have Warne, McGrath, Gilchrist, Langer, Hayden, Martyn, Lee, Gillespie. Time to blood the younger players. Or at least pick some in form players for the national team. I'd rather see us pick some younger guys, or the older guys who have been around for a while and proved themselves, in one format or another, lose this series, but be better for it, and then win them back next time. This is exactly what England did in 2005 and again in 2009. Even their 5-0 whitewash here last time had players Strauss, Cook, Bell, Collingwood, Pietersen & Jim Anderson. These players are the core group now. This is what I would be doing for the 3rd test in Perth in 7 days.

Openers are basically going to pick themselves Watson & Hughes. I, unfortunately think Katich's international career is over. Which is a shame, as he's the likable guy in the team at the moment.
Ponting will bat at 3, however I'd almost bat him at 5 now. a-la Steve Waugh. Captain comes in if there's a crisis or punishes, if we ever again, get to a point of 3/300+
I'd have Clarke at 3, but he will, ofcourse bat at 4. Ok, at 5, it's either Dave Hussey, Cam White, Usman Khawaja or Callum Ferguson. Personally and a little bias, I'd have White in the team. Loves playing against England and has form. Made a ton against them in Hobart warm up game.
I'd bat M.Hussey at 6. Gives us strength if, which lets be honest, could very well happen, if Punter, Clarke, White all go cheaply.

Haddin picks himself at 7. Along with Watson & Mr Cricket basically the only 3 that are walk up starts at the moment, yeah thats right, including Clarke and Ponting.
Number 8 is the other tough one. Do you look straight to the future and pick Steve Smith who just took 4 wickets against SA, and who will end up batting in the top 6 one day. Or go for Hauritz, who ironically, is sitting on a ton himself in that same game, and just took 5-for against WA at the WACA.
Please bring Mitch Johnson back for this game. It's a must. We lacked fire power badly in Adelaide. Plus (although stats don't recognise it making 6 ducks in his last 12 inns) he really can bat. You don't make a ninety-odd and a ton against Sth Africa, over there, with Ntini & Steyn in the attack, if you can't hold a stick. The other two fast bowling spots are the keys. Do you go for Bollinger, the other left armer way down on form or match fitness in Adelaide. Do you leave Harris in the side, who at 31 is almost the spring chicken. Pace and accuracy to burn. Siddle who was the first inns hero in Brisbane but nothing since, or Hilfenhaus, the robin of the attack. Always the side kick but never the headline act.
This is how I'd pick the side but it'll never happen.
Watson
Hughes
Clarke
White
Ponting
M.Hussey
Haddin
S.Smith
Johnson
Harris
Siddle

Until next time......