The choice for me would be between Hodge or Symonds. Last year Australia paid by not using Hussey and McGill, both in the squad at the time. I think Bracken is more suited to the one day stuff.
I was trying to predict who I think will play rather than who I would pick. Gillespie's batting is stubborn but I doubt he'll be a major run-scorer against England and he's been short of wickets in his recent appearances for Aus and in the County Championship this year. If his form picks up then he'd be a contender but you've got to go with Clark initially I think bearing in mind his impressive form in South Africa.
Langer Hayden *Ponting Love Hussey Martyn +Gilchrist Warne Lee Gillespie/Bracken McGrath
Realistic one:
Langer Hayden *Ponting Martyn Hussey Katich +Gilchrist Warne Lee Clark McGrath
Clark probably deserves a go, even though Dizzy seems to be stepping up a gear for Yorkshire in this current game. I'd rather see Simon Katich than either Clarke or Hodge.
Stuart MacGill should play in Sydney and perhaps in Perth if the pitch is the same as last year. His record in Adelaide is pretty wretched though, so I'd be inclined to give him a miss there.
----------------------- 'John and Kevin offered to settle their differences in the ring, but were forced to backflip after it became clear no-one wanted to see either of them in boxer shorts'
I cannot understand all this "faith" with respect to Warne's captaincy credentials.
Personality wise Warne is one vain self centred individual who prefers the centre stage to himself all the time. Such characters don't make good captains IMO.
Originally posted by Josh Carney: I cannot understand all this "faith" with respect to Warne's captaincy credentials.
Personality wise Warne is one vain self centred individual who prefers the centre stage to himself all the time. Such characters don't make good captains IMO.
His excellent record with Australia and Hampshire for starters. He has an astute cricketing brain and isn't afraid to take risks.
You could argue other successful captains such as Imran Khan, Arjuna Ranatunga, Saurav Ganguly, Douglas Jardine, etc. were seen by others as vain and self-centred but I think its more important the captain has the respect of players, which I think Warne would have.
_____________________________________________ Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard no more. It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.
Langer Hayden *Ponting Love Hussey Martyn +Gilchrist Warne Lee Gillespie/Bracken McGrath
Leo - Surely that ideal side would have the asterix next to Warnes name and not Pontings ?
Actually, it would probably have it next to Hussey or Gilchrist, who I suspect would do an equally sound job without the embarrassing off field antics. Good point though.
In response to your second post - of people who the selectors will consider, that is probably the team I would put out for the first test. It is not the one I expect them to pick, but it is the one I would like to see given their biases.
As you say, Clarke and Watson are probably in front of Katich in their eyes. They may even prefer Tait to Clark if there is enough crack still circulating in the NSP.
----------------------- 'John and Kevin offered to settle their differences in the ring, but were forced to backflip after it became clear no-one wanted to see either of them in boxer shorts'
Replace 'like to see' with 'hope to see'. It's the best I could hope for from this NSP, put it that way.
On a really bad day, I wouldn't put it past this bunch to play Clarke, Symonds and Tait and leave Martyn and Clark out.
----------------------- 'John and Kevin offered to settle their differences in the ring, but were forced to backflip after it became clear no-one wanted to see either of them in boxer shorts'
_____________________________________________ Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard no more. It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.
If I'd been on the NSP Mike Hussey would have been picked in 2002, Bracken would have gone to England, and we'd still have the Ashes.
----------------------- 'John and Kevin offered to settle their differences in the ring, but were forced to backflip after it became clear no-one wanted to see either of them in boxer shorts'
Al State 