Australia A v England, Hobart, November 17-20

The Australia A team is:
State Age
Cam White (Captain) VIC 27
Tim Paine (Vice-Captain) TAS 25
Mark Cameron NSW 29
Callum Ferguson SA 25
Peter George SA 24
Phil Hughes NSW 21
Usman Khawaja NSW 23
Shaun Marsh** WA 27
Steve O’Keefe NSW 25
Steve Smith NSW 21
Mitchell Starc NSW 20
**Subject to fitness

There's some useful talent in that lot, and I wouldn;t mind seeing half that team move up to Test cricket within the next couple of years.

And some selected quotes from HIldick.

Cameron White is a talented player and a good leader and along with Tim Paine they both have a lot of experience and will provide the group with strong leadership.

Every player in the batting line-up is capable of forcing their way into the Australian side this summer.

Phil Hughes and Paine have already showed what they are capable of in Test cricket and Shaun Marsh, Callum Ferguson, and Steve Smith have already played some outstanding cricket for Australia in the limited over formats.

Just for Trev...

Usman Khawaja is yet to play for Australia but has again started the season in impressive fashion and it will be great to see him play against strong opposition.

The fast bowling of Mitchell Starc was very impressive at the Gabba few nights ago, Peter George played very well in his one Test in India and Mark Cameron has returned strongly from injury and has been performing well for NSW so we are keen to see what he can do on a big stage.

Stephen O’Keefe has had some limited opportunities in Australian limited overs squads, played very well for Australia A in the off season against Sri Lanka A and has continued that good form with a strong start to the season for New South Wales and he richly deserves this opportunity.

Only 6 Dubbers.

More Sozzies than Wozzies, and no Billies at all.

JGK wrote:Only 6 Dubbers.

That's because Brett Lee was injured.

Is it safe to say that Cameron White's batting is perhaps not quite good enough for top level test cricket? There's something about his technique that just looks wrong. Has a stiff front leg and reaches for the ball with his hands.

This wont be the big game for these guys though. The big games are the two shield games that start tomorrow. The squad will have already been picked for the first test by the time this game gets underway.

I don't see the sense in CA announcing the squad for the first Test on the 15th, ten days before the match, especially with a full round of Shield matches starting on the 17th in addition to this tour match.

The SMH this morning was suggesting a squad of 15 will be announced on Monday. All that does is ramp up the pressure on the blokes who are out of form but in the squad, and in form but not in the last Test team.

But then again, CA hasn't exactly been the world champion for logical thinking for quite a while.

For me there's two batsmen in the Aussie team who aren;t guaranteed selection for the first test- North and Hussey (although Katich is a slight doubt because of fitness). They wont drop both of them though. I think Hussey is more safe than North.

Bowling wise, the spinner's spot is unresolved, as is the third fast bowler's spot (You'd assume that Johnson and Hilfenhaus are guaranteed selections). That leaves Bollinger (if fit), Harris (if fit), Siddle, Starc, and Mackay fighting it out for the final fast bowling spot, and Hauritz, Doherty, and O'Keefe gunning for the spinners spot.

FWIW, I think they'll name an expanded squad that includes Hussey, North, and one of Ferguson, Marsh, and Khawaja, and the spinners will be Hauritz and O'Keefe.

Aussie squad for the first test-

Ponting (c)
Clarke (vc)
Watson
Katich
Hussey
North
Khawaja
Haddin +
Johnson
Siddle
Hilfenhaus
Bollinger
Harris
Hauritz
O'Keefe

I'd prefer they waited to name the XII until late in the afternoon of the 20th.

But that's not what they're going to do.

I know. Softcockism is alive and well.

Thats a pretty good Aust A side except i would have thought they might have included Johnson seeing that he is bowling utter sh!t* at the moment.
The Poms have made a big tactical error in keeping their bowling attack in Brisbane. Their info is five years out of date. Bellerive is not the road it used to be & is now one of the best tracks in the country.
Should be an interesting game & i've already reserved my spot in the members.

I think the tactic is more about the bowlers avoiding the tropical Hobart weather and getting used to frosty Brisvegas ...

embee wrote:I think the tactic is more about the bowlers avoiding the tropical Hobart weather and getting used to frosty Brisvegas ...

Well, at least its not pissing down every five minutes.

What's the wozzie word on Bog's back?

Chappellg is making noises that he intends being ruthless. He certainly isn't guaranteeing that Clarke will ascend to the captaincy throne. He's made form the most important criterion sounding a warning to Mr Snicket and Nought.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/waugh-says-chapell-will-chop-veterans/story-e6frf9if-1225949640245

Chappell also believes that the Gabba is now quicker than the WACA.

Zat wrote:I'd prefer they waited to name the XII until late in the afternoon of the 20th.

true that. dumbasses!

Red wrote:Chappellg is making noises that he intends being ruthless. He certainly isn't guaranteeing that Clarke will ascend to the captaincy throne. He's made form the most important criterion sounding a warning to Mr Snicket and Nought.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/waugh-says-chapell-will-chop-veterans/story-e6frf9if-1225949640245

Chappell also believes that the Gabba is now quicker than the WACA.

Good on GSC.

http://www.foxsports.com.au/cricket/australia/national-selector-greg-chappell-says-australia-need-mike-hussey-but-the-batsman-is-under-pressure/story-fn2mcu3x-1225950243765

Mike Hussey is safe for the first Ashes Test team but the veteran batsman is under pressure to improve his form before taking on England, according to national selector Greg Chappell.

contradictory stories

This match is being broadcast on sky over here

Good news, though from all accounts we'll not be playing our full side.

Cook & Jimmykins need to play. They're my 2 big worries.

Times change, it used to be that the last game before the first test was treated as a dress rehearsal, and the first choice eleven would play.

On previous ashes series here in Aus, Channel Nine actually covered this game.

Don't tell me The Ashes is losing out to AFL?

Henry wrote:On previous ashes series here in Aus, Channel Nine actually covered this game.

Your tiresome Aussie-bashing is really becoming irksome, and as lazy with the facts as Red.

Nine is broadcasting this match. They said so several ties during the ODIs against Sri Lanka, and it also says as much on the cricket.com.au Tour matches guide.