If you think about it, every player is a human being like the other and only as good as he plays. I agree that Hussey is one of the most talented and useful batsmen in the world in both forms of the game, but the fact remains that he is going through a lean patch, presumably after a long and hard summer back home. It follows that he will be under pressure to score well, particulalry if the in-form Hodge is dropped. Pressure before a big match is never a good thing and the match with South Africa is important even though Oz are through already because of the points countback system. Hodge is a batsman in form while Hussey is not at present; so in a big match on the same ground as the previous one, it seems logical that Hodge should be in and Hussey prepared to make way if necessary.

I was using the same logic in suggesting that Watson should also be around for the SA match; he may not be giving the Proteas sleepless nights, but at least he can bowl reasonably well. Symonds has to included for his batting, but he has just come back from a serious injury. What happens if, after bowling 2 overs against South Africa, he is unable to continue? I don't think Clarke's gentle left armers are going to stop the likes of Gibbs, Kallis and Boucher....particularly the latter, who is a very good player of spin bowling.

Symonds and Hussey are just as falliable as Hodge or Watson. One cannot make a choice merely on reputation.