Time for a shake-up?

[Beny]

OK OK, now I know that I've been one of the biggest supporters of our 'veterens' on the cricketing front. Certinly we've got some people in the Aussie team at the momment that we can't throw away.

But why on earth are the next two batsmen on the sidelines both aged over 30? We go and drop Simon Katich and replace him with Brad Hodge, when we could take the oppertunity to give someone like Phil Jaques a go. Blooding one of these younger players in Test cricket should be a priority for the selectors, the same goes for Symonds. I'm as keen as anybody to see these two poor buggers get a run but I'm also acutely aware of the hightening age of our team.

I think Hobart should look a bit like this:

Phil Jaques
Hayden
Ponting
Clarke
Thornely
Gillshrist
Warne
Lee
Braken
McGrath
McGill

Australia has the batting to survive with only 6 batsmen, especialy with the growing batting prowess of our tail and it would give us the oppertunity to get some of the younger players,both batsmen and bowlers into the team.

[greg]

That was part of the reason why i fancy England to take over at the top some time in the future.You need to be harsh and skip a generation.Jaques is a quality player and i see more worth in him getting a go than a 30 year old like Hodge.I would also argue about picking a younger bowler than Bracken.
It's similar with England ,they were picking Collingwood ahead of Bell for the first test in Pakistan.WHY?Collingwood at 29 is not going to improve,Bell at 23 will.

[Vrock]

I would stick with Hussey.

[Beny]

Well I'm not sure that there is a younger bowler than Bracken availible... Tait is injured remember.

I think my point is'nt that we should be sacrificing wins to blood young talent. We can afford to open up a few spots, especialy for Thornely and Jaques who are right at the peak of their powers it would seem. I dont think we'd be carrying them at all.

[Vrock]

I'm not sure about that. The aussies seem to be able to trounce any team except England. They may as well put some new players through against a WI side that isn't firing.

[ComfortablyNumb]

I don't mind Hussey getting his chance, he has cemented his spot in the ODI squad so he will be in and around the Australian team anyway, but Hodge could have been passed over. They could have easily had Jaques opening and Hussey in the middle order.

[Collyisamackem]

I'd have gone with that, Jacques piled on the runs last year and will do so for a long time. He's got a lot of potential and should be given a go ASAP. I rate him and Hussey above Hodge.

[Vrock]

I think that Hussey will never play tests in his favoured position as long as Langer/Hayden are around. Once they have gone what about Hussey/Jaques? Hussey I'm sure will get a go in the middle order, he bats well in the one-dayers there very well. Hodge played well and he seems to bat solidly. Not looking too good for Katich, not too sure about Symonds though.

[Collyisamackem]

Hussey has the temperament to fit any batting role IMO. As long as he knows what's expected of him he'll get runs. Hussey/Jacques could well replace Hayden/Langer in a couple of years' time.

[Vrock]

From recent interviews Langer doesn't sound like he wants to retire too soon and Hayden seems to be getting runs again so won't be dropped as was questioned during/after the Ashes. Can Jaques play any where else apart from opening, it would have to be 4-7 seen as Ponting is and will be 3 for quite some time?