Australia's 13 man squad for Brisbane

[Quagmire]

Matthew Hayden, Justin Langer, Ricky Ponting (capt), Damien Martyn, Michael Hussey, Shane Watson, Adam Gilchrist (wk), Shane Warne, Brett Lee, Stuart Clark, Mitchell Johnson, Glenn McGrath, Shaun Tait.

[greg]

So will the Aussies go safety first and pick Clark or chuck in one of the young pups in Tait or Johnson?I also think that leaving out Clarke and picking Martyn is a mistake.I know which one i would rather be bowling at if i was an England bowler.

The Aussie batting line up will be tested with Watson a bit high at 6 but i guess they need his bowling to protect McGrath.In England's all rounder he would certainly get a place as a bowler and probably as a batsman,is Watson good enough at either to hold down a place in a test side?

Only McGrath and Warne to worry about and you wonder how fit McGrath is these days,still no denying his ability just his durability.

[Andy Mellon]

Originally Posted by greg

I also think that leaving out Clarke and picking Martyn is a mistake.I know which one i would rather be bowling at if i was an England bowler.

Probably a close call actually greg. Martyn was in blistering form at the ICCCT, wasn't one of the batsmen in the last Ashes that England had a plan for (he was dismissed thanks to the umpires as many times as the bowlers!!) whereas Clarke has a habit of being hit and miss and a bet Harmison would like a bowl a couple more of those slower balls at him!!

Jaques not being there is criminal though!

How many failures for an individual Aussie batsman will be required for Jaques to get the call?

[greg]

Originally Posted by Andy Mellon

How many failures for an individual Aussie batsman will be required for Jaques to get the call?

Well i can't see any player getting as long as Hayden got in England to find his form in this series.That counts for England players too.

[Mr Hutt]

With Tresco gone the Australian team seems to be focusing on bowling firepower. Im surprised Jaques is not in the squad but good to see clarke and Tait there....

[flanflinger]

Originally Posted by Mr Hutt

Im surprised Jaques is not in the squad but good to see clarke and Tait there....

I'm not surprised at all. Neither I am I shocked at them going with Martyn over Clarke. I will also not be suprised if the bowling lines up as

Watson
Warne
Lee
McGrath
Clark

and I will be very happy. I remember the last Ashes series Mark Waugh dropped in a bold move and what do we have this time, nothing bold and nothing surprising.

Ponting talked about a mixture of Youth and Experience... but potentially Watson (at 25) could be the only "youth"....

[KennyG]

Because of Micheal Clarkes commitment to O.D.I. cricket he doesn't get the chance to refine his game for the real thing.
I think we will go with Mitchel Johnson for the first test in Brisbane.
Stuart Clarke is too much like McGrath.

[flanflinger]

Originally Posted by KennyG

Stuart Clarke is too much like McGrath.

As an England fan, I would be much happier with Clark rather than the youthful Johnson and Tait.

When I first woke up the BBC headline from BBC cricket that Australia have called up a "trio" youthful seamers in the Test squad (Johnson, Tait and Clark) someone must have read this later, pointed out that Clark (at 31) is older than most of the England team, and the headline has changed to "Duo".

Apparently one player will go from the squad next week, and a squad of 12 will be available. I think that may mean that Tait is given a chance in the three day game starting Friday, and a good performance could get him in the side..

[Beny]

Dont be surprised if they drop Clark instead of the other two.

Johnson and Tait have both outproformed him as well as being young.

[Aussie-Yank]

The way I see the three bowlers is as follows;

1. Clark - McGrath replacement
2. Tait - Lee Replacement
3. Johnson - The holy grail of bowlers - a Fast tall left arm bowler

Many may think Johnson is not yet ready for bowling in a test match - but if you are going to blood someone there home track has got to be a good way to do it - The only better way would be if the test was a dead rubber - which is what I think the selectors might do if they have a chance and bring Tait in for the experience.

The thought of finally having a left arm pace in the Aussie attack I think will be too much for the selectors to pass up.