15 for the World Cup

[acker]

Tough choices now
Symonds has special exclusion

Batters: Hayden, Ponting, Hodge, Clarke, Ponting, Hussey

Keepers: Gilchrist & Haddin

Allrounders: White (needed protection for the batting and late hitting) & Watson (by the skin of his teeth)

Bowlers: Lee, McGrath, Bracken, Hilfenhaus and Tait

Unlucky Mitchell Johnson (just cant afford 2 left arm quicks)

Missed out Brad Hogg (sorry his batting looks weak and the bowling is at best good honest)

[Rachael]

As I understand it, Gilchrist is expected to travel as the lone 'keeper... with Hussey briefed to stand in if he is unable to play at short notice. That would then create the space for Hogg (who seems pretty certain to travel).

As to Clark / Tait / Johnson / Hilfenhaus... I guess there's going to be some long discussions amongst the selectors!

How soon is the Aussie XV announced? Presumbaly before the forthcoming Hadlee-Chappell games. That would mean on current evidence... and I suspect that means Clark plus...

Hell, I don't know! Probably Johnson.

[Quagmire]

Batsman
Hayden
Ponting
Clarke - can bowl handy left arm offspin
Hussey
Hodge - can bowl off breaks

Wicket Keepers
Gilchrist
Haddin - could just play as a batsman with the form he is at the moment averaging 67.66, SR 104.10 in ODD.

Allrounders
Symonds - If unable to play would bring in a batsman like Voges or Clark/Hogg depending on what is required
White - I would play instead of Watson due to his hitting power at the death
Watson - Hanging on by a thread, but Ponting is a fan so he will go.

Bowlers
Johnson - Left arm quick decent comm bank series 9 wickets at 26.00
Lee
Tait - Has to be in the side shows so much potential
McGrath
Bracken - Australia's best ODI bowler

[Dogatlongon]

I would break it down as follows;

Given spots;
Ponting, Gilchrist, Hayden, Clarke, Hussey, McGrath, Lee, Symonds (if well)

Should be given spots;
Clark (flawless summer, it is digusting that he is in doubt)
White (invaluable hitting power, very good fielding ability and passable bowling option- IMO really underrated, especially his potential)
Johnson (has looked more solid than tait, and much more competent in the field)
Hodges (decent with the bat, and more importantly solid and sometimes outstanding fielding).

I personally would also take;
Voges, bracken, haddin

I would DEFINATELY not take;
Watson (useless, worthless piece of crap)
Tait (unreliable, "fast delivery" as your lone claim to fame while clearly lacking in other areas, even other bowling areas, it's just not good enough)

Would feel bad about not taking;
Hilfenhaus (hasn't done anything wrong, might even be inclined to give him a go over bracken, but really I'm generally against "giving people a go" for the sake of fairness, I think go with what we know and bracken has been fairly solid, looks good with the bat too).

As for who the real XV will be? Well swap the 2 "definately not takes" with the 2 best "should be givens" and that's probably what it will be.

[Dogatlongon]

Well here it is;

Ricky Ponting (capt)
Adam Gilchrist (wk)
Nathan Bracken
Michael Clarke
Brad Haddin (wk)
Matthew Hayden
Brad Hodge
Brad Hogg
Michael Hussey
Mitchell Johnson
Brett Lee
Glenn McGrath
Andrew Symonds
Shaun Tait
Shane Watson.
http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/ci/c...ml?CMP=OTC-RSS

Pathetic, if you ask me. Pretty similar to the commonwealth OD finals-losing squad. So much for the loss being a "kick in the pants". Evidently it didn't teach them a thing.
Stuart Clark and Cameron white really deserved to be there, way ahead of alot of those players but ESPECIALLY watson, tait and hogg.

This side would really excite me if I was a fan of any other team, unfortunately I support australia.

[Captain_Wacky]

That is a very well-balanced squad. a bit of a risk with symonds, but i suspose he is one of our best players.

[mikesiva]

I am surprised that Stuart Clark didn't make it. The allrounder spot looks to be a problem - Symonds is injured, and Watson is recovering from an injury. Also, will Gilchrist get back early enough to adapt to Caribbean conditions? He's not as good as he used to be....

The batting seems to depend heavily on Ponting. When the pressure is applied, and if Ponting goes early, there could be an upset!

[Seamer]

Originally Posted by Dogatlongon

This side would really excite me if I was a fan of any other team, unfortunately I support australia.

I agree that this team looks beatable. Plenty of batting, but the bowling looks too attacking and i won't be surprised if they cop a hiding at some stage.

Now i think Hogg was a good choice ahead of White. Hogg has done it before winning the last world cup an he is a superior spinner to white, and we need an experienced, specialist spinner. White is a good batsman, but it is hard to see where he would fit in.

I think Australia has made a huge mistake not taking Clark. An proven performer on the big stage, and an excellent temprement under pressure, he would have been ideal. I would have taken him ahead of Tait.

Glad to see Hadden get the nod and i hope he makes the XI as a specialist batsman.

My favored XI:

Adam Gilchrist (wk)
Matthew Hayden
Ricky Ponting (capt)
Andrew Symonds
Mike Hussey
Brad Haddin
Shane Watson.
Brad Hogg
Brett Lee
Nathan Bracken
Glenn McGrath

Decent team that is good enough to win it, but take Symonds out of the mix (he should be right though) and we will be in big trouble i think

[Rachael]

Gilchrist and Haddin in the same XI? Both Clarke and Hodge are better batsman... and I'm tempted to say better fielders Watson in the same side as Symonds? Ahead of Clarke or Hodge? Makes no sense!

Gilchrist+
Hayden
Ponting*
Clarke
Hodge
Hussey
Symonds
Hogg
Lee
Bracken
McGrath

If Symonds is out.... play Johnson in his place: a top middle order including Ponting, Clark, Hussey and Hodge should allow for a 7-8-9 of Johnson, Hogg and Lee. If Gilchrist is out, promote Hussey to open and bring in Haddin. If any other batsman is injured... hope Watson treads on a ball (throw a boxful under his feet if necessary) and can be replaced by someone who can bat

[John]

Quite right not to pick White. I haven't been impressed. Its the nature of good side that White only got a small chance to impress. Unfortunately for him the standards are demanding in Australia these days.