Well, apart from Langer Elliot and Jaques, Rogers is too old, as is Jewell (Vic), Di Venuto and Dighton (Tas). Moller (Qld), Blizzard (Vic) and Davis (WA) haven't played enough games in the season, although that could easily change next year. One opener who's having a very good debut season (as a 19-year old no less) is NSW's Phillip Hughes, a left-hander. So I'd say he's a certainty. And I'd suggest that the other should go to Ryan Broad from Queensland, who although he hasn't covered himself in glory, does look like he's capable of taking the shine off the new ball.

Sheesh. There's a distinct lack of quality openers coming through in the Southern Hemisphere at the moment. In the past, with Rogers and Jaques available, the Aussie openers pretty much picked themselves. Whilst that Hughes chap appears to have had a pretty successful season, its hard to select someone for the WAT A Team based on a sum total of five first class appearances and no centuries to his name. Very tough.

So... the squad:

Openers: Unknown
Middle Order: Marsh, Bailey, Pomersbach, White, Voges, McDonald, Watson
Keeper: Ronchi, Manou??
Spinners: Cullen, Casson... Doesn't look like Heal's played enough this year...
Seamers: Bollinger, Magoffin, Hilfenhaus, (McDonald, Watson)

None of that bowling line up convinces me at all. Hilfenhaus looked a quality player this time last year, but has since regressed. The only area that looks particularly sound is the middle order. Dear, oh dear.

Well, he's still got the final season match, plus the final to come good. In his favour is the fact that time is very much on his side. I don't konw too much about the other states, but Davis looks good for the Warriors- after Langer's retirement, he'll have to duke it out with Daniel Bandy and Clint Heron (Jack Heron's son).

Someone who's spoken quite well of is Chris Hartley, who's younger than Manou. His batting may not be his strong suit, but his average (28) isn't much worse than Luke Ronchi's (which will have gone up after today).

I suspect that you may be enjoying this...

Actually, the pace bowling is in reasonably good shape. Magoffin's been a very consistent and economical bowler for a number of seasons, and would be a good replacement for Stuart Clark if needed. Bollinger's had a phenomonal season too, and Hilfenhaus has actually ended pretty strongly. Another pace option might be Ben Edmonson, who can be a little expensive but has been a big wicket-taker for years now, and a very good one-day bowler.

I will argue Siddle currently out with a shoulder at a 14.70 bowling ave over Hilfenhaus at 43.26 average. Even though Siddle has only played 4 matches compared to Hilfenhaus's 9, Hilfy has only collected an extra 2 wickets than Siddle with those 5 extra matches.

Hence I think the Bowling list probably picks itself

Bollinger
Siddle
Cameron
Casson/Krejza

I think Dan Cullen is a bit hard to have with an average over 59, and when I done this list Cullen Bailey was so far down it was not worth bothering about including him.

Openers ??

That is a big black hole, the only two on that list with any remote experience I am scratching one dayers are Watson, Marsh and Ronchi.

Just a footnote on Ronchi as well, he does have an impressive one day record.

How about injury? Because if that counts as a mitigating factor then I'm certainly happy to have Siddle in the squad.

However, it looks like Mark Cameron's unavailable, as this is only his fourth match of the season- the next will be the final, so if selected he'll have played 5 out of 11 matches, therefore not enough- which I think is fair.

About Ronchi- despite his batting which makes the headlines he is a pretty good 'keeper, but I think he needs to find more consistency with the bat. I'd really be equally happy to have either him or Hartley in the squad.

Pending the appeal decision on Siddle

I pressume we are all happy Bollinger basically picks himself and the spinners spot is a two way race between Casson and Kretjza ?

Tough call on Cameron ?

If selected he gets to 5 games, but then the total games go's up to 11.

The call on Siddle and Cameron is entirely up to the Chairman of Selectors. Personally, I'd say neither are eligible, but if they have greater claims than the alternatives, then they may be worth considering. As regards Siddle, I think there are other players available who can make the squad, but I'm not so sure about Cameron. If he has a successful appearence in the final, I think he should be considered as although he would have played less than half the available games, he would have excelled in the key game of the season.

Either of you want to take on the mantle of Chairman of Selectors? All you have to do is run proceedings and then write a little article about the team at the end of the process.