I agree with what "Aurelius" said about Hughes, the primary role of an opener is to get the team away to a good start consistantly, 6 half centuries in 10 innings suggests he does that OK.

As for batting spot 3, I think Pomersbach has played there at some stage.

I don't think so. Apart from Marsh, the only other no. 3 the Warriors have had was Langer when Davis was opening- and I think two of thos matches were when Marsh wasn't playing due to suspension or injury. Pomersbach was very much a 5, and a 6 now that North is back in the lineup.

Just seen this article on Casson:

Cricinfo - Beau wraps up successful summer

Given the relative non-performance of Cullen, Bailey, Heal, Hauritz and co, I don't think he's done his chances a bit of harm.

Did Casson used to play for WA ?

My personal choice of list so far is

1.. Phillip Hughes (NSW)
2.. Shaun Marsh (WA)
3.. Dominic Thornley (NSW)
4.. George Bailey (Tas)
5.. Luke Pomersbach (WA)
6.. Cameron White (Vic)
7.. Luke Ronchi (WA)
8.. Beau Casson (NSW)
9.. Peter Siddle (Vic)
10.Doug Bollinger (NSW)
11.Steve Magoffin (WA)

??

Shouldn't Andrew McDonald be in the frame? I'm not sure how his season as a whole stacks up but he was in the frame last year and his most recent first class game of this year couldn't really have gone better - see Cricinfo - Victoria v Queensland at Melbourne, Mar 7-9, 2008

I'm also viewing Chris Hartley as the leading contender for the gloves.

Used to, yes, at which point he got fed up of being screwed over by the WA selectors once too often and moved interstate. This is the first year where it's really paid off.

I'd also suggest that Maggofin should be nudged up to 9.

He was, until he was arrested for that murder.

Sorry 'bout that. Seriously, I think he's more of a contender than Dominic Thornley, and even if he isn't in the XI, IMO he should be a contender for the squad.

Tough one. I've never really seen Hartley much- although he looked very reliable on the few occasions when I have seen him- but Ronchi, even if he isn't as good as Hartley behind the stumps, is still a good 'keeper, and a destructive, if slightly inconsistent, batsman.

Keeping this season in the Pura Cup

Player...............Match.....Inn's K.....Ct.....St.....Tot.....Runs.....Ave.....Inn B....NO

M.Wade (Vic)........9..........17..........38.....1...... 39.......335.....27.91....14.......2
C.Hartley (Qld).....10.........19..........35.....1......36. ......349.....23.26....19.......4
L.Ronchi (WA).......8..........16..........33.....0......33 .......444.....40.36....13.......2
G.Manou (SA)......10..........18..........26.....2......28 .......596.....37.25....19.......3

* Please note I noticed a discrepency in the Cricinfo stats with Wade. They had him down as having played 10 matches I know this was impossible as Crossthwaite kept for Victoria in the Vic v Qld match (seen with my own two eyes).

I have deducted 1 match and 2 innings from him in the above figures but did not change anything else.

P.S Rachael I was thinking about McDonald then I remembered I supported him pretty hard last time we done this so I gave Thornley a crack this time. Other reason was I knew Thornley had batted #3 and like last season him and McDonald are hard to seperate.

Thanks for the stats Acker, I'll stick with Ronchi as my first choice keeper though.