I agree, and I think Wade and Manou head Hartley as the most likely challengers.

By the way, Wade has been dropped by Victoria for the Pura cup final mainly due to Crossthwaite being considered by thier selectors as a stronger batsman.

My starting XI:

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

Has a disticntly Continental flavour in that side, with Bollinger, Pomersbach and Ronchi in the team. But we must be doing something right if nine of the XI is drawn from the top three states.

As for the others- Hartley as the reserve 'keeper (Manou's a bit too old for me, Wade's too inexperienced), Krezja as the reserve spinner (hey, that's another one ) and as the third seamer, it's a real toss-up between Andrew McDonald and Ben Edmonson.

But personally, I think I prefer the old system of choosing just the XI, with maybe a twelfth man.

Sounds like three guys that would be handy to invite to the Melbourne Cup, put Bollinger in charge of the wine list, Ronchi in charge of the catering and Pomersbach can organise the fashion contest.

I only one difference between your prefered squad and mine Aurelius.

Would anyone else like to post their current sqaud (you can change it down the track) ?

Then we can discuss our selections more in depth.

I'd have thought Pomersbach would be organising the beer selections.

Interesting article here, predicting the first-choice XI for the 2011 World Cup. I count three of our current squad in there.

Cricinfo - XI for '11

Although I'm not convinced by Cullen's merits as first spinner at all.

Funny how he mentioned just about every Australian that can flick and soin the ball in their fingers in the article except Cameron White.

Ronchi to open in his own right with out keeping (Haddin) is an interesting move, as is Jaques as opener.

P.S just listening to the Teams being anounced prior to the Pura Cup final NSW Cameron 12th man and Vic Mc Kay 12th man

So Peter Siddle has got his start.

Frankly I think Haddin should just be bypassed now. As it stands, he's 30 and Ronchi's 26- assuming he plays for five years, by the time Ronchi is ready to take his place as 'keeper he'll be 31, and like Hadding not a long-term option.

Good. Now all we need is to see Hughes get a hundred, then Andy Mellon can rest easy.

Interesting start to the Pura Cup final for 2 of our hopefulls

Phillip Hughes has been caught at second slip for 6 off Peter Siddle in his first over. He scored all his runs from the same over off Siddle as well.

Peter Siddle 4/57

Day one of the Pura Cup final, including the radio commentary of K.(skull) O'Keefe said that he looks like a test class bowler running around in a domestic match.

It was a dead flat wicket but Pete still found something....as I earlier said watch out Stuart Clark he is 10 years younger than you.

Let's not count our eggs before they're hatched. Yes, Siddle looked very good yesterday, but Ben Hilfenhaus last season took 60 wickets in just 11 matches, and this time had a more ordinary season. Siddle is only in the ninth match of his entire career, and I wouldn't say that he's the next cab off the rank on the basis of a good half-season- because as Hilfenhaus demonstrated, form can desert you at any time.

Ended up with 5/66 his scalps were Hughes, Jaques, Haddin, Casson and Bracken.

Hilfenhaus ???? what could have been, he should have pressing for selection now.

I did mention Greg Shipperd said he should be next cab off the rank, not just a IMHO statement.