Speaking of hopefulls

Phillip Hughes has so far made a snappy 80 not out (still batting) out of NSW 1/130 at lunch day 3 in the final.

And that's also a statement of opinion, isn't it? After his prolific season last year, everyone here in the West said that Chris Rogers ought to be the next cab off the rank after Langer. But it was not to be. Siddle's only played five matches this season, only nine in total, so I'm personally a little reluctant to say that he's the next Test bowler, because he could very easily do as Ben Hilfenhaus did this year.

And just brought up his 100 too. Well, that settles that.

Youngest to do it in a final, too.

Hughes gone off the bowling of White. Sounds like a bit of an ugly shot, but from what I've read in the cricinfo commentary, he only gave one chance during the rest of the innings, which augurs well. Its good to see the young lad make his debut century, but even though I'm still worried about the lack of experience in the potential opening pairing; it does seem that there's a lack of alternatives.

Siddle has been steady, if unpenetrating in this innings. White seemingly content to chop and change his bowling attack around at every available opportunity. I'm guessing, therefore, that its a scorcher there as no bowler has really been allowed a long spell in which to shine, other than Harwood who sounds innocuous and McGain who was getting fairly punished by Hughes.

Katich also has broken the Australian record of most runs in a domestic first class season; overtaking Michael Bevan (as a matter of interest).

Hughes is now ahead of Rogers .

Seriously though, Doug Bollinger would have to be next in line for a test cap. Not only did he have a prolific season this year with the ball, but he murdered Pakistan A earlier in the season on the notoriously flat pitches in Pakistan.

Well, now that the season's over and the stats are finalised, we can now see how high the standard really has been this season.

1. Phillip Hughes- 555 runs @ 62.1
2. Ryan Broad- 528 runs @ 33
3. Shaun Marsh- 663 runs @ 60.3
4. George Bailey- 734 runs @ 43.2
5. Luke Pomersbach- 743 runs @ 61.1
6.Cameron White- 748 runs @ 49.8, 6 wickets @ 47
7. Luke Ronchi- 444 runs @ 40.4, 33 dismissals
8. Beau Casson- 485 runs @ 60.6, 29 wickets @ 35.2
9. Steve Magoffin- 178 runs @17.8, 35 wickets @ 25.5
10. Peter Siddle- 93 runs @ 11.3, 33 wickets @ 15.8
11. Doug Bollinger- 22 runs @ 7.3, 45 @ 15.4

And what's really encouraging for me is the middle order- I think they're 24, 26, 23 amd 23 respectively. Compare that to last season, when it was 27-28-29.

I'll agree with your XI there and suggest Voges as the squad's other middle order bat and Harris the other seamer.

To leave us with?

Openers: Broad + Hughes
Middle Order: Marsh, Bailey, Pomersbach, White
Keeper: Ronchi + AN Other
Spinners: Casson + AN Other
Seamers: Bollinger, Magoffin, Siddle, Harris

This leaves us requiring a backup keeper and spinner. Also, this leaves Shane Watson and Adam Voges in the A Team Wilderness.

Aurelius asked earlier about why I've changed the process to require a squad. This is to more closely mirror the real world where a squad is selected for a tour and a final XI selected based on the expected playing conditions. It also reduces some of the circular arguments we've had in other selection threads as regards team balance and Spinner vs Seamer, for example.

Not to mention it gives us more options of players to interview

Does Chris Hartley have any genuine rivals in glovework? Any fool can be taught to bat: an 'A' side should concentrate on good hands!

Oh right, four middle order men not five. How do people feel and Voges as fourth batsmen and White being counted as a seamer in place of Harris, though White would still bat at six.