Pura Cup XI

[hearts on fire]

Pura Cup XI

Michael Di Venuto
One of the most in-form retirees in recent memory. Scored 947 runs, only 14 fewer than his best Pura Cup season ever, which was last summer. Averaged 52.61 and left a big gap in Tasmania's top order when he announced he was departing.

Chris Rogers
Less remarkable than his prolific 2006-07, but still one of the best openers in the country with 744 at 43.76. Narrowly beats his newly-retired Western Australia team-mate Justin Langer for this position, and was recognised with his first Test call-up this season.

Simon Katich (capt)
Simply outstanding. Scored 1328 at 94.85 and is a chance in the final, which starts on Saturday, of breaking the all-time Pura Cup record for most runs in a season. Struck five centuries including a career-best 306 against Queensland, an innings that unbelievably included 184 in a 150-minute session.

David Hussey
Continued to be a domestic run-machine with 955 at 59.68. Was disappointed not to strike a higher score than 104 - his best came on the first day of Victoria's campaign - but it also highlighted how consistent he was to maintain such an average.

Daniel Marsh (vc)
After a couple of modest summers with the bat, last season's Pura Cup-winning captain fought back with 758 at 54.14. Made three centuries and played his part in trying to help Tasmania defend their title, but had too little support.

Luke Pomersbach
Had an eventful year: was given a month-long state ban for ignoring a team curfew, earned a car-park call-up for his Twenty20 international debut, won the Bradman Young Cricketer of the Year award, and was axed from the Warriors' one-day team due to lack of form. Importantly, just kept making runs in the Pura Cup, with 743 at 61.91.

Brad Haddin (wk)
National ODI duties meant he was only available for six games, but was still the most dangerous wicketkeeper-batsman in the competition. Scored 422 runs at 60.28 and secured 30 dismissals to confirm himself as Australia's best option in the post-Gilchrist era.

Ashley Noffke
Incredibly, finished ninth on the run tally with 686 at 45.73 and second on the wicket list with 43 at 21.25. Made his second first-class century, earned his initial international call-ups, and on occasions made the dismal Queensland at least vaguely competitive.

Ryan Harris
Was one of very few bright spots for South Australia. Grabbed 37 wickets at 29.86 and averaged 24.20 with the bat, rescuing the Redbacks from embarrassment several times after top-order failures.

Bryce McGain
Went from IT specialist to full-time cricketer at the age of 35 and was the biggest surprise packet of the summer. Spun his way to 35 wickets at 32.77 and was suddenly being talked about as a potential Test bowler.

Doug Bollinger
Missed the last two-and-a-half games of the season with a broken foot and still finished on top of the wicket tally. Needed only seven matches to grab 45 victims at 15.44, enjoyed two ten-wicket games and was to 2007-08 what Ben Hilfenhaus was to 2006-07.

Mathew Inness (12th man)
Enjoyed an amazing turnaround after playing no games last season, finishing behind only Bollinger and Noffke with 40 wickets at 20.12. Given his form and age - he is only 30 - surprised with his decision to retire at the end of the campaign.

Brydon Coverdale from Cricinfo
http://content-www.cricinfo.com/baggygr ... 42105.html

[sasquatch]

Amazed that a Redback made the team...

[rod_rooster]

Amazed that a Redback made the team...

Well deserved though. Ryan Harris had a really good year. Hope he goes on with it next season and continues to improve.

[locky801]

Pretty good side actually, agree with RR (oh no getting near footy season so need the points up) Harris is a good choice in that side, probably one of the only bright shining lights sitting there from the redbacks

[Bob Loblaw]

The Johnnie Walker ACA All Star Teams recognise the achievements of the best performed players in both the Pura and Ford Ranger Cups. Members of these teams have been determined by a vote of contracted Australian, State and Rookie players.

In total 110 players voted for the respective teams with players asked to nominate their teams in batting order.

As a condition of voting players were not able to vote for members of their own squad and eligibility for each team was restricted to players who have played a minimum of five games in the respective competitions.

Michael Di Venuto (TAS)
Chris Rogers (WA)
Brad Hodge (VIC)
Simon Katich (NSW) - (c)
David Hussey (VIC)
Daniel Marsh (TAS) - (vc)
Graham Manou (SA)
Ashley Noffke (QLD)
Doug Bollinger (NSW)
Steve Magoffin (WA)
Bryce McGain (VIC)
12th: Ryan Harris (SA)

interesting to see manou in the side ahead of haddin!

[locky801]

oh dear wait for it, have to agree though MAnou in front of Haddin aint quite sitting right with me either

[smac]

Is that voting done on a game by game basis? Sounds like it was all done at the end of the season, with Manou's big score at the end of the season carrying more weight than a consistent season from Haddin.

[Booney]

Gillespie as the All-rounder?

[GWW]

Is that voting done on a game by game basis? Sounds like it was all done at the end of the season, with Manou's big score at the end of the season carrying more weight than a consistent season from Haddin.

He made 2 big hundreds, one in Tassie, and one a few weeks ago, i think hes not that far out of place.

[RoosterMarty]

Amazed that a Redback made the team...

Well deserved though. Ryan Harris had a really good year. Hope he goes on with it next season and continues to improve.

I know he clearly stood out for the Redbacks this season but you forget how good he was because we were so terrible, great to see him in the first XI. A breakthrough season with bat and ball, if SA are to go anywhere next season this man has to keep this form up and hopefully improve on last season.

I'm also amazed D Hussey only made a top score of 104!

[sasquatch]

Gillespie as the All-rounder?

Except his bowling was s**t....

He made 2 big hundreds

And f**k all else...

Amazed that a Redback made the team...

Still agree with myself...

[stan]

Harris probably actually deserves his spot. He has been a consistant performer. Probably the only reason why the redbacks could make it to a third day.

[sasquatch]

Harris probably actually deserves his spot. He has been a consistant performer. Probably the only reason why the redbacks could make it to a third day.

Inness or Magoffin are the first two I'd put ahead of him...

[spell_check]

Harris probably actually deserves his spot. He has been a consistant performer. Probably the only reason why the redbacks could make it to a third day.

He had some good bowling efforts in the Ford Ranger, too. He is a decent all-rounder, and unlike the team as a whole, consistent.

[Booney]

Amazed that a Redback made the team...

Still agree with myself...

[the joker]

Does that mean that manou will get a cricket australia contract as the back up keeper?

[rod_rooster]

Does that mean that manou will get a cricket australia contract as the back up keeper?

Wouldn't think so. Reckon Ronchi would have that stitched up.

[sasquatch]

Does that mean that manou will get a cricket australia contract as the back up keeper?

Wouldn't think so. Reckon Ronchi would have that stitched up.

And probably Chris Hartley from QLD after Ronchi...

[brod]

Amazed that a Redback made the team...

Well deserved though. Ryan Harris had a really good year. Hope he goes on with it next season and continues to improve.

Im with you rod..bloody well deserved, to have performed so well in the siutations that he/the team were in through the season, with bat and ball he deserves the recognition. Not much in the way of help with the ball (bar Taits couple of games)

Well done Rhino!!

[the joker]

Does that mean that manou will get a cricket australia contract as the back up keeper?

Wouldn't think so. Reckon Ronchi would have that stitched up.

And probably Chris Hartley from QLD after Ronchi...

i would think that Ronchi and Manou would just about be even but Manou is way in front of Hartley 1 double hundred and 1 hundred and two 50s compared to on 50 from hartley. and manou is the best glovesman in australia by a mile