Australia's 2011 WC Squad

[NFC]

Squad size is...15?

1. Watson
2. Marsh
3. Ponting
4. Clarke
5. Hussey
6. White
7. Haddin
8. Johnson
9. Hauritz
10. Bollinger
11. McKay

12-15: Paine, Smith, Starc, Ferguson

10 overs from:

Johnson, McKay, Bollinger, Hauritz, 5x Watson/White

Maybe unlucky to miss: Warner, Harris, Hopes

TBH, I wouldn't mind seeing a TON of players tried out over the next 4 or so months. Guys like Butterworth, Pattinson, Hazelwood (both injury permitting), Hastings, Doherty, Birt, Bailey. Next few months should be the perfect audition to make a claim for a place in the Aussies squad which will aim for a 4th straight WC.

[Rik E Boy]

I'd never thought I'd say this but they could do worse than select Hodge........

regards,

REB

[NFC]

I'd never thought I'd say this but they could do worse than select Hodge........

regards,

REB

Haha I'm tending to agree.

[The Cadet]

Trying to pick the best side for Indian conditions

B.Hodge - Has to be picked on form ( forget what he says in the media )
S.Watson
R.Ponting
M.Clarke
C.White
M.Hussey
D.Hussey - Destuctive batsman, his spiners will be more than handy in these conditions
B.Haddin - Still a better bat than Paine at this stage
R.Harris - If fit automatic selction, need swing bowlers in India
C.McKay - Best slower ball in world cricket
D.Bollinger

Reserves
M.Johnson
X.Doherty - Has a great record for Tasmania in 50 over cricket
S.Tait - If fit, won us our last world cup.
T.Paine - Backup keeper/batsman

[Media Park]

Watson (1st choice pick IMO)
Clarke
Ponting CAPT
Hodge
White
Haddin
Paine
Bollinger
MJ
Siddle
Hilf
M Hussey
R Harris
Ferguson
S Smith

My 1st choice team:

Watson
Haddin (WK)
Clarke
Ponting (Capt)
Hodge
Hussey
White
R Harris
S Smith
MJ
Bollinger

I think we're going to get spanked FWIW

[The Dark Knight]

My team/ squad would be-

1. Watson
2. Marsh
3. Ponting
4. Clarke
5. Hussey
6. White
7. Haddin
8. Johnson
9. Hauritz
10. Harris
11. Bollinger

Ferguson, Hopes, Tait and McKay

[NFC]

Watson (1st choice pick IMO)
Clarke
Ponting CAPT
Hodge
White
Haddin
Paine
Bollinger
MJ
Siddle
Hilf
M Hussey
R Harris
Ferguson
S Smith

My 1st choice team:

Watson
Haddin (WK)
Clarke
Ponting (Capt)
Hodge
Hussey
White
R Harris
S Smith
MJ
Bollinger

I think we're going to get spanked FWIW

4 in a row upcoming!

[Pidge]

Hodge won't be playing in the World Cup. Australia don't select good players.

Watson
Marsh
Ponting
Clarke
M Hussey
White
Haddin
Johnson
Hauritz
Harris
Bollinger

McKay
Ferguson
Hopes
Tait

My Team

Marsh
Hodge
Ponting
Hussey
White
Hopes
Paine
McDonald
McKay
Hilfenhaus
Bollinger

Clarke
Haddin
Ferguson
Nannes

[The Dark Knight]

Nannes

Ah yes, good one Pidge. I hope has a good season, takes plenty of wickets and the selectors have a decent look at him. I think he'll be quite effective in Indian conditions.

[piccachu]

Why are people picking Hauritz in there sides. IMO Smith is already a better bowler (atleast he turns it) far better bat and a far better fielder. i would also prefer to bowl Cam White than Hauritz, talk about kissed on the D**k

[Hazbeen]

Nannes

Ah yes, good one Pidge. I hope has a good season, takes plenty of wickets and the selectors have a decent look at him. I think he'll be quite effective in Indian conditions.

Didn't he retire recently?

[Media Park]

Nannes

Ah yes, good one Pidge. I hope has a good season, takes plenty of wickets and the selectors have a decent look at him. I think he'll be quite effective in Indian conditions.

Didn't he retire recently?

Thought he did from FC cricket.

[the joker]

Punter said today if Tait or Lee are fit and playing well, at least one will be selected and maybe both

[Phantom Gossiper]

im just gonna put this out there... I DONT RATE STEVE SMITH!!!!

1st there was the whole "must need an all-rounder" era when flintoff was dominating, now its "must discover the next Warne"

As far as im concerned, when and if a quality spinner arises then put them in, until then just pick a balanced side and the best blokes in the country to do the job! Im sure Aus can get away with some part timers through the middle overs!

[rod_rooster]

im just gonna put this out there... I DONT RATE STEVE SMITH!!!!

1st there was the whole "must need an all-rounder" era when flintoff was dominating, now its "must discover the next Warne"

As far as im concerned, when and if a quality spinner arises then put them in, until then just pick a balanced side and the best blokes in the country to do the job! Im sure Aus can get away with some part timers through the middle overs!

Hooray!! Common sense. Smith is not much of a bowler at this stage. He may develop and become a good bowler but right now he's really no better than Cameron White. In fact right now he is just a poor mans Cameron White as a cricketer.

[brod]

Ricky Ponting knows it's a big ask but he hopes Brett Lee and Shaun Tait will be part of his World Cup attack in February. Lee, who has not played for Australia in more than a year, is back in New South Wales' side following elbow surgery, while Tait was forced to have an operation on his arm following the Champions League Twenty20.

[rockstar]

im just gonna put this out there... I DONT RATE STEVE SMITH!!!!

1st there was the whole "must need an all-rounder" era when flintoff was dominating, now its "must discover the next Warne"

As far as im concerned, when and if a quality spinner arises then put them in, until then just pick a balanced side and the best blokes in the country to do the job! Im sure Aus can get away with some part timers through the middle overs!

Here here!!!

[cokadonkeytoo]

Its time for a youth policy at ACA now,

Watson
Marsh
Clarke
Hodge
Ferguson (1st pick IMO)
D. Hussey
Paine
Hopes
Harris
McKay
Tait/Bollinger

I think there are better options out there than Mitch Johnson, and i honestly think its time to hand the reigns over to Pup to carry on the good work Punter has done during his tenure. Cam Ferguson has to play from game 1, he is the quality middle order bat Aus needs to anchor an innings and post big scores.

[The Cadet]

im just gonna put this out there... I DONT RATE STEVE SMITH!!!!

1st there was the whole "must need an all-rounder" era when flintoff was dominating, now its "must discover the next Warne"

As far as im concerned, when and if a quality spinner arises then put them in, until then just pick a balanced side and the best blokes in the country to do the job! Im sure Aus can get away with some part timers through the middle overs!

I agree, I dont think his Leg spinners will ever be up to International standard, especially at Test Level. He will need to make it as a batsman. I think his path will be similar to C.White, leg spinning, hard hitting batsman. In 5 years time I think he will be mainly just a batsman.

[sherminator]

I agree that Smith is getting a little bit overhyped in the media. That is the problem every spinner is going to have to face in the next 20 years, particularly leggies ..... 'the next Shane Warne?' tag. But he is still just a kid! I remember reading articles years ago saying that leggies take a long time to develop and one of the reasons Warne was such a freak was he was so good at an early age whereas O'Reilly, Grimmet & Benaud didn't become world class spinners until they were in their 30's. I must admit I haven't seen enough of Smith to form a strong opinion. Perhaps playing him as a batsman who can bowl a few overs will help his development rather than throwing him to the lions as a 'spinner who can bat a bit' .... if that makes any sense?