LOL at Thomsons poor attempt at owning the players.
They're doing a fair job of owning themselves...
The pace attack
I think everyone who played at Sydney would have to be in a very sure position. Neither Lee nor Clark will be ready. Watson too, for that matter. The quartet of fast bowlers in Siddle, Johnson, Bollinger and Hilfenhaus seem likely to remain favourites, having no chance to make a false step yet. A squad of 15 usually entails two spare bowlers so it's likely that another quick will be added. That choice will be interesting.
The spinner
Forget Krejza and Hauritz, McGain is back and he has to play. In his first match of the season, he sculpted a narrow win against South Australia with 5 wickets right where they counted. That is exactly what Australia need. I don't care about the age, he's the youngest wrist spinner actually getting wickets at first class level. Pick him.
The next opener
Now that is a choice that will only end in tears.
It's far from a waste of Hughes' talent if he does not go to South Africa. In fact, I can't see them bringing him straight into the team even if they do pick him. I think England is very likely, however. Nevertheless, there will be a great wailing and gnashing of teeth if he is overlooked.
For Jaques, who is 29, the time is now. He may not quite be 100% however and so the time leading up to the announcement of the squad is going to be very touch and go for him as his batting partner grows in stature.
Chris Rogers has done nothing wrong and perhaps it is a reversal of the situation that saw him ruled out of a debut against Sri Lanka due to illness. However, I can't help but feel he's not quite as good as Jaques.
Number 6
I do tend to think that without an utterly legendary bowling attack, 4 bowlers is often going to be infeasible. England, South Africa and NZ tend towards it. India and Sri Lanka don't, but are heavily reliant on spin. The Windies are probably borderline, with Chris Gayle sometimes an all-rounder and sometimes not.
Even in the era of Warne, Australia swayed between four and five bowler attacks. I see no reason for the current side to be above that. I agree with backing McDonald, he ticked a lot of boxes before Sydney and continues to look very hand with the ball. The question is whether he can be a top six at Test level.
And if Jaques is a shot, then surely Symonds is too. It's scarcely possible for the selectors to make the right call on Symonds; if they pick him it's favouritism and ignorance, if they leave him out and it's all doom and gloom and misdirected pressure.
Of course, a 15 man squad is a big list. It's likely to see some overlaps. We may well see McDonald, Symonds, Jaques and Rogers all picked.
