Nov 25-29: 1st Test: Australia v England at Brisbane

[War]

Foxsports are predicting a 15 man squad with the star young trio from NSW batting all making the side. No Ferguson and the biggest news no Harris who has pulled up sore.

Terrible news. I really hope this doesn't mean long term Harris may be forced to going down the road of Nannes & Tait & become a ODI/T20 specialist.

Would pick Mark Cameron as the 5th seamer replacement. But of course the selectors wont.

 

[War]

Certainly wasn't in the frame but now he is. If he gets another 100 next week then it'll be hard not to seriously consider him. Especially if the other contenders fail to stand up.

Reagardless. Picking or considering McDonald for the test squad would be just as unwise as picking Smith (as foxsports predicts ).

I cannot see logical way you can balance out an XI a pick either of them. Here you have two so called "all-rounders" whose strenght is their batting, but whose bowling is way short of international/test quality.

 

[sifter132]

Even if Bell was to fail in the first two tests he's very likely to retain his place unlike Collingwood. Bell's been in very good nick for over a year with England Collingwood however...

But surely Collingwood has more 'seniority' than Bell ie. been in the team longer. I mean, Bell didn't start the Ashes last year, Collingwood's been a fixture for a while now. That would give him a bit more leeway wouldn't it?

 

[Themer]

But surely Collingwood has more 'seniority' than Bell ie. been in the team longer. I mean, Bell didn't start the Ashes last year, Collingwood's been a fixture for a while now. That would give him a bit more leeway wouldn't it?

He hasn't been holding the bat the right way for the last year. Dreadful performances and Bell's got a chance of actually playing longer than another year.

I expect Colly to retire from tests after this series then retire from international cricket after the world cup.

 

[War]

He hasn't been holding the bat the right way for the last year. Dreadful performances and Bell's got a chance of actually playing longer than another year.

I expect Colly to retire from tests after this series then retire from international cricket after the world cup.

Bit too early to making such a call dont you think?.

 

[Themer]

At 34? I really feel he'll want to go out after an Ashes series, hopefully win.

 

[War]

At 34? I really feel he'll want to go out after an Ashes series, hopefully win.

Here is Colly's own take on the matter. Paul Collingwood: 'This is our best squad in 10 years' | Specials | Cricinfo Magazine | Cricinfo.com

There's a bit of competition for places in the Test team now.

That's always been the case. I'm 34 now, so it's getting harder and harder to keep these youngsters out of the team. It's something I thrive upon. I always want to be the best at what I do and I'm going to keep working hard. I'm very confident I can keep doing well. You may find it amazing, as I haven't scored many runs in my last seven innings, but I've just had the best year of my international career. It shows I'm improving all the time, and I think I can get better and better.

If England were to retain the Ashes and then win the World Cup, would it be a suitable time to think about retirement?

That's way premature. I'm enjoying it more than I ever have, so why would I give up something I absolutely love? If I knew I was keeping young players out of the side who were better than me, then I'd have a good look at it. But at the moment I feel I'm getting better and better and I feel I deserve a place in the side. My mentality might change if we won the Ashes and the World Cup. I might think, "What else is there to do?" But that would be a massive achievement and I'm not counting any chickens.

War added 10 Minutes and 22 Seconds later...

HAAA usually people pick 17-man squad for 2 month tours, but this crop of AUS selectors have certainly raised the bar. Now they picking 17-man squads for the opener of a series. : facepalm

 

[aussie1st]

I can understand the extended squad given 4 players are nursing injuries. Gives the selectors one more look at the contenders as well.

Selectors have clearly lost the plot though, how does the Aus A spinner in O'Keefe miss out to Doherty.

 

[War]

I can understand the extended squad given 4 players are nursing injuries. Gives the selectors one more look at the contenders as well.

Selectors have clearly lost the plot though, how does the Aus A spinner in O'Keefe miss out to Doherty.

They obviously could have just waited for end of the next round of FC fixtures & the A game vs ENG then pick the squad of 12/13. Instead of wasting our time, getting us all nervous that they already had their 13-man squad firm in their minds for months, then go a pick a 17-man squad so far out - then still have to trim in down later this week.

 

[Little Punter]

the selectors are a joke, so many mistakes in the 17 man squad. It shouldn't have even been announced yet. Im a vic supporter through and through and i was expecting more than 1 vic in the whole 17 man squad. andrew mcdonald should have been selected and even david hussey. like aussie first said, okeefe should have been in before doherty but the biggest thing is phillip hughes. he should have been put in the starting XI against india to give himself a bit more international experience considering they have no outstandingly good quicks. I am just saying he was labeled as the next bradman but now cant even get into the 17 man squad. it really is a joke

 

[aussie1st]

They obviously could have just waited for end of the next round of FC fixtures & the A game vs ENG then pick the squad of 12/13. Instead of wasting our time, getting us all nervous that they already had their 13-man squad firm in their minds for months, then go a pick a 17-man squad so far out - then still have to trim in down later this week.

For once I won't blame the selectors for that. I'm sure it was in writing that they had to name their Ashes squad today direct from CA. So they are the ones to blame for this whole mess.

aussie1st added 1 Minutes and 34 Seconds later...

the selectors are a joke, so many mistakes in the 17 man squad. It shouldn't have even been announced yet. Im a vic supporter through and through and i was expecting more than 1 vic in the whole 17 man squad. andrew mcdonald should have been selected and even david hussey. like aussie first said, okeefe should have been in before doherty but the biggest thing is phillip hughes. he should have been put in the starting XI against india to give himself a bit more international experience considering they have no outstandingly good quicks. I am just saying he was labeled as the next bradman but now cant even get into the 17 man squad. it really is a joke

I'd like to know the reason why Hughes has been dropped. I know he hasn't had the best season starting from English cricket to Shield but I didn't think that was enough for him to be dropped.

 

[WORLD CHAMPIONS]

Hughes got dropped God knows, what kind of mockery is taking palce . Ferguson inclusion was a bit surprise to me, tbh he is getting runs and he is on groove, so its a fair call Selectors are pretty biased, they should have given chance to Mcdonald and Dussey Both are in good form. They should have got their chances. Didn't we named the Ashes Squad way earlier

 

[TumTum]

Must admit Hughes has been in terrible form recently in FC.

 

[WORLD CHAMPIONS]

Must admit Hughes has been in terrible form recently in FC.

I too admit Hughes is not having a great time, but he should have got selected. I hope, we can see a bit of Khawaja

 

[aussie1st]

Cricket Australia > Latest News > News

Can understand that although ironic how they finally use Shield form but when North was outscored by tailenders last season he still managed to keep his spot.