Despite the hype and classy performances with the bat, the time has come for the Australian players to pack up their kits and head on back home in preparation for the tour to the West Indies.
A very successful first week to the IPL has generated a huge interest and showcases its potential, however, controversial issues have begun to surface and now key players, who have performed with the entertaining ambition needed in this format, are leaving the arena.
Australian, New Zealand and West Indian cricketers who are under contract to their International body will have to adhere to their primary commitments to the ICC calendar. The likes of Matthew Hayden, Michael Hussey, Brett Lee, Andrew Symonds & Ricky Ponting will be on their way to the training camp in Brisbane by the end of this week. This opens up gaps for other International stars to get their shot in the spotlight as well as a fleet of other players to make their way into the competition. Brad Hodge is one of those players to join the IPL.
Hodge, who is not apart of the Australian squad to tour the West Indies, is the world-leading run scorer in Twenty20. He will be filling the void in the departure of players from the Kolkata Knightriders.
Despite the outstanding start to the IPL, with some down-to-the-wire games and exciting attraction, the controversy and questions have started.
The unfortunate perverted comments made to cheerleaders and the ‘Harbhajan slapped Sreesanth’ incident, have been the most notable issues, however, on an Australian cricket frontier questions are arising.
The Australian cricketing calendar is going to be a long action packed one, featuring some the most awaited events in an Australian cricket season.
With the intense schedule James Sutherland (CEO Cricket Australia) has stated that there will be no gap in Australia’s ICC schedule for them to be apart of next years IPL should it occur. This means Australian players will not be available; therefore the IPL loses a key feature to their product.
Sutherland, who is one of the believers that Twenty20 is not good for the game, has questioned the sustainability and business aspects of the IPL.
Sutherland has questioned the return on investment for the franchises. Buying the franchise, the key players, media rights, promotional expenses, merchandise developments all add up. Somewhere the return on investment needs to happen.
Sutherland claimed that ‘questions’ were already being asked. I would be inclined to agree with Sutherland’s point of view regarding the IPL’s sustainability. Cricket Australia has ensured they have great resource utilisation to ensure strong liquidity within the organization. This is a man who knows the cricket industry and is looking out for his organizations best interests. Take a look at his opinions regarding the IPL by clicking here
Whilst I am a firm believer of the Twenty20 format and it’s entertainment aspect it brings into the game, I do not agree with others that it should be the prevailing format. If anything it should be a lure to generate interest and awareness into the sport and become the generator of following for all formats. It has worked well for the Ford Ranger Cup in Australia through the KFC Big Bash. This is why the ICC T20 Champions Trophy is a fantastic idea. This years IPL will strengthen players minds going into next years ICC T20 event and the approach will be a lot more competitive, but I believe it would be destructive to the ethos and skill of World cricket if we saw our other formats fall into the dirt.
We have seen many players being highly attracted to this IPL competition. Financially it’s quite staggering and the concept is fresh. The unity amongst the players is fantastic and the contest has been tight! But how fresh can it remain in the long run?
That is the question the higher persons in the cricket industry are asking. I have thoroughly enjoyed the IPL and it’s framework but looking further into it, I do see the possible implications and issues it may develop.
So will Australian cricketers start to consider their financial opportunities or will it be a fully committed decision to serve their International representative side?
These are areas where the IPL will have its combats with the International cricket bodies, never mind the ICC.
Looking at Sutherland’s, non-IPL Australian cricketers as well as Australian IPL players points of view, one thing is for certain that the road ahead will be an interesting one to monitor.
How long will the current Aussie cricketers retreat from the IPL?
19 April 2008
IPL KICKS OFF WITH MORE THAN A BANG!
Whilst my articles do not directly relate to this controversial event, after yesterdays spectacular start to the IPL, it is hard for any cricketing enthusiast to not share an opinion or a chirp.
A short, yet entertaining opening ceremony seemed to set the tone. That tone is Twenty20 cricket. Energetic crowds, loud music, plenty of dancing girls, fast edge of your seat action and a new competition concept to enter into our living rooms. That is the Indian Premier League folks, the IPL.
What a night it was for the Kolkata Knight Riders. David Hasselhoff himself would have watched the fireworks of the last night’s game over his own 80’s TV show phenomenon any day!
With a shining gold helmet and pads, intimidating colours and his Puma bat as his sword, Brendan McCullum (Black Caps strike batsman & Keeper) braved his way to the gladiator ring. What followed from the second over was a sight many of us shouldn’t forget. Brendan gave the crowd what they wanted to see, a storm of fours and PLENTY huge sixes!
Australian skipper, my favourite cricketer, Ricky ‘Punter’ Ponting came out to join McCullum after Indian icon Sourav Ganguly was dismissed. It was strange to see two International rivals in International cricket join forces to rip through the Royal Challengers defenses. Punter managed an anchor role of 20 in his brief stay to assist McCullum. Their conferences in the middle were a rare sight and whatever they planned, it was executed with perfection.
David Hussey, Aussie New Cap, further assisted McCullum in his mission of annihilation, as he made a score of 12.
McCullums innings was not only the best T20 innings I have seen, but also an innings I will remember for years to come.
He cleared the boundaries with exuberant force blasting 13 sixes, sweeping; pulling; driving; cutting and even spicing up some cheeky shots. He dug into the attack further with 10 fours…the result, 158 not out off only 73 deliveries!
Now how sensational was that!
One memorable moment, one that has made me see a very positive side to this event was Ishant Sharma, Indian young gun paceman, claim the wicket of the well respected Rahul Dravid. A gem of an inswinger saw the leg stump spasm back. The sight of unity that followed was quite spectacular.
Ponting and Hussey were the first to congratulate Ishant after claiming the prize scalp of Dravid. There was genuine delight and celebration for the team.
After such a controversial Test series in the fall of 2007 between Aussie and India, and the hassles Ishant gave Ricky with his new breed bowling, it was fantastic to see the rivals celebrating as a unit, as a team with no anger or on-field tension. Last night it was all about cricket, and that unity was a great sight for all to see!
Sure I’d liked to have seen Cameron White ‘The Bear (previous record holder in T20 of 141 runs), Jacques Kallis (Wisden Player of the Year) and Rahul Dravid give a lot more with the bat but just to see all the guys out there playing some entertaining cricket was brilliant!
International rivalry will always be a special battle in itself. The anticipation before an Ashes test series, teams heading up to India for an ODI contest, the Southern Hemisphere Giants (Australia, South Africa & New Zealand) taking their skill to the victory…that rivalry is epic, and epic that must never leave the cricketing frontier.
I have my own theory of a strategic tactical plan by the Indian Cricketing Officials through the power that the IPL may bring to the game, but I will reveal this conspiracy for the appropriate time. It’s all in the individual’s opinion that gets us thinking right?
But theories and sleep deprived conspiracy thoughts aside, the unity of the IPL for all the teams, the opportunity for all involved and the T20 format being played in the ‘spirit of the game’…let’s hope this tournament ends leaving us all with a Twenty20 hangover to take us into the hectic 2008/09 calendar season ahead!
A short, yet entertaining opening ceremony seemed to set the tone. That tone is Twenty20 cricket. Energetic crowds, loud music, plenty of dancing girls, fast edge of your seat action and a new competition concept to enter into our living rooms. That is the Indian Premier League folks, the IPL.
What a night it was for the Kolkata Knight Riders. David Hasselhoff himself would have watched the fireworks of the last night’s game over his own 80’s TV show phenomenon any day!
With a shining gold helmet and pads, intimidating colours and his Puma bat as his sword, Brendan McCullum (Black Caps strike batsman & Keeper) braved his way to the gladiator ring. What followed from the second over was a sight many of us shouldn’t forget. Brendan gave the crowd what they wanted to see, a storm of fours and PLENTY huge sixes!
Australian skipper, my favourite cricketer, Ricky ‘Punter’ Ponting came out to join McCullum after Indian icon Sourav Ganguly was dismissed. It was strange to see two International rivals in International cricket join forces to rip through the Royal Challengers defenses. Punter managed an anchor role of 20 in his brief stay to assist McCullum. Their conferences in the middle were a rare sight and whatever they planned, it was executed with perfection.
David Hussey, Aussie New Cap, further assisted McCullum in his mission of annihilation, as he made a score of 12.
McCullums innings was not only the best T20 innings I have seen, but also an innings I will remember for years to come.
He cleared the boundaries with exuberant force blasting 13 sixes, sweeping; pulling; driving; cutting and even spicing up some cheeky shots. He dug into the attack further with 10 fours…the result, 158 not out off only 73 deliveries!
Now how sensational was that!
One memorable moment, one that has made me see a very positive side to this event was Ishant Sharma, Indian young gun paceman, claim the wicket of the well respected Rahul Dravid. A gem of an inswinger saw the leg stump spasm back. The sight of unity that followed was quite spectacular.
Ponting and Hussey were the first to congratulate Ishant after claiming the prize scalp of Dravid. There was genuine delight and celebration for the team.
After such a controversial Test series in the fall of 2007 between Aussie and India, and the hassles Ishant gave Ricky with his new breed bowling, it was fantastic to see the rivals celebrating as a unit, as a team with no anger or on-field tension. Last night it was all about cricket, and that unity was a great sight for all to see!
Sure I’d liked to have seen Cameron White ‘The Bear (previous record holder in T20 of 141 runs), Jacques Kallis (Wisden Player of the Year) and Rahul Dravid give a lot more with the bat but just to see all the guys out there playing some entertaining cricket was brilliant!
International rivalry will always be a special battle in itself. The anticipation before an Ashes test series, teams heading up to India for an ODI contest, the Southern Hemisphere Giants (Australia, South Africa & New Zealand) taking their skill to the victory…that rivalry is epic, and epic that must never leave the cricketing frontier.
I have my own theory of a strategic tactical plan by the Indian Cricketing Officials through the power that the IPL may bring to the game, but I will reveal this conspiracy for the appropriate time. It’s all in the individual’s opinion that gets us thinking right?
But theories and sleep deprived conspiracy thoughts aside, the unity of the IPL for all the teams, the opportunity for all involved and the T20 format being played in the ‘spirit of the game’…let’s hope this tournament ends leaving us all with a Twenty20 hangover to take us into the hectic 2008/09 calendar season ahead!
15 April 2008
BOLLINGER TO JOIN TOUR WITH FRESH CONTRACT & OPPORTUNITY
News in the Australian cricket camp is that the young Tasmanian pace bowler Ben Hilfenhaus has been ruled out of the West Indies tour.
Hilfenhaus has been suffering from a recurring stress fracture to his lower back, ultimately having a direct affect on his duties. Alex Kountouris stated on cricket.com.au, "His recovery will involve not bowling for the next few months but continuing on with a rehabilitation and strength program."
Andrew Hilditch (Chairman of the NSP) has decided to rest Hilfenhaus while he goes through recovery to ensure that he will be ready for the long 2008/09 season ahead for Australian cricket. It is unfortunate to see Hilfenhaus out for the Test matches as he has been on the sidelines for some time now and it would have been exciting to see him get a chance to rattle the West Indian top order.
But his opportunities are still fresh and time is well on his side.
However, this opens up an opportunity for Doug Bollinger, New South Wales speedsman, who impressed the selectors with his performances for NSW.
Bollinger was one of the new contracted players to Cricket Australia, announced last week.
With Hilfenhaus out, Bollinger is in the Test squad to fill the vacancy.
Bollinger however suffered a foot fracture and as a result missed out on New South Wales’ remaining matches of the Pura Cup.
Kountouris did mention that Bollinger is healing well and looks like he is ready to join the Test squad as long he passes a final fitness test before the squad embarks on their tour to the West-Indies towards the end of May.
Next week the controversially hyped Indian Premier league (IPL) kicks off so keep your eyes open for the Australian players taking part in competition.
To see Shane Warne in Twenty20 cricket, David Hussey giving us a taste of his capabilities and Justin Langer returning to the big arena…and so much more, it’s going to be an exciting spectacle!
I will be keeping up to date on the Australian players performances in the IPL as well as delivering news and feature updates regarding the Australian cricket camp and Cricket world alike.
Time for me to take a good look at the betting odds for the competition and make my bet!
Hilfenhaus has been suffering from a recurring stress fracture to his lower back, ultimately having a direct affect on his duties. Alex Kountouris stated on cricket.com.au, "His recovery will involve not bowling for the next few months but continuing on with a rehabilitation and strength program."
Andrew Hilditch (Chairman of the NSP) has decided to rest Hilfenhaus while he goes through recovery to ensure that he will be ready for the long 2008/09 season ahead for Australian cricket. It is unfortunate to see Hilfenhaus out for the Test matches as he has been on the sidelines for some time now and it would have been exciting to see him get a chance to rattle the West Indian top order.
But his opportunities are still fresh and time is well on his side.
However, this opens up an opportunity for Doug Bollinger, New South Wales speedsman, who impressed the selectors with his performances for NSW.
Bollinger was one of the new contracted players to Cricket Australia, announced last week.
With Hilfenhaus out, Bollinger is in the Test squad to fill the vacancy.
Bollinger however suffered a foot fracture and as a result missed out on New South Wales’ remaining matches of the Pura Cup.
Kountouris did mention that Bollinger is healing well and looks like he is ready to join the Test squad as long he passes a final fitness test before the squad embarks on their tour to the West-Indies towards the end of May.
Next week the controversially hyped Indian Premier league (IPL) kicks off so keep your eyes open for the Australian players taking part in competition.
To see Shane Warne in Twenty20 cricket, David Hussey giving us a taste of his capabilities and Justin Langer returning to the big arena…and so much more, it’s going to be an exciting spectacle!
I will be keeping up to date on the Australian players performances in the IPL as well as delivering news and feature updates regarding the Australian cricket camp and Cricket world alike.
Time for me to take a good look at the betting odds for the competition and make my bet!
10 April 2008
CONTRACTED PLAYERS 2008/09 ANNOUNCED AND 1000 HITS!
I woke up today realizing it’s been a few days since I checked my blog. So after seeing that my writing space for Australian cricket has managed, since I added the counter in February, to reach 1000 hits I was quite pleased & decided it was time to keep the momentum going on my behalf!
So a big thank you to all of you, my readers! Great to know there are a couple of you lurking around the globe reading my at times overly optimistic articles!
Attempted humour aside, I will ensure I will continue to deliver quality articles for your cricketing interest.
So, the NSP (National Selection Panel) have announced the contracted champs for the 2008/09 Australian cricketing year!
I have my own curiosity over a few names, but I back each guy on that list and believe this is the team and the right time to start building things up again since the departure of a fistful of our greatest players of the last decade.
Here are the 25 Contracted players:
Doug Bollinger NSW 26
Nathan Bracken NSW 30
Beau Casson NSW 25
Stuart Clark NSW 32
Michael Clarke NSW 27
Brad Haddin NSW 30
Matthew Hayden QLD 36
Ben Hilfenhaus TAS 25
Brad Hodge VIC 33
James Hopes QLD 29
David Hussey VIC 30
Mike Hussey WA 32
Phil Jaques NSW 28
Mitchell Johnson QLD 26
Simon Katich NSW 32
Brett Lee NSW 31
Stuart MacGill NSW 37
Shaun Marsh WA 24
Ashley Noffke QLD 30
Ricky Ponting TAS 33
Andrew Symonds QLD 32
Shaun Tait SA 25
Adam Voges WA 28
Shane Watson QLD 26
Cameron White VIC 24
There are a few things to note:
New South Wales have 10 representatives. Easily topping the list from the State side. Queensland bring in a total of 6, Western Aussie & Victoria 3 each, Tazzie 2 & South Australia 1.
The player age category is a good aspect to look at.
Many Australian players have only established themselves in the team around their thirties. It is very promising to see the selectors looking for younger blood, giving players a chance to learn from the maestro’s whilst giving them time to build a career. The best time to take chances & talent testing is now!
20-25 years: 5 players
26-30 years: 11 players
31-35 years: 7 players
36-40 years: 2 players
What I like about the above information is the 11 players for age category 26-30. Most of these players could push their careers on to 35 years of age easily if they maintain their form and fitness.
This is great to see a slightly better variety of players regarding age.
Ideally more than half the players are under 31 which a fresh and promising sight.
Of course it’s brilliant to still see our key players in the listings! I won’t go into detail on our key players as you know who they are!
Interesting to see Shaun Tait has been held onto. I felt giving another player a chance over Tait may have been a safer route given his personal situation, but on the other hand it is good there is still faith being shown in Tait and the selectors aren’t putting him through the shredder.
Shane Watson is the other player I have some curiosity over.
He did manage to get some good knocks in for Queensland but his physical state is a concern. His back-rehabilitation has been consistent in conjunction with his playing, but I must raise concern that with the intense level in the Australian side he may risk further injury. But Watto is an all-rounder to develop for later years so I hope he comes out injury free. Punter never lost faith in Watto, neither should we!
We have a number of debutants, which is an exciting sight! David Hussey is the player I am most excited to see in the ODI form of the game.
I’m very pleased Adam Voges still has his name on the dotted line too.
It seems a lot of notice went in to the Pura Cup performances as a lot of guys either returning or entering have been as a result of that event.
Simon Katich had a sensational, record-breaking Pura season so I was most pleased to see his contract being brought back from the archives.
As I mentioned with my article on our Squad for the West-Indies tour, it is refreshing to see new faces, young players and a strong Aussie unit that has the time to build up their abilities.
It’s an evenly balanced side, maybe lacking on the spinner side but that seems to be the case with every International side at the moment. Murali has the sun setting on his careers so the games great spinners are thinning out. Casson has a chance to shine as a debutant for the Test side and Stuart MacGill needs to dig deep into his skill for the Test arena with Brad Hogg & his tongue having called it a day.
Exciting times ahead for Australian cricket!
Many said that we were falling from the perch…watch this space mate, as the time for a regroup is now!
The next generation of Aussie legends is being brought to the surface!
* Fixtures for West-Indies tour in previous article.
So a big thank you to all of you, my readers! Great to know there are a couple of you lurking around the globe reading my at times overly optimistic articles!
Attempted humour aside, I will ensure I will continue to deliver quality articles for your cricketing interest.
So, the NSP (National Selection Panel) have announced the contracted champs for the 2008/09 Australian cricketing year!
I have my own curiosity over a few names, but I back each guy on that list and believe this is the team and the right time to start building things up again since the departure of a fistful of our greatest players of the last decade.
Here are the 25 Contracted players:
Doug Bollinger NSW 26
Nathan Bracken NSW 30
Beau Casson NSW 25
Stuart Clark NSW 32
Michael Clarke NSW 27
Brad Haddin NSW 30
Matthew Hayden QLD 36
Ben Hilfenhaus TAS 25
Brad Hodge VIC 33
James Hopes QLD 29
David Hussey VIC 30
Mike Hussey WA 32
Phil Jaques NSW 28
Mitchell Johnson QLD 26
Simon Katich NSW 32
Brett Lee NSW 31
Stuart MacGill NSW 37
Shaun Marsh WA 24
Ashley Noffke QLD 30
Ricky Ponting TAS 33
Andrew Symonds QLD 32
Shaun Tait SA 25
Adam Voges WA 28
Shane Watson QLD 26
Cameron White VIC 24
There are a few things to note:
New South Wales have 10 representatives. Easily topping the list from the State side. Queensland bring in a total of 6, Western Aussie & Victoria 3 each, Tazzie 2 & South Australia 1.
The player age category is a good aspect to look at.
Many Australian players have only established themselves in the team around their thirties. It is very promising to see the selectors looking for younger blood, giving players a chance to learn from the maestro’s whilst giving them time to build a career. The best time to take chances & talent testing is now!
20-25 years: 5 players
26-30 years: 11 players
31-35 years: 7 players
36-40 years: 2 players
What I like about the above information is the 11 players for age category 26-30. Most of these players could push their careers on to 35 years of age easily if they maintain their form and fitness.
This is great to see a slightly better variety of players regarding age.
Ideally more than half the players are under 31 which a fresh and promising sight.
Of course it’s brilliant to still see our key players in the listings! I won’t go into detail on our key players as you know who they are!
Interesting to see Shaun Tait has been held onto. I felt giving another player a chance over Tait may have been a safer route given his personal situation, but on the other hand it is good there is still faith being shown in Tait and the selectors aren’t putting him through the shredder.
Shane Watson is the other player I have some curiosity over.
He did manage to get some good knocks in for Queensland but his physical state is a concern. His back-rehabilitation has been consistent in conjunction with his playing, but I must raise concern that with the intense level in the Australian side he may risk further injury. But Watto is an all-rounder to develop for later years so I hope he comes out injury free. Punter never lost faith in Watto, neither should we!
We have a number of debutants, which is an exciting sight! David Hussey is the player I am most excited to see in the ODI form of the game.
I’m very pleased Adam Voges still has his name on the dotted line too.
It seems a lot of notice went in to the Pura Cup performances as a lot of guys either returning or entering have been as a result of that event.
Simon Katich had a sensational, record-breaking Pura season so I was most pleased to see his contract being brought back from the archives.
As I mentioned with my article on our Squad for the West-Indies tour, it is refreshing to see new faces, young players and a strong Aussie unit that has the time to build up their abilities.
It’s an evenly balanced side, maybe lacking on the spinner side but that seems to be the case with every International side at the moment. Murali has the sun setting on his careers so the games great spinners are thinning out. Casson has a chance to shine as a debutant for the Test side and Stuart MacGill needs to dig deep into his skill for the Test arena with Brad Hogg & his tongue having called it a day.
Exciting times ahead for Australian cricket!
Many said that we were falling from the perch…watch this space mate, as the time for a regroup is now!
The next generation of Aussie legends is being brought to the surface!
* Fixtures for West-Indies tour in previous article.
01 April 2008
EXCITING AUSTRALIAN SQUAD ANNOUNCED FOR WEST INDIES TOUR
The Test and ODI squads for the West-Indies tour in May have been announced, and what an exciting line-up it is!
Other breaking news is that Michael Clarke has been declared Vice-Captain following the retirement of the entertaining maestro Adam Gilchrist.
Pup has led our side as Captain in the last two Twenty20 international matches and his time to enter the role, as Vice-Captain, is perfect. He can learn a lot from Ricky and the other senior players, so when the time should come that he takes on the Captaincy he will be ready to step into the leadership shoes.
Regarding the squad we have some debutants and some past faces returning to represent the Baggy Green! Very exciting times ahead, and I am a firm believer that this squad will be a very strong one and to underestimate our talent would be a mistake. We will find out in May as our guys take on the Windies!
Without further to do here is the Test & ODI Squads:
TEST SQUAD FOR 3 TEST MATCHES:
Ricky Ponting (Captain)
Michael Clarke (Vice-Captain)
Beaue Casson
Stuart Clark
Brad Haddin
Matthew Hayden
Ben Hilfenhaus
Michael Hussey
Phil Jaques
Mitchell Johnson
Simon Katich
Brett Lee
Stuart MacGill
Ashley Noffke
Andrew Symonds
ODI SQUAD FOR 5 ODI MATCHES:
Ricky Ponting (Captain)
Michael Clarke (Vice-Captain)
Nathan Bracken
Stuart Clark
Brad Haddin
Matthew Hayden
James Hopes
David Hussey
Michael Hussey
Mitchell Johnson
Brett Lee
Shaun Marsh
Andrew Symonds
Cameron White
One thing I really like about this line-up is the depth we have got for the ODI squad. Great to see Cameron White ‘The Bear’ back in the squad and I am really pleased David Hussey ‘Bomber’ will be joining Michael Hussey as they become the destructive brotherly force. Shaun Marsh comes in as a very talented lower-middle order batsman.
On the Test front it is great to see Simon Katich’s name in that line up after his phenomenal Pura Milk Cup campaign. Will be incredible if he can maintain the form he had in the domestic season.
Stuart MacGill comes back into the squad after showing he had regained his form with his spinners. Ben Hilfenhaus gets a call up which is great to add to the bowling attack. He has been on the sidelines a lot over the past few seasons so I hope he gets a shot out there in the middle!
Ashley Noffke, who you would have seen playing for the Twenty20 squad, gets his call-up to represent the Baggy Green. His stats show consistent performances for Queensland! Beaue Casson of New South Wales is stepping in as a young-spinner who the selectors believe can contribute at the elite level. Great to see a young spinner brought into the system!
I am pleased with this squad and will be a good challenge for our team with a fairly new looking unit! Exciting cricket ahead! West Indies, get ready!
* Fixtures for Tour posted two articles back in late March archives
Other breaking news is that Michael Clarke has been declared Vice-Captain following the retirement of the entertaining maestro Adam Gilchrist.
Pup has led our side as Captain in the last two Twenty20 international matches and his time to enter the role, as Vice-Captain, is perfect. He can learn a lot from Ricky and the other senior players, so when the time should come that he takes on the Captaincy he will be ready to step into the leadership shoes.
Regarding the squad we have some debutants and some past faces returning to represent the Baggy Green! Very exciting times ahead, and I am a firm believer that this squad will be a very strong one and to underestimate our talent would be a mistake. We will find out in May as our guys take on the Windies!
Without further to do here is the Test & ODI Squads:
TEST SQUAD FOR 3 TEST MATCHES:
Ricky Ponting (Captain)
Michael Clarke (Vice-Captain)
Beaue Casson
Stuart Clark
Brad Haddin
Matthew Hayden
Ben Hilfenhaus
Michael Hussey
Phil Jaques
Mitchell Johnson
Simon Katich
Brett Lee
Stuart MacGill
Ashley Noffke
Andrew Symonds
ODI SQUAD FOR 5 ODI MATCHES:
Ricky Ponting (Captain)
Michael Clarke (Vice-Captain)
Nathan Bracken
Stuart Clark
Brad Haddin
Matthew Hayden
James Hopes
David Hussey
Michael Hussey
Mitchell Johnson
Brett Lee
Shaun Marsh
Andrew Symonds
Cameron White
One thing I really like about this line-up is the depth we have got for the ODI squad. Great to see Cameron White ‘The Bear’ back in the squad and I am really pleased David Hussey ‘Bomber’ will be joining Michael Hussey as they become the destructive brotherly force. Shaun Marsh comes in as a very talented lower-middle order batsman.
On the Test front it is great to see Simon Katich’s name in that line up after his phenomenal Pura Milk Cup campaign. Will be incredible if he can maintain the form he had in the domestic season.
Stuart MacGill comes back into the squad after showing he had regained his form with his spinners. Ben Hilfenhaus gets a call up which is great to add to the bowling attack. He has been on the sidelines a lot over the past few seasons so I hope he gets a shot out there in the middle!
Ashley Noffke, who you would have seen playing for the Twenty20 squad, gets his call-up to represent the Baggy Green. His stats show consistent performances for Queensland! Beaue Casson of New South Wales is stepping in as a young-spinner who the selectors believe can contribute at the elite level. Great to see a young spinner brought into the system!
I am pleased with this squad and will be a good challenge for our team with a fairly new looking unit! Exciting cricket ahead! West Indies, get ready!
* Fixtures for Tour posted two articles back in late March archives
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