Australia

[Cicjose]

it would be great for the future of the sport to play Maddinson and Doolan in the team together, both players have neat records have a lot of potential and are not stop gap measures like a Quiney, Marsh or Cowan

i still believe Khawaja has the best technique at domestic level, but as we know has been found out, just like Hughes how tough it is at international level.

Maddinson is still raw but has a ton of potential, Doolan is in career best form, and with a bright start to the Shield season for the younger brigade:

(Callum Ferguson, Alex Doolan, Usman Khawaja, Moises Henriques, Joe Burns, Ben Cutting and Phillip Hughes) all in the top 10 run scorers in the Shield season so far,

there should be at least a chance that all of these players will hopefully get a go in this international summer,

(I'm not saying they are the answer to our batting but to prepare them as our squad lacks genuine batting depth and with Ferguson the oldest at 27 years of age from the above mentioned individuals, they could become long term members of our team in the not too distant future)

and now this is the best time to be incorporating these players into the Test arena as they can show their value in hopefully a transitional summer with a goal for long term success

http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/batting/most_runs_career.html?id=7544;type=tournament

[JBs-Hawks]

A series against S.A. isnt time to experiment.

[Cicjose]

who says that the team we have now, can beat the South Africans?

they are number 1 for a reason.... they can and should beat everyone, i doubt any players that are picked for Australia's team can do well enough to as a group to beat the South Africans, but there is no reason that building for a brighter future would be detrimental to future success

[Tominator]

Quiney called up for Watson, surprised it wasn't Khawaja, Christian or even Doolan

Thoughts on that?

[Cookie311993]

I was expecting Christian with a batting reshuffle

[Cicjose]

http://www.news.com.au/top-stories/new-south-wales-fast-bowler-josh-hazlewood-added-to-australia-squad-for-first-test/story-e6frfkp9-1226510398926

New South Wales paceman Josh Hazlewood is a late inclusion in Australia's squad for the first Test against the Proteas.

:)

[Hawka]

Wattos out
Quiney should replace

I feel if Watto's batting wasnt so vital Henriques or Christian would of came in

[Tominator]

who to replace Ponting if he doesn't pull up in time?

I reckon Glenn Maxwell is in favour but I'd like to see Christian come in and bat at 6 or 7, play three quickies + Lyon and Christian

[Cicjose]

it should be Khawaja to replace Ponting if he doesnt pull up or Henriques

[BB67th]

Looks like Ponting will get up guys so Quiney should be the only inclusion. What does that make the XI look like? I think it will be this:

Warner, Cowan, Quiney, Ponting, Clarke, Hussey, Wade, Siddle, Pattinson, Hilfenhaus, Lyon, Starc (12th man)

Even with Watson out I think the selectors will go for Lyon. They and Clarke seem to have a soft spot for him and are always reminding people that he took 7 at the Gabba last year. Still I would not be surprised if Lyon did miss and we leave the main spinning duties to Clarke and Warner.....

[Capper]

Looks like Ponting will get up guys so Quiney should be the only inclusion. What does that make the XI look like? I think it will be this:

Warner, Cowan, Quiney, Ponting, Clarke, Hussey, Wade, Siddle, Pattinson, Hilfenhaus, Lyon, Starc (12th man)

Even with Watson out I think the selectors will go for Lyon. They and Clarke seem to have a soft spot for him and are always reminding people that he took 7 at the Gabba last year. Still I would not be surprised if Lyon did miss and we leave the main spinning duties to Clarke and Warner.....

i dont think Australia would be bowling Warner too much. He plays T20, 50over and test cricket for Australia so surely they will be monitoring his work. Clarkes back issues means that he wont bowl much either. If Ponting didnt play i thought that maybe Hughes or Khawaja but no that Watson is out i wouldnt be surprised if they bring in an alrounder like Henriques or Christian and then play Lyon with a pace bowler carrying the drinks

[Tominator]

sooooo pumped

the gabba wicket is pretty green so they could go for 4 quickies

[Capper]

weather aint looking to good for the first 3 days though
http://www.bom.gov.au/qld/forecasts/brisbane.shtml

[Cicjose]

all cloud cover is great (assuming we can get the ball to swing)