Pick your 16 Australian players for the 2013 Ashes Tour

[Nails]

flower Watson off and give Johnson a permanent spot.

Watson only bowls pies now anyway and can't go on with an innings to save himself.

[pyronerd]

Ok, let's break this down into parts. Step one, the bats.

2 openers need to be picked, imo the best combo (note: not individuals, opening pair) are Ed Cowan and David Warner. Then the No. 3 spot: Since Clarke will not bat there and there isn't a specialist No 3, the player i would take is Phil Hughes. In the middle order the No. 4 spot goes to Usman Khawaja and 5 to Michael Clarke.

The Wicketkeepers: Matthew Wade. He's done enough I guess

Seam Bowlers: After seeing how he's bowled in the one test he's played, I really like the way Jackson Bird bowls and i would take him to England. The lad has control and knows how to swing the ball, a must have imo. The hustle and bustle of Peter Siddle deserves to go on tour, and if he's fit then the arrogant James Pattinson goes along in the first XI. The way that he approaches the crease and the long follow through can really make the bats intimidated.

Spin Bowling: Nathan Lyon. He'll get beaten by Graeme Swann but he's the best there is.

I've left the No. 6 spot open on purpose, because it's one that can cause debate. Do you a) pick an All Rounder so you get 5 bowling options but most probably a weaker batting line-up, or b) a batsman only leaving 4 bowlers which leaves it vulnerable. The players i have that can take this spot are: Rob Quiney, Dan Christian, and Moises Henriques. I would take all 3 on tour.

All in all, here's the 16 players that Australia should take to England if it were to be selected now:
David Warner
Ed Cowan
Phil Hughes
Rob Quiney
Michael Clarke
Usman Khawaja
Matthew Wade
Peter Siddle
James Pattinson
Nathan Lyon
Jackson Bird
12: Dan Christian

Mitchell Starc
Moises Henriques
Glenn Maxwell
Alex Doolan (Although if a 2nd keeper is needed then change to Brad Haddin)


Missing out:
Shane Watson. There is only space for 2 openers in the side. THis guy can't bat anywhere other than at the top, and the Warner/Cowan combo is the best there.
Mitchell Johnson: Great to see him bowling well, but him and Starc are the same when it comes to bowling and Starc is better.

If you leave Watson out I'd rather see Johnson in there for his batting, as him and Starc aren't far apart in terms of bowling imo

[PowerBug]

Ok, let's break this down into parts. Step one, the bats.

2 openers need to be picked, imo the best combo (note: not individuals, opening pair) are Ed Cowan and David Warner. Then the No. 3 spot: Since Clarke will not bat there and there isn't a specialist No 3, the player i would take is Phil Hughes. In the middle order the No. 4 spot goes to Usman Khawaja and 5 to Michael Clarke.

The Wicketkeepers: Matthew Wade. He's done enough I guess

Seam Bowlers: After seeing how he's bowled in the one test he's played, I really like the way Jackson Bird bowls and i would take him to England. The lad has control and knows how to swing the ball, a must have imo. The hustle and bustle of Peter Siddle deserves to go on tour, and if he's fit then the arrogant James Pattinson goes along in the first XI. The way that he approaches the crease and the long follow through can really make the bats intimidated.

Spin Bowling: Nathan Lyon. He'll get beaten by Graeme Swann but he's the best there is.

I've left the No. 6 spot open on purpose, because it's one that can cause debate. Do you a) pick an All Rounder so you get 5 bowling options but most probably a weaker batting line-up, or b) a batsman only leaving 4 bowlers which leaves it vulnerable. The players i have that can take this spot are: Rob Quiney, Dan Christian, and Moises Henriques. I would take all 3 on tour.

All in all, here's the 16 players that Australia should take to England if it were to be selected now:
David Warner
Ed Cowan
Phil Hughes
Rob Quiney
Michael Clarke
Usman Khawaja
Matthew Wade
Peter Siddle
James Pattinson
Nathan Lyon
Jackson Bird
12: Dan Christian

Mitchell Starc
Moises Henriques
Glenn Maxwell
Alex Doolan (Although if a 2nd keeper is needed then change to Brad Haddin)


Missing out:
Shane Watson. There is only space for 2 openers in the side. THis guy can't bat anywhere other than at the top, and the Warner/Cowan combo is the best there.
Mitchell Johnson: Great to see him bowling well, but him and Starc are the same when it comes to bowling and Starc is better.

If you leave Watson out I'd rather see Johnson in there for his batting, as him and Starc aren't far apart in terms of bowling imo

So you ask to pick a bowler coz of his batting talents? :-\ You'd make a perfect Australian selector pyro. :P

[Tominator]

Ok, let's break this down into parts. Step one, the bats.

2 openers need to be picked, imo the best combo (note: not individuals, opening pair) are Ed Cowan and David Warner. Then the No. 3 spot: Since Clarke will not bat there and there isn't a specialist No 3, the player i would take is Phil Hughes. In the middle order the No. 4 spot goes to Usman Khawaja and 5 to Michael Clarke.

The Wicketkeepers: Matthew Wade. He's done enough I guess

Seam Bowlers: After seeing how he's bowled in the one test he's played, I really like the way Jackson Bird bowls and i would take him to England. The lad has control and knows how to swing the ball, a must have imo. The hustle and bustle of Peter Siddle deserves to go on tour, and if he's fit then the arrogant James Pattinson goes along in the first XI. The way that he approaches the crease and the long follow through can really make the bats intimidated.

Spin Bowling: Nathan Lyon. He'll get beaten by Graeme Swann but he's the best there is.

I've left the No. 6 spot open on purpose, because it's one that can cause debate. Do you a) pick an All Rounder so you get 5 bowling options but most probably a weaker batting line-up, or b) a batsman only leaving 4 bowlers which leaves it vulnerable. The players i have that can take this spot are: Rob Quiney, Dan Christian, and Moises Henriques. I would take all 3 on tour.

All in all, here's the 16 players that Australia should take to England if it were to be selected now:
David Warner
Ed Cowan
Phil Hughes
Rob Quiney
Michael Clarke
Usman Khawaja
Matthew Wade
Peter Siddle
James Pattinson
Nathan Lyon
Jackson Bird
12: Dan Christian

Mitchell Starc
Moises Henriques
Glenn Maxwell
Alex Doolan (Although if a 2nd keeper is needed then change to Brad Haddin)


Missing out:
Shane Watson. There is only space for 2 openers in the side. THis guy can't bat anywhere other than at the top, and the Warner/Cowan combo is the best there.
Mitchell Johnson: Great to see him bowling well, but him and Starc are the same when it comes to bowling and Starc is better.

If you leave Watson out I'd rather see Johnson in there for his batting, as him and Starc aren't far apart in terms of bowling imo

So you ask to pick a bowler coz of his batting talents? :-\ You'd make a perfect Australian selector pyro. :P

even Blind Freddy can see more than half of the current selectors

[BB67th]

I know it's a bit left field, but with the retirements of loads of experience in Haddin, Ponting and now Hussey recently, what do people think on bringing in David Hussey, just for the Indian tour and both Ashes. I think he could provide a lot of stabilty to the middle order and he has plenty of international experience. I think he could be a good fit to go in there and play a role just for a year, to give us the best chance of winning.

[stew42]

I know it's a bit left field, but with the retirements of loads of experience in Haddin, Ponting and now Hussey recently, what do people think on bringing in David Hussey, just for the Indian tour and both Ashes. I think he could provide a lot of stabilty to the middle order and he has plenty of international experience. I think he could be a good fit to go in there and play a role just for a year, to give us the best chance of winning.

Well, if Mr Cricket himself endorses him, lol.

But in all seriousness, I think he has to come into consideration, even if it's only for the short term. I think he has the composure to play up to the second Ashes series. His off-spin (I think?) will also be handy

[Tominator]

I know it's a bit left field, but with the retirements of loads of experience in Haddin, Ponting and now Hussey recently, what do people think on bringing in David Hussey, just for the Indian tour and both Ashes. I think he could provide a lot of stabilty to the middle order and he has plenty of international experience. I think he could be a good fit to go in there and play a role just for a year, to give us the best chance of winning.

Well, if Mr Cricket himself endorses him, lol.

But in all seriousness, I think he has to come into consideration, even if it's only for the short term. I think he has the composure to play up to the second Ashes series. His off-spin (I think?) will also be handy

yeah I agree, I thought if it wasn't Dan Christian called up to replace Watson then Hussey Jr would have to be up there... very similar player to Maxwell and has a proven first-class record; deserves a Baggy Green.

Maybe leave these younger guys to just mature for a year longer and then our stocks will be better, I know the earlier the exposure the better the players will be but we don't want to bring them all in too early

[Cicjose]

My 16 man squad for the Ashes

Warner
Watson
Khawaja
Clarke
Ferguson
Doolan
Wade
Siddle
Pattinson
Cutting
Bird

Starc
Cummins
Henriques
M Marsh
Lyon

[Tominator]

My 16 man squad for the Ashes

Warner
Watson
Khawaja
Clarke
Ferguson
Doolan
Wade
Siddle
Pattinson
Cutting
Bird

Starc
Cummins
Henriques
M Marsh
Lyon

Hughes?

[Cicjose]

someone needs to miss out  :-[

in place of Ferguson if he is still scoring runs by then

[Cookie311993]

My 16 man squad for the Ashes

Warner
Watson
Khawaja
Clarke
Ferguson
Doolan
Wade
Siddle
Pattinson
Cutting
Bird

Starc
Cummins
Henriques
M Marsh
Lyon

If we take that side we will get killed. Warner and Watson can't open together. Both are too attacking. Which Ashes is this for? We have 2 this calendar year

[tbagrocks]

Guess tour means tour :o Australia don't usually tour their own counrty :P

[pyronerd]

Ok, let's break this down into parts. Step one, the bats.

2 openers need to be picked, imo the best combo (note: not individuals, opening pair) are Ed Cowan and David Warner. Then the No. 3 spot: Since Clarke will not bat there and there isn't a specialist No 3, the player i would take is Phil Hughes. In the middle order the No. 4 spot goes to Usman Khawaja and 5 to Michael Clarke.

The Wicketkeepers: Matthew Wade. He's done enough I guess

Seam Bowlers: After seeing how he's bowled in the one test he's played, I really like the way Jackson Bird bowls and i would take him to England. The lad has control and knows how to swing the ball, a must have imo. The hustle and bustle of Peter Siddle deserves to go on tour, and if he's fit then the arrogant James Pattinson goes along in the first XI. The way that he approaches the crease and the long follow through can really make the bats intimidated.

Spin Bowling: Nathan Lyon. He'll get beaten by Graeme Swann but he's the best there is.

I've left the No. 6 spot open on purpose, because it's one that can cause debate. Do you a) pick an All Rounder so you get 5 bowling options but most probably a weaker batting line-up, or b) a batsman only leaving 4 bowlers which leaves it vulnerable. The players i have that can take this spot are: Rob Quiney, Dan Christian, and Moises Henriques. I would take all 3 on tour.

All in all, here's the 16 players that Australia should take to England if it were to be selected now:
David Warner
Ed Cowan
Phil Hughes
Rob Quiney
Michael Clarke
Usman Khawaja
Matthew Wade
Peter Siddle
James Pattinson
Nathan Lyon
Jackson Bird
12: Dan Christian

Mitchell Starc
Moises Henriques
Glenn Maxwell
Alex Doolan (Although if a 2nd keeper is needed then change to Brad Haddin)


Missing out:
Shane Watson. There is only space for 2 openers in the side. THis guy can't bat anywhere other than at the top, and the Warner/Cowan combo is the best there.
Mitchell Johnson: Great to see him bowling well, but him and Starc are the same when it comes to bowling and Starc is better.

If you leave Watson out I'd rather see Johnson in there for his batting, as him and Starc aren't far apart in terms of bowling imo

So you ask to pick a bowler coz of his batting talents? :-\ You'd make a perfect Australian selector pyro. :P

I'm picking a bowler because his batting talent is what seperates them :P Johnno is an AR anyway, better batter than bowler :P

[Tominator]

Get around Dave Hussey boys, I'm a fan and even if he just plays for 12 months while the young guys develop, might be better for the long run

[tbagrocks]

Get around Dave Hussey boys, I'm a fan and even if he just plays for 12 months while the young guys develop, might be better for the long run

Good idea, I see a problem!

With Punter and Mr Cricker, also maybe Watson gone, will guys like Khawaja and Hughes just expect they will be in the team? So not really forcing their way in but given the spot over necessity?

I can't see that being good :-\ Maybe Mr Cricket's brother, Mr Cricket for the sake of our futere be given a cap? Otherwise hopefully Marsh, Furgie, Doolan, Quiney etc do challange these young kids!