Pick your 16 Australian players for the 2013 Ashes Tour

[Tominator]

Guys who could take Hussey's spot:

Dave Hussey
Doesn't have a lot of time left but could be handy for the short term. Brilliant record in all three forms and is a good spinner too. Could be very handy if (or should I say when) Watson goes down

George Bailey
Like Dave Hussey he has a proven record in all three forms, and has leadership qualities being captain of the Tassie Togers and Australian T20 side

Usman Khawaja
For many the obvious choice, with several Tests under his belt already. No doubt a player of the future and was unlucky not to be picked ahead of Hughes

Shaun Marsh
Anybody remember this guy? I don't think he is a natural No. 3 - hence why he did so bad against India - but maybe a move to 5 or 6 could reignite his career

Rob Quiney
(See Marsh)

Callum Ferguson
For some a Smokey, he has played very well for the Australian ODI side but yet to really find consistent form for the Redbacks in Shield cricket. Versatile, he can bat 4, 5 or 6, and is only 28

Alex Doolan
Another Smokey, he could be the next number 6 and made a mammoth 161 against Sth Africa. Come from nowhere but scored runs for fun in the Shield season. Can bat between three and six.

[JBs-Hawks]

With my selectors eyes on id say Khawaja > Marsh > Ferguson although i think fergie is catching marsh quickly.

Would have probably played husseys replacement in this test instead of the extra quick to give them some extra experience before the big tours we have coming

[Bill Manspeaker]

yeah spot on JB, we have plenty of bowling options atm and i think Khawaja needed to play this test for the reason you stated

[tbagrocks]

yeah spot on JB, we have plenty of bowling options atm and i think Khawaja needed to play this test for the reason you stated

Agree, these selectors don't have much of a clue really! This whole Sri Lanka series should have been about the comming tours

[PowerBug]

Looking at the XI for this test, there is Clarke on 89 tests, Hussey on 79, Johnson on 50 and Siddle on 37. he rest are under 20. A very inexperienced side which will be even worse now that Hussey is going. Australian supporters have to be patient because the player performances will be inconsistent for the next year or so. ;)

[MTTY]

1. David Warner
2. Ed Cowan
3. Phillip Hughes
4. Michael Clarke
5. Usman Khawaja
6. Shane Watson
7. Matthew Wade
8. Peter Siddle
9. Mitchell Starc
10. Jackson Bird
11. Nathan Lyon

12. Mitchell Johnson

13. David Hussey
14. Pat Cummings
15. Tim Paine
16. James Pattinson

[Capper]

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

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

this is for the 2013 Ashes in Engalnd, not the 2013-2014 ashes in Australia, hence the title

[Tominator]

With my selectors eyes on id say Khawaja > Marsh > Ferguson although i think fergie is catching marsh quickly.

Would have probably played husseys replacement in this test instead of the extra quick to give them some extra experience before the big tours we have coming

I agree but I dont think they know who is replacement will be yet!

Probably wanted to keep the bowlers all happy, god Bird looks good though

[upthemaidens]

Ok i'll have a shot.. 16 players including 2 wicketkeepers, and working on that everyones fit.
  There is a problem with Watson IF he decides not to bowl anymore,since i'm not sure if he holds his place in the team as a specialist batsman. He has to open(which is unlikely to happen again) or bat at 6(which is also unlikely if he isnt gunna bowl).I dont think hes good enough to bat at 4.   
     Think Bird will do well in England,but with the rotation policy(and constent injuries) The bowling attack will no doubt change every test.
  Im not sold on Lyon personally, but there arnt to many other spinners knocking down the door so I guess he has to play.
Put Ferguson in the squad cause I couldnt think of another batsman, So could be replaced by (1st grade batsman in form)
   Also not sure if Ryan Harris is still alive, but gather he has been overtaken by other younger bowlers.

1.Warner
2.Cowan
3.Hughes
4.Khawaja
5.Clarke (c)
6.Watson
7.Wade (wk)
8.Pattison
9.Siddle
10.Cummins
11.Lyon
12.Ferguson
13.Starc
14.Johnson
15.Bird
16.Paine (wk)

[Ringo]

I will also give it a shot but this will not be the team that is sent.  If Watson does not bowl I am sorry to say that his batting does not command a spot in the team. If he still bowls then he replaces Henriques.

Think we need the left hander as part of the attack.  That is why I bracketed Starc/Johnson
Do not have faith in Lyon but we have no other spinner standing out in the Shield so by default he gains selection.

1.Warner
2.Cowan
3.Hughes
4.Khawaja
5.Clarke (c)
6.Henriques
7.Wade (wk)
8.Pattison
9.Siddle
10.Starc/Johnson
11.Lyon
12.Ferguson
13. Cummins
14.Johnson/Starc
15.Bird
16. Doolan (2nd W/k)

[My Chumps]

1. Warner
2. Cowan
3. Hughes
4. Clarke
5. D Hussey
6. Watson
7. Wade
8. Siddle
9. Pattinson
10. Lyon
11. Bird

12. Khawaja
13. Ferguson
14. Cummins
15. Johnson
16. Paine


I do not want Starc anywhere near that team. He's like Johnson, leaks runs, constantly wayward. Except Starc can't bat.

It's a toss up between Cummins and Bird too. We'd have to see how Cummins goes on his return from injury.

And seriously guys, D Hussey should come into this team. He's probably just as good of a spin bowler as Lyon too!

[AFEV]

I do not want Starc anywhere near that team. He's like Johnson, leaks runs, constantly wayward. Except Starc can't bat.

You've been watching too much limited overs cricket. Leaking runs isn't as bad as people make it out to be, while it is definitely good to build pressure it doesn't very well matter how many runs you concede if you're taking wickets.

5/100 is better than 2/40 any day.

[My Chumps]

I do not want Starc anywhere near that team. He's like Johnson, leaks runs, constantly wayward. Except Starc can't bat.

You've been watching too much limited overs cricket. Leaking runs isn't as bad as people make it out to be, while it is definitely good to build pressure it doesn't very well matter how many runs you concede if you're taking wickets.

5/100 is better than 2/40 any day.

Haha, bring back Krejza?
Sorry, should've said leaking runs whilst also taking minimal wickets (ignore Hobart when he knocked over the tail order after Siddle had done the hard work). Starc looks good for the future, but not right now. He doesn't build any pressure and barely beats the bat. The only good ball he bowls is the inswinging yorker to right handers which might work once or twice a test match. Bird, Siddle, Pattinson, even Johnson and Cummins are currently better options.

[JBs-Hawks]

Starc can hold the bat and bowls plenty of wicket taking balls. He took a bag in Perth too, obviously patto and cummins are better options when available.

[Tominator]

get Dave Hussey on the plane (if they dont pick Ferg)