Pick your 16 Australian players for the 2013 Ashes Tour

[Sapientia]

Also, I've genuinely cooled on David Hussey getting a spot. His technique's always been pretty average but batsmen have been successful with average techniques for decades.

However this season it's just declined so poorly, like it's legitimately taking the piss it's been that bad. There's a reason he's averaging 17 in the shield. I think he'll be exposed in England especially. He's past it, unfortunately. Will still score runs in limited overs games as technique isn't mandatory but for what we're looking for, he's just gone.

It's sad :(

[owenbond007]

Bat him at 7 and he will do well. I'd pick him for the fact Lyon cant spin the ball and either can hussey by the way. But his experience the conditions and would do well especially when aussies r on top. Think a pace attack would be the go.

I actually think zampa could be great but not sure he'll be given the opportunity or time to prove himself.

[Nails]

Warner (is undoubtably the most attacking batsman in world cricket)

Obviously you've never heard of Sehwag. Warner isn't THAT attacking in test cricket. And definitely isn't the most attacking batsman in world cricket.

That is a terrible call.

Warner's an attacking batsman. The thing about Warner is test cricket lends to him as the field is in, plenty of slips so there are gaps in the field. His stock shots are runscoring shots... ball on off stump? He doesn't have to block, his way of playing it is to run it through covers/point occasionally. If it hits the middle with no fielders... 4.

He rarely goes out of his way to blatantly attack, as evidence by his ODI exploits when the field is spread (far less runs at only a marginally higher SR) - but his stock shots happen to be perfectly supported in Test cricket, making them runscoring shots.

Sehwag's just a blatant hacker and it works. So you're right, Sehwag's definitely more attacking.

As is Dilshan, probably, and also Gayle. Could also make an argument for Pietersen.

Warner has actually developed a rather defensive aspect to his game... like he's happy to be 10 runs off 30-40 balls these days. Most people think he's still just a basher though. However since working on his technique his SR has been dropping with the defensive side to his game.

For example in the 1st test vs. Sri Lanka

Warner scored: 57(89) and 68(119)

He's not just a massive basher like people seem to think he is still. Not even close to most attacking bat in the world.

[Sapientia]

He plays balls on their merits.

And does it very well. Of course when there's no scoreboard pressure and bowlers bowl excellent lines he'll defend it - on its merits.

He's probably the most unforgiving batsman in the world, however.

[fidou]

where is Mitchell Johnson ?    ^

He's there but I spelt it Johnstone sorry.

[nrich102]

My opinion

Warner
Cowan
Hughes
Watson
Kawaja
Clarke
Wade
Starc
Siddle
Hilfenhaus
Lyon
12th Johnson

Other Guys
D. Hussey
Pattinson
Cummins
Payne

they wont play Pattinson and Cummins because of thier injury concerns.

[BB67th]

Interesting points made on Warner above. I think that he can still be one of the most attacking batsman in the world, when he goes for it. But he has toned it down in the test arena, and instead of being like Sehwag or Dilshan, who just try to smash ever ball to the boundary, he plays each ball on its merits, and does it quite well. He has started to play a lot of punchy strokes through the offside to pick up 2s and 3s and keep the scoreboard ticking over, and I believe he is developing into a very good test opener.

[tbagrocks]

Warner has definitely adapted well to test cricket, I think one of the main reasons for him playing more defencive is the current strength of the line up

With Hussey (formerly) and Clarke carrying the team a lot Warner has had to play more conservative at the top

If he had Ponting, Clarke, Watson, Haydon, Hussey or whoever from last decade i'm sure he would have more free reign to demolish the pace attack

I think he has been great, scored a few tons in both formats and really looks a class batsman to me, he can choose how to best play to suit the team. Remember day one at Adelaide? I do I was there ;D

He has some big hundreds with great SR, once the team develops again i'd bet we see a more attacking Warner in future provoding he can get a good partner to open with, otherwise he could still play the anchor type attacking when needed

[Tominator]

Hilfenhaus is nearly done IMO, Bird is very similar player and hasn't put a foot wrong, he'll definitely be on the plane to India and most likely take Hilfy's spot for the Ashes

[Nige]

Hilfenhaus is nearly done IMO, Bird is very similar player and hasn't put a foot wrong, he'll definitely be on the plane to India and most likely take Hilfy's spot for the Ashes

Yep, Hilfy's as good as done. Bird will replace him and Hilfy's not going to get a gig ahead of guys like Cummins, Pattinson etc either.

[Capper]

foxsports came out with this today. Cant see Smith going to India though

http://www.foxsports.com.au/cricket/australia/nsww-all-rounder-steve-smith-in-line-for-shock-call-up-for-australias-tour-of-india/story-fn2mcu3x-1226560581854

[Jay]

Warner
Watson
Hughes
Khawaja
Clarke
Doolan
Wade
Starc
Pattinson
Siddle
Lyon

12th= Johnson

Others: Cummins, Cowan, Paine, Bird

[Nige]

Warner
Watson
Hughes
Khawaja
Clarke
Doolan
Wade
Pattinson
Cummins
Siddle
Starc

12th= Johnson

Others: Bird, Cowan, Paine, Ferguson

And who's gonna be the spin bowler?

[BB67th]

Does anyone think Steve O'Keefe could go as the second spinner? I like his bowling, he has a very decent FC average and provides some more lower order batting for us.

[Jay]

Warner
Watson
Hughes
Khawaja
Clarke
Doolan
Wade
Pattinson
Cummins
Siddle
Starc

12th= Johnson

Others: Bird, Cowan, Paine, Ferguson

And who's gonna be the spin bowler?

flower knew there was something wrong ::) will edit now