Australian Best Test Squad

[Scrads]

Hey guys, just a thread to discuss what we think the current Australian test squad should look like. I say 'squad' rather than 'side' due to a) horses for courses- certain players for different pitches/conditions and b) injuries.

Here is mine:

D. Warner (In the current team at the moment and in awesome form)
P. Hughes (Had a couple of chances but 549 at a 61 average in the Shield this year (3 tons and 1 50) means give him another chance)
S. Watson (If we had more quality and in form batsman I would put him on the chopping block but due to not a plethora of options he keeps his spot for now)
M. Clarke (Probably not necessary to write anything for him)
S. Smith (I was a doubter but he has done well so he keeps his spot for now)
J. Faulkner (Am his biggest fan, probably my favourite player but biased. Can bowl plenty of overs to take pressure off Watson and also good enough to score plenty of runs)
B. Haddin (Can't possibly be dropped, awesome form!)
S. O'Keefe (OMG WHY IS HE NOT IN THE TEAM. Another one of my favourites, is actually equal leading wicket taker in the Shield this year (24 @ 22). Offers some decent ability with the bat too.)
M. Johnson (Was lucky to get the chance but has well and truly cemented himself in the side for the near future)
R. Harris (Our chief swing-king for the moment, although only has an absolute max of 18 months left before he is forced to retire)
P.Siddle (I would prefer him dropped but you just can't at the moment due to not having a fit replacement and his own good form)

Reserve Batsman:
G. Bailey (I regretfully put Bailey here, I hate the idea of him in the side but unfortunately there just is not many other quality options)
Don't even have anyone else I like. I think Rogers is just a stop-gap. I don't think Doolan really is that good (38 Shield average this year, 42 last year). Maddinson isn't ready (also 38 average this year). Khawaja is out of form. North is away on emotional leave and is probably past playing test cricket again. The other in form players I like are Cameron White and Callum Ferguson.

Reserve Pace Bowlers:
J. Pattinson (Was a gun when he was in, hopefully he comes good soon)
J. Bird (Ditto)
M. Starc (Ditto)
P. Cummins (Ditto)
C. Sayers (22 wickets @ 28 so far this year to go with 48 @ 18 last year)

Reserve Spinner:
N. Lyon (Obviously our first choice at the moment, I just like SOK :P Don't think anyone comes near these two anyway)

[specky92]

Lyon won't be dropped, has bowled really well recently, doing the job for the team, the Australian bowling coach was raving about him.

I'd also like to see Hughes get another go but not opening, I'm interested to see how close the marsh brothers are to the test team.

[JBs-Hawks]

Yea there is a fiar bit of bias in that team :P

My 11.

Warner
Hughes
Watson
Clarke
Smith
Doolan/Faulkner/Ferguson
Haddin
Johnson
Siddle
Harris
Lyon

Patto/Starc keeping the quicks honest.

[tbagrocks]

Like it JB, will add two more blokes, Somehow I want Cutting in the 11 and Khawaja at least the replacement batsman for injury

[Nails]

IMO Watson and Faulkner don't belong in the same team.

[specky92]

IMO Watson and Faulkner don't belong in the same team.

i tend to agree, unless one can is in ripping batting form I think it leaves our batting a little weak

[BratPack]

Nathan Lyon doesn't belong. Nathan Lyon is so shower that Santa doesn't threaten naughty kids with coal any more, he threatens them with Nathan Lyon

[Noz]

Like I've said all along Lyon is only in the team because we don't have any other good spin bowlers ready for international cricket.

[nickstiges]

I think Silk is an opener for the future, maybe not ready yet as per your view on Maddinson, but I like what I've seen from him.
Hopefully he can translate it to test performance when he gets his chance, unlike Hughes' career thus far.

[Jay]

Warner
Hughes
Watson
Clarke
Smith
Doolan
Haddin
Johnson
Harris
Pattinson
Lyon

[Nige]

Lacks some serious Siddle in there Jaybro.  ;)

[Nails]

Pattinson, Harris and Johnson are all better than Siddle... sadly.

[Nige]

As long as there's one Victorian in the XI, I'm happy.  8)

[Jay]

Lacks some serious Siddle in there Jaybro.  ;)

I love Siddsy, but unfortunately for him... Patto is a far better bowler!

[Windigo]

I reckon the selectors would love to drop Siddle, but unfortunately I don't see it happening.

He just does enough to justify a cap every game+all his competitors getting consistently injured helps his cause.

Harris
Johnson
Pattinson
Lyon.

Patto 1st change is dynamite.