ASHES 2013
I want to talk about the Australian Squad which was announced yesterday by Chairman of selectors John Inverarity and which through up some curve balls but which was nice in a way as I feel the losses and bad losses they were in India have made the men at the top sit bolt upright and realise they must start winning and playing more competitive cricket and it has to be this next tour. As if your not winning not only are players vulnerable to being axed but people in those nice jobs looking after Australian cricket will start to worry as if we have a poor Ashes campaign then changes need to be made and all aspects once again need to be looked at.
The two big stories to come out of this squad are the announcement of Brad Haddin as VC and the recall of 1 test player Chris Rogers who at the age of 35 is making a comeback.
Lets start with the Haddin announcement and one which I think is great for the Michael Clarke and the team and really offers great support to the whole group with just his leadership qualities and experience at all forms of cricket. Yes I know a tough call on Wade but you have to remember he took over because Haddin left the team for personal reasons and then never really got his spot back I feel his batting and keeping and leadership is the perfect combination for the VC role . He and Michael Clarke are close friends and will now join a strong partnership for the next two ashes campaigns something that is needed very quickly if we are to succeed on these tours. Tough times need tough decisions and I say well done to the selection panel in making this call age should be no barrier and in Australian cricket for far to long its been a major issue by them and the media as to me just plain and simple pick the best side for test XI.
To the return of Chris Rogers is another selection which I have to say well done to the panel again as he is 35 only played 1 test match but since then has piled on a mountain of runs in first class cricket here in Australia and in the UK. You have to commend him on that and something we on The Cricket Club show have been talking about over the India series is that we want players in the first class system to make runs and make plenty of them so you have to get picked and you give the selectors no choice.
That is exactly what Chris has done for WA and Victoria over the years and it has been surprising that he has not been picked in the past but the only reason I see for that is since the retirement of the great 4 some 6 years ago Australian cricket has been all about promoting the youth and having a succession plan. Australia A tours are for promoting youth for experience the Australian Test team is for our countries best XI players for the job no excuses. Age does not matter just the credit of performances that you are putting in and showing the country what you are made of as player. This is what Chris has worked on for years and even by his own admittance might of thought his days had gone playing for Australia but he has another chance now and like the great Mike Hussey I believe he will have some great years ahead of him playing for Australia as age shall have no barrier going forward so I say bat on until you drop.
In saying that I feel he will play the first test in England which is the right move and I feel that Shane Watson will be bowing and batting back to his best with the freedom now that he has.
So I thought I would put my first test team pick up for you sop please have a look and let me know your hopefully kind comments.
1ST TEST SIDE
Warner
Cowan
Rodgers
Clarke
Hughes
Watson
Haddin
Starc
Siddle
Pattinson
Lyon
This to me is the basic set up for the series but yes all depending on conditions and injuries leading into the series but its always good to have a chat about it and throw ideas around.
Thanks for reading look forward to hearing your thoughts....
Regards
Damien
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