First Test Squad

[stan]

First test Squad:

Ricky Ponting (c), TAS, 34
Michael Clarke (vc), NSW, 28
Doug Bollinger, NSW, 28
Brad Haddin, NSW, 32
Nathan Hauritz, NSW, 28
Ben Hilfenhaus, TAS, 26
Mike Hussey, WA, 34
Mitchell Johnson, WA, 28
Simon Katich, NSW, 34
Marcus North, NSW, 30
Peter Siddle, VIC, 24
Shane Watson, NSW, 28

No real surpirsed there. big Doug will probably carry the drinks.

[Loose_Arab]

I agree on your team except for one decision... Doug Bollinger OUT & Jason Gillespie IN.

[brod]

A couple of quotes from Hilditch

"We have very much an eye on the Ashes and if our assessment at the time is that Stuart is the best bowler for the Ashes and he's still going well, then so be it," Hilditch said. "At the moment we're preferring this bowling group."

"I actually think we're in a pretty good spot at the moment," he said. "Hauritz is bowling very well and getting better and better. It will be interesting to see how his confidence levels transform from one-day cricket into Test cricket. He's a very talented bowler. Krejza's made a lot of progress ... and he was definitely considered. He's bowling well. Plus there's a couple of young kids around the country we're watching closely as well."

[wycbloods]

One of those young kids would be Steve Smith i would think. Bowls ok at the moment but is also quite handy with the bat.

[brod]

One of those young kids would be Steve Smith i would think. Bowls ok at the moment but is also quite handy with the bat.

Not being helped by having to bowl on surface such as the current SCG (hes just brought up his century - 0/101 off 31 overs)

[wycbloods]

One of those young kids would be Steve Smith i would think. Bowls ok at the moment but is also quite handy with the bat.

Not being helped by having to bowl on surface such as the current SCG (hes just brought up his century - 0/101 off 31 overs)

Yeah i think the current surface isn't doing him any favours but taking his current form from all games played this season i am sure he is being closely monitored.

[MightyEagles]

I agree on your team except for one decision... Doug Bollinger OUT & Jason Gillespie IN.

If only he choose to play IPL instead of ICL, he would quite possibly be in the squad and be playing for SA as well.

[bloods08]

I think Hughes in for Hussey and bat Watson at 6 and Id be happy with that side. Bollinger 12th man.

[CoverKing]

"I've always said we really should be looking to play a spinner in most conditions," Hilditch said.

Thats a quote from Hilditch in an article talking about the spinners.

If you have always said it, why didnt you play a spinner in the last test match ya muppet

[Gozu]

Although they have admitted they messed up by not picking Hauritz in the last Ashes test, still it was a bizarre decision given how well Hauritz bowled during the series and that it was a turner. Hauritz was the best spinner in the series and by some distance too.

[stan]

The team is most probably going to be:

1. Simon Katich, NSW, 34
2. Shane Watson, NSW, 28
3. Ricky Ponting (c), TAS, 34
4. Mike Hussey, WA, 34
5. Michael Clarke (vc), NSW, 28
6. Marcus North, NSW, 30
7. Brad Haddin, NSW, 32
8. Mitchell Johnson, WA, 28
9. Nathan Hauritz, NSW, 28
10. Ben Hilfenhaus, TAS, 26
11. Peter Siddle, VIC, 24

12. Doug Bollinger, NSW, 28

[spell_check]

"I've always said we really should be looking to play a spinner in most conditions," Hilditch said.

Thats a quote from Hilditch in an article talking about the spinners.

If you have always said it, why didnt you play a spinner in the last test match ya muppet

Is his selection skills any better than his hooking skills?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdD-BRdA9rM

And then the first wicket in here, and the first wicket of the second innings:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InUff5NsfKU&