YOUR 1ST TEST TEAM AT GABBA

[Footy Smart]

1. Katich
2. Hughes
3. Watson
4. Ponting
5. Hussey
6. North (personally i would go Khajawa but he did hit a 100 last start so will be selected)
7. Paine
8. Smith
9. Johnson
10 Hilfenhaus
11 Siddle

Your kidding me
Smith batting at 8
He makes a half ton for SA and you want him in the National team

Steve Smith?

[Rik E Boy]

1. Katich
2. Hughes
3. Watson
4. Ponting
5. Hussey
6. North (personally i would go Khajawa but he did hit a 100 last start so will be selected)
7. Paine
8. Smith
9. Johnson
10 Hilfenhaus
11 Siddle

Your kidding me
Smith batting at 8
He makes a half ton for SA and you want him in the National team

The way Johnson is batting at the moment Smith is a monty to bat at eight.

regards,

REB

[Vulcan]

I don't think the side for the 1st test will change too much.I believe pontings influence on the final selection of the team is too high.
The side I look forward to seeing asap is:
1-Watson
2-Hughes
3-khawaja
4-ferguson
5-clark
6-ponting
7-haddin
8-smith
9-Johnson
10-bollinger
11-hilfenhaus
I believe this is a real exciting side with good blend of experience/youth.

[Push in the Back]

1. Watson
2. Maddinson
3. Ponting
4. Khawaja
5. Clarke
6. Pommersbach
7. Paine
8. Johnson
9. Harris
10. Krejza
11. Hilfenhouse
12. Smith

[whufc]

1. Katich
2. Hughes
3. Watson
4. Ponting
5. Hussey
6. North (personally i would go Khajawa but he did hit a 100 last start so will be selected)
7. Paine
8. Smith
9. Johnson
10 Hilfenhaus
11 Siddle

Your kidding me
Smith batting at 8
He makes a half ton for SA and you want him in the National team

Steve Smith?

Yep i do think Steve Smith should be in the side,

I think with Johnson, Siddle, Hilfenhaus and Watson we arent to bad for paceman, if the fourth bowler was say another paceman i think we would be to top heavy in that regard.

Therefore imho a spinner has to be in the side, unfortunalty we dont have any spin bowlers who are currently earning their spot solely on there bowling.

Thats why i think Smith should come in, his bowling isnt that far behind Hauritz and he atleast adds something with the bat and is an exceptional fielder which is something the current side is lacking.

If he could average 35 with the ball and 30 with the bat i would say the selectors would probably take that right now.

[CoverKing]

I don't think the side for the 1st test will change too much.I believe pontings influence on the final selection of the team is too high.
The side I look forward to seeing asap is:
1-Watson
2-Hughes
3-khawaja
4-ferguson
5-clark
6-ponting
7-haddin
8-smith
9-Johnson
10-bollinger
11-hilfenhaus
I believe this is a real exciting side with good blend of experience/youth.

yes let's drop katich... Interesting!!!

[Rik E Boy]

1. Watson
2. Maddinson
3. Ponting
4. Khawaja
5. Clarke
6. Pommersbach
7. Paine
8. Johnson
9. Harris
10. Krejza
11. Hilfenhouse
12. Smith

Oh dear where to start with this one. You are taking the piss surely?

regards,

REB

[Drop Bear]

Bring in Australia A.

[Rik E Boy]

Bring in Australia A.

What do you think we've been watching for the past three seasons.

regards,

REB

[hearts on fire]

Watson
Hughes
Ponting
Katich
North
Ferguson
Haddin
Smith
Johnson
Siddle
Hilfenhaus

12th: Bollinger
13th: Paine

[OnSong]

Watson
Hughes
Ponting
Katich
North
Ferguson
Haddin
Smith
Johnson
Siddle
Hilfenhaus

12th: Bollinger
13th: Paine

Not a bad effort although I don't know about Hughes on a bouncy GABBA deck.

[Lightning McQueen]

Watson
Hughes
Ponting
Katich
North
Ferguson
Haddin
Smith
Johnson
Siddle
Hilfenhaus

12th: Bollinger
13th: Paine

Could hardly say Katich is failing as an opener, Ferg needs more time in the middle, Clarke and Hussey both deserve more opportunities to regain form than North. At least they had form at some stage of their careers, North had a couple of decent innnings' early.

[Push in the Back]

Ferg is over rated, as is Hughes.

[Pidge]

Ferg is over rated, as is Hughes.

As is Johnson

[RedMagpie]

Katich
Hughes *Depending of fitness
Ponting
Clarke
Watson
Khawaja
Paine
Johnson
Hilfenhaus
Hazelwood *Depending of fitness
Bollinger

Will never happen, but this side wouldn't loose. If Hughes is not fit, two options, open with Watson and have Ferguson at five or open with Sean Marsh. If Hazelwood is not fit, George maybe, Siddle maybe, but what ever we do, do not play a spinner.

[Hondo]

Have we all jumped of Hussey?

I jumped off him a while back but I can't see him getting dropped for the Ashes. If it was a less important series then maybe they would make the big calls like that.

Personally, I would have been hunting for Hussey's replacement 12 months ago but there hasn't beem a lot of other players that are ready to step up. I don't think Ferguson will play in the first test after 12 months off.

Now that Huss has lasted this long I am sure they will persist with him or at least keep him ahead of North.

I think they'll keep the batting line up as it is, they'll keep Hauritz and the bowlers will depend on fitness.

[Aerie]

Katich
Watson
Ponting
Clarke
Khawaja
Hussey
Paine
Smith
Johnson
Hilfenhaus
Bollinger

Pressing for selection: Hughes and George/Siddle.

Would consider Hughes at 6 to replace Hussey. Whilst Katich and Watson are firing at the top of the order, no need to replace them, but wouldn't be against Hughes coming in down the order at the expense of Hussey.

Would consider George or Siddle in to replace Johnson.

[smithy]

The team I would like to see is:

hughes - no flintoff anymore to work him over
watson - even tho he ain't my favourite cricketer by a long stretch
ponting
clarke - on notice, and sack him from the shorter forms of the game please
ferg
khawaja
paine
smith
hilf
bollinger
george

12th man - starc

notable ommissions - johnson - poo, doesn't know where he's bowling it
horry - see above
north - see above, and he can't bat
hussey - thanks but you too old and I want some more attack minded players in my side
kartich - see above, plus never been a fan

very youthful; side and inexperienced, but that's how I liked to captain them in the real world too.

REAL 1st test side.

The last XI who played India minus George and Hauritz for Bollinger and Harris.
Because the selectors are notoriously gutless at the selection table.
Hilditch - boring cricketer, selects boring cricketers.
This is an ashes test, no risk approach.

[RoosterMarty]

It is too late to drop players like Hussey and bring in a new guy like Khawaja. We should have been blooding new guys at least 12 months ago like others have said in here.

[smithy]

It is too late to drop players like Hussey and bring in a new guy like Khawaja. We should have been blooding new guys at least 12 months ago like others have said in here.

Couldn't agree more Marty.