Andrew "Ronald" McDonald

[Pidge]

Which is what they originally did with Watto- couldn't score runs or take wickets, now he's our best player.

Which is what they're doing with Smith now, can't bat, can't bowl, but unlike Scotty Muller, at least he can field...

When they first noticed Watson he was bowling very quickly for Tassie. He could also bat as well. Even the biggest supporters of Ronnie wouldn't say he's a quick. While we are bringing back Ronnie maybe we could bring back Beau Casson as well.

regards,

REB

Of course he's not quick. He bowls about 110 from memory. I like his tight line and length bowling and his subtle variations. He is a very handy bowler. His batting wasn't up to standard when he played for Australia, but it's improved out of sight in the past 18 months and IMO he is better than Smith, Hastings or any other all-rounder CA has on their list.

[Media Park]

With Ponting now on a series by series basis, and M Huss having to be the same, The team needs to be built around Watto/M Clarke/Johnson (choke)/Siddle...

FWIW, I consider those the only four players who will be in the side in 5 years time...

They need to play some younger types, that's why Hughes/Khawaja/Cummins all got contracts, but you need some guys who are going to perform around them... Not my Big Four and kids or vets, but the Four, a few guys who might be a two-or-three year player (I.e. McDonald/Bollinger) to get them through, and a couple of kids at a time...

My ideal side:

S. Watson
P. Hughes (only because The Kat didn't get a contract)
U. Khawaja (The best long term prospect. Don't do a Smith, give him a taste, and if he fluffs it, put him back in the SS for now)
M. Clarke
R. Ponting (Series by series- Watching Ferguson to take his spot)
B. Haddin (if he does not perform, I have Paine straight in, but batting seven)
A. McDonald (ONCE Smith is performing consistently at Shield level, give him a crack, not straight away just because he's a blonde leggie)
M. Johnson
N. Hauritz (harshly dealt with last year- not a gun, but certainly our best option. However if a young buck starts to perform, they should get blooded in the shorter forms, before Horrie makes way for good).
P. Siddle (every side needs that guy who can bowl 25-30 overs in a day if need be, and he's our best at it
D. Bollinger/P.Cummins (This really depends on how the other bowlers go... If MJ is bowling pus again this year, then Bolly needs to play, Ronnie would keep it quiet and tight, but if MJ and Sidds get the job done alright, then I'd love to see Cummins in there...

[RustyCage]

A message from the man himself.....

[Pidge]

The team should be:

Watson
Katich
Ponting / Khawaja
Clarke
Hussey
Haddin
McDonald
Johnson
Hauritz
Siddle
Bollinger

But Australia don't want to win games

[Media Park]

Nice team Pidge.

The only guy I would find room for is Harris

[Lightning McQueen]

If you don't have a quality spinner, don't play one. I'd sooner see 4 quicks forcing the batsmen to make errors than toying with a "could be" spinner. Clarke needs to be able to be a part-timer or another batsman fill the void, our spinners just come in and bowl, no plans get executed and none of them ever look like taking a bag.
The Windies dominated world cricket without a spinner, as long as you have variation in your bowling stocks and a strong batting line-up you should be able to stave off defeats. Yeah, you will draw a fair few games along the way but that is better than the embarassment we are dishing up currently.