1st Test of the Aussie Summer

[Aerie]

My team for the 1st Test:

Hayden
Hussey
Ponting
Hodge
Clarke
Symonds
Gilchrist
Lee
Clark
MacGill
Tait

Australia seem to have a wealth of options for when Hayden retires. They have options for when Gilchrist retires. It's likely these options won't be at the standard of Hayden and Gilchrist, but they'll still be international standard. I'm not sure they can replace MacGill so easily, or it even remains to be seen if MacGill is the bowler he was. Warne and McGrath are massive losses. Warne in particular was a once in a lifetime bowler. We won't struggle, but I expect far more competitive Test series from now on.

[haloman]

My team for the 1st Test:

Hayden
Hussey
Ponting
Hodge
Clarke
Symonds
Gilchrist
Lee
Clark
MacGill
Tait

Australia seem to have a wealth of options for when Hayden retires. They have options for when Gilchrist retires. It's likely these options won't be at the standard of Hayden and Gilchrist, but they'll still be international standard. I'm not sure they can replace MacGill so easily, or it even remains to be seen if MacGill is the bowler he was. Warne and McGrath are massive losses. Warne in particular was a once in a lifetime bowler. We won't struggle, but I expect far more competitive Test series from now on.

and that will be good for cricket. I expect we will see record test match crowds this summer......... just through curiousity if nothing else