Australia name 30 man squad for Champions Trophy

[eddiesmith]

The preliminary squad is:
Ricky Ponting (c) - TAS, 35
Michael Clarke (vc) - NSW, 28
Doug Bollinger - NSW, 27
Nathan Bracken - NSW, 31
Callum Ferguson - SA, 24
Brett Geeves - TAS, 27
Brad Haddin - NSW, 31
Ryan Harris - QLD, 29
Nathan Hauritz - NSW, 27
Moises Henriques - NSW, 22
Ben Hilfenhaus - TAS, 26
Jon Holland - VIC, 22
James Hopes - QLD, 30
Phillip Hughes - NSW, 20
David Hussey - VIC , 32
Mike Hussey - WA , 34
Mitchell Johnson - WA , 27
Jason Krejza - TAS, 26
Brett Lee - NSW, 32
Shaun Marsh - WA, 26
Andrew McDonald - VIC, 28
Clinton McKay - VIC, 26
Marcus North - WA, 29
Tim Paine - TAS, 24
Peter Siddle - VIC, 24
Shaun Tait - SA, 26
Adam Voges - WA, 29
David Warner - NSW, 22
Shane Watson - NSW, 28
Cameron White - VIC, 25

No real suprises, obviously looking to the 2011 World Cup although not sure of Ponting and Hussey will still be around then

 

[lockyno1]

McDonald? Seriously why. He is decent at test/4-day level but shocking in limited overs matches!

Tim Paine! f**k yeah baby!

 

[Habenero]

McDonald? Seriously why. He is decent at test/4-day level but shocking in limited overs matches!

He is sh*t, full stop.

 

[IanG]

What you bet that the Status Quo will remain?

 

[Habenero]

If Ricky Dissaponting has his way I'm certain the mediocrity will remain

 

[booligal bill]

No Dirk Nannes. An absolute disgrace.

 

[Collingwood Storm]

No Nannes, Hodge, S.Clark but they pick Ryan Harris????

 

[eddiesmith]

Nannes is now a Dutch player, unavailable and Hodge and Clark are left out as they are looking towards the 2011 World Cup

 

[Collingwood Storm]

Nannes is now a Dutch player, unavailable and Hodge and Clark are left out as they are looking towards the 2011 World Cup

Nannes can still get picked for Australia as the Dutch aren't an ICC Test country.

It's like the English Lions picking that Irish wicket-keeper.

 

[Bazal]

I'm all for picking players for the future and I realise most of the named players won't make it...but seriously, what the f**k does a guy like Travis Birt have to do when they pick nuffies like McKay, Holland, Harris and McDonald in the squad but leave him out?

 

[eddiesmith]

I'm all for picking players for the future and I realise most of the named players won't make it...but seriously, what the f**k does a guy like Travis Birt have to do when they pick nuffies like McKay, Holland, Harris and McDonald in the squad but leave him out?

Henriques...

But have you ever heard of balance? You got any batsmen who he should be in ahead of? There are already about 12-13 batsmen in the squad

 

[Bazal]

Henriques...

But have you ever heard of balance? You got any batsmen who he should be in ahead of? There are already about 12-13 batsmen in the squad

Henriques shouldn't be there either, didn't see him first time round

Voges, White, McDonald

 

[lockyno1]

All 3 of them are allrounders in 20/20 cricket Baz (Voges does bowl a fair bit- like Clarke). I don't like McDonald either but he aint competing for a batsmen's spot.

 

[Bazal]

Maybe...but what does 20/20 have to do with the Champions Trophy, why do we need essentially TEN all rounders in a thirty man squad, and how is Birt not considered in the top 30 OD players in the country?

 

[lockyno1]

He might be but is he really in the top 10-12 batsmen. He'd be boredline at best. He still is really inconsistent

 

[Bazal]

Maybe not the top ten...but I ask again, do you need TEN all rounders in a thirty man squad? Surely a couple more batsmen and bowlers and, say, five all rounders gives a better balance

 

[lockyno1]

ODI's and 20/20 squads always have more all rounders than pure out and out batsmen. You need bowling options.

 

[Bazal]

I dunno about you given that I don't think like someone missing half his brain, but personally if I want bowling options I pick bowlers...

 

[lockyno1]

Look I don't necesarily disagree, but that is how Australia have picked sides for the last few years. Birt is a decent player but he is probably 3-4 batsmen behind to get a shot. I actually think George Bailey is the better bat down in Tassie anyway.