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16 November, 2006
Australian squad announced
Cricket Australia’s National Selection Panel (NSP) has today announced a 13-man Test squad to take part in the first 3 mobile Ashes Test against England starting next Thursday (23 November) at the GABBA.
The squad for the first 3 mobile Ashes Test is: Ricky Ponting (c) TASAdam Gilchrist (vc) WAStuart ClarkNSWMatthew Hayden QLDMike HusseyWAMitchell JohnsonQLDJustin LangerWABrett LeeNSWDamien MartynWAGlenn McGrathNSWShaun TaitSAShane WarneVICShane Watson QLD
Commenting on the squad selected for the first 3 mobile Ashes Test, NSP Chairman Andrew Hildtich said:
“We’ve picked a very strong squad which reflects the fact that Australia has been successful at international level for some time. We are showing faith in those players who have contributed to that success, while at the same time injecting some youth into the squad with the inclusions of Shane Watson, Mitchell Johnson and Shaun Tait.
“We believe this is a squad capable of winning back the Ashes. As far as Shane Watson is concerned we see his inclusion to the Test squad as an exciting development for Australian cricket. Shane has an outstanding first-class record with the bat, averaging over 45 and his bowling ability gives us the flexibility in our attack that we have been looking for. It will be interesting to see how he develops as a Test cricketer in this series.
“Justin Langer and Matthew Hayden as an opening partnership have been one of the most successful partnerships in Australian cricketing history. Matthew had a great international season last year and is in fine touch this year. Justin has started the domestic season strongly, averaging over 70 so far and he scored an unbeaten hundred against Tasmania in Western Australia’s recent Pura Cup clash. The performance of the opening pair in this series will be crucial against a classy English bowling attack.
“The inclusion of extra pacemen in the squad reflects one of the strongest starts to the domestic season of young talent in recent memory. It reflects the development of Mitchell Johnson in the past 12 months, some eye-catching fast bowling from Shaun Tait and the performance of Stuart Clark in South Africa and since his return from injury domestically.
“The selection of the final eleven will be a tough decision and will be made in Brisbane after assessing the conditions and the pitch. We intend to pick the best balanced side to represent Australia against England.”
Australian captain Ricky Ponting said:
“Our last 12 months of Test cricket have been terrific, there’s been huge excitement, anticipation and build-up in this Ashes series and now that we’ve actually selected our squad we can relax a little bit, get on and prepare for this first Test match.
“We have got a well documented experienced team going into this series but I think historically what you want in any team is a good mix of youth and experience and I think we’ve certainly got that.
“Shane Watson’s cricket over the last 12 months has come along in leaps and bounds, he’s got a terrific record at first-class level with the bat and his bowling has really taken off, probably since Troy Cooley has been around the group.
“It’s really exciting as far as I’m concerned to have that depth of fast bowling talent around the country at the moment. You look at Tait, Mitchell Johnson and Stuart Clark who have all started this season off extremely well and are all putting their hands up for selection.
“This series is going to be huge, we’ve all been waiting for it for 14-15 months and the crowds around Australia have been exactly the same, there’s been huge anticipation for this series and the players are really excited about getting to Brisbane and getting our preparation under way. When we turn up at the GABBA, it’s a great ground and great stadium, it will be full and we’re looking forward to getting the show on the road.”
For information, the 13th man will return to home port no later than the morning of the first 3 mobile Test match and the 12th man will be released to play domestic cricket in the games commencing Friday 24 November.
http://cricket.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=37936
Australian squad announced
Cricket Australia’s National Selection Panel (NSP) has today announced a 13-man Test squad to take part in the first 3 mobile Ashes Test against England starting next Thursday (23 November) at the GABBA.
The squad for the first 3 mobile Ashes Test is: Ricky Ponting (c) TASAdam Gilchrist (vc) WAStuart ClarkNSWMatthew Hayden QLDMike HusseyWAMitchell JohnsonQLDJustin LangerWABrett LeeNSWDamien MartynWAGlenn McGrathNSWShaun TaitSAShane WarneVICShane Watson QLD
Commenting on the squad selected for the first 3 mobile Ashes Test, NSP Chairman Andrew Hildtich said:
“We’ve picked a very strong squad which reflects the fact that Australia has been successful at international level for some time. We are showing faith in those players who have contributed to that success, while at the same time injecting some youth into the squad with the inclusions of Shane Watson, Mitchell Johnson and Shaun Tait.
“We believe this is a squad capable of winning back the Ashes. As far as Shane Watson is concerned we see his inclusion to the Test squad as an exciting development for Australian cricket. Shane has an outstanding first-class record with the bat, averaging over 45 and his bowling ability gives us the flexibility in our attack that we have been looking for. It will be interesting to see how he develops as a Test cricketer in this series.
“Justin Langer and Matthew Hayden as an opening partnership have been one of the most successful partnerships in Australian cricketing history. Matthew had a great international season last year and is in fine touch this year. Justin has started the domestic season strongly, averaging over 70 so far and he scored an unbeaten hundred against Tasmania in Western Australia’s recent Pura Cup clash. The performance of the opening pair in this series will be crucial against a classy English bowling attack.
“The inclusion of extra pacemen in the squad reflects one of the strongest starts to the domestic season of young talent in recent memory. It reflects the development of Mitchell Johnson in the past 12 months, some eye-catching fast bowling from Shaun Tait and the performance of Stuart Clark in South Africa and since his return from injury domestically.
“The selection of the final eleven will be a tough decision and will be made in Brisbane after assessing the conditions and the pitch. We intend to pick the best balanced side to represent Australia against England.”
Australian captain Ricky Ponting said:
“Our last 12 months of Test cricket have been terrific, there’s been huge excitement, anticipation and build-up in this Ashes series and now that we’ve actually selected our squad we can relax a little bit, get on and prepare for this first Test match.
“We have got a well documented experienced team going into this series but I think historically what you want in any team is a good mix of youth and experience and I think we’ve certainly got that.
“Shane Watson’s cricket over the last 12 months has come along in leaps and bounds, he’s got a terrific record at first-class level with the bat and his bowling has really taken off, probably since Troy Cooley has been around the group.
“It’s really exciting as far as I’m concerned to have that depth of fast bowling talent around the country at the moment. You look at Tait, Mitchell Johnson and Stuart Clark who have all started this season off extremely well and are all putting their hands up for selection.
“This series is going to be huge, we’ve all been waiting for it for 14-15 months and the crowds around Australia have been exactly the same, there’s been huge anticipation for this series and the players are really excited about getting to Brisbane and getting our preparation under way. When we turn up at the GABBA, it’s a great ground and great stadium, it will be full and we’re looking forward to getting the show on the road.”
For information, the 13th man will return to home port no later than the morning of the first 3 mobile Test match and the 12th man will be released to play domestic cricket in the games commencing Friday 24 November.
http://cricket.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=37936
