what is your best Aussie XI for the World Cup?

[Twizzle]

yeah, I think Clarke could open as he seems to have curtailed his stupid get out shots, but as I've said before, most batsmen can bat anywhere if they are good enough.

 

[lockyno1]

Which is why I'd be giving Clarke a go. Hayden looks uncomfortable at best, his only shot is his walk down the crease and hit over midwicket. At least Clarke has a few more shots!

 

[aussies1st]

Pretty much agreed, except they won't take a extra keeper. Hussey will be the reserve keeper they take on tour.

1. Watson
2. Gilchrist
3. Ponting
4. Clarke
5. Symonds
6. Hussey
7. White
8. Lee
9. Johnson
10. Bracken
11. McGrath

12. Hogg
13. Hillfenhaus
14. Hayden
15. Tait

Thats pretty much spot on, I wouldn't mind having someone other than Hayden but there isn't many openers putting their hands up.

 

[lockyno1]

Thats pretty much spot on, I wouldn't mind having someone other than Hayden but there isn't many openers putting their hands up.

Only other one I can think of is Jaques and you would think he'd need to be scoring a few more runs.

 

[Chondricthyes]

1. Adam Gilchrist (wk)
2. M. Hayden
3. Ricky Ponting (c)
4. M. Clarke
5. Michael Hussey
6. Andrew Symonds
7. Cameron White
8. Shane Watson
9. Hilfenhause/lee
10. Nathan Bracken
11. Glenn McGrath

12-Hogg
13. Tait
14. Cosgrove

Can't help thinking Lee will have to do very well to keep out Watson who can hit but has tried to change that part of his game.
liked Hilfenhause but know little about his batting.
Cosgrove can bat anywhere from 1 -7 and push things along.

 

[lockyno1]

Cosgrove is out of form, no chance!

 

[aussies1st]

An inform Cosgrove would be perfect.

 

[lockyno1]

Yes, but there is the problem- he is horribly out of form!

 

[Kiwi]

Wouldn't hussey make a much better opener over Watson and clarke?

If your not gonna use Hayden, Hussey would have to get the nod you'd think.

 

[lockyno1]

No, becuase Hussey is the best finisher in world cricket. You don't change something like that this close to a World Cup. Hussey is fine where he is!

 

[Kiwi]

No, becuase Hussey is the best finisher in world cricket. You don't change something like that this close to a World Cup. Hussey is fine where he is!

One of australia's biggest advantages is strong starts. Putting a make shift opener in would negate that alot. Cam White seems to be more than capible of batting lower down and finishing off the innings.

Hussey is such a clean hitter of the ball, he would be awesome opening with the field restrictions. He'd rattle up fast scores with minimal risk. It has to be Hussey opening or leave Hayden there.

 

[NK Arsenal]

1. Matt Hayden
2. Adam Gilchrist
3. Ricky Ponting
4. Michael Clarke
5. Mike Hussey
6. Andy Symonds
7. Shane Watson
8. Brad Hogg
9. Brett Lee
10. Mitchell Johnson
11. Glenn McGrath

12. Phil Jaques
13. Adam Voges
14. Brad Haddin
15. Ben Hilfenhaus

There was no room for:

• Dave Hussey
• Mark Cosgrove
• Shaun Tait
• Dan Cullen
• Cameron White
• Nathan Bracken
• Stuart Clark (he is sh*t in ODI's!)

 

[lockyno1]

. It has to be Hussey opening or leave Hayden there.

No it doesn't. Ever heard of Mark Waugh. Probally our best ODI opener behind Gilchrist and he was a no4 usually. Hussey is fine where he is. You don't change something that works!

 

[willvillain]

There was no room for:

• Nathan Bracken

This simply doesn't fly. Bracken is currently ranked 3rd best ODI bowler in the world, how you could even consider leaving him out of the top 11 let alone the squad entirely is beyond stupid.

The more I think about it, the less I can see a place for Hogg for the Cup. Watson needs to recover from his injuries fully before I consider him just yet.

 

[Twizzle]

No, becuase Hussey is the best finisher in world cricket. You don't change something like that this close to a World Cup. Hussey is fine where he is!

White is our best finnisher

 

[Twizzle]

Wouldn't hussey make a much better opener over Watson and clarke?

If your not gonna use Hayden, Hussey would have to get the nod you'd think.

Punter seems to have made his mind up that is where he wants Hussey

I think its a good idea for him to open, but then we need to find another middle order batsman

For our ODI team I think Jaques is next in the pecking order and he happens to be an opener

 

[willvillain]

Hussey has also said himself that he prefers batting later in the innings. He doesn't enjoy the role of hitting 'through the ball' and over the in-field that you have to do early on in the innings - that was the reason he gave for wanting to stay at 6 when offered Marto's spot at the start of this series.

 

[lockyno1]

Hussey has done it for longer. Hussey at 6 and White at 7 with Symonds at 5 is a perfect formula for finishing the innings!

 

[lockyno1]

For our ODI team I think Jaques is next in the pecking order and he happens to be an opener

What about Marcus North?

 

[Collingwood Storm]

does anyone else think Jaques is over rated?

positions 3-7 (ponting, clarke, symonds, hussey, white) is a very good mix, ideal for ODI cricket

watson could do a similar job that hayden is doing now but gives us another seamer as the clarke/symonds/white bowling is inconsistant at best meaning we can play hogg as a specialist spinner