Australian 2nd XI

[Mister Wright]

I know the Australia 'A' side is on tour in Pakistan, but I don't think that is a 2nd XI squad as such. I got this idea after posting in the Super Series thread saying that Bevan's only chance of playing for Australia would be if the Aussie squad were to all die in a plane crash or bomb blast...so let's all be Aussie selectors and pick a team if that unfortunate event were to happen...

Rules, nobody from the Ashes squad can be picked and players must have played at least 1 full season of first class cricket in Australia.

Openers:

Jaques, Mike Hussey, Maher

As far as I can tell they are the only realistic options, Rogers would be another choice, but IMO these three players are the best (and most classy) options. Cox may also be a contender.

Number 3:

Love, Blewett

My choice would be for Love. Very unlucky to not get another test match after his 100* against Bangladesh. Love was much more ahead of Katich when Katich was selected against Zimbabwe and was robbed in the West Indies when Australia ridiculously went with 5 bowlers. Hodge would be in the team, but Love gives more balance at 3. Blewett - been there done that.

Middle order:

Symonds, Watson, North, David Hussey, Thornely, Bevan

Symonds has earned a recall, and also offers an extra bowling option, and I think Watson should go in ahead of North & Hussey. Hussey was dropped from the Victorian side, not exactly helping his selection chances. Thornely wouldn't even make my Australian 35th XI. Bevan, probably likely, but like Blewett has been tried and failed before.

Wicketkeeper:

Secombe, Hartley, Ronchi, Dawson, Manou

Secome is going to be one of those unluky players never to play for Australia, born 6 years later than he was, he would be a big chance. He is by far and away the best gloveman in the country, and he can more than hold his own with the bat. Manou would be 2nd choice - rate him highly. Other keepers are either too inexperience or too inconsistent.

Quick men:

Bichel, Noffke, Bracken, Lewis, Clark, Wright, Williams, Innes.

Bichel is too old, but would probably get the nod in an immediate situation, Noffke is so over-rated it is not funny (hopefully Johnson plays ahead of him this year). Bracken would play, had an impressive season last season and has done ok so far on his Pak 'A' tour. Don't see what the fuss about Lewis is, but he had a good season last season. Clark and Williams are ********. Wright offers a little with the bat, but probably isn't destructive enough to be a front line bowler. Innes is all over the place.

Spinners:

White, Cullen, Hauritz

This is where Australia struggles, in the spin department. Hauritz was the leading candidate before his shocker last season. However, I would pick him as the one day spinner. I had the opinion that White was ********, but he impressed me towards the end of last season, and is quite a good captain. I can't see what the fuss about Cullen is, a couple of reasonable matches and he gets a contract - I was dumbfounded.

Given all that, this would be the team I would select:

Jaques, M. Hussey, Love, Bevan, Symonds, Watson, White, Secombe, Bichel, Bracken, Lewis.
Yes, my team is slighty tilted towards Qld players, but Qld have made the last 7 finals and have quality players. And it is hard without being in the middle of a season to remember who all the players are. I'm sure other people will pick me up on some of them.

[Dasa]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't Hodge in the squad for the Ashes?

[Prince EWS]

Originally Posted by Dasa

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't Hodge in the squad for the Ashes?

Yes.

[Mister Wright]

Originally Posted by Dasa

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't Hodge in the squad for the Ashes?

LOL @ Me

[chris.hinton]

you should pick some hungary 23-25 years old in the next test series

[Neil Pickup]

Originally Posted by chris.hinton

you should pick some hungary 23-25 years old in the next test series

Jason Voros is a bit older than that, isn't he?

[aussie]

Seccombe isn't ahead of Haddin presently another blunder Kyle

[The Baconator]

Originally Posted by aussie

Seccombe isn't ahead of Haddin presently another blunder Kyle

Originally Posted by Mister Wright

Rules, nobody from the Ashes squad can be picked and players must have played at least 1 full season of first class cricket in Australia.

Maybe not.

[marc71178]

Originally Posted by chris.hinton

you should pick some hungary 23-25 years old in the next test series

I don't think a major over-reaction is the answer personally.

And I don't think the natural pecking order of replacements should be overlooked.

[marc71178]

Originally Posted by The Baconator

Maybe not.

How embarassing...

[aussie]

Originally Posted by The Baconator

Maybe not.

strange rule, but regardless of that Haddin is definately 2nd in line after Gilly.....

[Pedro Delgado]

Danny Pheloung.

[C_C]

Shouldnt a second XI, by definition, be selected from a pool of all players minus the first XI ?

[Pedro Delgado]

Originally Posted by C_C

Shouldnt a second XI, by definition, be selected from a pool of all players minus the first XI ?

Your logic knows no bounds, sir.

[age_master]

P Jaques
M Hussey
S Watson
D Lehman (c)
A Symonds
M North
L Ronchi
M Nicholson
D Cullen
M Lewis
M Johnson


Boof for captain, 2nd best captain in the country - after Warne - and adds plenty of experience to the side.