***Official*** Australia in the West Indies 2012

[Spark]

I have to admit although I 'knew' this would start soon, it was a surprise to find out just how soon. Best put this up now.

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Fri Mar 16
13:30 GMT | 09:30 local
21:30 WST | 00:00 CST +1d | 00:30 EST +1d
1st ODI - West Indies v Australia
Arnos Vale Ground, Kingstown, St Vincent

Sun Mar 18
13:30 GMT | 09:30 local
21:30 WST | 00:00 CST +1d | 00:30 EST +1d
2nd ODI - West Indies v Australia
Arnos Vale Ground, Kingstown, St Vincent

Tue Mar 20
13:30 GMT | 09:30 local
21:30 WST | 00:00 CST +1d | 00:30 EST +1d
3rd ODI - West Indies v Australia
Arnos Vale Ground, Kingstown, St Vincent

Fri Mar 23
13:30 GMT | 09:30 local
21:30 WST | 00:00 CST +1d | 00:30 EST +1d
4th ODI - West Indies v Australia
Beausejour Stadium, Gros Islet, St Lucia

Sun Mar 25
13:30 GMT | 09:30 local
21:30 WST | 00:00 CST +1d | 00:30 EST +1d
5th ODI - West Indies v Australia
Beausejour Stadium, Gros Islet, St Lucia

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Tue Mar 27
14:00 GMT | 10:00 local
22:00 WST | 00:30 CST +1d | 01:00 EST +1d
1st T20I - West Indies v Australia
Beausejour Stadium, Gros Islet, St Lucia

Fri Mar 30
14:00 GMT | 10:00 local
22:00 WST | 00:30 CST +1d | 01:00 EST +1d
2nd T20I - West Indies v Australia
Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados

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Mon Apr 2 - Wed Apr 4
14:00 GMT
22:00 WST | 23:30 CST | 00:00 EST +1d
TBC v Australians
Venue TBC

Sat Apr 7 - Wed Apr 11
14:00 GMT | 10:00 local
22:00 WST | 23:30 CST | 00:00 EST +1d
1st Test - West Indies v Australia
Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados

Sun Apr 15 - Thu Apr 19
14:00 GMT | 10:00 local
22:00 WST | 23:30 CST | 00:00 EST +1d
2nd Test - West Indies v Australia
Queen's Park Oval, Port of Spain, Trinidad

Mon Apr 23 - Fri Apr 27
14:00 GMT | 10:00 local
22:00 WST | 23:30 CST | 00:00 EST +1d
3rd Test - West Indies v Australia
Windsor Park, Roseau, Dominica

[uvelocity]

would love to go there

[GingerFurball]

It'll be interesting to see what sort of side gets named for the ODI series. Australia's top players have been playing non-stop since basically August; resting one or two players for the ODI series gives them what might be a valuable month off before the Test series.

[Jayzamann]

We know Punter will be putting his feet up.

He'll be grinding his teeth the whole time but the rest of his body will be relaxing.

[Dan]

Originally Posted by GingerFurball

It'll be interesting to see what sort of side gets named for the ODI series. Australia's top players have been playing non-stop since basically August; resting one or two players for the ODI series gives them what might be a valuable month off before the Test series.

Only really Hussey and Clarke have been playing without a break since then though. Inverarity seems to be getting the resting right - either through enforced rests or injury, most players have had some sort of decent break.

Would expect the 13 in the finals squad to make it, plus Harris and maybe a second spinner, if they feel the need, or a second 'keeper. The latter seems more likely IMO.

The test squad, IMO, will be the XI from the last test (excluding Marsh):

Cowan
Warner
---
Ponting
Clarke
Hussey
Haddin
Siddle
Pattinson
Hilfenhaus
Lyon

Plus:
Watson
Forrest
Wade
Harris
Starc

[Spark]

Warner has played every game this summer.

[ajdude]

So the ODI squad is being announced today and apparently Haddin will be taken as a second keeper. Itstl

[pup11]

So much for the 'perform or perish' crap or maybe that only applied to blokes like Ponting, once again these selectors have proved that they are short sighted and only concerned about making their tenure look good even if it comes at the cost of long term health of Australian cricket.

With all due respect to West Indies this is a relatively easy tour and one would have thought it would be the prefect setting to introduce some of the young talent to international cricket rather than throwing them into the deep end straight away against a tough side which is something we have been doing for a while.

[SeamUp]

MITCHELL STARC will travel but not to play but a development opportunitybeing around the squad
Bailey

West Indies ODI Squad: Michael Clarke (capt), Shane Watson, George Bailey, Daniel Christian, Xavier Doherty, Peter Forrest, Brad Haddin, Ben Hilfenhaus, David Hussey, Michael Hussey, Brett Lee, Nathan Lyon, Clint McKay, James Pattinson, Matthew Wade (wk), David Warner

Twenty20 Squad: George Bailey (capt), Shane Watson, Daniel Christian, Xavier Doherty, Peter Forrest, David Hussey, Michael Hussey, Brett Lee, Nathan Lyon, Clint McKay, James Pattinson, Matthew Wade (wk), David Warner

[pup11]

Can't understand all this ridicule coming Bailey's way, the guy has scored close to 800 runs in the FC cricket this season and he is also among the top scorers for Tassie in the Ryobi cup, his overall career record too is as good if not better compared to all the blokes who we have picked or are picking at present.

[Spikey]

Thought it was odd during the AB interview that Cummins didn't mention that he was set to play for his grade side this weekend........Australia in West Indies 2012: Pat Cummins and Shaun Marsh out of West Indies Test tour | Cricket News | West Indies v Australia | ESPN Cricinfo

[pup11]

Originally Posted by Spikey

Thought it was odd during the AB interview that Cummins didn't mention that he was set to play for his grade side this weekend........Australia in West Indies 2012: Pat Cummins and Shaun Marsh out of West Indies Test tour | Cricket News | West Indies v Australia | ESPN Cricinfo

Cummins shouldn't even be considered for the test side for some time to come the emphasis for now should be to strengthen his body to cope up with the extra workload of test cricket.
As for Marsh it surely is time to move on now, we have been trying to make an international cricketer out of him for the last 4 years yet everytime he fails to repay the faith shown in him either due to his injury woes or lack of consistency.

[benchmark00]

Digging this pup11 philosophy about the selectors and how short sighted they are... but dropping Ponting for less experienced players was the wrong move... but they should be introducing young players to the team in the Windies... but George Bailey should be playing.

[Spark]

Originally Posted by benchmark00

Digging this pup11 philosophy about the selectors and how short sighted they are... but dropping Ponting for less experienced players was the wrong move... but they should be introducing young players to the team in the Windies... but George Bailey should be playing.

Shows good intent, IMO.

[Crazy Sam]

I don't have any real problems with either of the two squads selected.

It's also nice to know that SMarsh won't be considered for at least another few months. His record is such that he can really only be selected if at the top of his game. Being out of form with a first class average of 37 isn't good enough for the Aussie team, so good move by the selectors.