Australia Names Champions Trophy Preliminary Squad

[brockley]

Champions Trophy 2008

Australia name preliminary Champions Trophy squad

Cricinfo staff

July 10, 2008


Preliminary squad



Ricky Ponting (capt), Michael Clarke (vice-captain), George Bailey, Doug Bollinger, Nathan Bracken, Stuart Clark, Dan Cullen, Xavier Doherty, Brett Geeves, Ryan Harris, Brad Haddin, Nathan Hauritz, Matthew Hayden, Brad Hodge, James Hopes, David Hussey, Michael Hussey, Phil Jaques, Mitchell Johnson, Simon Katich, Brett Lee, Shaun Marsh, Ashley Noffke, Tim Paine, Luke Ronchi, Andrew Symonds, Shaun Tait, Adam Voges, Shane Watson, Cameron White



Australia have announced their preliminary 30-man squad for the Champions Trophy in Pakistan in September, with Shaun Tait being recalled as he continues to work his way back into international cricket after taking a self-imposed break due to exhaustion. The squad also includes five newcomers in Xavier Doherty, Ryan Harris, Brett Geeves, George Bailey and Tim Paine.

"The squad recognises the continued success of the one-day side and its outstanding efforts in the West Indies, together with the strong performance of our young emerging talent in the Ford Ranger Cup," Andrew Hilditch, the chairman of Australia's national selection panel, said.

Offspinners Nathan Hauritz and Dan Cullen and legspinner Cameron White will stake their claim for the spinners' spot in the final squad. "Closer to final selection a decision will be made on the make-up of the squad and whether a specialist spinner needs to be added to the final 15," Hilditch said. Beau Casson, he said, missed out as he needed "more exposure" to the one-day format.

Tasmania's Ford Rangers Cup success last season means that they have provided four of the newcomers to the squad. Doherty, the left-arm spinner, and seamer Geeves were the among four bowlers who finished joint-highest on the wicket-takers' list with 15 scalps. Paine, the wicketkeeper who has turned into a specialist batsman, contributed 261 runs at 37.38, while Bailey, despite his limited success - 258 runs at 25.80 - is marked as one for the future. Harris, the bowling allrounder who moved to Queensland from South Australia, has taken 49 wickets at 35.51 in his List A career.

Hildicth added that Ben Hilfenhaus was not considered as he was recovering from an injury. The squad will be whittled down to a final 15 on or before the August 11 deadline.

© Cricinfo

[chaminda_00]

Lacks the Prince IMO

[Jakester1288]

Test newcomer Beau Casson was left out of a 30-man preliminary Australian squad announced Thursday for the Champions Trophy in Pakistan in September.

The left-arm wrist spinner played in the final Test of the recent series against the West Indies in the Caribbean following Stuart MacGill's sudden retirement, but selectors said he needed to play more one-day cricket.

"Beau Casson is unlucky to miss out after a promising start in Test cricket but needs more exposure in one-day cricket before being considered for Australian selection," chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch said in announcing the initial squad.

Hilditch said paceman Ben Hilfenhaus was not considered because of injury and former Ashes fast bowler Shaun Tait was included as he continues his rehabilitation program to resume playing cricket.

Tait, the International Cricket Council's emerging player of 2007, last January sought a break from cricket citing physical and emotional exhaustion.

"Shaun had a significant impact in our World Cup victory and at his best is a formidable weapon in one-day cricket," Hilditch said.

"The squad recognises the continued success of the one-day side and its outstanding efforts in the West Indies, together with the strong performance of our young emerging talent in the domestic one-day cup.

"While Australia is clearly in a rebuilding phase, it was very pleasing to see the efforts of the new players in the West Indies and the manner in which the senior players have taken to the role of mentoring their development.

"The squad includes several young spinners, and closer to final selection a decision will be made as to the make-up of the squad and whether a specialist spinner needs to be added to the final 15."

Xavier Doherty, Ryan Harris, George Bailey, Brett Geeves and Tim Paine are the newcomers to the Australian squad.

The deadline for submitting the final squad of 15 players for the ICC Champions Trophy is on August 11.

Squad: Ricky Ponting (c), Michael Clarke (vc), George Bailey, Doug Bollinger, Nathan Bracken, Stuart Clark, Dan Cullen, Xavier Doherty, Brett Geeves, Ryan Harris, Brad Haddin, Nathan Hauritz, Matthew Hayden, Brad Hodge, James Hopes, David Hussey, Michael Hussey, Phil Jaques, Mitchell Johnson, Simon Katich, Brett Lee, Shaun Marsh, Ashley Noffke, Tim Paine, Luke Ronchi, Andrew Symonds, Shaun Tait, Adam Voges, Shane Watson, Cameron White

Well. Is it good for Australian Cricket or bad? He is making his comeback, and I wonder how he will go.

Discuss.

[Aamir Alauddin]

Originally Posted by Jakester1288

Well. Is it good for Australian Cricket or bad? He is making his comeback, and I wonder how he will go.

Discuss.

Nice to see Tait back in the side. He is a real prospect. I would love to see him back in action.

[itduzz]

Indians will sent Tait into depression once again if he tours India...

[Aamir Alauddin]

Originally Posted by itduzz

Indians will sent Tait into depression once again if he tours India...

Its ridiculous to assume anything well before time.

[Richard]

Merge?

[Sanz]

Gee, 30 players in the preliminary squad..Are Zimbabwe and NZ participating too ? Where are they going to get 30 players from ?

[Jakester1288]

Originally Posted by Sanz

Gee, 30 players in the preliminary squad..Are Zimbabwe and NZ participating too ? Where are they going to get 30 players from ?

I don't know. But if they do, once it really starts they only need 15 players.

[vic_orthdox]

Originally Posted by Sanz

Gee, 30 players in the preliminary squad..Are Zimbabwe and NZ participating too ? Where are they going to get 30 players from ?

I think it's like the World Cup, where every team has to name one.

[Athlai]

New Zealand could name at least 35 thank you very much.

[tooextracool]

Im glad to see Nathan Hauritz name in there. Hope he makes the cut.

[Jonty Lathwal]

Good to see Tait coming back......

[Jakester1288]

Originally Posted by vic_orthdox

I think it's like the World Cup, where every team has to name one.

Yeah, I think it would be.

Originally Posted by Athlai

New Zealand could name at least 35 thank you very much.

Start naming names.

Originally Posted by tooextracool

Im glad to see Nathan Hauritz name in there. Hope he makes the cut.

AWTA. I am looking forward to seeing him bowl.

Originally Posted by Jonty Lathwal

Good to see Tait coming back......

I am looking forward to seeing how he goes after some time without cricket. I can say now, it will be ITSTL.

[NZTailender]

Originally Posted by Jakester1288

Start naming names.

Hold on, let me get the phone book and name you 30 people whose last name is "Marshall"