Great article Andre...
My predictions for World Cup tickets: Shane Watson, Ian Harvey and Steve Waugh
Reasons (let's hope these hold up)...
Shane Watson - because the selectors have shown faith in him and I think he'll begin to fire in the next Pakisan series and make an impact when England and Ski Lanka tour. Needs to be consistent, however. Showed fighting spirt in last game of Super Challenge - needs more of that.
Ian Harvey - probably the best ODI bowler of these all-rounders - and has proved it over the years. It would be good for Ian to perhaps develop as a pinch-hitter role, or as a guy who can be relied on to hang around for a while. He just needs to stay on the scene and not to disappear down the ranks with the rise of Shane Watson i.e. like Damien Fleming, Colin Miller.
Steve Waugh - ok....
Mr S. Waugh is a pretty determined bloke, and while 99% of crickers say he'll never come back to the one-day scene, I'm part of the 1% who thinks he's still got some legs. I think that Steve Waugh will come back to his best form at first-class level this coming season, and while will always be a batsman, could probably pair up with Lehmann in bowling 10 overs between them. But above all, (while they don't always show it) I think the selectors have a heart and if Waugh shows some potential, the selectors will give him a ticket. If nothing else, his experience and presence on the field has to make the team look stronger.
Another way to think about it is from the opposition's point of view... would they rather in the Australian team include...
- an inexperienced and no-doubt intimitated guy who has proved his abilities with the bat and ball at first class level but "has potential"
or...
- an experienced guy with a good slower ball but a mug with the bat
or...
- the most experienced ODI player for Australia, a proven batsman at any level and (possibly) a handy bowler.
Hmmmm......