Australia Tests (coz mostly, ODIs just don't count):
M Elliott
M Slater
G Blewett
M Bevan
A Symonds
A McDonald
B Haddin
N Hauritz
G Robertson
S Muller
P Wilson
A few points by way of clarification.
Slater was a very fine player, but tbh I was struggling to find enough mud batsmen, as the line up was so stable for so long, so he had to open ahead of Hayden and Langer.
Likewise, Symonds has played some good knocks for Australia at test level and averages around 40, but the other blokes in that era were so good it really had to be him. Likewise, McDonald's only played the one game - who knows how he'll turn out, but he's a lot worse than other number 6s we've had there in the time frame allowed.
Lastly, Australia has had 3 keepers from 1998 to 2008. Two of them belong in the argument as to our best ever keeper. The other averages "only" 38 after 12 tests. It has to be him.
I was going to run with Funky Miller in this side, but I don't think he was mud at all really, and was handily versatile. Krezja "unlucky" to miss out too.
The above side could only play on the subcontinent, with two offies in the side. Actually, it should never play at all.
Great thread though.