Laying My Cards Out

Time to come clean on the side I'd like to see the selectors pick for Perth ... careful there, I'm not saying this is the side they will pick. Someone asked me today, "if you were Andrew Hilditch, what would you do?" Shoot myself ... perhaps too harsh, so I suggested I'd go back to the law, immediately and be thankful to have lasted past England 09.

Here's my side:
Shane Watson
Shaun Marsh
Ricky Ponting (C)
Michael Clarke
Michael Hussey
Brad Haddin
Steve Smith
Nathan Hauritz
Mark Cameron
Ben Hilfenhaus
Ryan Harris
12th man could be a local lad but perhaps Usman Khawaja should be there to remind the established batsmen that one is gone and another waits. The other man in a squad of thirteen would be Peter Siddle.

I know Marsh is a graduate of ODI where he has done well but his four day form has been handy for the West, including 137 and 89 against the Croweaters in Adelaide a month ago. He's used to being in the Australian side and he keeps the left/right comb going at the top. I know there are many who feel Phil Hughes is short changed but he's had several turns and despite making runs on occasions, he always looks likely to keep the slips excited and in Perth, he meets an opponent who has his measure.

Haddin can't be damaged by moving up a spot and Smith would better suited at 7 for the time being. He's no Warne - who is - but he provides a bowling variation England traditionally dislike. Hauritz has done everything and more to allow the selectors to backflip on their own version of the Brisbane Line. Harris and Siddle should be retained in the squad because at stages they have worried the Englishmen. Siddle just needs "that spell" in Brisbane played to him over and over and over until he realises his best work happens when he pitches beyond the six metre mark. Cameron is a comer who will be better for the run against England in Hobart. He's no spring chicken but quicks are usually at their best in the second half of their twenties. He and Harris given the red cherry, would provide some hurry up at either end and as has been proven by all the finest fast bowlers, it always works better when there is pressure at the other end. Hilfenhaus had done little wrong in Brisbane and his axing in Adelaide was a surprise. He would be the best man to use the Freemantle Doctor as he is our best swing bowler.

Four changes, once forced by Katich have a Greek hero's foot and these others by common sense and a desire to start building future Australian teams. The side has a deeper batting line up and a better balanced attack. I don't think it will win but change has to happen in stages so that the new learn the best things from the old ... things which include how much it hurts to lose and how much better it feels to win.

I can't see how this side could do any worse than the troops in Adelaide.

Readers of the Cricket Tragics, new or old, are invited to comment and supply their own side by clicking on Comments below or if that's a bit to techno savvy, send me an email plangsto@bigpond.net.au