That Time Again!?

After our disasterous tour of India it seems every cricket enthuiast in this country has turned thier thoughts towards the Ashes later this year. Reflecting on our dismall Indian performances that saw us get destroyed 4-0, the question everyone ius asking is 'just how can we regain the urn?'

Everyone has their own thoughts on which 11 should walk out on onto Trent Bridge on July 10th. I'm going to give you mine.

A few things to note before I dive in here:

* This is by no means a guarenteed winning team. In fact, I think it highly unlikely any Australian team could win the Ashes this year. However, I do believe this team has the best chance, all be it a slim one.

* The team should be picked now. There is no more test match international cricket to be played before the Ashes. No more Sheffield Shield. Only the short forms of the game and maybe the occasional county match. Lets pick the squad now. Lets give them the best preparation possible. The Australian selectors gave plenty of chances out in India. Some were taken, other were not. So lets just get this over with.


So here we go:

1. David Warner: A real game winner. He certainly didnt show off his talents in India, but was still one of the best performing of Australia's batsmen. That may not say much, but his ability to talk the game away from the any opposition cannot be ingorned. No-one is knocking down the door for his sport, so he stays.

2. Ed Cowan: This guy was made to play Ashes. A traditionalist batsman for a traditionalist test series. Probably Australias most consistent batsmen in India. He should have gone on to make a big score, but he has done enough to hold his spot. We could really use his temprement and experience over there.

3. Usman Khawaja: The prizes first drop spot. I will admit, this selection is more on hope than anything else. Michale Clarke plays best down the order, no doubt. And we need him at his best. Phillip Hughes with his techniques and style should not be at number three. Shane Watson hasnt got the form or cricket behind him for this treasured position. That leaves... well no-one really. Khawaja has the technique and the natural ability. Unlucky not to get a game in India, and had good form in the domestic comp. Should that give him this holy place in the Australian batting lineup? Well, no. But there in no-one else. In time, he could become one of Australia's best number threes. So lets give him the chance. I have almost no confidence in the success of this selection, but lets give it a shot!

4. Shane Watson: The question no-one can answer. Just what to do with our vice-captain. Probably because there is no answer. But ill give it a shot here. He needs to play, that much is obvious. I am going to assume he wont be bowling (or used only in very short spells). If he finds form, he will be a key part of the lineup. If not, well he wont ruin our chances here at number 4. His wicket will just bring the best batsmen in the game to the crease. So here will do. And lets just see what happens.

5.  Michael Clarke: This barley needs discussion. Australia's best player in his best position. End of Story.

6. Phillip Huhes: The final batting spot. And not an easy spot to fill. Plenty of contenders, but no real stand outs. But I'm going to give it the little lefty. Why? A few reasons:
1. He showed great fight to bounce back after the disasterous start he had in India. Had a few great knocks.
2. Number six should be an all-rounders spot, but none of them (Smith, Henriques, Maxwell) put their hand up with good performances with both bat and ball in India.
3. He will enjoy England about six-million times more than the sub-continent.

7. Matthew Wade: Had a shocking tour of India. Out played by Brad Haddin in every aspect. So why does he keep his place? Well remember back to the good ol' days before we went to the sub-continent? Before getting bashed by the Indians. Before players were getting dropped for not doing their homework? Before we lost a test match inside 3 days and were labled the worst Australian team in 40 years? When we were competitive against top teams? Where the public didn't despair for the future of cricket in this country? Yeah, neither do I. But I bet Matthew Wade does. He used to make valuable lower order runs. Play well with the tail. Contribute valuably to the team. Lets ingor this Indian tour for his sake. And lets face it, it would just be plain embarrasing to bring back the thirty-something ex-keeper for the biggest series of the year. Lets keep looking forward.

8. Peter Siddle: Behind Clarke, the easiest selection. Wasnt at his best in India, but showed that heart and fight that we so desperatly need. Like Cowan, this man was made of the Ashes. Should shine in English conditions. Turns out he can bat too.

9. Mitchell Stark: Our best left arm pace bowler, no doubt. Can swing the ball a mile when he gets it right. Could win us games with just a few overs of brilliance. An easy selection in English conditions, especially when you look at his county cricket stats.

10. James Pattinson: The aggressor. This guy compliments the other pace bolwers perfectly. Gets the bounce the others dont. He bowles quick and can be fired up. Should definatly play.

11. Nathan Lyon: The selectors are making the spin dilemma much more complicated that it ever needed to be. How about we just pick the best spinner we have and play him, always. Simple, yeah? There is no doubt he is our best. Bowled brilliantly in the final Indian test. Will almost certianly be outshined by the English spinners, but could play a valuable role. Forget Smith, Doherty and all the others. Lets just have a bit of faith.