Around the Wicket - The A Team

Well whaddya know! They’ve picked an Australia A squad. Just in time too… I was looking for something to write about!

The squad is Simon Katich (NSW, capt), Adam Voges (WA, v.capt), George Bailey (TAS), Doug Bollinger (NSW), Beau Casson (NSW), Peter Forrest (NSW), Ryan Harris (QLD), Phil Hughes (NSW), Jason Krezja (TAS), Bryce McGain (VIC), Marcus North (WA), Ashley Noffke (QLD), Luke Ronchi (WA), Peter Siddle (VIC).

The lads are off to India for a 3 week tour, incorporating 2 three day matches, followed by 5 one day matches. Apparently, the initial squad will change after the 2 three-day matches. A review will take place, some players will get to come home to Australia, and some other players will be added. (I’d assume Dave Hussey might get a run…)

The Happy Hooker, Andrew Hilditch (incidentally, one of only seven men to have been dismissed handled the ball in Test cricket… and he was at the non-striker's end), gives every indication that this mini-series is going to decide the last couple of spots in the test squad, when he says that:

“Australia's team for the India Test series will be selected following the completion of the two three-day-games for Australia A in India.”

And…

“Ahead of the approaching Indian Test series Australia have also taken the opportunity to have a look at three spinners in the 14-man squad for the three-day games who are considered exciting prospects.

Yep – the number 1 spinner for the Test side is going to be decided on an Australia A tour – where incumbent Beau Casson will take part in a 3 way dance with 25 year old Tasmanian Jason Krezja, and 36 year old Victorian Bryce McGain. I doubt we’d go to India with just one specialist spinner – especially an inexperienced one – so I reckon 2 of those guys will make the test squad. Jason Krezja will probably not.

It’s also a damn good pace attack we’re sending over – Noffke, Bollinger, Siddle, and Harris. It’s better than probably 4 or 5 other international teams (you guess which ones) going around at the minute. I imagine only one of those big quicks will be selected for India though – behind Johnson, Lee and Clark. Bollinger will most likely get the nod there – he is from New South Wales after all. No Tait or Bracken either, so I’m guessing they are both a long way from being selected for a test match again.

As for the batsmen – it’s interesting that there’s no Chris Rogers. He has obviously done his dash after that ill fated WACA match – and he now finds himself behind North and Katich as replacement opening batsmen when Hayden retires or breaks down again. There are some interesting selections with the batsmen – especially Phil Hughes, who is just 19 years old. Is he in for an eye-opening experience or what?

All in all – it’s an interesting squad. There’s definitely an eye to the future there – but also a chance for some of the older dogs to get themselves back into the test side. No Dizzy Gillespie though. What do you think of the squad?