Australian Cricket Side Makes Changes

[Old Croc]

Australian selectors spring big changes

September 20, 2005

Damien Martyn's disappointing tour of England has cost him his Test place.

Australia's selectors responded to the Ashes defeat with a dramatic cull that included dropping Damien Martyn from the Test side and Matthew Hayden from the one-day outfit for next month's Super Series. Michael Kasprowicz and Jason Gillespie have been cut from both squads as Australia plan to use the limited-overs matches to begin their preparation for the 2007 World Cup.

After months of speculation about new faces the selectors decided spring was the right season to begin the regeneration process. Trevor Hohns, the chairman of selectors, said "We consider it is time to make some adjustments to the [Test] batting line-up after some disappointing results in England".

Shane Watson joins Brad Hodge and Stuart MacGill in the 13-man Test squad for the six-day match against the World XI starting on October 14. "Watson gives the squad added flexibility," Hohns said. "We can choose to play two spinners if the pitch looks like it will offer them something, or we can play four bowlers with Watson providing a fifth option."

Martyn, who averaged 19.77 in the Test series against England, held his place in the one-day side that has also been given a shake for the three matches against the World XI from October 5-9. The fast bowler Shaun Tait has been added while Nathan Bracken and James Hopes have earned recalls in selections that show their potential as defenders of the World Cup in the West Indies.

"We are really looking to the Super Series as the start of our preparations for 2007," Hohns said. "We have re-jigged the one-day side to what we hope will provide a range of options to take on a formidable World XI side as well as forming the nucleus of the 2007 squad."

Hohns did not rule Gillespie, Kasprowicz and Hayden out of World-Cup contention but insisted it was time to move forward. "We are looking to include players who can bat, bowl and field and Hopes fits that bill perfectly," Hohns said. "He gives us another all-round option, and can open the batting if required. "He stood out over summer - he won the ING Cup Player of the Series award - and we are confident that he can add a new dimension to the team."

Gillespie, who struggled on the tour of England, said he was extremely disappointed to miss out on both Super Series squads. "My goals are to focus on training and preparation for the start of the summer with the Adelaide Buffalos and the South Australia Redbacks," Gillespie said, "and put some good performances together with the view to give the Australian selectors every reason to select me."

Test squad Matthew Hayden, Justin Langer, Ricky Ponting (capt), Brad Hodge, Michael Clarke, Simon Katich, Adam Gilchrist (wk), Shane Watson, Brett Lee, Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Shaun Tait, Stuart MacGill.

One-day squad Adam Gilchrist (wk), Michael Clarke, Ricky Ponting (capt), Damien Martyn, Simon Katich, Michael Hussey, Andrew Symonds, Shane Watson, James Hopes, Brad Hogg, Brett Lee, Glenn McGrath, Nathan Bracken, Shaun Tait.

© Cricinfo

[Pink Mist]

Taits in there but get used to it we need a sea change, the selectors were too complacent, why change a machine when it aint broke, the trouble is when it breaks you aint got no spares

[lampard10]

Ponting still Captain He was the one that cost you the Ashes, not the players.

[Stacking Zeds]

They are going to try to copy England in terms of the make-up of the team I think - I think they see Watson as their Flintoff....

I think they should have given Mike Hussey a go.

3 years ago it was "How many English players would make the Aussie side?" now it's the other way around.....

[Old Croc]

Feel sorry for the scapegoat, Martyn. He virtually won the series against India by himself 18 months ago. 414 runs in 4 games at 55av. He scored a 50 in the first ashes test, but copped 2 terrible decisions after that. Was given lbw twice in a row to inside edges. Still, he did average under 20 and that ugly attempted pull to get out in his last innings sticks in the mind. Being 33 doesn't help.

[Siam_superfly]

Ponting still Captain     He was the one that cost you the Ashes, not the players.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Is that so Lampard ......u would have him in ur side anyday of the week.....

There u go again, having a go at the players......u disgust me..

[lampard10]

[......u disgust me..

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thank Gawd for that. Coming from you that's a compliment.

[Siam_superfly]

[......u disgust me..

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thank Gawd for that. Coming from you that's a compliment.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yeh I suppose that it would be....coz its usually the girls who'd be saying that it u...

[Pie Boy]

Ponting still Captain     He was the one that cost you the Ashes, not the players.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Is that so Lampard ......u would have him in ur side anyday of the week.....

There u go again, having a go at the players......u disgust me..

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Oh dear Oh dear.

I'd replace Ponting as captain with Warne, apologies if this disgusts any of you aussies.

Personally I feel that whilst a few changes may well have been inevitable there's still a lot of cricket to be played before we can say that your team is no longer the best in the world.

[ProfessorFart]

Some of Ponting's captaincy was highly questionable at times during the Summer yet he is the best man for the job in my eyes.

I think Bronco is spot on in his assessment of Australia's woes. They never blooded enough new players during the glory years to give sufficient back up for the future.

Tait looks a real prospect however. Fast, aggressive and big hearted. Shane Watson in a quite brilliant player and frankly why he spent the Summer out of the test team Lord only knows!

[lampard10]

Some of Ponting's captaincy was highly questionable at times during the Summer yet he is the best man for the job in my eyes.

I think Bronco is spot on in his assessment of Australia's woes. They never blooded enough new players during the glory years to give sufficient back up for the future.

Tait looks a real prospect however. Fast, aggressive and big hearted. Shane Watson in a quite brilliant player and frankly why he spent the Summer out of the test team Lord only knows!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Aye Fartypants. Where's yer bin. Not hiding under the disguise of "Supersh1te" I hope