Cosgrove (fantastic form, especially in poor batting conditions. Don't care about his weight; he can field in slip, which is something we need)
Me either. Cards have been marked though, so forget him.
As long as so many people from SA have any say, Cosgrove hasn't got a prayer. Pity; he seems to have found some consistency in Tassie, although how much that means with the current standard of Shield cricket is another matter.
Watson (can't argue with his record. Keep him up top until Maddinson is ready, which hopefully won't be too long)
Problem is, he's our best bowler. Needs to bowl more, and therefore bat at 6.
"Best bowler" is debatable - most economical, maybe. Definitely not an opener, IMO, although he's done well there. Gets out in the 40s and 50s too often, though.
Khawaja (has the class and technique to succeed at the critical position)
Looks that way. Big ray of hope.
Agreed.
Ponting (a move down the order could see him rediscover his ability, but must be transitioning out)
Must keep going. Class is permanent. Praying he has an indian summer or two in him.
Looking at what Tendulkar and Kallis have recently achieved, at similar ages, you'd like to think Ponting can rediscover form and do something similar. Two key differences, though: Neither of the other two captains his country, and (perhaps even more critically) they're both part of
far stronger and more stable batting lineups. Ponting's had to carry a lot of extra weight in both respects.
Clarke (likewise; shift him down the order to see him return to his true ability)
Finished.
Oh come on,
BB - however much you dislike the bloke, describing him as "finished" is ridiculous. There's no reason he can't regain form.
M.Hussey (form makes it hard to leave him out just yet)
Deserves to play as long as he wants.
Agreed.
Haddin (until Paine overtakes him, which won't be long)
If Hilditch survives beyond the World Cup, I expect that we've seen the last of Haddin as a test player, which is pretty bloody harsh seeing only he, Watson and Hussey bothered to turn up for us this year.
Hilditch's stupidity and arrogance is beyond belief, really. His recent remarks about Haddin should ensure he's dumped from the selection panel. They probably won't, though.
I'm yet to be convinced about Paine in a leadership capacity.
Johnson (still a destroyer on his day, and a capable batsman)
Finished.
Should be, but won't be. The bewildering obsession with this bloke will continue because too many people (no offence whatever intended,
donners) believe that his very occasional good moments make him worth persisting with. He has countless technical flaws, seems to have little or no capability to correct them, and needs everything to suit him before he'll do anything. Should never play any kind of cricket for Australia again but he won't be dropped.
Butterworth (solid batsman and terrific bowling form)
Having a brilliant year, but time is not on his side.
Would end up in Stuart Clark's position - got the goods but "too old".
Unlikely to play again while Ponting is around. Doherty was very poor today, so if there's any justice Hauritz will be recalled for the World Cup though.
Whatever Ponting (allegedly) thinks, Hauritz is the best option we've got. Dismal thought, but true. Get over it and pick him.
Copeland (exceptional record, built up a bit of experience and worth a shot)
You'd think so, but looked massively out of his depth in the PM's XI game.
Results in Shield cricket don't really amount to much any more, unfortunately. Still, he can't be any worse than Hilfenhaus.
Thinking Starc is ahead of him in the queue after his demolition of Sri Lanka earlier in the summer. Pattinson is likely next cab off the rank though.
Both of them have too many injury concerns for comfort.
Good win last night, and good for Watson. He's apparently off to Ipswich for a couple of days; recent events have hit him pretty hard, which makes last night's effort all the more impressive.
Neither of them is leadership material after spouting such absurd drivel in the wake of this crap.
It was funny what someone calling himself the FakeShaneWatson was saying during the night also.