Bollinger pops into first Test squad

I very much doubt Bollinger will play unless there is an injury. I reckon they will go with Johnson, Siddle, Hilfy and Hauritz. Maybe Bollinger for Hilfy as he has been carrying an injury but I don't think they will have 2 left-armers. I don't think Watson should open, I'm still not convinced he should be in the team. It seems the selectors are hell-bent on getting him in wherever they can hence him opening. I call it the Gilchrist syndrome. A few years back sides all wanted batsmen who can keep rather than keepers who can bat (eg Geraint Jones). Aust see Watson as a Flintoff in my opinion. If they are so keen to play him, bat him 6 with Huss opening. Is a shame for Clark, but I'd rather see them get more games into the younger quicks, they're only going to get better. Hauritz bowled well in England and deserves his spot.

I agree with most comments, I have been frustrated with the selectors for some time. When will they just play the best team and stop playing for future series 12 months+ out. We need a proper opener,with respect to Watson, great player but opening is a specialist position and we have 5 good ones not getting a run. Also what has clark done, he is easy our best test bowler, he should be in the team. Katich Jaques ponting clarke hussy watson haddin Johnson hauritz Siddle clark. north and watson can come in and out depending wicket. I would put in lee for siddle when fit.

I think that Stuart Clark is very unlucky to miss out on the test squad. He is the change of pace bowler that can tear through an opposing side under the right circumstances. Without a true frontline spinner, with all due respect to a much improved Hauritz, Clark provides something that other bowlers, especially Siddle can"t provide. I guess there is some argument that Watson fills Clark's role, but he can't be expected to open the batting and take on the work load of a frontline bowler. Hopefully Clark can take a bag of domestic wickets and earn his way back into the side as the regular he deserves to be.

The reason Rogers is not in the squad is the same reason Hodge will never play for Australia again. They are both considered xxxxheads by Pointing the rest of the team.

hahah "assessment" , Hilditch has been wrong in whatever "assessment" he has done. Dropping Hauritz for the final test in Oval ,continuing with Hilfenhaus in ODI's, dropping Haydos, Unnecessaily dropping Jaques, droping Krejza after one bad performance, making clark a scrapegoat, continuing with Clarke in ODI's(even tho he is performing hopelessly in that form currently), taking Cameron White as a leading legspinner to India(sif he is Warne!!), preferred selection of Haddin over Manou. What surprises me more is Hilditch continues to get away with such stupid and ridiculous assessments and he himself is rarely assessed. Pz

i dont think the aussie selectors are interested too much in form and stuff. Well, bugger if i know how they make their selections at all. it cant be on the basis of age. If it were, Kato , Ponting shd have been dropped. if current form, Punter, Johnson shd have been dropped from ODI's . I personally think its the attractions a player bring to the side. Having said that, i think Lee was given a hell lot of a worse deal than Clark. ALso since they dont have any other player they want to take over as a captain NOW , Pontngs position is safe for at least 2 years, even if he scores at an average of under 40

Presently, I believe too much cricket is being played. Ricky and Mitchell should be rested for the West Indies series, that will keep them fresh and increase their longevity. Doug should be given a place in the playing XI which would increase his confidence. Even Hughes should be brought into the team. By exposing him to a weaker team like West Indies will increase his confidence and make him good for a long run.

This is going to be a shellacking of the WI. But its important for the guys to maintain thier dignity and composure, especially the more experienced members. Sarwan has matured. Chanda want a 50 average. Barath will be a find. Remember in 75 Viv failed until he was asked to open. Lara came of age in Australia. The guys can learn from the patience of Nash. If they stick together as a team it will help. Gayle is not Worrel. Ive met Ramdin in Bermuda. He has potential as a leader as long as he believes. Good luck.

i think test cricket has became redicual in reading some of the comment and this article, i fell australia will lose that 1 status more often. i feel india, sri lanka and south africa will dominate all the other teams. this is because of daft selection australian make and england lack of passion and the rest don't even care.

Hilditch and company is making the same selection errors they made against England in the last Ashes Series. I guess losing games is part of their preparation for the only thing that matters : The Ashes in Australia. I don't what it will take Cricket Australia to face reality. Hilditch and the rest of the selectors should be "dropped". They are not consistent in their explainations and reasons for leaving out a regular opener and a great bowler like Clark in a Test Match. It would no surprise if they have to keep losing 2 Tests to win 1.