More questions for the Australian selectors

As debate continues over why Hodge, 36, is overlooked for international honours, this time after missing out on a berth in next month's World Cup, former selection chairman Trevor Hohns has shed light on one of the great cricketing mysteries of the past decade. In an exclusive interview with Hohns says a selection backflip in early 2006 as Australia regrouped with a view to reclaiming the Ashes months later meant Hodge was dumped after five Tests in favour of the recalled Damien Martyn. "Obviously in our mind Marto was a class act,'' Hohns said. ''He was a class player. At that stage we were trying to build the side leading up to the Ashes.'' While Hodge had dominated South Africa's fast bowlers with an unbeaten double-century on a lifeless WACA deck in just his third Test, his first-innings dismissal two matches later at the SCG - caught at bat-pad fending at a short ball from around the wicket by the fiery Andre Nel - sparked concerns.

Border is precariously balanced on the shoulders of flamboyant batsman Dean Jones and paceman Craig McDermott. For good measure, Jones is holding on to Steve Waugh's left hand in order to provide his skipper with greater support on top of the world. While their smiles are broad enough to light the way back to the dressing-room and much, much further, it is their youthfulness which is so striking. Jones is 26 and McDermott and Waugh 22. And savouring the moment somewhere in the background were squad members Tom Moody, 22 and Andrew Zesers, 20. Judging by the decisions reached by the beleaguered chairman of national selectors Andrew Hilditch and his colleagues Greg Chappell, David Boon and Jamie Cox, such youthful resources are no longer available in Australian cricket. Indeed, exciting wicketkeeper-batsman Tim Paine, 26, John Hastings, 25, whose selection is as surprising as was Zesers' 24 years ago, and Steve Smith, 21, are the only players under 27. Border's triumphant team had 10 in this category.

SHANE WATSON strengthened his body a few summers ago and went from being perceived as possibly brilliant but brittle, to acclaimed as a colossus. His marketability and clout in Australian cricket has spiked after a seemingly endless run-spree and bumper wicket harvest. Yet, after years of trying to prove his toughness, Watson revealed his softer side last week on a return to Ipswich.