Ashes Post Mortem

We only have ourselves to blame. I think we were a better team then England which makes the loss even more ridiculous. Unfortuntely, too many batting collapses, some poor selections and erratic bowling led to this fate.

So, what to do for the future? Ponting and Clarke clearly will still be the core of our batting. Clarke should go up one spot to #4 as he is really batting well. North, also has done well this series and deserves his place. Hussey probably did enough in this last match to retain his place for the short term but he is out of chances and any repeated failings will certainly see him get dropped. I think I would still give him the flick but guaranteed the selectors retain him for a while yet. He has had a great 4 year run in the side...but as the #4 ranked test side, we should be really thinking of the future. I would drop Hussey, move Clarke to #4, North to #5 and have Watson at #6. How can you have an opener who gets LBW as often as he does? Hughes needs another chance and as soon as Jaques scores some runs for NSW, Katich will be out of there as well. All of these players are on notice...failure will not be tolerated.

Haddin clearly is the keeper. He had a good series and is obviously the best we have.

Bowling is a big worry. Things were great when Johnson was firing but you cannot be the leader of the attack while being so inconsistent. Hilfenhaus and Siddle have been solid but until Johnson gets it back, we probably need Lee there as another strike option. This would be to get us through the next 12 months...and to see if Johnson would find his form. I cannot believe Bollinger is the next option. Bracken must have slept with Andrew Hilditch's sister or something...not quite sure why he has been written off as a test bowler. Tait is a head case and Cricket Australia have done an amazing job of giving him the shaft, I doubt he will ever be back. Our spinners look shocking. Where are all of the 25 year old kids who took up spinning 15 years ago while watching Warnie? Hauritz is decent but never going to roll a side but he might well be the best option there.

Big troubles to get back on track. The sooner we get some young blood into the side, the better.

How about this for a team for the Gabba test in November:
Jaques
Hughes
Ponting
Clarke
North
Watson
Haddin
Johnson
Lee
Siddle
Hilfenhaus

Then...after the WACA test, drop the worst bowler for Haurtiz on the spinning decks. Also, Watson would be on his last chance. Any injuries or form slumps would see him get the axe as well.

They will never do it, but I think this might shake things up enough.