Here Come The Aussies !

With the start of the 2009 Ashes just a matter of days away it would seem that the Australian cricket team are a relatively unknown quantity to the enthusiastic cricket fans outside of Australia. So lets take a closer look at the would be Pommie bashers.

Rumour has it from Australia that the Australian touring side has a bit of a pedestrian look about it with no great stars to match the likes of Shane Warne that coloured the squad in the past.

Phillip Hughes –Could be considered a great prospect with a Hayden look about him. He had a pretty good series in South Africa, and he has done well in the County Championship but the Ashes are a different prospect and his inexperience is likely to show when facing a strong England bowling attack.

Simon Katich – Should be considered more of an anchor for the team will provide a stolid innings but unlikely to set the world alight and propel the Australian team to greatness

Ricky Ponting Likely to be the old man’s last Ashes series and he will want to go out in some style with a win. He is absolutely crucial to the team and will need every little bit of his past experience. The real question will be can he take the pressure. This and the fact that his form with the bat has suffered of late may play into England’s hands. Make no bones about it if he does not perform Austalia’s cricket tem does not perform.

Mike Hussey – Many pundits believe that he is lucky to be on the tour at all considering the number of run out’s that have peppered his recent innings. Similarly to Simon Kaitch solid but unremarkable. Balances the out and out run merchants.

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Shane Watson – Watson still has a long way to go but the only real choice as an attacking all rounder. He could prove to be an inspired pick and make the innings by both bat and ball but failure could see him drop into obscurity.

Brad Haddin – Considered to be one of the better performing Australian cricketer players of recent times.He has managed to replace his able forbearer as wicket keeper and good with the bat to boot. Can be trusted to see the team out of trouble.

Mitch Johnson – Is the current Wow factor for the Australian team. A strong Mitch is a strong Australia winning or losing the 2009 Ashes series could be down to how he performs.

Nathan ‘Hurricane’ Hauritz – There is some thought amongst the Australian cricket fraternity that a specialist spinner will not be played in the first test, choosing instead Marcus North. That would probably be unwise even though he is not the most exciting bowler. Remember England are likely to produce pitches that turn to assist Graeme Swann ,Monty Panesar and Adil Rashid.

Ben Hilfenhaus – The must have to pick for the Australian 2009 Ashes squad. A swinger is required for England and although untested youth must have its chance and if the gamble does not pay off they can always revert to the more experienced bowling attack.

Stuart Clark – Ponting is a great admirer of Clark and although he did not get his way with Symonds , he has a good track record and will be used with Hauritz to stem the run rate – expect them to bowl a lot of overs. that didn’t get Andrew Symonds on the tour, it will get Clark picked. He’s got a proven track record, and never really fell out of form. He and Hauritz wil bowl a lot of overs with Ponting rotating in the more attacking Hilfenhaus and Johnson from the other end.

Marcus North – Will be there if they need to bowl four quicks. He also gives a spinning option. Also he is able to bat in the case of any injuries but not likely to be frontline pick.

Peter Siddle – An extremely able back up. It is probably the case of either him or Clark although England pitchesare probably not going to suit him like the one’s in Australia and South Africa.

Graham Manou – The Back up wicket keeper-

Andrew McDonald – McDonald is well liked as a player but is a reflection of the safe pair of hands the Australian selectors have opted for on this Ashes series very similar to North competent but not outstanding.

Brett Lee – The popular Australian cricket fans first pick but it is very hard to see what he brings to the party that other players don’t .Won’t worry England’s top order batsmen unduly.

So there we have it – a look over the squad gives a glimpse of some very sturdy and steady players but no real game makers and game breakers It looks like the Australian 2009 Ashes Squad are more relying on the English cricket team to slip up than actually themselves to go out and win it. Only a few more days and we will know the truth of it.