martyn has been completely robbed. hodge should get a go. mcgill needs to play in all the tests this summer (except perth). watson should be dropped. if gilespie can get his act together, should get a go in VB series.

test team should be;
langer
hayden
ponting
martyn
hodge
clarke (he should be dropped, but there isn't anyone to replace him)
gilchrist
warne
lee
mcgrath
macgill
12th watson

by next year, gilespie can replace lee (but he won't, lee gets to many chances, even though he's so expensive)

ODI team (VB series)
gilchrist
hayden
ponting
martyn
symonds
clarke
hussey
(Bowlers normally rotated, so out of)
watson
lee
gilespie
hogg
mcgrath
bracken

Marto has been completely jibbed...

My team would be:

Langer
Hussey
Ponting
Martyn
Hodge
Clarke
Gilchrist
Warne
Lee
McGrath
Tait/McGill

Hayden, Watson, Katich should not be considered.

I was very impressed with NSW last night...they look a top side and better then the rabble we where.

Oh it was a very funny night, Martyn and Voges where superb but the pressure of chasing 309 got to them...I don't think Marto's the best of captains.

McGill got an absolute tongue lashing by drunken 'members' louts

Nevertheless the off-field antics and the ADHD of kids at the ground made for a very entertaining night as well.

Oh I am loving the new cricket season...

Alot of media pressure in this state for Martyn to replace Katich...which should be done, hes in great form for WA.

Watson has gone down like Tait - looks like he'll miss all remaining tests and ODI's after shoulder surgery today. So ...
Langer to return if fit, but this leaves the way for Hussey to retain his spot, albeit down the order. If Langer still doesn't shape up in time ...
Watson to be replaced by either McGill, Hodge (70 yesterday) or maybe Symonds (big century yesterday).

As much as I hate to say it and would love to see Hussey have a regular spot in the team, Hodge would be the cricketer they choose for a middle order spot if Langer comes back into the team. That said, Hussey will almost definitely replace the opener who goes first, provided he continues his current form and provided it’s not 10 years down the track. Bracken performed exceptionally well and should remain in the team. Whether SMCG should be in the team is another matter…do we need that many bowlers? Given the current poor form of Katich and Clarke, and the way that Collymore bowled on the first day, we could be weak with so few batsmen (and I’m not contradicting what I said in the other cricket thread). Lee and Warne have been playing like all-rounders recently, but are frankly not. Warne still sits third for the most ducks in test cricket. We have a lively tail…that is all. Which all leaves a major burden on Langer, Ponting and Hayden. Seems like we need a Hodge or a Hussey after all.

Yeah - I only posted the possibilities that I think will happen, not what I'd personally really like to see - which is (assuming Langer is fit and so back in) for both Hussey and Hodge to be in, to replace Watson and Katich.

i've decided symonds can be our specialest all rounder, replacing clarke. symonds has been one of australias best ODI players for the past 2 years. he is a better batsmen then watson, and similar abilities to michael clarke. symonds is also regarded as one of the worlds best fieldsmen. with the on going philosophy by ponting and trevor hohns that a third pace bowler is still needed when warne and mcgill are bowling together, they have been selecting watson to fill that void. now, symonds can do the job, as he is a medium pace bowler. in addition to this, he can bowl off spin, and with 2 leg spinners in the team, provides even more flexibility.

in conclusions, symonds has 2 bowling styles, compared to watson's one, he is a better batsmen, a better fielder and is an accomplished player, unlike watson, who is still a developing athlete.

so this is my NEW team (pretending no one was injured);
langer
hayden
ponting
martyn
hodge
gilchrist
symonds
warne
lee (gilespie will come good again, and replace him)
mcgrath
macgill[/quote]

And the selected team is -

Squad:
Matthew Hayden
Mike Hussey
Ricky Ponting (capt)
Michael Clarke
Brad Hodge
Adam Gilchrist (v-capt)
Andrew Symonds
Nathan Bracken
Shane Warne
Brett Lee
Glenn McGrath
Stuart MacGill

With Langer still out injured, Hussey gets another chance . Symonds in to replace the injured Watson. and best of all -
Katich out, Hodge in. Really hope he actually gets a chance (i.e. isn't 12 man yet again), and that he makes the best of it.

I'd like it if Hodge was 12th man...just to see the response from the ever-whinging Vics!

Great to see Katich out and Hodge in. It's about time. I hope he does well.

Pity they have chosen Hodge over Martyn.

The performances I saw of both at the WACA, I would of picked Martyn.

I am just glad the world's biggest traitor has been axed

Put Symonds at 12th man. I want to see MacGill bowl at the Windies.

Well if he doesn't get a gig in the starting 11 after his performance today (see below) then I will personally lead up a group of Vic rioters up Jolimont St (site of Australia Cricket HQ)!! And he most definitely deserves a chance at test match level, just like Hussey has. His 1st class battting records over the last few years is equalled only by Hussey.

Hodge gives Windies a warning
Sportal

A blistering century from Brad Hodge has put Victoria in the driver's seat at stumps on day one of its three-day tour match against the West Indies at the Junction Oval.

Hodge celebrated his call-up to the Australian squad for next week's second Test against the Windies with a barnstorming innings of 177 - his 38th first-class ton - that came off just 178 balls and included 23 fours and five sixes.... Hodge was rarely troubled by the Windies' bowling attack and played a lavish array of strokes in the 239 minutes he was at the crease. ...

Yes...you're dead right. He certainly deserves his spot.....we all know he did so even before that knock today ( maybe he's peaked too soon! )

I think they'll include Symonds, given his recent big score and the fact that the selectors are desperate to play an all-rounder after Freddie destroyed us...no matter who the all-rounder is

i agree. although i'm victorian, i'd still like to see martyn back into the australian team where he rightfully belongs.