Australia's World Cup Squad | Thebigtip

Last week Australia announced their squad to take to the World Cup in the subcontitnent. There was little suprise in the announcement as all but one have featured in England's tour of Australia. They have chosen to go with four fast men and only one specialist spinner, which is questionalbe as most of the pitches in the subcontitnent are spinner friendly and in recent times Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka have all played two specialist tweakers.

The selectors have chosen to go with a wicketkeeper opener, either Haddin or Paine, to partner Watson, who is coming of a marvelous summer. The middle order will most likely consist of Ponting, Clarke, White, D Hussey/Smith (both if they chose to go with 3 fast bowlers) and M Hussey. It is one of the longest middle orders in international cricket, which is why Australia are so succesful. They have many players, who can play whenever they are required and still perform. In addition to this, the Australian bowlers are capable of sticking around with batsmen and scoring.

Player Analysis -

Ricky Ponting (C) -
He hasn't had the best summer, having only scored 113 runs in 8 innings at 16.14 in the test matches and picking up an injury which has forced him out of the one-dayers. Ponting was an automatic selection as he has been apart of three World Cup victories, captaining two. Ponting must behave himself as he recently had a spat with experienced umpire Aleem Dar, complaining about a decision which was clearly not-out.

Michael Clarke (VC) -

Clarke's recent form suggests that he shouldn't be apart of the 15 man squad, but as vice-captain and with the experience he holds, he had to be an inclusion. He knows he is in a patch, and that he need's to get out of it as soon as possible. He knows the problem, he has people working with him, he just can't seen to get it right. Maybe he needs to spend time playing domestic cricket.

Doug Bollinger -

Bollinger didn't play many of the games this summer, but he has the ability to swing the ball, and will be a key player to Australia's bowling attack.

Brad Haddin -

Haddin is probably the best keeper in international cricket, but he is competing with Tim Paine, who is more suited to the shorter forms. Haddin went to the 2007 World Cup, but was second pick the Gilchrist. He is an aggressive player and will support Watson at the top of the order.

Nathan Hauritz -

Australia has had spinner problems since Warne, but over the past year Hauritz has shown he is Australia's number one. Although he wasn't chosen in the test series against England, he will be hungry for some action. Also, he should be well supported by Smith and D Hussey.

David Hussey -

David has been a vital part of Victorian cricket in the past few years and has finally been called up to the Australian side. Is he ready for international cricket? will he preform as well as his brother?

Mike Hussey -

Mike has saved many games for Australia, and he is the senior player which is required in the middle order. He is a game saver and is good in the field.

Mitchell Johnson -

Johnson has had an up and down career, he is currently in a patch where he isn't picking up wickets. He is not bowling the right line, length but when he is swinging it around he is able to rip through teams. He is also able to bat agressively.

Brett Lee -

Lee has been a part of Australian cricket for a good part of 10 years. Recently he has been troubled with injuries, but his pace and agressiveness won him the spot, and he has always been able to preform.

Shaun Tait -

Tait is probably the fastest bowler in the world behind Shoaib Akhtar, but is he fit for international cricket? It is a regular with the fastest bowlers. They are not able to bowl many over's in a row, and are prone to injury.

Tim Paine -

Paine is in the same spot as Haddin four years ago. He has had alot of Australia A experience and has a few international caps. He should be able to step in for the games which are against the qualifiers, but he might have to wait for real World Cup action for another four years. His spot is questionble. Did Australia really need an understudy for Haddin?

Steve Smith -

Smith can bat and he can bowl, that is pretty much why he is in the squad. He isn't Shane Warne yet, but he is slowly getting there. His batting skills are questionable but in a situation where Australia need runs from the tail, he could be the man to step up. Also, he is the most energetic fielder i've seen.

Shane Watson -

Watson is probably the only in form player for Australia. He is explosive with the bat, and can set up an innings for someone in the middle to build on. He is coming of several half centuries. He is also handy with the bat, he is able to bowl economically and can pick up key wickets.

Cameron White -

White is one of the best, if not the best, domestic players in Australia. He is explosive and can stand and deliver whereever he bats. He has a bowling action like Shahid Afridi, but he hasn't bowled for Australia in the past 2 years.

John Hastings -

The only suprise in the squad, he is an allrounder and has only 2 One Day International Caps for Australia. I don't think he will get many of the big games, but if one of the fast bowlers pick up an injury, he will be ready to take his opportunity.

Unlucky to miss out -

Brad Hodge -

Hodge is the unluckiest man in cricket. His first-class stats are exceptional and when he played international cricket, he played well. Probably the last opportunity for Hodge to play for Australia.

Peter Siddle -

It was between Siddle and Hastings and the selctors chose to go with an all rounder instead of another fast bowler.

Dan Christian -

Christian is a specialist in the shorter form, and recently went for over $1 Million US, in the IPL auction.

AUSTRALIAN 30-MAN PROVISIONAL SQUAD -

Ricky Ponting (captain), Michael Clarke, Doug Bollinger, Dan Christian, Xavier Doherty, Callum Ferguson, Brad Haddin, Ryan Harris, John Hastings, Nathan Hauritz, Brad Hodge, James Hopes, David Hussey, Michael Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Shaun Marsh, Andrew McDonald, Clint McKay, Stephen O'Keefe, Tim Paine, James Pattinson, Peter Siddle, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Shaun Tait, Adam Voges, David Warner, Shane Watson, Cameron White. 

AUSTRALIAN 15-MAN SQUAD -

Ricky Ponting (c), MichaelClarke (vc), Doug Bollinger, Brad Haddin, John Hastings, Nathan Hauritz, David Hussey, Mike Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Tim Paine, Steve Smith, Shaun Tait, Shane Watson, Cameron White.