Hussey, McDonald in PM's team

[Donny]

Tait and Hussey in PM's XI

Wisden Cricinfo staff


Steve Waugh has accepted the invitation to lead the Prime Minister's XI against the Indians. Following the announcement last week, that Waugh would lead, Cricket Australia announced a promising team, including four players who played for Australia A recently. They are Mark Cleary, Shaun Tait, Damien Wright, and Marcus North.

Most eyes will be on Tait, the South Australian pace bowler who has been touted as the next big thing. With Brett Lee in such dire form, an impressive performance at the Manuka Oval could even pitchfork Tait into the Australian squad. The team also includes Xavier Doherty, the talented young left-arm spinner, and David Hussey, the middle-order batsman who has been in such good form recently.

Trevor Hohns, the chairman of selectors, said, "The PM's XI continues to grow in popularity and this year's match promises to be one of the very best considering the strength of the current Indian squad."

"We've selected players who have been performing well at a domestic level, and this match gives them an opportunity to show their worth against one of the world's strongest limited-overs teams," added Hohns. "It's good exposure for a lot of the younger guys who haven't as yet had an opportunity to perform at this level."

Mark Waugh led the PM's XI last year, and Hohns was happy that Steve Waugh had the honour this time around. "It's fantastic that Steve will captain the team in what is yet another great honour in an outstanding career. Steve is a player most of these guys would have looked up to as they were coming through the ranks, and I know they will be thrilled to bits to play alongside him."

Australian Prime Minster's XI 1 Cade Brown, 2 Matthew Bradley, 3 David Hussey, 4 Marcus North, 5 Steve Waugh (capt), 6 Andrew McDonald, 7 Chris Hartley (wk), 8 David Cleary, 9 Damian Wright, 10 Xavier Doherty, 11 Shaun Tait

Evan Kellar, from the ACT, has been named as 12th man.

[Sultan of spin]

Well it amazes me that our PM actually knows more about cricket that our national selectors!, finally the feats of a victorian are being recognised by selection at a higher level, I'm not sure about the selection of MeDonald though ahead of Jon Moss, I think Moss has had a stellar season with the willow and deserves to be recognised.

[Donny]

I don't think the PM selects the team SoS.

"Trevor Hohns, the chairman of selectors, said, "We've selected players who have been performing well at a domestic level, ..."

Andy McDonald is the top wicket taker for the Vics as well as being a top six batsman.

And I'd like to ask My Hohns: Who the hell are Cade Brown and Matthew Bradley ?

[commonwombat]

I beleive Bradley may be an Aboriginal player identified thru some program which may explain his selction. Know nothing about Brown.

Hope people realise this is not an Australia A team/fixture and has never been intended as such. Sometimes it is used as a showcase for a few promising players.

Sultan, I can respect yr clamour for Hussey's potential promotion which may well be justified if his good form continue next summer but Moss is totally stretching credibility.

He is having a best ever season and all credit to him. He has however been around for a considerable period of time and is realistically nothing more than what he has ever shown, a respectable tradesman cricketer at first class level. His current Australian representation is at a level befitting his merits.

[London Dave]

Cade Brown...
http://uk.cricinfo.com/db/PLAYERS/AUS/B/BROWN_C_02008358/

Matthew Bradley
http://uk.cricinfo.com/db/PLAYERS/AUS/B/BRADLEY_MS_02035402/

dunno if those links will work for you guys, but there's a few articles on Bradley

[piedys]

The PM's Xi remains the only way us in-form Vics can get national recognition!
Whaddya got Wombat!

Dyso