Tugga's Replacement

[Johnson#26]

Who will replace Steve Waugh? Most people are saying Clarke, Love & Lehmann but I think the David Hussey could be the player that fills the gap. Who do you think??

[London Dave]

[ScottyMac]

Hussey is a victorian... that automatically rules him out.

I would hope the selectors don't screw around and start the youth rebuilding which has to start with Clarke... The best batsmen I have seen come into the game since ricky ponting joined the aussie squad as a young lad!!!!

Others...

Brad Hodge, Michael Beven (rough shot) OR if they are going for an all rounder type player which steve WAS Cameron White, Shane Watson.

Now is the time for the youth... not when the next wave of players retire!!!

[commonwombat]

Hussey at this stage is a maybe, talented yes with respectable performances but realistically behind others of whom some have respectable intl form on the board. If his progress continues he may well see an A team opportunity come up but honestly he'll have to do something very spectacular to jump the Q too prematurely.

Figure Clarke will be Waugh's replacement. Lehmann is not without a chance of return but may struggle to get back. Love will continue to be on the fringe and be a v competent Mr Fill-in. Katich has made a v sound fit in the side currently although not fully assured of a long term spot. Maybe there can be some competition for this spot along with Clarke's initiation. Bevan or Hodge, no cigar for them.

White could well see a promotion over the next year or so. McGill has run his course and Warne being as big a force as before is not assured. Don't think it will be one big foul swoop as regards the change of personell but it will happen incrementally, maybe one or a few at a time over the next 2-3 summers.

[JLC]

An interesting list of candidates. I think if it comes down to a close decision then the NSW player will get the nod closely followed by the QLD player.

For a Victorian or Tasmanian to be selected for a tes match they have to be exceptionally better than any other candidate.

Bevan being selected would be a step backwards. Lehmann is ok but not really a long term selection however he would provide a smoking partner for Warne.

My selection would be Love.

jlc

[Donny]

No contest. In fact, it's already happened. It's Katich.

As long as Boof regains his fitness, he's back in. It's that simple. He will bat at #5.

However, the percieved need to inject some youth into the team needs some examination. The batting lineup has an average age of 31.

Hayden - 32
Langer - 33
Ponting - 29
Martyn - 32
Lehmann - 33
Katich - 28
Gilchrist - 32

If we were 'carrying' a couple of batsmen, the argument would be strong to blood young players but we're not.

Of the batsmen on the list of 'next best', Love and Hodge are 29, Bevan is 33 and Mike Hussey is 28. Then we come to David Hussey and Clarke. I'd like to see both these exciting young batsmen in the team - in 2 or 3 years.

Hussey (26) is only in his second season of first class cricket but looks very promising with an average of 54.81 from 9 matches and Clarke (23) still needs experience.

He fails too often between his very impressive centuries, as his average (39.25) indicates.

And before any of you jump in with the, "But what about his century in Hobart?!!" stuff, Ponting, Martyn, Hayden and Tugga all had many of that type of century which prematurely got them into the Test team before being dropped and coming back as real Test batsmen.

[Johnson#26]

I'd just like to see how Hussey copes under test pressure - he seems a good player.

[Newelly]

Hussey is not a Victorian! He was born in Morley WA.

Mike Hussey has better credentials than David.

I'd rather see Clarke get Waugh's spot. This guy handles pressure situations with ease, gets his eye in quickly when at the crease and is a good shot maker.

Also SCG MacGill is not a New Southern Welshman he was born just across the Swan in Mt Lawley.

[JLC]

I fail to see why Lehmann is an automatic selection in the test arena. McGrath and Warne are automatic selections because they have 300 wickets behind them and have proven themselves to be match winners.

Katich has a lot of work to do before he is a permanent selection.

jlc

[Donny]

Well, JLC, apart from it being my opinion, it has been clearly stated by Hohns and Waugh - subject to his recovery from injury.

[Newelly]

Track record JLC. Proven himself at that level. Though as has been stated by Donny we are an old team that needs an injection of youth. we've got Bracken in the side and along with Lee and Gillespie are bowling stocks will should be fine for 5-6 years but our batting is becoming a dads army.

[JLC]

Please expand further on his "track record"

From recolection he was pretty ordinary against England last summer and Craig White got the better of him. Surely you arnt going to reel off scores against Zimbabwe or Bangladesh are you ??

jlc

[Newelly]

He has proven himself in the past capable of scoring runs at test level against good opposition. His time in the first XI goes back further than last season. I'd prefer Clarke get a spot though.

[The Prototype]

I still fail to see why Warne would be automatically selected without proving anything. Sure he's one hell of a bowler, but he still should prove himself fit before being selected.

[JLC]

Im waiting for Lehmans "track record" to be listed.

Since when do you have to prove fitness........lol Lehman smokes a pack a day and isnt exactly "fit". If anything Warnes shoulder would have had a rest and should be better than ever.

jlc