Spoiled for choice

Australia is a lucky country. There's no denying it.

When it comes to cricket, we are one of the few nations in the world, probably the only nation, that can create an Australia 'A' team that is good enough to match it with other test nations. As we go into battle without McGrath, Warne, Langer, and Martyn, Australia is still confident of victory. Why?

Because we have depth. The domestic competition here is the best in the world, and the lack of spots available creates an intensity that is not rivalled by any other county's domestic competition. By comparison, County Cricket in England has too much teams, and therefore average cricketers who wouldn't otherwise get a run in a restricted competition fall through the gaps.

Australia are really spoiled for choice. To replace Langer, the contenders are Phil Jaques, Chris Roger, Brad Hodge and Shane Watson, all of whom could play for another test nation. In the middle order we could have Dave Hussey, Simon Katich, Hodge, Watson, Adam Voges and a plethora of young batsman with talent, one of the most exciting being young Western Australian Luke Pomersbach.

In the fast bowling department, Australia have Mitchell Johnson, Shaun Tait, Ben Hilfenhaus, Doug Bollinger, Brett Dorey, Ashley Noffke and the like. The problem to come will be replacing Shane Warne, a once-in-a-lifetime cricketer. Stuart MacGill and Brad Hogg are relaible spinners, but both are over 35. Aaron Heal is a big talent, as is South Australian spin duo Cullen Bailey and Dan Cullen. The fact is they can't really replace Warne, so Australia must bide its time whilst the young and inexperienced spinners develop their craft instead of being thrown into test cricket too young.

The likely Australian test side, well at least in my opinion, should probably look something like this:

Phil Jaques (NSW)
Matthew Hayden (QLD)
Ricky Ponting (C) (TAS)
Michael Clarke (NSW)
Michael Hussey (WA)
Andrew Symonds (QLD)
Adam Gilchrist (WK) (WA)
Brad Hogg (WA)
Brett Lee (NSW)
Stuart Clark (NSW)
Mitchell Johnson (QLD)

12th Man: Shaun Tait (SA)

Quite a formidable side.

An Australian 'A' side, featuring the best of the rest, could look something like this.

Chris Rogers (WA)
Shane Watson (QLD)
Simon Katich (C) (NSW)
Brad Hodge (VIC)
Dave Hussey (VIC)
Brad Haddin (WK) (NSW)
Luke Butterworth (TAS)
Ashley Noffke (QLD)
Aaron Heal (WA)
Doug Bollinger (NSW)
Ben Hilfenhaus (TAS)

12th Man: Cameron White (VIC)

Now you can't say this team wouldn't be competitive at International level. It features players that any other test nation would die to have. Two of those players average over 50 at first class level and another three average over 45. The bowling attack is potentially strong enough to give any test nation a shake up.

Does any other nation have this sort of spoilt choice? Not to such a level as this. I could even find you a third team to go along with this Australia 'A' team. Nowhere else in the test nations can you find such depth of talent.