WORLD T20 MUSTER

Australia are facing the prospect of starting their Twenty20 World Championship campaign with a bare minimum of 11 players as pre-season niggles continue to plague the team in Ricky Ponting's absence.

Under the tournament rules each squad is allowed 15 players and Australia have been decimated with injuries and family responsibilities with Michael Clarke, Matthew Hayden and Shane Watson all under an injury cloud. Ricky Ponting has delayed his arrival to the morning of the first match against Zimbabwe due to ICC commitments and concerns over his wife Rianna’s health. Additionally, Stuart Clark also arrived late in Pretoria staying in Sydney to support his young family through a tough time managing his young lad’s illness.

Australia’s reduced squad played their first matches since the World Cup final over the weekend with mixed results. On Saturday a 10-ball win against the equally out-of-season Blackcaps and on Sunday an eight wicket humbling to the Pollock, de Villiers and Smith inspired hosts.

Michael Clarke although selected for both matches was effectively rested to mollify his chronic back complaint and neither batted or bowled in either fixture. With only 11 players to choose from Australia played both wicket-keepers and five specialist bowlers with Pup scheduled to bat at 11 and in the match against South Africa Hayden came to the crease after Brad Hogg because of stiffness in his aging body from his first-ball duck only 24 hours previous.

Cricket Australia and Adidas recently were crowing about the new performance-enhancing injury-reducing garments that Australia are wearing at this tournament. These high-tech uniforms are expected to alleviate soreness and assist recovery and one can only assume that Matt’s kit doesn’t fit or that the announcement of Australia’s new threads had more spin imparted than a Mushtaq Ahmed wrong’un.

It has been a rocky beginning for Tim Nielsen in his first tournament in control of the national squad with new problems arriving on a daily basis and one can only hope that when the tournament begins proper that some semblance of rhythm and normality can be found. Pakistan, South Africa and the West Indies are all in good form and with England and India match fit and raring to go, Australia may find it tough to win enough matches to qualify for the semi-finals.

Most people are expecting this experimental inaugural tournament to be a batsman’s wonderland but if the dozen or so warm-up matches are any indication this may not be the case.

The early season spring conditions and fresh, rested pitches have assisted swing and seam bowling early on and many top order wickets have fallen cheaply. This increases the pressure and responsibility on the middle to lower order and this is where most matches have been decided in the past week of friendly contests.

It promises to be an excellent and entertaining tournament and all at The Shed are agreed that South Africa are the team to beat with a motivated Pakistan and carefree West Indies also looking dangerous.

In the best news you’d ever likely hear, I am thrilled to report that Australia’s favourite English rose, Jane McGrath, has defeated cancer for the third time and is now officially in remission again. A mother of two, Glenn’s wife is a heroine to tens of thousands of Australian women (and men) battling this insidious and all too often terminal disease. Her quiet compassionate determination, good humoured optimism and public courage in the stony face of death has given immeasurable strength and hope to fellow sufferers and their families throughout the continent.

The word hero and champion are bandied around the press with reckless abandon to describe our sports stars yet I feel more than confident in stating that in Jane McGrath England have a real home-grown fair dinkum champ and all of us down south are fortunate to have her close. May she live long and prosper.

KUALA LUMPUR TO KATHMANDU

All loyal readers of the Thunder should be well aware that your globetrotting correspondent is on a pre-season tour of the cricket hotspots of South East Asia. The past week has been spent playing and watching cricket in and around the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur and a fine hot and sticky satay time has been had by all.

During this sublime and sunny week, the Malaysian Cricket Association have been hosting a ten nation ODI tournament that serves as the Asian qualifier for the 2008 U/19 World Cup, also to be held at the same location next March. The ten teams competing include the host Malaysia, three times winner Nepal, Afghanistan, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Hong Kong, Singapore, Kuwait and Oman.

The winner of this tournament automatically qualify for the U/19 World Cup finals as do hosts Malaysia. The runner-up will play off against Scotland, the European division’s runner-up, at a yet to be decided venue in a last ditch chance for glory next month.

It has been a fantastic tournament and, I am reliably informed, a wonderful experience for all the young players and families involved. There is only the final to played on Wednesday with overwhelming favourite Nepal up against the hard and motivated lads from war-torn Afghanistan.

The Thunder was a spectator at yesterday’s semi-final between Malaysia and Nepal at the lushly modern Bayuemas Oval and the match was won in aggressive style by the Nepalese. Fast bowling allrounder and Nepalese captain Paras Khadka (pictured) routed the Malaysian top order with a fiery opening spell and finished with the figures of 5/21 from his allotted ten. I spoke with this impressive young man after the match and through his broken English I understood these words, “Australia, kangaroo, Ghurka, mother, father, win, good, thank you, fast, proud and happy”. Make of that what you will but the huge smile of satisfaction on Paras’ face breached all language barriers.

While near meaningless ODIs are being played in England and Zimbabwe this past week, it was heartening to be one of the few hundred to witness a crucial match with real consequences for the players and their representative nations. The cricket played was skilled, competitive and spirited and once again I was reminded that cricket is a grand global game played respectfully, and enjoyed peacefully, by people of all ages, cultures and beliefs.

The Nepalese who defeated South Africa and New Zealand at the 2006 U/19 World Cup are an emerging force in world cricket and within a few decades should be joining Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh as full members of the powerful Asian bloc. All of us at the Thunder wish them the best of luck as they climb the steep ladder to full recognition.

Back at the Shed spring has well and truly arrived. The wattle is in full bloom as is Peg’s predictable hayfever. Cookie our resident kookaburra has returned from her winter migration and Davo has finally cleaned the spark plugs on the lawnmower. Apart from Peg's sniffling and complaining all seems well in my absence and in between setting up the backyard telescope and stocking the esky for tonight's full lunar eclipse, Davo begrudgingly relayed news from back home.

Shaun Tait's elbow injury and Ben Hilfenhaus’ consequent selection in the T20 WC squad has had ramifications for other teams representing the sandy federated continent. Australia ‘A’ formerly known as the Second XI, are departing for a full tour of Pakistan on September 1 and Hilfenhaus’ ascendency has given Victorian veteran Shane Harwood another chance to prove himself internationally. Additionally, fellow Victorian allrounder James McDonald has succumbed to injury and his place has been taken by rising star, Tasmania’s Pura Cup final centurian and Man of the Match, Luke Butterworth.

Butterworth, who has only five first-class matches under his belt, was initially selected for full state honours halfway through last season after a recommendation to selectors from state and national captain, Ricky Ponting. Given his chance, 23 year old Butterworth proved Punter an astute judge. Young Luke turned four of the five games he played to Tasmania’s advantage, not only with bat and ball, but also with some brilliant outfielding and his performances were crucial to his team’s historic season. The Australian selectors are more impressed by cricketers who can impose themselves on a match rather than pure stats and The Shed has it on good authority that Butterworth is in the frame to one day replace Andrew Symonds as another versatile matchwinner in the national side.

In other good news from Downunder, Cricket NSW this week announced that the next Women’s World Cup will be played at various venues throughout metropolitan and rural NSW. Australia are defending champions and are hoping to once again hold up the trophy at the SCG in 18 months time. More than half the Australian team has retired since the last victorious campaign and with six teenagers in the 13 woman squad much work needs to be done before the start of this most important tournament. Women’s cricket is receiving more and more coverage in Australia and the cricketing family is hopeful that the ninth World Cup will raise the profile of the women’s game even further.

Lastly, as predicted by the Thunder months ago, Ricky Ponting has publicly championed Shane Watson to be Justin Langer’s replacement for the next Test versus Sri Lanka in November. Other opening contenders Phil Jaques and Chris Rogers have had abysmal County seasons averaging in the low 30s and will need some big scores on the board in the first two Pura Cup matches this coming season if they are to change the skipper’s mind. Ironically and paradoxically, thousands of County runs mean little to the Australian selectors - they do not rate the competition - but consistent failures are duly noted for future reference.

The team and I are headed to Kathmandu this afternoon in what we imagine to be a white-knuckle flight on a rusting ex-Russian wing-prop into the teeth of the Himalayas. We are expecting to be joining the street celebrations while avoiding the predictable government response after Nepal’s talented youngsters see off the gallant Afghanis to qualify for their fourth consecutive U/19 World Cup finals. If that is the case, and the form suggests it, then the cricket played in Nepal should be even more friendly, fun and engaging than promised.

T20 WC ROUND UP

Spring has arrived and for Davo and the rest of us at The Shed, that means pre-season training. While Davo's slogging his way through backyard circuit work and cursing interminably about the lawn not being mowed, I've been chinwagging with my mates, er, I mean, contacting the Thunder's excellent eavesdropping sources.

Slowly but surely Australian cricket is recovering from it's post-World Cup hangover and this week in preparation for the coming Twenty/20 World Championships we’re delighted to bring you a wrap of all the recent news concerning this somewhat premature tournament that begins on September 11.

Twenty/20 is still in its infancy Downunder - Australia has only played five matches - and the perpetually smirking Australian skipper Ricky Ponting constantly and patronisingly refers to the format as ‘hit and giggle’.

However, cricket starved paceman Brett Lee has an entirely different view, “Twenty/20 cricket has got a lot of merit. Parents can take the children down after school," he enthused. "On a hot day, it won't start until afternoon and there is lot of entertaining cricket as well - people hitting sixes, stumps flying everywhere."

Few in the squad share Brett’s ardency. Taking a breather while training with the Brisbane Broncos Rugby League squad earlier this week Andrew Symonds was bemoaning the fact that he, ”might have to take it seriously”. Considering that Andrew already has a T20 century under his belt and a career strike rate of 200+ one can only wonder what he will achieve when forced to apply himself.

In their infinite wisdom and natural indolence, the Australian selectors decided that the all-conquering and undefeated 2007 World Cup squad deserved first crack at the inaugural T20 tournament. There are however, a couple of forced changes to the bowling attack.

Brett Lee returns replacing the irreplaceable and incomparable Glenn McGrath and in what The Thunder considers a fantastic development, Shaun ‘Snowtown’ Tait failed to recover quickly enough from elbow surgery and has been substituted by the 2007 Bradman Medallist and cult Tasmanian hero, Ben Hilfenhaus.

It is lamentable that we will miss the shadenfreude of Lee and Tait bowling in tandem with a new ball at makeshift openers like Matt Prior, but there is no doubt that Tait would have been wayward and that is a luxury in such a short format.

23 year old Hilfenhaus, the brightest bowling prospect in a generation, has spent the entire winter working with reverse-swing guru and fellow Tasmanian, Troy Cooley. Hilfy's ability to move the ball away from right-handers, in the air and off the pitch, make him an ideal counterpoint for the pace of Brett Lee and the metronomic Stuart Clark. Add the left-arm angles and expert changes of pace that Nathan Bracken delivers, with the precocious ability of Mitchell Johnson, and Ponting looks to have more seam-bowling variety at his disposal than at any time during his successful reign.

The T20 Championships will be new coach Tim Nielsen’s first foray into international cricket and this alone is enough to make sure that Australia arrive in South Africa with all guns blazing. Tim noted this week that, “Pride is at stake” and reminded all that ”Australia take every match seriously”. That the team will wear their surnames on their backs instead of their nicknames and that Gilly won't be commentating is, I suppose, evidence of Australia's more earnest approach.

With a fit and motivated bowling attack and the strongest batting list in world cricket, Australia are overwhelming favourites to add the T20 Trophy to their already overflowing cabinet. It promises to be an interesting tournament and all of us at The Shed are anticipating a green and gold parade on the national team's return.

In other news, there is a rumour flying around The Shed, no doubt started by local chain-smoking gossip and irascible resident tea-lady Peg Milkingthorne. The unconfirmed whisper from The Dungeon is that a Googly Fantasy League will be created for this exciting tournament that begins in just under three weeks.

Davo, Peg and I certainly hope this is the case, for it sure will be fun matching wits with the other correspondents and especially our loyal readers. Pipping the Tooting Trumpet on the line again - as was the case at the last World Cup - would make it extra special.

We await further developments.

LONG LIVE THE KING

Optometrist Geoffrey Francis Lawson, son of Wagga Wagga and known throughout the continent as plain old Henry, recently accepted a lucrative offer from the Pakistan Cricket Board to coach the national squad for the next two years. It is a curious decision for both parties.

When first approached some two months ago Lawson scoffed at the offer. “A 1000 planets would have to align” was his curt response when asked if he was interested. His concerns were many and serious.

At the time rumour and innuendo were rife about the nature of Bob Woolmer’s demise. Lawson spoke of “safety being a big factor” and no-one doubted whose safety Geoff was referring. Once the police investigations were complete Lawson warmed a little towards such a prominent appointment stating, “Once the Woolmer event was resolved, that made me feel better about things”.

There were, however, other fears that needed assuaging. Most of them concerning the Pakistani players. Chief amongst these worries was the attitude of the cricketers. There is a discernment throughout the cricketing world that Pakistan are unfit, ill disciplined and poorly motivated. There is plenty of evidence that this is indeed the case. The recent World Cup debacle and the petulant forfeiture at Kennington Oval in 2006 are two of the more publicized attestations of recent years.

Their opening bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif were pulled from the 2006 Champions Trophy after producing a positive urine test for nandrolone. Taken predominately by post menopausal women to treat osteoporisis, ingesting the banned anabolic steroid earned the meretricious Akhtar a 24 month ban, and in a somewhat perplexing decision, the equally guilty Asif a 12 month stint in the nets. These convictions were soon overturned in controversial circumstances. The players were found not guilty on appeal not because they were innocent but because of a legal technicality from the original case.

Lawson. as befits a country squire with a liberal education, adores the moral high ground and this situation disturbs him. Ethically, Henry sees the world mostly in black and white and his attitude regarding performance enhancing drugs is well known. Pakistan officials have been told in no uncertain terms that if there is a repeat indiscretion Lawson will resign immediately. Considering that players take these substances in the shadows away from prying eyes, and knowing that Lawson is an intelligent, experienced and skilled media performer, it is an obstreperously ill directed public ultimatum that will undoubtedly bear a bitter fruit in the fertile political soil that is Pakistan cricket.

It is anathema to an Australian sportsman to not give total effort when competing in a team environment. It is linked to the mythical and ephemeral ANZAC spirit affectionately and colloquially known as mateship. “Not having a go” is the greatest sporting sin an athlete can commit. Three seasons back on Pakistan’s last tour of Australia, Lawson in the employ as cricket analyst at the publicly owned Australian Broadcasting Commission routinely described the visitors cricket as abysmal and their efforts disgraceful. Always the public diplomat Henry balanced his views with the diametrically disguised diatribe along the theme that the team was brimming with talent.

Now a rookie international coach Lawson has stressed the importance of pride, mongrel and respect on every occasion available. In a lengthy interview with Cricinfo’s Assistant Editor Nagraj Gollapudi, the new coach put forward his philosophy for turning around Pakistan’s pusillanimous performances.

“As a captain or a coach or even as a spectator or a selector or a board member you expect the players to give 100 percent every time they walk on the field; now that 100 percent might vary if they are injured or tired but if they walk on to the field and give their maximum all the time then everyone walks away satisfied. That's what Australia do so well: they treat every single game as very important. They never go at it half-hearted, they never go at it three-quarters, they are always doing their best to win every game. That is a great approach to follow - that every game of cricket you play you have to treat it like it's your last one.”

It would appear obvious to most that the Pakistan Cricket Board have appointed Lawson with this philosophical paradigm in mind. Only three coaches were interviewed and all were Australian. Despite his inexperience and the natural language barrier - only 4 players within Pakistan’s squad understand English - the PCB chairman Dr Nasim Ashraf has admitted that it is the quintessential Australian sporting nature of Lawson that got him the nod over his vastly more successful and qualified compatriot Dav Whatmore, “He is an educated no-nonsense fellow with a positive outlook and that Australian attitude we are looking for”. Lawson concurred, “I think they appreciate how the Australian approach to playing cricket is a successful one and that's what they're trying to tap into”.

Lawson, before accepting the poisoned chalice, also expressed concerns about the rise of Islamic fundamentalism in mainstream Pakistani culture and the fact that the Pakistan Cricket Board’s patron - the real boss - is military dictator General Pervez Musharraf. He cited reports that the players infatuation with Islam was affecting their cricket, even stating that he had heard that fielders were substituted during international matches to allow them to kneel towards the Kaba and pay homage from the prayer mat. For a secular cricketer like Lawson this recent development in Pakistani society and sporting culture is barely comprehensible. “I’ll be having none of that” was his final comment on the situation before appointment.

Coronated King Henry in the Pakistani media, Lawson has now softened his tone, "I believe they have overcome those obstacles," he said. "I think the board, the players and maybe some religious leaders have set out some conditions for when players can pray during matches, and how much work they can do during Ramadan. They are professional athletes, and as a coach you are looking for them to maximise their own potential.”

It is ironic that in a country that prohibits gambling that the PCB would plunge so heavily in entrusting Geoff Lawson with the stewardship of the national side. He possesses a mediocre decade old first-class coaching record and has no international experience, he understands very little about the changing nature of Pakistani society and he proudly possesses the natural lack of empathy required of an Australian Test quick. He said upon his appointment, "I don't suffer fools and I don't put up with second best”.

Combine Lawson’s quirks, insecurities and forthright attitude with the fractious nature of the Pakistani administration, an out of the loop and outspoken ex-player lobby, a newly appointed untested captain, a caviling squad with a poor work ethic, in addition to the widening linguistic, religious and cultural divide between the West and Pakistan, all under the unsleeping eye of an unpopular and tottering military dictatorship and it is not difficult to imagine some tough times ahead for the man affectionately known as Henry.

WALKING WITH DINOSAURS

Debate has raged down in the Dungeon about the walking non-issue. These types of arguments rarely rage at the Shed. Davo reckons it’s a complete waste of oxygen. The Marylebone Cricket Club’s Official Laws of Cricket are clear. Law 27 is explicit. In layman’s terms what it essentially says is that a batsman can give himself out if he wishes, but isn’t inclined to (27.1). Additionally, an umpire has the power to order a batsman back to the crease, if in his opinion he disagrees with the player’s misplaced morality (27.7). It ends with the incontrovertible phrase, “an umpires decision, once made, is final” (27.9).

In light of this debate and with a parched palette, your correspondent hitched a ride in Davo’s ute and headed down to the Wattle and Swan to have a beer with local umpire Dickie Cowans, a man that played and officiated in Lancastrian League cricket for over two decades before being seduced to emigrate to Australia with the love of his life, local sculptist and Quarry Road Cricket Club Scorer Rhonda Barrett.

An excellent Celtic flautist who once played at Buckingham Palace for the Queen Mother, Dickie began umpiring locally as soon as the Tasmanian Cricket Association allowed. With a veteran’s knowledge of the English game and six years experience in Australia, the Shed sought his views on walkers. Below lies the unedited transcription.

Nesta: G’Day Dickie.

Dickie: How are you old mate?

Nesta: Paddling upstream but she’ll be right. I was wondering if I could gauge your views on cricket for the website I write for occasionally.

Dickie: Googly isn’t it?

Nesta: That’s right.

Dickie: OK but it’s your shout. I had a read there the other day and saw that toff Cowdrey taking the high moral ground.

Nesta: We’re in harmony today Dickie because that is precisely what I’ve come to talk about. Before we begin could you start off and tell the readers how you were given the name Dickie when you first arrived in these parts?

Dickie: Well you know this story because you’re the bastard who gave it to me. And it has stuck to me like a bad smell. Where’s that beer?

Nesta: It’s coming. And it wasn’t me it was Bluey. Go on tell the story. You know what? I’ve just realized that I don’t even know the name your Mother gave you.

Dickie: It was my Father and it is Brian.

Nesta: Easy mate. Come on Dickie, just tell us the story. This is your chance to air your side of the tale.

Dickie: Yeah. OK. Well it was my first match umpiring down here and after being put through the wringer by the TCA, I was finally allowed to get back on the field.

Nesta: What happened with the TCA?

Dickie: They treated me poorly when I first arrived. They made me sit a beginners exam even though I’d already been umpiring back home for a dozen years. All’s forgiven now.

Nesta: Sounds fair. What did they say when you told them you were experienced and licensed in England?

Dickie: That I wouldn’t have any trouble passing the test!

Nesta: You probably thought he was joking! Hey Dickie, now what about that nickname?

Dickie: Yeah. Well I strolled out to the toss where you and Bluey from Sorell were waiting and you both started sledging me.

Nesta: That wasn’t sledging Dickie. And anyway, it was your own fault for wearing that silly white coat.

Dickie: Yeah well, if you let me finish.

Nesta: Sorry mate. Continue.

Dickie: As I was saying, you and the other captain were calling me Dickie and giggling like schoolgirls.

Nesta: Steady on Dickie. It’s a form of affection. You know that, don’t you?

Dickie: Well I do now but I didn’t then.

Nesta: Is that why you gave me out leg before to a ball missing leg by three feet?

Dickie: It was swinging back and hitting middle! And you batted all bloody day didn’t you?

Nesta: 112 before that dodgy decision if I remember correctly. Rhonda would have the book. It’s hard to forget centuries on the first day of the season. I know you didn’t mean it. It was late in the day and you were sweating buckets in that coat of yours.

Dickie: Are you printing this?

Nesta: I’m joking mate, we all know that umpires are bastions of integrity and honesty. Anyway, what do you think of walkers?

Dickie: Well, since living down here it's been pointed out to me that historically walking was a way for the upper class Poms to assert their moral authority over everybody else.

Nesta: That’s exactly what Cowdrey was doing then?

Dickie: What do you think, Nesta? Putting shit on the rest of us is a British ruling class tradition.

Nesta: Seen much walking down here?

Dickie: Never. I was told by old Tom Hawkins, he’s umpired for 40 years, that the real cheats are the walkers.

Nesta: What do you mean?

Dickie: Fellows that walk don’t do it all the time. So they plant a seed in the umpire’s mind that they are above suspicion. That way they are often given the benefit of the doubt when they do nick one.

Nesta: Not by old Tom, I bet. You're right. you don’t see too many blokes walking on 99. Did you see much walking when you umped and played in England?

Dickie: Remarkably Nest old man, I did.

Nesta: What was your job then? Walking coathanger?

Dickie: Not exactly.

Nesta: So walkers are not moral crusaders but con men. Is that right?

Dickie: I never thought so until I came to live here but I think that is a correct assessment.

Nesta: Should we suspend them for bringing the game into disrepute?

Dickie: Enough bloody questions Nesta. Where’s my ale? Being a celebrity is hard slog on a Sunday afternoon. Where’s your guitar? Let’s go out on the verandah, sit in the sun and play some tunes.

Nesta: Sounds like a plan, Dickie. I’ll get the beers.

FACING THE MUSIC

The hypnotic polyrhythms of Blackstar were emanating deep below the surface in the dank and funky UK Googly dungeons when the Editor phoned this week to request a follow up to last week’s Thunder Downunder column.

It appears that the mere mention of Australia fielding Ponting’s dream opening attack of Lee and Tait, hurling 150 kmh thunderbolts at English throats, has caused a climate of fear and a deluge of emails in the Old Dart. There was some idiotic defiance by a few with short attention spans but that was soon forgotten by the intermittent and fickle orgy of Twenty/20, Twelve/12, Ten/10, Eight/8 and Five/5 matches that are currently underway on the well drenched soil of Britain.

The Editor could barely be heard above the sweet melodies and ringing stinging crash cymbals as he communicated the groundswell and controversy. He instructed the Shed’s contacts to find which watering hole Boonie and Merv are currently occupying and to seek out their views on who will replace Justin Langer as Matthew Hayden's opening partner.

Big shoes to fill. Langer and Hayden are statistically one of the most successful opening partnerships in Test match history. Only the legendary West Indian pairing of Greenidge and Haynes have scored more runs for the first wicket. However, the Australians clearly have the superior average. Greenidge and Haynes scored 827 more runs but they played 35 more innings. Testament, no doubt, to Desmond and Gordon’s longevity and professionalism in an era when fewer Test matches were played each calendar year.

After accepting this assignment your correspondent negotiated a meagre expense account - enough for two phone calls - and also agreed to investigate the player that will replace Adam Gilchrist in the one-day set-up when he hangs up the yellow togs later this year or early next.

Even bigger boots to fill. Gilly is unarguably the best wicket-keeper batsman to grace the modern game and while his skills are diminishing he can still perform at the highest level. His match-winning 149 from 104 balls in the World Cup final will surely be recorded as one of the finest innings ever produced by a one-day opening batsman.

After one well placed phone call to the conscientious, fluorescent orange dungareed volunteers of the Victorian State Emergency Service, we discovered the mo mafia snuggled on the bar, splashing their feet in the now stagnant floodwaters inside the Burrabogie Island Sailing and Fishing Club.

Before Big Merv and his little mate were dragged away kicking and cursing by rescuers in a rubber dinghy, a few insights were gleaned and below is the run-down on the players likely to face the new ball and the fresh pacemen this coming summer.

Brad Hodge - Age 32
66 Centuries
This week desperately and insecurely volunteered to replace Justin Langer as Test opener. It won’t happen. Has a slim chance of securing the one-day opening position. Has impressed of late as a middle order bat in pyjamas but there are still doubts about his technique to the ball moving away. His best chance of securing a long-term Test place is if Michael Hussey opens.

Michael Hussey - Age 32
62 Centuries
Averages 80 from his 16 Tests and 59 from 72 ODIs. Easily the best candidate to open in the five day arena but his crucial Bevan-like finishing position in the ODI squad makes his selection as Test opener a schizophrenic proposition. If any player in the squad could fill two vastly different roles and not let it affect his game, it is Mister Cricket.

Phil Jaques - Age 28
39 Centuries
The incumbent. The prolific southpaw is the perfect carbon copy replacement for Justin Langer in the Test squad if the selectors opt to keep Hussey in the middle order. Has scored runs on all surfaces and has proved himself time and again. Questions remain over his fielding and that is enough to keep him out of the loop where limited-overs cricket is concerned.

Michael Clarke - Age 26
26 Centuries
The golden boy of Australian cricket with a long and illustrious career ahead. His boyhood hero was Mark Waugh and Pup would love to open the batting for the ODI team. Has done the job on nine occasions for eight wins and has excelled averaging 63. A strong candidate and obvious successor to open when Gilchrist retires.

Chris Rogers - Age 29
22 Centuries
Demanded selection in the contracted squad due to his gritty run scoring consistency over the last five domestic summers. Short sighted and colour blind, Chris would be a surprising first choice replacement for Langer but if the ginger tenacious leftie was given the job he wouldn’t let the side down.

Shane Watson - Age 26
13 Centuries
Possible opener in both forms of the game. Will open for Queensland with Hayden in the first two Pura Cup matches at the start of the summer and if he succeeds he may get Langer’s job. The most technically correct batsman in the squad and a favourite of Ponting. Opened at the last Champions Trophy and acquitted himself well. Will be in both teams but it is still uncertain what his role will be.

Brad Haddin - Age 29
12 Centuries
Gilchrist’s obvious replacement in the one-day squad and opens the batting in limited-overs cricket for NSW. Under pressure from Tasmania’s Tim Paine and West Australia’s Luke Ronchi and will need to perform when chances present to keep his contract next year.

Matthew Hayden has been reported as saying that he intends playing on indefinitely to guide the next set of openers into the international arena. Hussey would be the best choice in Test matches but balance also needs to be considered so Phil Jaques will probably get the nod for the first Test against Sri Lanka in November. Shane Watson is the roughie and cannot be discounted. In the one-day arena Michael Clarke looks set to emulate his hero but once again Watson’s name is on the short list.

Overall Australia’s batting stocks are strong and whoever the selectors choose will be under pressure to keep their spot. With 27 Tests and innumerable ODIs scheduled in the next 18 months Australia’s top order should be well and truly settled when they arrive in England in 2009.

MIDWINTER BLUES

The midwinter solstice is history for yet another year and all at the shed are wildly rejoicing. Apart from anticipating waxing the board and cracking open the home-brew, lengthening sunshine allows for an extra over or two in the backyard before the batsman begs for mercy and a bad light decision. The countdown has begun and there are only 108 days to the beginning of the Australian domestic season. In the meantime the national squad will play the Twenty/20 World Cup and a 7 match ODI series in India but unless the editors of this fine publication generously adjust their priorities, the crew at the shed will be watching those matches on the flat-screen.

With blue skies and warmer days approaching it is time that your correspondent faced what he has been deliberately ignoring for most of 2007. Impermanence, like the snow melting into the rocky earth of Kosciusko has taken some months to sink in. It’s time to accept that the retirements of Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne will forever change the make-up of Australia's bowling stocks.

Pigeon was the rock on which the pace attack was constructed. Shane was an automatic selection for 15 years. Many pundits have opined that they will be impossible to replace and Australia will now come back to the field in international cricket. Here at the shed we are not convinced but like all things, time will tell.

When the Australian selectors, mo mafia David Boon and Merv Hughes, solicitor Andrew Hilditch and apprentice Jamie Cox, named the contracted squad at the beginning of May, this malady was in the forefront of their collective minds. Over an unshaven frothy glass with Boonie through the week he enlightened the Thunder to the process. Players were chosen on their form from last season and the likelihood of national selection over the next 12 months taking into account who Australia plays. The balance of the side and the need to ensure the future development of the Test and one-day international team was paramount.

The batsman picked themselves and four wrist-spinners, White, Bailey, Hogg and Macgill were selected to cover for Warne’s absence. Eight fast bowlers were chosen blending youth and experience, left and right arms, swing and seam with both red and white ball.

With the cold, hard truth staring us keenly in the eye, the occupants of the shed ran the rule over the squad of quicks and present for our cherished and beloved visitors our collective wisdom for your leisurely perusal.

Brett Lee - Age 30
499 international wickets
This summer is the defining season in Brett’s career. Now that McGrath is retired it will be up to Bing to become the leader and spearhead of the attack. Injured and bitterly disappointed at missing the World Cup the blonde speedster will want to make up for lost opportunities by terrorizing the Sri Lankans and Indians who have never been entirely comfortable on the hard bouncy pitches on the Australian continent. Often brilliant in the 50 over format the jury is still out when it comes to the longer form of the grand game.

Jason Gillespie - Age 32
402 international wickets
The not-so-old stager deserves his place in the squad after a solid domestic season playing in a poor South Australian team. Obviously needed for his experience and guile, Dizzy would be a welcome inclusion not only for his tight bowling but for his resolute batting. Lost a yard of pace but has adjusted in the last 12 months and is expected to teach the younger more inexperienced bowlers what is required for a long career at the international level..

Nathan Bracken - Age 29
128 international wickets
Regarded by some as a one-day specialist Bracks like all his team-mates had a great World Cup. Has only played 5 Tests to date but with 25 Test matches to be contested between now and December 2008 he is sure to play a few more. His skill at reverse swing and his newly developed clever changes of pace has made him a difficult prospect in all conditions.

Stuart Clark - Age 31
84 international wickets
A late bloomer Stu has excelled in Test matches and will be the obvious replacement for McGrath. From the same Sydney grade club as Pigeon he has modelled himself on the great man and will be the first bowler selected when Australia’s next Test rolls around in November.

Shane Watson - Age 26
65 international wickets
The big hope of Australian cricket. If Watson can fulfill his potential he may eventually be regarded as Australia’s best allrounder since Keith Miller. Will allow Ponting an extra pace bowling option and will more than likely bat at 6 or 7 and eventually replace Gilchrist as Australia’s premier allrounder.

Shaun Tait - Age 24
33 international wickets
Prematurely selected during The 2005 Ashes, the injury prone paceman has recently had elbow surgery and hopes to recover for the Twenty/20 World Cup. If he and Lee are ever fit at the same time the selectors will be tempted to play them both. Ponting has made no secret of his desire to have Lee and Tait bowling in tandem at the world’s best bats. A frightening and most entertaining prospect and if it ever occurs Australia will have a 21st century version of Lillee and Thomson.

Mitchell Johnson - Age 25
26 international wickets
Identified and fast-tracked through the system by Dennis Lillee left-arm Johnson is another youngster of which much is expected. Quick, tall and accurate, Mitch may have to wait another season or two to cement a place in the first XI. He will be competing with fellow left-armer Bracken for a place and could probably do with another solid season for Queensland under his belt before he is ready.

Ben Hilfenhaus - Age 24
3 international wickets
Incredibly Ben was laying bricks for a living less than 12 months ago. After taking a record number of wickets in a domestic season and with his laconic rural Tasmanian demeanor, Hilfenhaus is already a cult hero through out the continent. An intelligent quick who can swing it both ways as well as being a master of seam and length Ben regularly took top order wickets and was the key to Tasmania winning it’s first ever domestic 4 day trophy. Many good pundits within the cricket community think that Hilfenhaus may be one of the Baggygreen’s all-time greats. There is a lot of pressure on the lad and it will be interesting to see how he develops over the next 18 months.

Combined Warne and McGrath snared 1949 international wickets. Their absence does leave a great big hole in Australia’s bowling set-up. Of that there is no doubt. In the next 12 months it is likely that all eight selected quicks will get an opportunity to push for permanent selection. Only Stuart Clark at this stage is certain of a place at the beginning of the next Test series against Sri Lanka. Watson, if he can stay fit, will play as a batting allrounder. Macgill will be the spinner and so that only leaves two spots for the other six contracted pace bowlers to fill. Competition will be fierce and it is going to be very interesting witnessing the evolution of Australia’s next generation of bowling partnerships.