In light of some of the odd recent selections that the Aussie selectors have come up with to try and fill the void left by the retiring legends, here is a team of not-so-inspired Australian selections that I can remember from recent years. Some of these guys have time to turn it all around, and I hope they do, especially Rogers who is a fine player:
1) Mick Lewis
A Victorian trundler who managed to concede 113 runs off 10 overs in an ODI - the world record.
2) Darren Patterson
We didn't say they had to be picked for Australia. This Aussie was picked for England having only played 11 first-class games for Victoria and Nottinghamshire. He did OK, but even he didn't agree with his selection: "I probably didn't agree with the selection, as it was," Pattinson said. "I don't think I'd be picking someone to play the one Test when they haven't really played that many first-class games and weren't in the squad." Needless to say he probably wont be picked again.
3) Shane Watson (in Tests anyway)
Ever since we lost the Ashes in 2005, the selectors have been after a Flintoff-clone, even though we already possessed the world's best all-rounder in Adam Gilchrist and some other pretty good bowlers and batsmen. Watson has been given so many chances at the expense of players who actually deserve to be there, like Katich, and just keeps getting injured. He'll probably go and get 100 in the next Test now, but really, a Test player? A top one-day player, who still has more to deliver there, he also has bad hair, an annoying attitude and poses nude.
4) Nathan Hauritz
Comprehensively out-bowled in the spin department by Michael Clarke in his one test, although he himself did OK. Seems like a nice guy, but I always got the impression I could spin it as much if I tried.
5) Scott Muller
"Can't bowl, can't throw" - was it muttered by Shane Warne or Joe the Cameraman - he was actually not too bad, but threw a bit of a hissy fit in a later state game and was never going to be picked again. At least the whole thing helped Brett Lee's band Six and Out release a single Can't Bowl, Can't Throw.
6) Shaun Young
Good solid state player found himself in the right spot at the right time and got a Test call-up in the 1997 Ashes series in England when Jason Gillespie got injured and Paul Reiffel went home for the birth of his child. Really didn't have a chance to do anything and never got another Test.
7) Wayne Phillips
I may be the only person in Australia who remembers "the other Wayne Phillips". Came in for one test to partner Mark Taylor at the top of the order in the 90s.
8) Brad Young
A spin bowler who played a few ODIs and had a bowling average of 251. I seem to remember him taking a hat-trick whilst cricket was still at the Commonwealth Games, but that was not an official game. Also slid into the fence, ruining his knee and his international ambitions.
9) Chris Rogers
A quality player, still has time to make it, but did not impress in his single Test. Unfairly lost his central contract, I hope he comes back.
10) Simon Cook
Australia tried some interesting bowlers when the big guys were injured, and Cook was just that. He took 7 wickets on debut, played another Test, then was never picked again. I honestly don't know what happened, whether he got injured, lost form, or there was simply no room for him.
11) Not sure yet, but wait till this season is over, I'm sure we'll be able to fill this position...
Would like to hear of anyone I may have left off.
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