Australia announce Provisional Squad of 30 for Champions Trophy
Australia has announced its provisional squad of 30 for the upcoming Champions Trophy. The squad includes five newcomers who include George Bailey, Xavier Doherty, Brett Geeves, Ryan Harris and Tim Paine.
Amazingly, Tasmania provided four of the five newcomers to the provisional squad which is testament to their recent success in the Ford Ranger Cup.
Test spinner Beau Casson failed to win a place in the selected squad due to "not having enough exposure" to the one-day game. Tasmanian quick bowler Ben Hilfenhaus also failed to gain a place due to recovering from injury.
The final squad of 15 is set to be announced on or before August 11.
Provisional Squad
Ricky Ponting (Tas, captain)
Michael Clarke (NSW, vice-captain)
George Bailey (Tas)
Doug Bollinger (NSW)
Nathan Bracken (NSW)
Stuart Clark (NSW)
Dan Cullen (SA)
Xavier Doherty (Tas)
Brett Geeves (Tas)
Ryan Harris (Qld)
Brad Haddin (NSW, wk)
Nathan Hauritz (NSW)
Matthew Hayden (Qld)
Brad Hodge (Vic)
James Hopes (Qld)
David Hussey (Vic)
Michael Hussey (WA)
Phil Jaques (NSW)
Mitchell Johnson (Qld)
Simon Katich (NSW)
Brett Lee (NSW)
Shaun Marsh (WA)
Ashley Noffke (Qld)
Tim Paine (Tas)
Luke Ronchi (WA)
Andrew Symonds (Qld)
Shaun Tait (SA)
Adam Voges (WA)
Shane Watson (Qld)
Cameron White (Vic)
Provisional Squad of 30 announced
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State Pride
NSW - 9 players
Qld - 6
Tas - 5
WA - 4
SA - 3
Vic - 3
Not too many surprises there. George Bailey is one name that I didn't expect to be there, had an average of just over 25 last season but looks to be a long-term project. Ryan Harris is another, averages 35.51 but had an okay year. Dan Cullen is probably the shock selection in my opinion. Cullen was terrible last season, both in the one-dayers and in the Pura Cup. I don't think he is really deserving of a spot to be honest. It is highly unlikely he will make the final cut anyway.
Other than that, it looks pretty standard. Wouldn't mind them taking Doherty to the tournament, far better spinner than Cullen and Hauritz who is also a dud. Cam White should only be a part-time option.
What are everyone else's thoughts?
Australia has announced its provisional squad of 30 for the upcoming Champions Trophy. The squad includes five newcomers who include George Bailey, Xavier Doherty, Brett Geeves, Ryan Harris and Tim Paine.
Amazingly, Tasmania provided four of the five newcomers to the provisional squad which is testament to their recent success in the Ford Ranger Cup.
Test spinner Beau Casson failed to win a place in the selected squad due to "not having enough exposure" to the one-day game. Tasmanian quick bowler Ben Hilfenhaus also failed to gain a place due to recovering from injury.
The final squad of 15 is set to be announced on or before August 11.
Provisional Squad
Ricky Ponting (Tas, captain)
Michael Clarke (NSW, vice-captain)
George Bailey (Tas)
Doug Bollinger (NSW)
Nathan Bracken (NSW)
Stuart Clark (NSW)
Dan Cullen (SA)
Xavier Doherty (Tas)
Brett Geeves (Tas)
Ryan Harris (Qld)
Brad Haddin (NSW, wk)
Nathan Hauritz (NSW)
Matthew Hayden (Qld)
Brad Hodge (Vic)
James Hopes (Qld)
David Hussey (Vic)
Michael Hussey (WA)
Phil Jaques (NSW)
Mitchell Johnson (Qld)
Simon Katich (NSW)
Brett Lee (NSW)
Shaun Marsh (WA)
Ashley Noffke (Qld)
Tim Paine (Tas)
Luke Ronchi (WA)
Andrew Symonds (Qld)
Shaun Tait (SA)
Adam Voges (WA)
Shane Watson (Qld)
Cameron White (Vic)
Provisional Squad of 30 announced
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
State Pride
NSW - 9 players
Qld - 6
Tas - 5
WA - 4
SA - 3
Vic - 3
Not too many surprises there. George Bailey is one name that I didn't expect to be there, had an average of just over 25 last season but looks to be a long-term project. Ryan Harris is another, averages 35.51 but had an okay year. Dan Cullen is probably the shock selection in my opinion. Cullen was terrible last season, both in the one-dayers and in the Pura Cup. I don't think he is really deserving of a spot to be honest. It is highly unlikely he will make the final cut anyway.
Other than that, it looks pretty standard. Wouldn't mind them taking Doherty to the tournament, far better spinner than Cullen and Hauritz who is also a dud. Cam White should only be a part-time option.
What are everyone else's thoughts?
