Casson and Katich picked in new-look Australia Squad.

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Jonesy

Jonesy

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Casson and Katich picked in new-look Australia Squad.

New South Wales left-arm wrist spinner Beau Casson has been picked as the second spinner in the Australian squad to tour the West Indies. Former test player Simon Katich was also picked along with Ben Hilfenhaus and Ashley Nofkee for the 15 man test squad. Victorian run-machine Dave Hussey was included in the 14 man One Day squad with Shuan Marsh.

Australia have included the uncapped trio of Beau Casson, Ashley Noffke and Ben Hilfenhaus in their 15-man Test squad to tour the West Indies next month, while Simon Katich has earned a recall after his record-breaking domestic season. The selectors also named a 14-man group for the limited-overs portion of the trip with Shaun Marsh and David Hussey the two new faces in the shorter format.

While Katich and Noffke were both expected to feature in the Test unit following outstanding Pura Cup campaigns, the selectors' major question-mark was over who to pick as spin back-up for Stuart MacGill. Throughout the season Victoria's legspinner Bryce McGain, 36, was touted as a potential mature-age call-up but Casson's strong finish to the summer made him an attractive option.

Casson, 25, collected 29 Pura Cup victims at 35.13 with his left-arm wrist-spin and also chipped in with 485 lower-order runs at 60.62. He was prominent in New South Wales' victory in the final at the SCG, where he scored 89 and grabbed four second-innings wickets.

"We have taken the opportunity to take a young spinner and by far the best performed of these during the Australian summer has been Beau Casson," the chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch said. "His efforts with both bat and ball have been very good over the past season and we look forward to watching his development during the course of the tour."

Casson will be joined in the Caribbean by his state captain Katich, who plundered 1506 Pura Cup runs at 94.12 this season, beating Michael Bevan's existing record and stepping up with a Man-of-the-Match effort in the final when he made 86 and 92. Katich, 32, has played 23 Tests but has been out of favour with the selectors since he struggled through the 2005 Ashes tour.

Noffke's remarkable first-class collection of 51 wickets at 19.03 and 741 runs at 46.31 made him a certainty for his third trip with the squad after he travelled on the 2001 Ashes tour and visited the Caribbean in 2003. He is one of two reserve fast bowlers in the group with Hilfenhaus chosen despite a disappointing tally of 28 Pura Cup victims at 43.82 this season. Doug Bollinger, who led the Pura Cup wicket tally for most of the summer until breaking his foot in February, was overlooked.

As expected, MacGill was handed his ticket following a successful comeback from carpal-tunnel surgery on his right wrist, while the wicketkeeper Brad Haddin is set to make his Test debut in Jamaica after years of waiting behind Adam Gilchrist. Barring any unexpected injuries, Haddin should become the 400th man to receive his baggy-green cap when the series begins in Kingston on May 22.

Tests in Antigua and Barbados will follow and after the third game finishes in Bridgetown on June 16, the limited-overs squad members will remain in Barbados for a Twenty20 international. The eight-week tour concludes with a five-match ODI series that ends in St Kitts on July 6.

Victoria's Hussey, who made his Twenty20 international debut in February, was pipped by Katich in the Test unit but will make his first tour with the ODI team. Marsh, the son of the former opening batsman Geoff Marsh, was rewarded for a successful domestic summer and gives Australia an extra top-order option following Gilchrist's departure.

"Shaun Marsh is a fine young batsman who again has had a terrific year for Western Australia," Hilditch said. "We have selected him with a definite eye to the future for Australian one-day cricket."

There was no place for Adam Voges or Brad Hodge, both of whom have featured in the ODI line-up recently, however Cameron White, who slipped from the one-day radar in the past year, was added to the group. No frontline spinner was picked to replace the retired Brad Hogg, while Nathan Bracken was named subject to fitness as he recovers from knee surgery. The Test squad will gather in Brisbane for a preparation camp beginning on May 4 and will head to the Caribbean on May 10.

Test squad Matthew Hayden, Phil Jaques, Ricky Ponting (capt), Michael Hussey, Michael Clarke, Andrew Symonds, Simon Katich, Brad Haddin (wk), Ashley Noffke, Beau Casson, Brett Lee, Mitchell Johnson, Stuart Clark, Stuart MacGill, Ben Hilfenhaus.

ODI squad Matthew Hayden, Michael Clarke, Ricky Ponting (capt), Michael Hussey, Andrew Symonds, David Hussey, Shaun Marsh, Cameron White, Brad Haddin (wk), James Hopes, Brett Lee, Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Bracken, Stuart Clark.

© Cricinfo
Click to expand...

That's BS. Casson was simply picked cos he's a fkn New South Wales player. It should of been McGain or Cullen. That sucks. Katich is waaaaaayy too slow as well, Dave Hussey would have been a much better pick in the test squad, Katich owns domestic competitions, but sucks in International matches.
 
Re: Casson and Katich picked in new-look Australia Squad.

I've never heard of Casson. A first class average of 40 doesn't seem impressive but then Cullen averages even more than him. McGain doesn't have age on his side. He's just a year younger than MacGill so the selectors probably believe he doesn't have too much of a future.
 
Re: Casson and Katich picked in new-look Australia Squad.

Cam White averages less the Casson in bowling.
 
Re: Casson and Katich picked in new-look Australia Squad.

Seem strange to me but I havent looked at him playing. Maybe the selectors saw something special in him. If not then its a poor decision because White would have been the better option as his stats suggest he's a much better all rounder than Casson.
 
Re: Casson and Katich picked in new-look Australia Squad.

Yeah but Casson has had a great season. And White isn't a good bowler anymore, he's more of a batsmen. Plus he hasn't proven he is able to grind it out when it is needed. Casson is primarily a bowler who can bat a bit, and as a backup to MacGill and at 25 it seems that the selectors have started to look to the future, which can only be a good thing.

Hmmm, theres no one in test squad form South Australia or Victoria. McGain is to old, and 1506 runs at 94 cant be looked over. Casson had a really good finish to the season whereas McGain didn't. And David Hussey's call up is only a matter of time, I'm think Ashes 2009...
 
Re: Casson and Katich picked in new-look Australia Squad.

McGain did have a pretty good season, in terms of spinners in Australia.

So what, White, based on averages is a better bowler the Casson, and a better batsman. I'm not saying White should be picked in the Test team, I reckon in the OD team as a lower order hitter, but I'm saying if Casson averages more than White, why was he picked.
 
Re: Casson and Katich picked in new-look Australia Squad.

cricinfo said:
Casson relished the extra responsibility and used the helpful SCG conditions to collect 29 Pura Cup wickets at 35.13
Click to expand...

Bowling average of 35, with a home ground of the SCG, that's pretty horrible. Cam White consistently averages just a bit over that, at a ground much less suited for spinners.
 
Re: Casson and Katich picked in new-look Australia Squad.

Casson was picked because of the way he finished the season, and not because he is a New South Welshman. And he is in the One Day squad. And the MCG is slow, so not that un-suited to spinners.
 
Re: Casson and Katich picked in new-look Australia Squad.

They hardly played on the MCG. They played on Junction Oval, which is apperently a great pitch, teams get 300+ most games, I heard from 2 district cricketers.
 
Re: Casson and Katich picked in new-look Australia Squad.

Oh. Anyway it doesn't look like Casson will get a game anyway, he is only a backup. The fight for the spinner spot looks like it will be between Hussey (David) and White. Not picking a specialist spinner for the ODI's may backfire, but we do have some quite handy part-timers/all rounders
 
Re: Casson and Katich picked in new-look Australia Squad.

Symonds, Clarke and Hussey, we'll get 10 between then at least, I reckon.
 
Re: Casson and Katich picked in new-look Australia Squad.

Who would you pick first, White or Hussey (David). Personally I think David should be rewarded for being such a consistent performer, plus his Offies should do the job
 
Re: Casson and Katich picked in new-look Australia Squad.

Depends on the role. Hussey for sure unless we are lacking a big hitter.
 
Re: Casson and Katich picked in new-look Australia Squad.

Hey with Haydos and Symo, we have plenty of big hitters :D

What would your Test and ODI XI's from the squads?
 
Re: Casson and Katich picked in new-look Australia Squad.

From the squads? Boo.

Test

Matthew Hayden
Phil Jaques
Ricky Ponting
Michael Hussey
Michael Clarke
Andrew Symonds
Brad Haddin +
Brett Lee
Mitchell Johnson
Stuart Clarke
Stuart Magill
____________________
Ben Hilfenhaus

As much as a I hat Magilla, I think we need to play unless after 2 games he is doing nothing Hilfy should be given a chance, big future this guy has got.

ODI

Matthew Hayden
Michael Hussey
Ricky Ponting
Michael Clarke
Andrew Symonds
Dave Hussey
Brad Haddin +
James Hopes
Brett Lee
Mitchell Johnson
Nathan Bracken
 
Re: Casson and Katich picked in new-look Australia Squad.

Funnily enough my squads would look exactly the same. But yeah, if MacGilla doesn't perform, Hilfenhaus has got a great future, even if he had a poor Pura Cup. Its a shame there is no room for Shaun Marsh, because I'd really like to see him play. But he'll get opportunities down the track, of that I have no doubts. If Bracken isn't fit then I guess I'll have to put Clark in, even if he isn't my first choice. I'd prefer Hilfenhaus or Noffke
 
Re: Casson and Katich picked in new-look Australia Squad.

Actually that lacks bowling options, so I don't know. Unless we could get quite a few from Symonds and Hussey.

Yeh same here jimmy, would prefer to see young blood.
 
Re: Casson and Katich picked in new-look Australia Squad.

Thats why I think Casson is at least a positive choice. Australian selectors don't like to try new people, so even if it isn't the right choice its a step in the right direction. We may see a very new look Australian team come Ashes 2009, and I for one are very much looking forward to it.

From a second look the ODI squad has very few bowling options. A lot of overs will have to be bowled by part timers, which may cost a lot. Noffke and Hilfenhaus should be in there, as well as McGain for a good spin option
 
Re: Casson and Katich picked in new-look Australia Squad.

Coarse not David Hussey, in my opinion he should start playing tests as soon as someone retires. Maybe have a 17 man squad, just so that their names will always be on the cards
 
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