The battle to retain the Ashes begins in Brisbane next Thursday and Australia have announced a 13-man squad for the opener including no less than six pace bowlers. All-rounder Shane Watson has been preferred to Michael Clarke at number six Roy Halladay Blue Jays Jersey , and the final pace berth looks a three way fight between the trio of Stuart Clark, Mitchell Johnson and Shaun Tait who, between them, have only played six Tests.
Johnson has yet to make his Test debut Paul Molitor Blue Jays Jersey , but has always been highly regarded and bowled some decent spells in the recent ICC Trophy. The Aussies have been looking for a top class left-armer since Bruce Reid, but Dennis Lillee is a big fan and it would be no surprise if Johnson gets the nod over Tait and Clark.
The opening partnership of Justin Langer and Mathew Hayden are under pressure given Phil Jacques has already scored a pair of centuries against the Tourists, but the old guard are in good form themselves and will be surely be given at least a couple of Tests to cement their place at the top of the order.
Captain Ricky Ponting is, arguably Roberto Alomar Blue Jays Jersey , the best player in the World and he will be followed by the mercurial Damien Martyn and Mike Hussey who averages 75 in his 11 Tests to date. Watson was a revelation in the ICC Trophy at the top of the innings, but will bat at six ahead of the brilliant Adam Gilchrist. Ponting is 52 to be top Aussie bat with BetDirect. That looks a fair price.
Shane Warne goes into what is likely to be his last Ashes series with 685 Test wickets and nearly 3000 Test runs. The legendary leg-spinners life remains a soap opera but, despite being in his thirty eighth year, he continues to bamboozle the best of batsman. His googly may not be as effective as in his early days Joe Carter Blue Jays Jersey , but he has added the slider and top spinner to his repertoire and remains a massive threat. England will be looking to score heavily in the first innings, as the Aussie curators will make sure there is plenty of spin for Warne and possibly MacGill especially at Sydney and Adelaide.
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