Cricinfo – Tait and Johnson in 13-man squad
The initial squad for the first test has been named yesterday and there were a couple of surprises.
Mitchell Johnson and Shaun Tait have been called into a bowler-heavy 13-man squad for the first Ashes Test at the Gabba next Thursday. The allrounder Shane Watson has beaten Michael Clarke in the race for the No. 6 spot while Stuart Clark was named alongside Glenn McGrath and Brett Lee.
Source: Cricinfo – Tait and Johnson in 13-man squad
So the first being that there the Squad was 13 men and not the standard 12. The reason? The battle for the last bowling spot has seen 3 bowlers step up. Stuart Clark, Shaun Tait and Michael Johnson have all at one time or another put forward performances. The bowlers are all slightly different and the selectors have commented that the conditions could play a part.
Secondly Shane Watson gets the chance to impress in the number 6 spot beating out Michael Clarke who must continue to pile on the runs for NSW’s to continue to put the pressure on and show that if one of the batsman hits a form slump, there is pressure from below.
Phil Jaques must also keep piling on the runs and continue to keep the pressure on Justin Langer for one of the openers spots. Langer has a lot of runs on the board but it will only take them so far.
So its about a week from the first test and there is a lot to happen between now and the first ball being bowled. I am sure Boony and Beefy will have lots to say to each other over the week and will take it up a level when the match starts!
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GO AUSSIES
Molly
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