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Monday, April 15, 2013
Sunday, April 14, 2013
Is it April or January?!?
An amazing day weather-wise today. Sunny, breathless, and the temperature headed over the 30 degree mark. Just terrific. Glad I wasn't playing league over at Centenary Field because it was HOT!
The weather was so good that we had to have a BBQ for lunch.
And at 5.30pm, just as the sun was heading over the horizon, we could even enjoy a scotch on the Deck.
The weather was so good that we had to have a BBQ for lunch.
And at 5.30pm, just as the sun was heading over the horizon, we could even enjoy a scotch on the Deck.
Saturday, April 13, 2013
A Rare Treat - Breakfast Out!
With no kids (as they has stayed with Helen's parents
overnight) to wake us early, we were able to sleep in until about 8.00am, almost
a record for us in recent times.
Seeing as we never do it, I took Helen out for breakfast this
morning as a treat. Cafe Four is a new-ish cafe in Albion Park, and coffee with
bacon and eggs sounded great to me. Pretty good value too, with excellent thick
toast and lots of bacon with two eggs. Impressive. we both thought that it would
be a good thing to do maybe once a month. We'll see how the budget holds up.
Friday, April 12, 2013
Shaun & Julia's Wedding
Now it was time for the final Peters family member to tie the knot and fall into marriage like the rest of us.
From The Abbey, Helen and I headed back to our house, where
we were met by Mum and Dad, for our trip to see Julia and Shaun's Wedding
(capital letters everywhere there! Such important people). The day was a
cracker, which meant no need for jackets or any such things. Dad drove the four
of us up in his u-beaut car, though the conditions covering this act of kindness
was that one of Helen or myself would have to drive home. They ain't silly, my
parents...
We arrived in plenty of time, and found good seats off to the
side. The bride was only ten minutes late, which could be seen to be some kind
of miracle.
The ceremony went off without a hitch, with both bride and
groom unable to wipe the smiles from their faces, and lots of singing and so
forth. Okay, I probably didn't need to be informed that God is Love, nor have
the Macquarie Dictionary definition of 'love' explained to me, but you get that
in the church community I guess. :)
With a four hour difference between the end of the ceremony
and the beginning of the reception, we headed back to Rydges Parramatta where
the Kempsey Crew were staying the night for a bite to eat and a couple of eye
openers.
The reception was being held at the Grand Royale in
Granville. The entree came early enough, giving a little satisfaction from
hunger, but the mains did not arrive until 8.30pm, by which time most people,
who had forgone lunch for the 1.00pm ceremony, were starving. At least, those
that were not over indulging in alcohol were starving. Our table attempted to
relieve the atmosphere by trying to start the Wave, something that only really
caught on with the bridal party's table.
It was good to catch up with the family, though the drive
home to Albion Park was a long one on a Saturday night. However, under my
watchful stewardship at the helm, we arrived safely at 1.15am after a long long
day. I'm pretty sure Helen was asleep before she had even made the bedroom.
Moving Closer to God
On Friday morning the five of us headed up to The Abbey on
Jamberoo Mountain Road, to witness a religious unfolding.
Yes, that is a little bit vague, but I must say that I am
still not sure of all of the details involved. What it did involve was Helen's
mother, Christine, having her Final Profession in the Lay Carmelites of Australia. The Carmelights are an adjunct
of the Catholic Church. More information on all of this can be found here on their website for those that are interested.
I guess I should probably ask my mother-in-law straight up
rather than just go to websites, but there you go. In the fullness of time, no
doubt I will.
Anyway, it was a lovely day, and it was just Chris and her
friends and her family, along with her fellow 'sisters'.
Though Helen and I had to leave once the initial ceremony was
completed, it all went well (although Josh did come to me at one stage to ask
"how much longer does this go for?" As you would...). Better yet, we left our
kids with Chris and Chris to travel on to the next part of our day.
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Final Swimming in Clothes for Jessie
Today was the final swimming lesson of the term, and it will be Jessie's final swimming lesson with Sue's Swim Stars School. She is now very competant in the water (certainly more than her father). Josh will continue on next term.
With Maddi off checking out her new dance school that she will start next term, Jess and Josh did the lesson in their clothes to get the hang of what would happen if they fell into a pool fully clothed. They did very well, but were very tired by the lesson's conclusion.
With Maddi off checking out her new dance school that she will start next term, Jess and Josh did the lesson in their clothes to get the hang of what would happen if they fell into a pool fully clothed. They did very well, but were very tired by the lesson's conclusion.
Sunday, April 7, 2013
Cataract Dam
Today we headed off for a day at Cataract Dam with Jukes family and the Young family. None of us had been there for a number of years, which possibly explained why we went via Picton Road in stead of Appin Road and added an extra half an hour ont the trip. Good thing we had the extra hour for the end of daylight savings overnight.
We all arrived by 11.30am, and ate first. Everyone had brought stuff to pool and share, and as per usual the whole affair was over-catered but in a worthwhile way. Plenty for everyone, as long as you could get the kids to sit still long enough to eat.
Afterwards we went for a walk down to the dam, which was quite a sight from above. We also picked a day when excess water was being released into the Cataract River, which the kids found exciting as well.
On our return there were many games played amongst the gathered, including soccer and cricket, while the "pretend chopping down trees" game was most popular amost the younger participants.
Some half an hour was taken up in attempting to retrieve a footy from the tree branches that Gary had managed to kick it into. Aftere several attempts to throw another ball at it to dislodge it (which only resulted in me putting another ball up there beside the first one) Richard brought in the ute and a long stick to get one ball back, but failed to retrieve the original ball.
Friday, March 29, 2013
Maddi's Birthday Makes Friday Good
March 29 marks the actual date of Maddi's 7th birthday, though as per usual you could be forgiven for thinking it has already stretched over a week. This year it has also coincided with Good Friday, which meant we were able to have a lunchtime do instead of an evening one.
Helen decided that both sets of grandparents should be invited over to celebrate, and we had a baked lunch, including a leg of pork and a leg of lamb, along with roast potatoes and sweet potato, with other assorted vegies and gravy.
It was a ripper autumn day, warm in the sun as we sat on The Deck, with little breeze to speak of. Terrific. We even managed to finally get around to drinking the bottle of red Joel and Amy had given us at their wedding five and a half years ago. Yeah, it was okay, and the oldies managed to drink it down in record time.
Helen decided that both sets of grandparents should be invited over to celebrate, and we had a baked lunch, including a leg of pork and a leg of lamb, along with roast potatoes and sweet potato, with other assorted vegies and gravy.
It was a ripper autumn day, warm in the sun as we sat on The Deck, with little breeze to speak of. Terrific. We even managed to finally get around to drinking the bottle of red Joel and Amy had given us at their wedding five and a half years ago. Yeah, it was okay, and the oldies managed to drink it down in record time.
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| 12 year old Cab Sav. Yeah, not a bad drop... |
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| Maddi and her 17th birthday cake in a week |
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Helen Has Another Birthday
In amongst the plethora of events occurring here towards the end of March, Helen faces a dilemna most years now. In the past, she had the sole focus of this time of year, at which time she was showered with gifts, and often has a birthday that would last for a month, with numerous gatherings and cakes and the such.
However, now she has a daughter with a birthday just two days after hers, it can sometimes feel as though her own birthday gets lost in the crazyness, and that she doesn't always get what she used to.
Of course, it could be worse. She could be her husband, who has to ENSURE that this doesn't happen, and that Helen gets as much attention as she ever did, along with the added crazyness of Madeleine's birthday festivities.
Anyway... today Helen had a birthday lunch with Jodie, which is good for the both of them.
Then she was able to unwrap her birthday perfume that she purchased on our Sydney weekend away, as well as receiving some flowers from her kids, and a birthday dinner of T-bone steak with chips and salad.
Hopefully, she thought all of that was good enough...
Given that there has been plenty of boirthday cake already, Helen was presented with a Turkish Delight Egg with cupcakes and Twix with candles, rather than a traditional cake. I think she liked it. :)
However, now she has a daughter with a birthday just two days after hers, it can sometimes feel as though her own birthday gets lost in the crazyness, and that she doesn't always get what she used to.
Of course, it could be worse. She could be her husband, who has to ENSURE that this doesn't happen, and that Helen gets as much attention as she ever did, along with the added crazyness of Madeleine's birthday festivities.
Anyway... today Helen had a birthday lunch with Jodie, which is good for the both of them.
Then she was able to unwrap her birthday perfume that she purchased on our Sydney weekend away, as well as receiving some flowers from her kids, and a birthday dinner of T-bone steak with chips and salad.
Hopefully, she thought all of that was good enough...
Given that there has been plenty of boirthday cake already, Helen was presented with a Turkish Delight Egg with cupcakes and Twix with candles, rather than a traditional cake. I think she liked it. :)
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| Mum with kids and "cake" |
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| "Don't you DARE post that Bill!!!" |
Monday, March 25, 2013
Ashes to Ashes - Where to From Here
Cricket of the modern age continues to show that the very best teams can win at home and away, while the middle of the road teams will most likely, under most circumstances, be infinitely superior in their own backyard, but are unable to penetrate when playing away from home.
South Africa battled at every turn in Australia, batted for the last day and half to salvage a draw in Adelaide against the odds before winning in Perth to claim a series victory. They have since wiped the floor with New Zealand and Pakistan at home, and are firmly ensconced as the best Test team in the world.
England had a magnificent series victory in India before Xmas, based on an excellently balanced bowling attack, and the tenaciousness and determination of their batting lineup to show both patience and attack at the correct moments. One can only wonder if they have taken New Zealand a bit easy given recent results on their tour to the shaky isles. While not facing anywhere near the same calamity as Australia did on their tour of India, there is no doubt that the New Zealand tour will be a real wake up for the Poms leading into their next eight months of cricket, the majority of which is in battle to retain the Ashes.
New Zealand showed their own fight. Having been humiliated in the Test series in South Africa, they fought long and hard on their return home to almost snatch an unlikely series victory in the final Test of their series with England.
Australia, though losing to South Africa at home, was able to win three consecutive Tests against Sri Lanka, though the weakened Sri Lankan team did put up a fight to some degree. This series win tended to paint the Australian team in a better light than they perhaps deserved, and one that maybe gave the folly of hope for their tour of India.
Is this a veiled effort on my part to suggest that Australian cricket is not as badly off as a 4-0 whitewash in India would appear to prove? Yes and no. Since Bill Lawry's team won in India in 1969, only one Australian team has won a series in India. One. That was the tour in 2004, with a bowling line up of McGrath, Gillespie, Kasprowicz and Warne provided the impetus, and the batting including Hayden, Langer, Martyn, Lehmann, Katich, Gilchrist and a debuting Michael Clarke - all of whom were magnificent players of spin bowling - tamed the locals on their own pitches. It is a team that Australia may never be able to field again in those conditions. Is it any wonder we were defeated so convincingly on this tour, given the state of the current Test team?
I mentioned in my previous blog post that, in the first two Tests, the differences between the two teams was perhaps in just two partnerships. In some ways, the same could be said for the final two Tests. The 3rd Test was mired in the Homework Affair, which probably cruelled any chance Australia had of getting into the series. Whatever the rights and wrongs of the whole affair are from whatever side you want to take, the point was that it deprived the Australian team of its most effective bowler in James Pattinson, and the chance for Usman Khawaja to come in and make an impact on the series. No matter that Steve Smith made a good impression with the bat, as did Mitch Starc with his 99. The point was that Australia's best team for that moment in time could not be, and was not, chosen, and the loss of that Test with just three overs remaining showed that it could possibly have been a contest with the right team chosen. Further points could be made of the chosen 4th Test team, and the path that Test took. However, the loss of Clarke and Starc for that match left gaping holes that could not be covered, and the whitewash was completed.
Indian cricket would believe that they are on the rise again, just a few months after being beaten by England on their own pitches. They may have some point. Laxman, Dravid and Sehwag have gone, with a lacklustre Tendulkar surely not far behind them. They have found in Vijay, Pujara, Kohli, Rahane and Dhawan a young batting lineup that has shown that it certainly has talent. The test (no pun intended) for this team now is to see if it can perform and compete outside of Indian conditions. Then we will know just how much India has to look forward to in the future.
For Australia, its future in Test cricket now lies in back-to-back Ashes series, something that has been poorly planned by the administrators but must now be attacked with fervour. Will the debacle of India prove to be the start of a "new era", or the capitulation of the unhappily administered remnants of the Argus Report? There was winners and losers both on the Indian tour, and for those that did not tour, and both sides are likely to see the outcome of this.
Usman Khawaja probably thinks that he may as well go and take out New Zealand citizenship, because he was obviously unwanted by the current hierarchy in Australian cricket. He was the only person on tour who failed to crack it for a Test (apart from Jackson Bird, who was sent home with back trouble), he has played only two first class innings in four months, both in the one lead-up game before the 1st Test in India. If nothing else can come of it, his batting reputation has not been tarnished in India, as he was not given the chance to show it.
Steve Smith proved me wrong (not such a tough ask) by playing excellently in his two Tests, averaging 40 and making great use of his feet against the Indians spinners. Though to me his technique looks like it could be torn apart by the English seamers in their conditions, it would be very unfair not to at least give him a crack at the old enemy, given he was the only batsman apart from Clarke who looked at ease against the Indian attack.
The tactics of picking allrounders instead of specialists failed dismally, long before the final Test, when it continued to be used. Australia managed to get away with it in Sydney against a depleted Sri Lankan team, but never looked a chance of doing so against India. Moises Henriques batted superbly on debut, but was unable to capitalise on this in his next two Tests. His bowling was steady but unthreatening on Indian wickets. Glenn Maxwell did nothing to disprove the idea that he is anything but a slogger with the bat, and while he picked up seven wickets with the ball he hasn't shown that he can be a frontline spinner at this point either.
The fast bowlers were completely taken out of the reckoning by the pitches put up, which was not a surprise. At times Pattinson, Siddle and Starc bowled with some venom, but overall they were made to look pedestrian on flat dusty wickets, at times through their own ineffectiveness to bowl line and length, or to reverse swing the ball.
The Test squad for the Ashes will be announced shortly, and faces a number of major problems. The major one is this - there are simply no batsmen in Australia who demand selection in front of those already chosen in the Test team. That is, apart from Victoria's Chris Rogers, who will be 36 years old when the Ashes begins, and five years after his only Test for Australia.
Only eleven batsman averaged over 40 in the Sheffield Shield this season. Of those, Andrew McDonald played two games before losing the season to injury (and given the 'search' for allrounders, he must be kicking himself), Jason Krezja averaged 80 but could only manage four games as a spinner, two were wicket-keepers (Matthew Wade and Brad Haddin), and two were end of season debutants (Daniel Hughes and Jordan Silk). The other were Henriques, Ricky Ponting, Phil Hughes, Alex Doolan and Chris Rogers.
Calling for the reinstatement of Ponting and Hussey is a backwards step that would solve nothing. Ponting was dismantled by the South African attack this summer, and he was smart enough to see that his time had come. Hundreds against Shield attacks doesn't disguise the failing eyes and shallow footwork. Hussey was still in good touch, but his heart is obviously not in the whole '100% required' any more, which would only damage his reputation. his was also a smart exit. Australia needs to make forward steps with the next generation, and though it might be a painful birth, if the right players can be found, nurtured and given as many chances as Shane Watson has had, then maybe we will be in good hands.
The next generation of batsman obviously still need another 12 months, because even though scoring runs on Shield wickets this season was obviously tough, someone needed to put their hand up if they wanted a crack at the Test team. Rob Quiney got two Tests against South Africa, but only averaged 26 in seven Shield games this season. Alex Doolan averaged 42 in the Shield this season, but his career 1st class average of a tick under 38 with only five centuries is not the figures that should be making selectors excited yet. Joe Burns averaged 32 this season, and though his career average of 41 is lower than what they would like, he is more likely to be spoken of in selection decisions.
Chris Rogers averaged 49.46 in the Sheffield Shield this season, with over 700 runs. He has an excellent record in County cricket over a number of seasons. He has 18,962 First Class runs at an average of 49.90, with 58 centuries and 86 half centuries. Given the problems Australia still has at the top of its order, and his good record in both English and Australian conditions, and the fact that he really is the only batsmen in Australian cricket who is putting his foot forward with consistent runs, surely he deserves a chance again, especially with so few options available. He can't do any less well than anyone else in the current team.
Matthew Wade has had twelve months in the Test team, and although his batting has been handy, his glovework has been poor. And that is being kind to him. How many more chances have to be missed before he is relieved? Nathan Lyon is the one who is suffering the most from this, at a time that he can hardly have that happen. Brad Haddin has been his deputy, and showed in the 3rd Test when he played how much better his glovework is than Wade's. There is little doubt that both of these players will go to England, because the selectors have already deemed that to be the way it is. But anyone who watched the Shield final could not have helped but be impressed with the keeping and batting displays of Queensland's Chris Hartley and Tasmania's Tim Paine. Both can bat, and both have great hands. In my mind, these are the two I would take to England. They are both young and keen, and whoever got the spot in the Test team would not let their country down. Both have captaincy experience as well, which would be a benefit in this team. But - it won't happen.
The bowling looks to be more straight forward, though there will be a lot of hard luck stories. Siddle, Pattinson and Starc (if fit) will tour. Doubts still remain over Siddle's real effectiveness and ability to move the ball off the straight, but he is a workhorse and has never let the team down and will tour. Pattinson returned from injury brilliantly in India, and will no doubt enjoy the seaming conditions of England. Starc will too, if he can ever stop bowling around the wicket. Someone must put a stop to that.
Jackson Bird will hopefully return, as he appears to be a great fit for English conditions. There is little doubt Ryan Harris will be one of the first chosen for the tour, and if he can stay fit he will be a huge handful for the English batsmen.
The final seam bowling place should go to James Faulkner, who had a sterling summer. He took 39 Shield wickets at an average of 20.33, and has shown he can be very handy in seam friendly conditions as well as flat track conditions. He goes as a genuine bowler, who just for interest sake also scored 444 runs at 34.15 in Shield cricket this season. He gets his spot in front of the eternally unlucky Luke Butterworth, who took 45 wickets at 20.80 again this season as well as scoring 320 runs at 26.66. Chadd Sayers 48 wickets for South Australia also had some good judges suggesting he is another one to look at in the future.
Nathan Lyon will hold his place as Australia's spinner, but despite his nine wicket match in the 4th Test in India he still has some work to do to hold his position. Xavier Doherty will not tour, nor will likely be looked at again for Test cricket. Glenn Maxwell is highly regarded by the selectors, almost to the point that one wonders what hold he has over them. No doubt he will be the second spinner chosen for the tour, but he should not be.
There is a lot of talk for the Pakistan asylum seeker Fawad Ahmed. The 31 year old leg-spinner has made an excellent start to his Australian and Victorian career, and many are pushing for his statuts to be fast tracked so that he can make the Ashes tour. Though I enjoy watching him bowl, I don't think he should be taken to England even if he is available. I would much rather see him have a big off-season, and then hopefully be ready to be picked in the Tests in Australia next summer, on our wickets, where he will be much more effective than any in England.
I would take the youngster Ashton Agar as the back-up spinner. He looks to have a good head on his shoulders, appears calm under pressure, bowls a good orthodox spinner as well as a good arm ball, and holds the bat well enough to average almost 30. Given that we won't be playing two spinners in England, his presence will be there for him to learn and pick up everything he can - and play a part if it comes to that.
The team I would take to England (with who I think the slectors will pick in brackets) would be:
Ed Cowan
David Warner
Chris Rogers (Shane Watson)
Phil Hughes
Usman Khawaja
Steve Smith
Michael Clarke (c)
Tim Paine (Matthew Wade)
Chris Hartley (Brad Haddin)
Peter Siddle
James Pattinson
Mitchell Starc
Jackson Bird
Ryan Harris
James Faulkner
Nathan Lyon
Ashton Agar (Glenn Maxwell)
South Africa battled at every turn in Australia, batted for the last day and half to salvage a draw in Adelaide against the odds before winning in Perth to claim a series victory. They have since wiped the floor with New Zealand and Pakistan at home, and are firmly ensconced as the best Test team in the world.
England had a magnificent series victory in India before Xmas, based on an excellently balanced bowling attack, and the tenaciousness and determination of their batting lineup to show both patience and attack at the correct moments. One can only wonder if they have taken New Zealand a bit easy given recent results on their tour to the shaky isles. While not facing anywhere near the same calamity as Australia did on their tour of India, there is no doubt that the New Zealand tour will be a real wake up for the Poms leading into their next eight months of cricket, the majority of which is in battle to retain the Ashes.
New Zealand showed their own fight. Having been humiliated in the Test series in South Africa, they fought long and hard on their return home to almost snatch an unlikely series victory in the final Test of their series with England.
Australia, though losing to South Africa at home, was able to win three consecutive Tests against Sri Lanka, though the weakened Sri Lankan team did put up a fight to some degree. This series win tended to paint the Australian team in a better light than they perhaps deserved, and one that maybe gave the folly of hope for their tour of India.
Is this a veiled effort on my part to suggest that Australian cricket is not as badly off as a 4-0 whitewash in India would appear to prove? Yes and no. Since Bill Lawry's team won in India in 1969, only one Australian team has won a series in India. One. That was the tour in 2004, with a bowling line up of McGrath, Gillespie, Kasprowicz and Warne provided the impetus, and the batting including Hayden, Langer, Martyn, Lehmann, Katich, Gilchrist and a debuting Michael Clarke - all of whom were magnificent players of spin bowling - tamed the locals on their own pitches. It is a team that Australia may never be able to field again in those conditions. Is it any wonder we were defeated so convincingly on this tour, given the state of the current Test team?
I mentioned in my previous blog post that, in the first two Tests, the differences between the two teams was perhaps in just two partnerships. In some ways, the same could be said for the final two Tests. The 3rd Test was mired in the Homework Affair, which probably cruelled any chance Australia had of getting into the series. Whatever the rights and wrongs of the whole affair are from whatever side you want to take, the point was that it deprived the Australian team of its most effective bowler in James Pattinson, and the chance for Usman Khawaja to come in and make an impact on the series. No matter that Steve Smith made a good impression with the bat, as did Mitch Starc with his 99. The point was that Australia's best team for that moment in time could not be, and was not, chosen, and the loss of that Test with just three overs remaining showed that it could possibly have been a contest with the right team chosen. Further points could be made of the chosen 4th Test team, and the path that Test took. However, the loss of Clarke and Starc for that match left gaping holes that could not be covered, and the whitewash was completed.
Indian cricket would believe that they are on the rise again, just a few months after being beaten by England on their own pitches. They may have some point. Laxman, Dravid and Sehwag have gone, with a lacklustre Tendulkar surely not far behind them. They have found in Vijay, Pujara, Kohli, Rahane and Dhawan a young batting lineup that has shown that it certainly has talent. The test (no pun intended) for this team now is to see if it can perform and compete outside of Indian conditions. Then we will know just how much India has to look forward to in the future.
For Australia, its future in Test cricket now lies in back-to-back Ashes series, something that has been poorly planned by the administrators but must now be attacked with fervour. Will the debacle of India prove to be the start of a "new era", or the capitulation of the unhappily administered remnants of the Argus Report? There was winners and losers both on the Indian tour, and for those that did not tour, and both sides are likely to see the outcome of this.
Usman Khawaja probably thinks that he may as well go and take out New Zealand citizenship, because he was obviously unwanted by the current hierarchy in Australian cricket. He was the only person on tour who failed to crack it for a Test (apart from Jackson Bird, who was sent home with back trouble), he has played only two first class innings in four months, both in the one lead-up game before the 1st Test in India. If nothing else can come of it, his batting reputation has not been tarnished in India, as he was not given the chance to show it.
Steve Smith proved me wrong (not such a tough ask) by playing excellently in his two Tests, averaging 40 and making great use of his feet against the Indians spinners. Though to me his technique looks like it could be torn apart by the English seamers in their conditions, it would be very unfair not to at least give him a crack at the old enemy, given he was the only batsman apart from Clarke who looked at ease against the Indian attack.
The tactics of picking allrounders instead of specialists failed dismally, long before the final Test, when it continued to be used. Australia managed to get away with it in Sydney against a depleted Sri Lankan team, but never looked a chance of doing so against India. Moises Henriques batted superbly on debut, but was unable to capitalise on this in his next two Tests. His bowling was steady but unthreatening on Indian wickets. Glenn Maxwell did nothing to disprove the idea that he is anything but a slogger with the bat, and while he picked up seven wickets with the ball he hasn't shown that he can be a frontline spinner at this point either.
The fast bowlers were completely taken out of the reckoning by the pitches put up, which was not a surprise. At times Pattinson, Siddle and Starc bowled with some venom, but overall they were made to look pedestrian on flat dusty wickets, at times through their own ineffectiveness to bowl line and length, or to reverse swing the ball.
The Test squad for the Ashes will be announced shortly, and faces a number of major problems. The major one is this - there are simply no batsmen in Australia who demand selection in front of those already chosen in the Test team. That is, apart from Victoria's Chris Rogers, who will be 36 years old when the Ashes begins, and five years after his only Test for Australia.
Only eleven batsman averaged over 40 in the Sheffield Shield this season. Of those, Andrew McDonald played two games before losing the season to injury (and given the 'search' for allrounders, he must be kicking himself), Jason Krezja averaged 80 but could only manage four games as a spinner, two were wicket-keepers (Matthew Wade and Brad Haddin), and two were end of season debutants (Daniel Hughes and Jordan Silk). The other were Henriques, Ricky Ponting, Phil Hughes, Alex Doolan and Chris Rogers.
Calling for the reinstatement of Ponting and Hussey is a backwards step that would solve nothing. Ponting was dismantled by the South African attack this summer, and he was smart enough to see that his time had come. Hundreds against Shield attacks doesn't disguise the failing eyes and shallow footwork. Hussey was still in good touch, but his heart is obviously not in the whole '100% required' any more, which would only damage his reputation. his was also a smart exit. Australia needs to make forward steps with the next generation, and though it might be a painful birth, if the right players can be found, nurtured and given as many chances as Shane Watson has had, then maybe we will be in good hands.
The next generation of batsman obviously still need another 12 months, because even though scoring runs on Shield wickets this season was obviously tough, someone needed to put their hand up if they wanted a crack at the Test team. Rob Quiney got two Tests against South Africa, but only averaged 26 in seven Shield games this season. Alex Doolan averaged 42 in the Shield this season, but his career 1st class average of a tick under 38 with only five centuries is not the figures that should be making selectors excited yet. Joe Burns averaged 32 this season, and though his career average of 41 is lower than what they would like, he is more likely to be spoken of in selection decisions.
Chris Rogers averaged 49.46 in the Sheffield Shield this season, with over 700 runs. He has an excellent record in County cricket over a number of seasons. He has 18,962 First Class runs at an average of 49.90, with 58 centuries and 86 half centuries. Given the problems Australia still has at the top of its order, and his good record in both English and Australian conditions, and the fact that he really is the only batsmen in Australian cricket who is putting his foot forward with consistent runs, surely he deserves a chance again, especially with so few options available. He can't do any less well than anyone else in the current team.
Matthew Wade has had twelve months in the Test team, and although his batting has been handy, his glovework has been poor. And that is being kind to him. How many more chances have to be missed before he is relieved? Nathan Lyon is the one who is suffering the most from this, at a time that he can hardly have that happen. Brad Haddin has been his deputy, and showed in the 3rd Test when he played how much better his glovework is than Wade's. There is little doubt that both of these players will go to England, because the selectors have already deemed that to be the way it is. But anyone who watched the Shield final could not have helped but be impressed with the keeping and batting displays of Queensland's Chris Hartley and Tasmania's Tim Paine. Both can bat, and both have great hands. In my mind, these are the two I would take to England. They are both young and keen, and whoever got the spot in the Test team would not let their country down. Both have captaincy experience as well, which would be a benefit in this team. But - it won't happen.
The bowling looks to be more straight forward, though there will be a lot of hard luck stories. Siddle, Pattinson and Starc (if fit) will tour. Doubts still remain over Siddle's real effectiveness and ability to move the ball off the straight, but he is a workhorse and has never let the team down and will tour. Pattinson returned from injury brilliantly in India, and will no doubt enjoy the seaming conditions of England. Starc will too, if he can ever stop bowling around the wicket. Someone must put a stop to that.
Jackson Bird will hopefully return, as he appears to be a great fit for English conditions. There is little doubt Ryan Harris will be one of the first chosen for the tour, and if he can stay fit he will be a huge handful for the English batsmen.
The final seam bowling place should go to James Faulkner, who had a sterling summer. He took 39 Shield wickets at an average of 20.33, and has shown he can be very handy in seam friendly conditions as well as flat track conditions. He goes as a genuine bowler, who just for interest sake also scored 444 runs at 34.15 in Shield cricket this season. He gets his spot in front of the eternally unlucky Luke Butterworth, who took 45 wickets at 20.80 again this season as well as scoring 320 runs at 26.66. Chadd Sayers 48 wickets for South Australia also had some good judges suggesting he is another one to look at in the future.
Nathan Lyon will hold his place as Australia's spinner, but despite his nine wicket match in the 4th Test in India he still has some work to do to hold his position. Xavier Doherty will not tour, nor will likely be looked at again for Test cricket. Glenn Maxwell is highly regarded by the selectors, almost to the point that one wonders what hold he has over them. No doubt he will be the second spinner chosen for the tour, but he should not be.
There is a lot of talk for the Pakistan asylum seeker Fawad Ahmed. The 31 year old leg-spinner has made an excellent start to his Australian and Victorian career, and many are pushing for his statuts to be fast tracked so that he can make the Ashes tour. Though I enjoy watching him bowl, I don't think he should be taken to England even if he is available. I would much rather see him have a big off-season, and then hopefully be ready to be picked in the Tests in Australia next summer, on our wickets, where he will be much more effective than any in England.
I would take the youngster Ashton Agar as the back-up spinner. He looks to have a good head on his shoulders, appears calm under pressure, bowls a good orthodox spinner as well as a good arm ball, and holds the bat well enough to average almost 30. Given that we won't be playing two spinners in England, his presence will be there for him to learn and pick up everything he can - and play a part if it comes to that.
The team I would take to England (with who I think the slectors will pick in brackets) would be:
Ed Cowan
David Warner
Chris Rogers (Shane Watson)
Phil Hughes
Usman Khawaja
Steve Smith
Michael Clarke (c)
Tim Paine (Matthew Wade)
Chris Hartley (Brad Haddin)
Peter Siddle
James Pattinson
Mitchell Starc
Jackson Bird
Ryan Harris
James Faulkner
Nathan Lyon
Ashton Agar (Glenn Maxwell)
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