A couple of thoughts:
Hussey - He doesn't deserve to still be in the team. He has had a lean spell for 2 years, and he must have only been in the team for about 5 years. As much as I like the guy, Australia can afford to carry out of form players, particularly ones that don't score quickly or put any pressure on the bowlers.
Agreed. I think he's a great bloke and a great cricketer, but he doesn't know where his off stump is any more and scratches around a lot out there for not much result. Unless he scores heavily early in the series, not only will we be in trouble, but it will probably be his last season of test cricket.
North - I'd be tempted to keep him on the back of his state form and his part time spinners. He could play a big part with those offies in some of the tests.
He looks in slightly better form at present, but jeez only slightly. Needs some runs and fast.
Khwaja - Should come in for Hussey.
Agreed.
Ponting - I still believe he is the best batsmen in this side, he just needs to look at how Tendulkar has started batting more conservatively as he has gotten older, and take that approach.
One of the big problems that Punter has is that he scores heavily on the pull and the cover drive, but with his diminishing reflexes (and thus ability to get into position to play the shots), he also gets out playing them a lot (especially on the pull). He either needs to re-discover how to play the shot without getting caught or bin it. This will be playing on his mind, I'm sure. Not a great thing for a batsman to be doing, as you play best when you aren't actually thinking and it's mostly instinctive.
Watson - His technique change is what made his average increase, that and some confidence in his place and consistent run without injuries. His position in the order made much less of a difference. He is still highly susceptible to lbw by sticking that big pad down the wicket and trying to play around it.
We can only hope he continues to do what he's been doing, otherwise the middle order will be even more exposed.
Johnson - With the middle order this is the man that will win or lose the ashes for us. If he is bowling well, he will win us games, if he is bowling poorly he can lose us games. He is that critical.
Totally agree. He is devastating when the ball is coming out right, but a total liability if not. It will be important for the guys around him to put additional pressure on the opposition in that case.
Rarely have I looked at a team from Australia where I feel that we have to cover weaknesses as much as this. It's rather concerning.
