Australia's problem doesnt lie on the ability to take 20 wickets. Its pretty much like Pakistan. They also have a world class bowling attack but unfortunately the batting never clicks. They always have 1-2 that scores 50s/100s but never see the whole batting click.
Watson IMO should be dropped. He is never going to succeed with the front foot problem he has no matter how hard he trains.

On the hindsight, ponting and hussey shouldnt have been pressured by CA to retire. In test cricket, experience counts much. Among this current lots, only Clarke has memory of how to win.The other has tendency to choke.
Not having those seasoned camaigner ,abrupt transition has cost Australia. Ponting and hussey were still,despite slim form, worthy of current oz batting line-up.

that was a mistake they are now paying for. imo katich should be called for the return series. he will add alot of value at no.3

Katich will never play for Australia whilst Clarke is captain.

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Massive bust up a few years back - Katich makes KP look like a diplomat.

Elsewhere, Bresnan out of the fifth test. Makes it easier to bring in Tremlett, who would suit the Oval better but would have been harsh on Bresnan.

Even Katich knows his test career is dead:

http://m.theage.com.au/sport/cricket/clarke-wont-have-me-back-says-katich-20111028-1mo0w.html

Hello again, for all the changes that my take place at the Oval.Aslong as Eoin Morgan doesn't get picked..I'll be happy.. Theres something I don't like about Morgan,That I cant put my finger on.. Oh yes the fact hes not improved. and will end up being a 20/20 mercenary.

I hope Ben Stokes gets picked for the injured Bresnan. And I'd replace Taylor with Bairstow.

Bairstow is worth of his place in the team.
The amount of awesome dive has made to save runs from going to the boundary has been precious.

He is by far & away England best fielder since Paul Collingwood.

If Tremlett is fit - he should be picked.

I see the aussie batting as improved in their batting against the lions

Play Tremlett on his home ground. He tore through the Aussies a couple of years back, reckon he will do it again if he plays

Chris Tremlett set to play in the Oval Test Match.

And what a joke. Panesar released by Sussex and it seems Keerigan was picked ahead of Panesar for the Oval Test squad. It'd be pretty damn stupid if this was the end of his career. It seems they are shutting him out. Fackin joke.

Kerrigan was picked over Monty on the basis of having a fantastic season against a very very poor season for Monty I'd imagine. About time too. Seems he's moving to Essex for the remainder of this season. Good luck to him, he'll bounce back and as he says he's determined to make the winter ashes tour.

Tremlett has not had a great season, either, yet he is in the squad and seems set to play in the final game. As soon as Tremlett declared himself fit he was brought straight into the squad.

Kerrigan was picked over Monty because of what occurred with Monty on his night out. He was off his head, people make mistakes- I for one think they'll pick Kerrigan over Monty for the winter now.

Monty has lost his head - fast becoming the Gazza of cricket.

They want tremlett back quickly as England are desperate for him to be fit and firing for the winter leg of the ashes, hence him being rushed back as he will thrive once again in Aus on their pitches whereas Monty may not to the same extent. Kerrigannfor me is a better bowler than Monty now anyway as he has some variations in pace and a straight on ball, something Monty lacks. I feel for Monty I really do but this has been the straw that broke the camels back as far as Sussex are concerned, he has caused a lot of problems previous to this and I don't thi Sussex felt they should put up with it any longer.

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Is there something I am missing here? I thought this was the first problem Monty found himself in. Or are there other things he has done?

This has been his most public problem but the members at sussex will tell you many a story about him. He does have an attitude problem and tends to be out a lot from what I hear on the county circuit. I'm sure some are just rumours but not all.

A quick tickle down to leg.

Monty aint even that good a bowler.. his strike rate is poor in test cricket.. bowls very flat.
Hes not a very good fielder cant catch and cant bat. Doubt he will be missed much.

Faulkner to make Test debut as he replaces Khawaja in Australia team and Starc comes in for Bird

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/cricket/article-2397949/Ashes-2013-James-Faulkner-make-Test-debut-replaces-Usman-Khawaja-Australia-team.html#ixzz2cVxOHVzt

two left armers? and moving Watson upto 3? haha they are all over the place. I don't rate Starc..With left arm bowlers they have to get it right in line other wise they will be cannon fodder on the offside for the right hand batsmen.