Australia's bizarre retention policy

As their side has been knocked off their perch, the Australian selectors have become famous for their increasingly bizarre selections - Xavier Doherty, Michael Beer and Peter George to name but three.

But it is their retention policy - especially when it comes to one-day cricket - that perhaps warrants more scrutiny.

One would think that with Australia co-hosting the next World Cup in 2015, their strategy would be focussed on picking a team that can grow over the next four years and reclaim the trophy that they won three times in succession until 2007.

So we were surprised to say the least that Ricky Ponting and Mike Hussey (both 36) as well as Brad Haddin, who will be 34 by the end of the year, were in the XI that beat South Africa at Centurion yesterday.

All three are fine players, but none of them will still be around in 2015 so should have been thanked for their service and relieved of their yellow pyjamas at the end of this year's World Cup.

It's not as if the Australian selectors don't discriminate against age given their ruthless sacking of Simon Katich from the Test side for that very reason, which makes their retention of Ponting et al all the more difficult to fathom.

England may be getting royally hammered in India at the moment, but at least they are doing so with a squad of players who will all be available for selection in 2015 and not collecting their pension from the post office.

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Comments

[Lolly]

Well, they have brought in a couple of teenagers - which is pleasing even if quite bizarre - as well as keeping the grey-haired brigade.

I suppose they think that 2015 is miles away and it will take care of itself.

I don't understand Punter not retiring at least from ODI's except that he can't think of what to do if he retires.

[The Reverse Sweep]

Maybe Punter is going to try and play international cricket until he is 50 to emulate the immortal Hobbs?

[Ed Lamb]

I'm in total disagreement I'm afraid. Pick your best XI unless there's not much in it. As Hussey and Ponting are two of the best players in the world they walk into the side. Haddin will probably make way for Tim Paine at some point - as there seems to be a credible alternative he may be first to go of the three.

They may be around in 2015, or they may not, but youngsters losing regularly with few senior role models to learn from will not enhance their World Cup chances....winning games will.

[The Reverse Sweep]

I hear what you are saying Ed and you are right that if Australia are picking their best XI, Ponting and Hussey would be in it. But surely if they are building towards hosting the next WC in four years, it is time to lose at least two of the three if not all of them. There is plenty of experience in the side in the shape of Clarke and Watson, and whereas there may be an initial dip the team should be in a stronger position in four years. I'm surprised that Ponting still has the desire to play ODI - I guess it's a credit to him that he does.

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Australia's bizarre retention policy - The Reverse Sweep

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Australia's bizarre retention policy - The Reverse Sweep

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Australia's bizarre retention policy - The Reverse Sweep