Nathan Bracken and Shane Watson completed match winning performances in last night's ICC Champions Trophy final. Bracken, a test discard and Watson who has promised so much but yet to deliver gave selectors their strongest indictaion yet that they are ready and the best men for the two available positions.
Bracken had a stella tournament, partnering Lee with the new ball and proving most useful bowling in the death. With 10 wickets at 19.4 for the tournament, he could not have done more to press his claims. The prize wickets of Chris Gayle, Shiv Chanderpaul and Ramnaresh Sarwan last night, came at crucial times and turned the dimension of the game in Australia's way.
Not to be out done, Watson claimed 2/11 off his three overs and then added 57 runs not out as opening batsmen. Watson has proven himself this tournament and with this momentem should be instated to the test XI for the Ashes.
Shaun Tait put another spanner in the works, with an impressive bowling display for South Australia against New South Wales in the Pura Cup. Along with Jason Gillespie, the two were devestating, having NSW 4/1 in their second innings.
The biggest headache for the Poms would have to be the emphatic return of Glenn McGrath. Doubted by some, after a slow start to the Champions Trophy, the spear head of Australian fast bowling came back with a bang and grabbed 10 scalps at 15.80.
Damien Martyn has also found form with the bat, being the most impressive batsmen of the Australians in India and will look to take this form into the Ashes. With an average of 80.33 for the tournament, he will restore the Australian middle order.
With this in mind, my Australia XI for the 1st test against England in Brisbane would be:
1. Justin Langer
2. Matthew Hayden
3. Ricky Ponting (c)
4. Damien Martyn
5. Michael Hussey
6. Shane Watson
7. Adam Gilchrist
8. Shane Warne
9. Brett Lee
10. Nathan Bracken
11. Glenn McGrath
12th Man: Shaun Tait
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