When you first peruse the fifteen man Australian Test squad for the approaching tour of the Caribbean the feature that most attracts the eye is the congregation of New South Welshmen in the ranks. Altogether there are eight Blues and not one Victorian or South Australian.

Victorians reading these words would be well aware of the perceived injustice at this selection anomaly considering they only last fortnight played in the Pura Cup final after a season where they contested all three domestic finals.

The inclusion of Simon Katich is well deserved after breaking Michael Bevan’s first-class aggregate record with bat and it puts much needed pressure on what has become a too comfortable top six. Katich, in career best form, can bat anywhere in the order and with only seven specialist batsman selected, a poor run with the willow for the incumbents will see them carrying bags and serving drinks.

Another somewhat interesting development is the selection of only one wicketkeeper, Brad Haddin. He is a durable chap but in the happenstance that he is injured another gloveman will need to be flown in. Who that would be is only something that the selectors would know and I presume that this calamity has been discussed.

Ben Hilfenhaus and Ashley Noffke will deputy Clark, Johnson and Lee in the pace bowling ranks and I expect that little will change in the quick department during the entire series.

Stuart MacGill returns from his forced layoff with wrist surgery and the legspinner has plenty to prove, however, his two matches since return were impressive at times. His understudy on this tour is his New South Wales team-mate and fellow wrist spinner Beau Casson. The former West Australian who just completed his first full season for the Blues is a surprise choice and he now has the box seat in the race to replace MacGill.

Overall the team selected has been picked on experience and form and they are expected to sweep the series against the underperforming and distracted Windies outfit. There is enough depth to punish the erratic without worry and I do hope that the selectors do just that if we witness the inconsistency that was on display towards the end of this last summer.

BATSMEN

Matthew Hayden QLD

Phil Jaques NSW

Ricky Ponting (c) TAS

Michael Clarke (vc) NSW

Michael Hussey WA

Andrew Symonds QLD

Simon Katich NSW

WICKETKEEPER

Brad Haddin NSW

SEAM & SWING

Brett Lee NSW

Stuart Clark NSW

Mitchell Johnson QLD

Ben Hilfenhaus TAS

Ashley Noffke QLD

SPIN

Stuart MacGill NSW

Beau Casson NSW

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