Australia squad for Ashes Test Series 2009 vs England -> Itsonlycricket, is only cricket!

Australia in New Zealand : 5 oneday, 2 test match series.
5th ODI : Aus retain Chappell & Hadlee trophy, series 3-2.
4th ODI : Australia secure series \| 3rd ODI : Haddin ton.
2nd ODI : Aus won by 12 runs \| 1st ODI : Kiwis by 2 wkts.
2nd T20 : Tied, Kiwis won in superover \| Aus won 1st T20.
England in Bangladesh : 3 onedayer, 2 test match series.
1st test : Graeme Swann bowls England to 181 run victory.
3rd ODI : Craig Kieswetter century completes whitewash.
2nd ODI : Morgan's ton \| 1st ODI : English cruised home.
T20 World cup 2010 : starting 30th April in West Indies.
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Highest partnerships \| Most expensive spells in twenty20.
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Most test centuries \| Highest ODI score \| Fastest century.
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Australia squad for Ashes Test Series 2009 vs England

Filed under Aus vs Eng 2009

Brett Lee is most experienced and the only bowler with previous experience of playing in England!

What is Ashes series in cricket? a series of 5 Australia vs England test matches played in each country every two years.. last time Ashes series was played, in Australia in Nov-Jan 2007, Australia beat England 5-0!

That was only the 6th whitewash (4th time by Australia) in Ashes history which now enters it's century + 33rd year in 2009. Point to note here is, that Aussies had a highly experienced team then in 2007 including legends like Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Adam Gilchrist, Mathew Hayden and Justin Langer who have now retired.

For 2009 Ashes series, Australia travel to England and in their squad of 16, only 6 have previous experience of Ashes rivalry. Add to it the pressure of the fact that Australia suffered their single Ashes loss in last 20 years when they last toured England, in 2005.

Can Aussies hold onto their urn? or will determined England once again taste the glory at home? that only time will tell but following is the Australian squad selected well a month in advance before the first Ashes test match. (full Schedule : Aus v Eng 2009)

The biggest name missing is Andrew Symonds. right handed batsman was troubled with alcohol problems in last one year and although he will be in England for Twenty20 World cup just a month before, he'll miss the Ashes.

Shane Watson, probably the best all rounder in Australia these days, has been selected irrespective of his fitness troubles. Nathan Hauritz is the only spinner in the squad while Marcus North and Philip Hughes are the brand new faces with seasoned fast bowler Brett Lee making a comeback after a long injury break.

Graham Monou, the South Australia wicket keeper, is the only surprise in the squad. The enthusiastic right handed gloveman has never played in England but has an experience of 87 first class games with a highest score of 190 with 5 century and 15 fifties. Graham Monou also captains his state side domestic cricket in which he made debut a decade ago.

Australia squad for Ashes Test Series 2009 against England

Player	Age/Test career statistic summary	Playing role
Ricky Ponting (capt)	Age 34, Tests 131, Runs 10960	Right hand batsman
Michael Clarke	Age = 28, Tests = 47, Runs = 3204	Right hand bat, left arm spin
Michael Hussey	Age = 34, Tests = 37, Runs = 3041	Left hand batsman
Simon Katich	Age = 34, Tests = 38, Runs = 2649	Left hand bat, left arm spin
Philip Hughes	Age = 20, Tests = 3, Runs = 415	Left hand opening batsman
Marcus North	Age = 30, Tests = 2, Runs = 160	Left hand bat, right arm spin
Shane Watson	Age = 28, Tests = 8, Runs = 257	Right hand bat, medium
Andrew McDonald	Age = 28, Tests = 4, Wickets = 9	Right hand bat, medium
Brad Haddin	Age = 32, Tests = 15, Ct+stms = 56	Right hand bat, Wktk'per
Graham Monou	Age = 30, Tests = 00, Ct+stms = 00	Right hand bat, Wktk'per
Brett Lee	Age = 32, Tests = 76, Wkts = 310	Right arm fast bowler
Mitchell Johnson	Age = 27, Tests = 21, Wkts = 94	Left arm fast bowler
Stuart Clark	Age = 34, Tests = 22, Wkts = 90	Right arm medium bowler
Ben Hilfenhaus	Age = 26, Tests = 3, Wickets = 7	Right arm swing bowler
Peter Siddle	Age = 24, Tests = 7, Wickets = 29	Right arm fast bowler
Nathan Hauritz	Age = 27, Tests = 4, Wickets = 14	Right arm off spin bowler