Oh Mr Hilditch - what about Woody?

Fantasy Bob's extensive monitoring of the media on your behalf suggests that pundits are divided on the decision by Andrew Hilditch and the Australian selectors to name a 17 man squad yesterday for the first Ashes Test.  Inevitably the main speculation was  whether 17 players would be enough, given the dip in form of the team and some key players. 

In an innovation likely to be known as the Hilditch manouevre, under-pressure batsmen Mike Hussey and Marcus North will bat alongside named replacements Callum Ferguson (FB wonders with a name like that why he's not turning out for the Saltires) and Usman Khawaja.  Tactics are not clear, but FB is lead to believe that during their innings Hussey and North will take care of leg side deliveries and their replacements will focus on the off side.  In one of those quirks designed simply to get the blogosphere white hot with comment, both young batters face England A in Hobart this week so have a chance to press their claims.

Woody at Grange Loan
(Photo from Cricket Scotland)

While all around the world supporters of such great servants to the Australian cause as Kylie Minogue, Russell Crowe and Barry Humphries will be outraged at their favourite's omission, Carlton followers will be surprised that the only Australian cricketer of merit not to be included in the squad appears to be former Grange Loan pro Peter Wooden. 

Woody seems to have made himself unavailable by taking up a position at the Kowloon CC in Hong Kong.  Unlike Hussey and North though, he seems to be bang in form to judge from this match report. 

Maybe one for the 19 man squad for the second test.