3 key differences from 2005 to 2006-07

The 3 biggest differences between the Australia XIs of 2005 and 2006/07:

1. Michael Hussey for Simon Katich

The batsman with no footwork, who plays around his front pad and has poor judgement of his off stump has been replaced by the one of the most technically correct batsmen in the world. Unlike some other technically correct batsmen in the game, Michael Hussey has every shot in the book and is willing to play them regularly. He has been a fine addition to the Australian middle order and is comparable to a wall. He has vast reserves of mental strength, never takes playing for his country for granted and no one knows how to get him out. It is not just his batting either. It's his buzzing energy on the field and his sharp cricket brain that has already seen him captain Australia.

2. Stuart Clark for Jason Gillespie

When Glenn McGrath was injured, Stuart Clark, playing county cricket was called up to the squad. Unfortunately he did not get a game. Frequently, when Ricky Ponting looked around the ground, searching for a bowler with control, he found Shane Warne and a one-legged Glenn McGrath. Jason Gillespie was rightly targeted by England, and his 3 wickets @ 100 with a healthy economy rate was synonymous with Australia's lack of control in that series. When McGrath pulled out of the South Africa tour, Stuart Clark stepped in. The decision drew criticism, but the selectors were proven right as Clark enjoyed a Man of the Series performance. Selecting Clark for Brisbane was the obvious decision, but the selectors did well to ignore the media hype of Mitchell Johnson and Shaun Tait. His selection did not impress everyone, Ian Chappell thought that Clark was too similar to McGrath. What is wrong with being similar to arguably the best fast bowler the game has seen? Most teams would kill for one McGrath - two McGraths is absolutely brilliant. In the first 3 Ashes Tests, Clark has been by far the best bowler on either side, giving Ponting the control that was lacking in England.

3. Michael Clarke Mk II for Michael Clarke

Michael Clarke had been hyped by the NSW press. He had a dream Test debut, as he played the innings of his life at Bangalore. He followed that with a hundred on home debut. Everything was going well for the brilliant young batsman from Western Sydney. His rise was so quick and so steep that he was destined for a fall. The talented Clarke was raw in England, desperate to score a hundred on Ashes debut and frustrated by England's 7-2 field, Clarke lost his head and his wicket for 91. Though Clarke appeared to be Australia's best batsman in the series, he could not push on with his regular starts. Often, he played across the line, or hit in the air. Dispatched back to state cricket after 3 personally unfulfilling Tests after returning home, he sharpened his technique, hit the ball through the field and bided his time. He knew his time would come if he scored runs for his state - which he did, averaging 394 for NSW. Following Shane Watson's injury before Brisbane, Clarke responded with mature innings of 56, 124, 21*, 37 and 135*. It has been impressive viewing and Clarke will play for many years to come.