The Validity of Playing for Australia

With probably close to a million new players given the chance to represent Australia in recent times I pose the question is it that hard to play for Australia anymore? Players like North and Hussey who waited years for their chance after consistent performances seem to have gotten the short end of the stick as now any player who is deemed ok enough will get a go.

This seems to be more of a bowling trend at the moment with the likes of Lee and Clark still out. However, seeing as though pensioners like Shane Harwood and Bryce McGain who have no better career stats than that of anyone else around, are getting picked and good young players aren't, the validity of playing for Australia must be questioned. Is playing for Australia an honour or just a retirement gift? We do not want to become like the English side who will change their team every game even if players perform, like Ed Joyce and players who no-one has ever heard of come in to replace players like Darren Pattinson.

We all cheered when Phil Hughes made his young test debut and played well, but considering the one day side are short openers at the moment without Shaun Marsh around, why was he not immediately thrown at the top of the order? Seeing Haddin wasting his wicket so easily in the last odi after a brilliant start, was enough for me to think we need solidarity in the team and not players especially spinners in and out of the side like the selectors are playing musical chairs.