Why I picked the Australian XI

My Australian XI, I believe, is the best from the current 25 Cricket Australia contracted players. Below is a quick explanation of why I picked these players, and their role in the team.

1 MEK Hussey - Mike Hussey spent most of his domestic career as an opening batsman. It was only when he joined the Australian side that he had to bat down the order to get a game at a time when Australia had an established opening partnership. I suspect that the reason that he was kept out of the side for so long was simply because he was an opening bastman, and that Australia didn't think they needed another one, despite his brilliant form and technique. I think Hussey would do a fine job back at the top of the order, and would be an excellent foil for Watson, and continue the Australian tradition of a strong pair at the top. He will also buy Australia a couple of years whilst another opener steps up, and if one does so sooner, rather than later, he can always resume a position in the middle order.
2 SR Watson - Shane Watson has proven over the last few years that he is more than qualified to open the batting for Australia, and I see no need to change something that is working. Added to the fact that he is also quite a useful all-rounder, I can see the possibility in the future for Watson to move down the order if other opening batsmen do enter the scene (something that Watson has admitted that he wouldn't mind doing), which might allow him to bowl a few more overs for Australia.
3 UT Khawaja - Usman Khawaja is definitely a player of the future, and a very good number 3 batsman. I believe that given his recent form, and his desire to become a better player (as suggested by his recent County Cricket stint - where he went to get more exposure to the game and English conditions), he deserves a spot in the side, and given Ponting's recent form, I believe that Khawaja deserves the number 3 spot.
4 RT Ponting - Ricky Ponting's form of late has been lacking. It may just be a slump that he will bat his way out of, or a permanent loss of ability - only time will tell. Batting him at number 4 will give this still-valuable batsman more of a chance against an older ball, I believe, and will hopefully allow him a better chance to regain form and confidence.
5 MJ Clarke - Michael Clarke is also a little out of form, but that is nothing that a quality player can't turn around. Batting at 5 in the order still gives Clarke a chance to make an impact on the game, and to have a steadying role. Given that his strike rate has dropped off of late, allowing him to take his time to cement the middle order might be a good thing.
6 DJ Hussey - David Hussey has a fantastic average in first-class cricket, and is quite useful with the ball as an extra spinning option. Since he has been given a CA contract, and so far Australia's desire to find a stable number 6 batsman has failed, I think David Hussey should be given the opportunity here. His maturity and experience will be a valuable asset.
7 TD Paine - Tim Paine is a useful batsman, a good keeper, and Australia would do well to have him in the Test side. They have already ear-marked him as a future leader of the team, and it only seems fitting to put him into the mix with the experienced cricketing minds that the current Australian squad have.
8 MG Johnson - Mitchell Johnson is the bowler with the most experience in the Australian line-up, and his batting ability can almost classify him as an all-rounder. His consistency at times is a worry, but given the lack of real bowling options at the moment, has to be seen as Australia's best option as an opening bowler.
9 NM Hauritz - Nathan Hauritz is probably Australia's best spinning option of all the experiments in this area. He has also, of date, proven himself to be a rather useful batsman, making a couple of first-class centuries, which can only make him more of an asset to the Australian line-up.
10 BW Hilfenhaus - Ben Hilfenhaus is a top-notch bowler that deserves to play for Australia. I think that given more experience at this level, he will turn out to be a valuable asset.
11 PM Siddle - Peter Siddle has all the makings of a fine fast bowler, and, once again, as with Hilfenhaus, needs the chance to have an extended run in the Australian side.