Hoping to capitalize on its 2004 Olympic Silver Medal, Australia announced its 30-man roster for the World Baseball Classic

However, righthander Chris Oxspring, the Aussie ace during those Olympics, was absent from the Classic roster
Oxspring and lefty Jeff Williams, who both have signed to play in Japan in 2006, combined to shut out Japan to earn a Medal for Australia in Athens, the Aussies’ first Olympic Medal
Neither pitcher is on Australia’s Classic roster, nor is Mariners outfielder Chris Snelling

However, Team Australia does have a major league feel with ex-All-Star Dave Nilsson, former Braves lefthander Damian Moss and Twins infielder Glenn Williams leading the way

First baseman Justin Huber (Royals), infielder Brad Harman (Phillies) and lefthander Paul Mildren (Marlins) are the best prospects on the roster

"This is the biggest tournament we have ever played in, with the highest level of competition” Australia manager John Deeble said
“Unfortunately we have lost a couple of key players but I still think we will be very competitive
Our ultimate goal for the World Baseball Classic is to earn respect
We want the world to see that we know what we are doing down here
We want to be acknowledged and we want credibility”

The Aussies have been inconsistent performers on the international level
They won the Intercontinental Cup in 1999 as the host nation but did not make it out of pool play in the 2000 Sydney Olympics
They bounced back to win Silver in Athens in 2004, but failed to reach the final rounds in September's World Cup in Amsterdam

Nilsson, a career .284 hitter in the big leagues, will pace this team though he’s likely to 'DH' and not catch

Futures Game MVP Justin Huber (Royals) should help form a solid 1-2 punch with Nilsson

Ex-minor leaguers Gavin Fingleson and Brett Roneberg were "studs" in Athens, but "duds" in Amsterdam

(NOTE - re the above comment - this was on the "Baseball America" web site, and is probably "a little bit unfair" as no mention was made of Brett's shoulder injury, surgery, and rehab time, etc???!!!)