Say the Australian cricket team, who are over in South Africa for a five-game one day series against the Proteas, all came down with food poisoning - remember the All Blacks and Suzie the waitress?

It got us thinking - if you had to pick a cricket team made of Wallabies players to represent the nation, who would be in your side?

The question was posed to coaches and a number of players during the week to get their opinions on who could make the transition between sports to mark the first time both sides have ever been in South Africa together.

There were a few big names to miss out as well as some gut selections, but we feel a fairly handy team has been picked nonetheless based somewhat on cricketing ability but also body stereotypes and whispers among teammates as to how they'd go in a one-dayer.

Opening batsmen – Dane Haylett-Petty and Scott Sio

A yin yang combination with the Wallabies winger and loose-head prop, but a formidable pair to open the innings.

Haylett-Petty was born in Durban and played a bit as a kid, so his potential home country knowledge should get the Wallabies XI off to a cracking start. Looks like he'd have a sound technique and would be surprised if he couldn't give you a few overs of medium pace as well.

As for Sio, while little was known among teammates as to his prowess with the willow, it was determined his intimidating size would be utilised in the manner of Matthew Hayden. If he can handle scrum-time as a prop, he should be fine in the middle.

Number three – Bernard Foley

The iceman could have come in at number six in a Michael Bevan-style role, but was the first name from most of his teammates. It is understood Foley was more than handy at school and when the Waratahs have a muck around cricket game before Super Rugby matches, Foley has been known to go quite well.

When learning of who would be number three in the team, Foley's housemate Nick Phipps wasn't too pleased.

"Don't bat him at three ," Phipps said. "Every time we drive past this one oval in Sydney, he always says: 'I scored a ton there'. Drives me up the wall."

Michael Hooper also noted that "Bernard talks himself up a lot with the bat."

Handy: Quade Cooper. Photo: Getty Images

Number four and five – Quade Cooper and Reece Hodge

Before the Australian men's sevens team warmed up for their captain's run ahead of the Sydney Sevens in February, they set up a slips cordon of about nine or ten players.

Cooper was one of the better slips fieldsmen and it would be no surprise to anyone that teammates reckon he could hold his own at the top of the order.

Meanwhile, Reece Hodge is the team's premier all-rounder. A former grade cricketer for Manly, the 22-year-old was first and foremost an opening bowler but in this side sneaks up to at least number five.

Number six – Stephen Moore

By his own admission, Moore is a specialist fine-leg fielder and number six batsman. His leadership qualities would surely extend to the cricket field and his composed manner would be crucial in the middle order, particularly during a run chase. Looks like he loves a slog too and could chase quick runs if necessary.

Number seven – Will Genia

The side's wicketkeeper, Genia is fit as a fiddle and would provide great banter all afternoon in the baking hot sun. Like most keepers, he isn't super tall and rumour has it in Wallabies camp that his technique is fairly solid.

Number eight – James Slipper

While Hooper talked up the off-spin of new hooker Tolu Latu, he was under the impression prop James Slipper possessed a pretty decent leg-spinner. The name Shane Warne was even tossed around in conversation.

Asked whether he was any good himself, Hooper replied: "I was the under-six bowler of the year and then I quit. I sucked. My best ball ever was on the old pitches. I bowled it so wide that it hit the AstroTurf and then hit the batsman LBW. It hit the mound and was such a bad ball but I got a wicket."

The pace bowlers – Nick Phipps, Rob Simmons, Dean Mumm

The first name on the list will cause a bit of controversy amongst some Wallabies players, who believe Phipps is an out and out chucker.

"I do throw 'em," Phipps confirmed, but varying reports suggest he can hurry the odd batsman from time to time.

" Nick Phipps definitely fancies himself as a fast bowler," said Stephen Moore. "He's always saying how much he enjoys cricket."

The height of Rob Simmons was the major drawcard in the decision to give him the new ball while Dean Mumm supposedly can also send them down at a good click in what could be a fearsome opening ball pair.

Who missed out? Israel Folau

According to one of his Waratahs teammates, Folau is "terrible" but has had a "few good innings batting". While he might be a code-hopping superstar, cricket apparently isn't Folau's forte.

Missing out: Israel Folau Photo: Getty Images

Final XI

1. Dane Haylett-Petty
2. Scott Sio
3. Bernard Foley
4. Quade Cooper
5. Reece Hodge
6. Stephen Moore
7. Will Genia
8. James Slipper
9. Nick Phipps
10. Rob Simmons
11. Dean Mumm