Australia vs Pakistan

[hujsh]

Re: Australia vs Pakistan

Apparently they saw Watson and North as backup openers for the Ashes, hence why no Rogers, Jaques etc.

[comrade]

Re: Australia vs Pakistan

Big Merv was talking about Watson and that this plan of him opening the batting was not just a flash in the pan thing, had been thought of for some time apparently, going on i think he said 3 years of planning.

The selectors certaintly cop their fair whack on a regular basis, but this move seems like a very innovative move which to this point, has worked brilliantly for them, yet you don't hear many giving them pats on the back for such a move that has worked so well.

If he had have made a string of ducks, would Merv still claim it was '3 years in the making'.

[GVGjr]

Re: Australia vs Pakistan

Apparently they saw Watson and North as backup openers for the Ashes, hence why no Rogers, Jaques etc.

I suppose that means if Phil Hughes is included then he will need to bat in whatever position is available.

[hujsh]

Re: Australia vs Pakistan

If he had have made a string of ducks, would Merv still claim it was '3 years in the making'.

I don't think he said exactly that. Pretty sure it was more along the lines of, the idea for Watson opening had been floating around for about 3 years (I remember that horrible run he had opening for QLD) and with him having shown good form opening in ODI's it was a good time to test him out.

[Sockeye Salmon]

Re: Australia vs Pakistan

Big Merv was talking about Watson and that this plan of him opening the batting was not just a flash in the pan thing, had been thought of for some time apparently, going on i think he said 3 years of planning.

The selectors certaintly cop their fair whack on a regular basis, but this move seems like a very innovative move which to this point, has worked brilliantly for them, yet you don't hear many giving them pats on the back for such a move that has worked so well.

3 years of planning that didn't include him opening at 1st class level?

What a load of bollocks.

[Mantis]

Re: Australia vs Pakistan

3 years of planning that didn't include him opening at 1st class level?

What a load of bollocks.

Didn't he open for Qld a few times in shield games and fail miserably?

BTW Merv is full of it.

[mighty_west]

Re: Australia vs Pakistan

3 years of planning that didn't include him opening at 1st class level?

What a load of bollocks.

It probably is bollocks, and we know Merv can spin it from time to time, but, didnt the same thing also happen with Katich, opening up for the Test side without opening up for NSW?

I know he wasn't a genuine opening batsman, i just can't remember if had actually opened up for the state side, or maybe i just don't take too much notice of the other states.

[GVGjr]

Re: Australia vs Pakistan

It probably is bollocks, and we know Merv can spin it from time to time, but, didnt the same thing also happen with Katich, opening up for the Test side without opening up for NSW?

I know he wasn't a genuine opening batsman, i just can't remember if had actually opened up for the state side, or maybe i just don't take too much notice of the other states.

I think he did open without success at the state level but he was struggling with his fitness at the time and had just returned from injury.

That being said, I think the reality was that they thought he could build on his success at opening at the limited over games and that it would hopefully transition into the test arena.

The selectors need to sell their vision a lot better than Merv can and they desperately need a better spokesman.

[GVGjr]

Re: Australia vs Pakistan

A couple of quick wickets to Johnson and the Pakistan side will now need a lot of luck to get the game to go into the last session.

[GVGjr]

Re: Australia vs Pakistan

Pakistan are now 8 for and it won't last much longer.

Nice to see Hauritz get a few wickets but he would need to back this up in Sydney to really show he is improving.

[comrade]

Re: Australia vs Pakistan

It would be good to see Hauritz clean up the tail. Despite not being the attacking spinner we need, he's had a solid Test match and a five-for in the fourth innings would be good for his confidence.

[GVGjr]

Re: Australia vs Pakistan

It would be good to see Hauritz clean up the tail. Despite not being the attacking spinner we need, he's had a solid Test match and a five-for in the fourth innings would be good for his confidence.

That sums him up well. He's a solid performer but probably lacks match winning skills most good spinners have.

[Rocco Jones]

Re: Australia vs Pakistan

It would be good to see Hauritz clean up the tail. Despite not being the attacking spinner we need, he's had a solid Test match and a five-for in the fourth innings would be good for his confidence.

Good call. Hauritz really could do with a confidence boost. I know he has his doubters and I am still one, but I definitely see him as being our clear number 1 at the moment (saying more about the competition).

[Rocco Jones]

Re: Australia vs Pakistan

I have heard a bit about the possibility of Younis Khan coming over for the rest of the test series. That would be an enormous boost to their side. They are far too reliant on Mohamed Yousof and Umar Akmal at the moment, with no one else in the line up averaging more than 35 with the bat.

[Mantis]

Re: Australia vs Pakistan

It would be good to see Hauritz clean up the tail. Despite not being the attacking spinner we need, he's had a solid Test match and a five-for in the fourth innings would be good for his confidence.

Yes it would be nice, but he still has to find a way to get the 'batsman' out as he has been treated with a fair bit of dis-respect by the guys that can actually play.