Third Test, Aus V SA, The WACA

[mighty_west]

Re: Third Test, Aus V SA, The WACA

Crash Craddock today said it was apparently a battle of 3 between Hughes, Khawaja and Doolan. I'd have Hughes back and batting at 3, Watson to 4.

I'd actually prefer one of the younger batsmen coming in bat at 6 and not throw him in the deep end, Cowen & Warner to open, 3 Watson, 4 Clarke 5 Huss and 6 for one of these kids.

[Mantis]

Re: Third Test, Aus V SA, The WACA

What about Watson to six? Hussey and Clarke shuffle up one spot.

Clarke, while improved over recent times has a horrible record at no.4.

He should stay where he is.

[lemmon]

Re: Third Test, Aus V SA, The WACA

Clarke, while improved over recent times has a horrible record at no.4.

He should stay where he is.

Agreed, I don't understand the stigma with batting lower. Worked for Waugh and Border

[azabob]

Re: Third Test, Aus V SA, The WACA

Clarke, while improved over recent times has a horrible record at no.4.

He should stay where he is.

Agreed, I don't understand the stigma with batting lower. Worked for Waugh and Border

I was more coming from the view Watson isn't performing at 3 and not sure he will perform at 4 I think he is more suited to six. I have no issue with Clarke batting where he is.

Can Hussey come up to 4?

[lemmon]

Re: Third Test, Aus V SA, The WACA

I was more coming from the view Watson isn't performing at 3 and not sure he will perform at 4 I think he is more suited to six. I have no issue with Clarke batting where he is.

Can Hussey come up to 4?

Hussey had to move away from 4 to regain form, not sure it would be right to move him back now he's settled.

[GVGjr]

Re: Third Test, Aus V SA, The WACA

In some ways I hope we consider George Bailey.

My guess is Hughes will come in at 3 moving Watson to 4.

[Rocco Jones]

Re: Third Test, Aus V SA, The WACA

I think it will be Quiney. Arthur said made a point of saying the replacement will bat at 3 so if it's not Quiney, I think it will be Khawaja.

[lemmon]

Re: Third Test, Aus V SA, The WACA

In some ways I hope we consider George Bailey.

My guess is Hughes will come in at 3 moving Watson to 4.

Why Bailey? Seems like another Marcus North selection

[GVGjr]

Re: Third Test, Aus V SA, The WACA

Why Bailey? Seems like another Marcus North selection

I think he is a solid cricketer who answers the challenge. He has performed well in T20 and I think he could make a go of it at the test level.

I understand he is a long shot though but if I had to choose between Quiney and Bailey I'd go with the latter.

[lemmon]

Re: Third Test, Aus V SA, The WACA

I think he is a solid cricketer who answers the challenge. He has performed well in T20 and I think he could make a go of it at the test level.

I understand he is a long shot though but if I had to choose between Quiney and Bailey I'd go with the latter.

Its a fair call, he'd have the best temperament of the bunch but not sure he'd step up to the class. Its a bit of an indictment that he's played one more first class game than Hughes but has 6 less centuries, they arent quite the stats of a Mike Hussey.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Third Test, Aus V SA, The WACA

I'm in the Doolan camp. I cannot support Hughes while he continues to hold the bat like an axe. Further, when and if he gets to England for the Ashes, their quicks will work him out in quick time just as they did last time.

Somebody, somewhere decided that Khwaja is technically sound. For a bloke who gets bowled regularly between bat and pad, I question this assessment.

[ledge]

Re: Third Test, Aus V SA, The WACA

Good point bought up on SEN, why is Watson getting a game , he Only bowled 9 overs and has a batting average of just 35, we might have well gone in with another batsman.
He was injured when he went in so it's the same old story games for mates as far as I can see.
And now theirvisctalk
Of Shane Warne coming back , if that's serious CA is a big joke

[Ozza]

Re: Third Test, Aus V SA, The WACA

Good point bought up on SEN, why is Watson getting a game , he Only bowled 9 overs and has a batting average of just 35, we might have well gone in with another batsman.
He was injured when he went in so it's the same old story games for mates as far as I can see.
And now theirvisctalk
Of Shane Warne coming back , if that's serious CA is a big joke

Agree with all you're saying - except for the 'games for mates' comment. By the sounds of it - Watto doesn't have a heap of mates internally. I think he has a place in the side as a number 6 bat, if he is bowling. But go back 2 years ago - and he was probably our best performed player in all 3 forms of the game. He still has a few runs on the board - I'd just like to see him bat lower and play as a genuine all rounder.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Third Test, Aus V SA, The WACA

I'm not sure hy there is continuing talk of Watson needing to bat further down the order. He is in a technical sense the most skilled batrsman in the side. That in itself suggests he is suited to opening the innings or batting at three.

I don't have the figures in front of me but I would suggest his average whilst opening is more than acceptable.

[lemmon]

Re: Third Test, Aus V SA, The WACA

I'm not sure hy there is continuing talk of Watson needing to bat further down the order. He is in a technical sense the most skilled batrsman in the side. That in itself suggests he is suited to opening the innings or batting at three.

I don't have the figures in front of me but I would suggest his average whilst opening is more than acceptable.

Average of 43, 2 hundreds, 15 50's. Is he that technically sound though? Looks like the stereotypical 'bowling machine batsman', plonks on his front foot, his pad gets in the way and has trouble with the moving ball. His ratio of LBW's and bowled is far too high for such a talented player.

I agree on Khawaja though, slips would be licking their lips they way he gets squared up to anything back of a length, not to mention he suffers a bit from Watson's four or nothing syndrome.