2013 Tour of India

[Ozza]

Re: 2013 Tour of India

Can I ask why you prefer Watson over Cowan?

Neither has great batting figures but Cowan's recent form is better than that of Watson's. Cowan averaged 36 over the summer in 10 innings. Watson has averaged 30 over his last 10 innings stretching back to the West Indies tour. Watson also hasn't made a test century in over 2 years.

Ideally I would probably prefer Watson too but I just don't think he has made his case at the moment. It would simply be replacing one mediocrely performing batsman with a slightly worse performing batsman. Let him play some first class cricket and gain some form. Of course if he is able to bowl again it is an entirely different equation.

I think Watson is, marginally, a more capable player than Cowan. Cowan may have better figures in the most recent tests - but Watson has been batting out of position at number 4.

I was really hopeful Cowan would be a long term opening batsman who could settle in regularly and face a lot of deliveries. He has had some good knocks, but far too often - he gets to 20-30, looks set to dig in, and gets himself out to a poor shot.

When Watson was opening - going back 2 years ago - for a period there, he was our best player in all forms of the game - and although he didn't often covert in 100s, he was regularly facing 100+ balls per innings opening the batting.

[lemmon]

Re: 2013 Tour of India

The XI taking on India A is: SR Watson*, MS Wade†, AC Agar, EJM Cowan, XJ Doherty, MC Henriques, PJ Hughes, UT Khawaja, NM Lyon, PM Siddle, MA Starc

Seems to suggest Maxwell wont be considered for the first test

[Greystache]

Re: 2013 Tour of India

The XI taking on India A is: SR Watson*, MS Wade†, AC Agar, EJM Cowan, XJ Doherty, MC Henriques, PJ Hughes, UT Khawaja, NM Lyon, PM Siddle, MA Starc

Seems to suggest Maxwell wont be considered for the first test

Am I out of touch Lemm, who is Agar?

[bulldogtragic]

Re: 2013 Tour of India

Am I out of touch Lemm, who is Agar?

19yo left arm spinner, played 2 games for WA, net bowler who has impressed.

[Greystache]

Re: 2013 Tour of India

19yo left arm spinner, played 2 games for WA, net bowler who has impressed.

Thanks. I haven't been following as closely the last few years. We're still desperately looking for the next big thing in the spin department. I haven't seen many I would consider exciting.

[bulldogtragic]

Re: 2013 Tour of India

Thanks. I haven't been following as closely the last few years. We're still desperately looking for the next big thing in the spin department. I haven't seen many I would consider exciting.

Don't you rate Bryce McGains efforts against the Proteas a few years back?

[Greystache]

Re: 2013 Tour of India

Don't you rate Bryce McGains efforts against the Proteas a few years back?

Yeah not so much. I was more referring to the young spinners coming through that are being suggested we fast track. I saw Adam Zampa bowl and couldn't be more underwhelmed about him as a prospect.

[bulldogtragic]

Re: 2013 Tour of India

Yeah not so much. I was more referring to the young spinners coming through that are being suggested we fast track. I saw Adam Zampa bowl and couldn't be more underwhelmed about him as a prospect.

Agree completely. Not sure whether we were spoilt with Warne, but the future is flimsy at best.

[lemmon]

Re: 2013 Tour of India

Agar's only really there on a developmental basis, isn't in the official test squad. On the scorecard it looks like Doherty has clearly outbowled Lyon, 3/69 to 0/72

[lemmon]

Re: 2013 Tour of India

Agar with 3 tail end wickets, Doherty picked up 3 as well, Lyon took 2. All went for 100+

[lemmon]

Re: 2013 Tour of India

Some doubt over Warner for the first test perhaps partnering Cowan and Watson. They opened together, Cowan dismissed for 40, Watson got 80 odd. Both Hughes and Khawaja gone for 1, all wickets to spin

[lemmon]

Re: 2013 Tour of India

If Warner recovers, Watson is batting at 4

http://www.espncricinfo.com/india-v-australia-2013/content/current/story/605513.html

[Bornadog]

Re: 2013 Tour of India

If Warner recovers, Watson is batting at 4
http://www.espncricinfo.com/india-v-...ry/605513.html

What would you do Lemmon, go with Cowan or Watson to open?

[Axe Man]

Re: 2013 Tour of India

Team for the first test:

Michael Clarke (c),
Ed Cowan
Moises Henriques
Phillip Hughes
Nathan Lyon
James Pattinson
Peter Siddle
Mitchell Starc
Matthew Wade
David Warner
Shane Watson

Glenn Maxwell will be 12th man.

So only 1 spinner on an apparently spin friendly wicket, whilst the Indians are considering playing 4 spinners.

[dog town]

Re: 2013 Tour of India

With Watson not bowling it is probably the right side. We won't win it with spin we just don't have the quality. Game plan will be to bowl straight with defensive fields and build pressure. The last time we won over there it was off the back of the quicks and SA have had success the same way. It's our best shot IMO.