2nd Test - Australia vs India

[GVGjr]

This starts on Wednesday with Shaun Marsh tipped to take Clarke's batting spot. Could Hazelwood be squeezed into the bowling line up?

[bulldogtragic]

Re: 2nd Test - Australia vs India

This starts on Wednesday with Shaun Marsh tipped to take Clarke's batting spot. Could Hazelwood be squeezed into the bowling line up?

I think so, Siddle looked lame and with a confident kid and fast wicket it makes sense. Interested to hear who should replace Clarke? I still want Rogers replaced, but I guess he brings seniority which we need. I want Smith to take the captaincy, he's got confidence and is in rich form, perfect timing for mine.

[lemmon]

Re: 2nd Test - Australia vs India

On Rogers, who would take his spot? Cowan's in good form but is 32 now and feels like we'd be shuffling sideways rather than moving forward. Rogers is the better player for mine. Nic Maddinson is doing well but hasn't put it together for long enough while Cameron Bancroft is the other best performing opener in the Shield but is still a baby.

[GVGjr]

Re: 2nd Test - Australia vs India

On Rogers, who would take his spot? Cowan's in good form but is 32 now and feels like we'd be shuffling sideways rather than moving forward. Rogers is the better player for mine. Nic Maddinson is doing well but hasn't put it together for long enough while Cameron Bancroft is the other best performing opener in the Shield but is still a baby.

Could the answer be to move Watson back to the openers spot and Burns or Shaun Marsh to the number 3? Marsh is a bit inconsistent for my liking but the selectors seem determined to get him into the side.

[FrediKanoute]

Re: 2nd Test - Australia vs India

I think you have to perist with ROgers, especially looking ahead to the ashes. Bumping Watto back to opener isn't great as you then have him and Warner batting together which doesn't work. I think though if someone puts their hand up there are 3 batting spots up for grans with Clarks injury.

Smith isn' ready for the captaincy. He will be, but is still way too loose and the critics would be hammering him the moment he plays a rash shot - which is his game.

[bulldogtragic]

Re: 2nd Test - Australia vs India

Could the answer be to move Watson back to the openers spot and Burns or Shaun Marsh to the number 3? Marsh is a bit inconsistent for my liking but the selectors seem determined to get him into the side.

I don't want to sound like meat loaf because he's shite these days, but you took the words right out of my mouth. Watson is best as opener in my eyes. Watson & Warner is a good combo. I like Smith & Marsh at 5 and 6. One day Wade will take 7 I hope. And we've got a decent tail as far as tails go. I think we need to finally address first drop and get a Clarke replacement groomed too.

[lemmon]

Re: 2nd Test - Australia vs India

Could the answer be to move Watson back to the openers spot and Burns or Shaun Marsh to the number 3? Marsh is a bit inconsistent for my liking but the selectors seem determined to get him into the side.

I'd have Watson under just as much pressure, if not more, than Rogers. I've defended Watson as an all-rounder but he simply isn't that anymore, he's a batsman and must be judged on the runs he's making. By any measure Rogers has had a better 24 months than Watson so I don't see why Rogers should be dumped and Watson retained. I'm extremely doubtful that the only thing stopping Shane from scoring runs is that he's batting outside the top 2, his first innings dismissal in Adelaide was putrid.

[GVGjr]

Re: 2nd Test - Australia vs India

I think you know my views on Watson so I tend to agree that he shouldn't be a walk up start. The only thing that makes him a bit more valuable now is Clarkes injury.

[Rocco Jones]

Re: 2nd Test - Australia vs India

Could the answer be to move Watson back to the openers spot and Burns or Shaun Marsh to the number 3? Marsh is a bit inconsistent for my liking but the selectors seem determined to get him into the side.

Burns has been batting as an opener so if he comes in for Rogers, I think it makes sense for him to be a direct replacement.

[Bornadog]

Re: 2nd Test - Australia vs India

Can't believe Haddin will be captain.

[chef]

Re: 2nd Test - Australia vs India

Seems the logical choice to me.

[Go_Dogs]

Re: 2nd Test - Australia vs India

Seems the logical choice to me.

Agree. Smith is just establishing himself as a top line player, would hate for the additional responsibility of being captain to unsettle him.

[Ozza]

Re: 2nd Test - Australia vs India

It always staggers me that Shaun Marsh is the front of the queue when a Test spot becomes available. I hope he goes well, but geez - for someone with a very mediocre first class career, who is in his 30s...he gets an inordinate amount of love.

[jeemak]

Re: 2nd Test - Australia vs India

Can't believe Haddin will be captain.

I'm not sure Smith is the man for the job just yet, but at least Haddin won't get it if this is true:

http://www.theage.com.au/sport/cricket/steve-smith-to-be-named-australian-test-captain-for-rest-of-test-series-against-india-20141214-1276m6.html

[Greystache]

Re: 2nd Test - Australia vs India

I'm not sure Smith is the man for the job just yet, but at least Haddin won't get it if this is true:

http://www.theage.com.au/sport/crick...14-1276m6.html

It's a brave move to give it to Smith. If it works out he could well captain the side for the next 10 years and be the backbone of team, I just hope the extra responsibility doesn't impact on the upward trajectory of his performances. Haddin shouldn't be in the team let alone captain, and Warner is probably the only other candidate but is too much of a boofhead to be considered, so at least we're looking towards the future with a difficult decision.