3rd Test - Australia vs India (Boxing Day)

[GVGjr]

Selections for the match will be interesting given some injury and form concerns.

If Mitch Marsh doesn't player there appears to be some support for Cowan to move to number 3 and Watson to slide down to number 6. Initially I thought we would be better served by finding a middle order batsman to replace Marsh but moving Watson down to 6 might eventually force a showdown for the selectors to choose between M.Marsh or Watson especially if Cowan could peel off a good score.

We need to find another batsman who will put some value on his wicket that S.Marsh and Watson don't seem willing to do.

Who are the batting candidates if we need to make a couple of changes?

Harris for Starc makes sense.

[GVGjr]

Re: 3rd Test - Australia vs India (Boxing Day)

From CricInfo

Queensland's Joe Burns is set for a Boxing Day Test debut against India after being added to Australia's Test squad in place of the injured Mitchell Marsh.

The 25-year-old Burns has enjoyed a storming start to the Sheffield Shield season for Queensland, piling up 439 runs at 54.87 to follow up 564 runs at 47 last summer. An innings of 183 against a strong NSW pace attack at the Gabba was watched by the selectors Trevor Hohns and Mark Waugh.

Australia's coach Darren Lehmann indicated that Burns' flexibility as a batsman - he has opened this summer but batted in the middle order previously - was a key factor in the decision. He also acknowledged the death of Phillip Hughes and a long-term knee injury for Usman Khawaja had opened up the opportunity for Burns.

Lehmann also said that Shane Watson's impressive bowling in Brisbane left he selectors more comfortable replacing an allrounder with a batsman.

[Happy Days]

Re: 3rd Test - Australia vs India (Boxing Day)

From CricInfo

Queensland's Joe Burns is set for a Boxing Day Test debut against India after being added to Australia's Test squad in place of the injured Mitchell Marsh.

The 25-year-old Burns has enjoyed a storming start to the Sheffield Shield season for Queensland, piling up 439 runs at 54.87 to follow up 564 runs at 47 last summer. An innings of 183 against a strong NSW pace attack at the Gabba was watched by the selectors Trevor Hohns and Mark Waugh.

Australia's coach Darren Lehmann indicated that Burns' flexibility as a batsman - he has opened this summer but batted in the middle order previously - was a key factor in the decision. He also acknowledged the death of Phillip Hughes and a long-term knee injury for Usman Khawaja had opened up the opportunity for Burns.

Lehmann also said that Shane Watson's impressive bowling in Brisbane left he selectors more comfortable replacing an allrounder with a batsman.

Good as.

Does this mean Watson to 6? I'd be totally cool with that.

[lemmon]

Re: 3rd Test - Australia vs India (Boxing Day)

Very happy, I'm hoping we bat boxing day and I'll get to see him stride out at number 3. Great young talent with a very bright future.

[Topdog]

Re: 3rd Test - Australia vs India (Boxing Day)

excellent news. Pleasantly surprised by CA

[Throughandthrough]

Re: 3rd Test - Australia vs India (Boxing Day)

After going to the rAdelaide test, now looking forward to breaking my Boxing Day Test Virginity. See u soon, Melbourne

[Flamethrower]

Re: 3rd Test - Australia vs India (Boxing Day)

Very happy, I'm hoping we bat boxing day and I'll get to see him stride out at number 3. Great young talent with a very bright future.

On day 3.

[GVGjr]

Re: 3rd Test - Australia vs India (Boxing Day)

Just reading this regarding Watson

Watson could find himself at No. 6 with Steve Smith locked is locked in at No. 4 and Shaun Marsh likely to fill the No. 5 position.

However, history shows that he has achieved less success batting outside the top three in his 54-Test career.

Watson averages just 23.46 from 26 innings batting from positions 4 to 7, compared to 39.86 from 75 innings opening or batting at No. 3.

His career average is 35.51.

If Burns bats well Watson might need to go head to head with Mitch Marsh for the number 6 spot and his batting average there isn't going to impress many. I think he should be fighting to stay at 3 as it's his best chance of holding his spot.

[lemmon]

Re: 3rd Test - Australia vs India (Boxing Day)

You can't argue with those numbers GVG. I wonder whether it would be possible to find how many overs he bowls and what his bowling average is when he bats 3 as opposed to 6?

[Bornadog]

Re: 3rd Test - Australia vs India (Boxing Day)

You can't argue with those numbers GVG. I wonder whether it would be possible to find how many overs he bowls and what his bowling average is when he bats 3 as opposed to 6?

If he doesn't make some runs soon he should be dropped altogether.

[westdog54]

Re: 3rd Test - Australia vs India (Boxing Day)

Just reading this regarding Watson

Watson could find himself at No. 6 with Steve Smith locked is locked in at No. 4 and Shaun Marsh likely to fill the No. 5 position.

However, history shows that he has achieved less success batting outside the top three in his 54-Test career.

Watson averages just 23.46 from 26 innings batting from positions 4 to 7, compared to 39.86 from 75 innings opening or batting at No. 3.

His career average is 35.51.


If Burns bats well Watson might need to go head to head with Mitch Marsh for the number 6 spot and his batting average there isn't going to impress many. I think he should be fighting to stay at 3 as it's his best chance of holding his spot.

Listening to the ABC during the first test it was mentioned that his average gradually lowers as he moves down the batting order. The lower in the batting order = the lower his average.

[Axe Man]

Re: 3rd Test - Australia vs India (Boxing Day)

I'm not sure the stats about Watson averaging less down the order have much meaning. Almost all of his innings at 6 and 7 were at the start of his career in 2005 and 2008. He's only batted at no.6 3 times since 2008 (for scores of 68,2,40), hardly enough to conclude that present day Shane Watson can not bat more successfully down the order. I think it's fairly clear that he's not a test match number 3 batsman.

[GVGjr]

Re: 3rd Test - Australia vs India (Boxing Day)

From Fox Sport

BREAKING: Joe Burns will bat at No.6 for Australia. Ryan Harris will replace Mitchell Starc.

[GVGjr]

Re: 3rd Test - Australia vs India (Boxing Day)

Australia have won the toss and will bat. Need to get a solid start and what should be good bowling conditions.

[bulldogtragic]

Re: 3rd Test - Australia vs India (Boxing Day)

Love Bill Lawry back. Honest and the only wwos commentator who said if Watson fails this test he should be dropped while Taylor tried to play it down. Good old times.