***Official*** Commonwealth Bank Tri-Series

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

His bowling is very important to the team though. He's a huge improvement over looking to White and Clarke for the 5th bowler overs, and last year he was a very important part of the bowling attack. Add to that, he's a very capable batsman at the top of the order, and probably a little better than someone like Hogg at the bottom of the order, but inferior to White or a most specialist bats.

But if he's not getting to bat in the top order, it decreases his value to the team greatly. Sure, he's a useful bowler, but not good enough to get picked primarily for his bowling. And if he's not going to bat and bat well in the top order, surely he's not the best option for that allrounder's position. If Watson is going to bat at 7, I don't see him being very successful, and therefore he should not be in the team as he weakens it considerably.

Australia obviously want him to be a top order batsman and proper bowling option in the future, but if that's the case, he should play those roles when he does play. Otherwise he shouldn't play. No sense grooming a guy for a position by playing him in another.

 

[Jono]

Oh, and if anyone ever says Lee is a good death bowler again, I'll throw the onion rings I dropped on the floor earlier tonight after Collingwood hit those 4s at them.

Bowl him out before the 42nd over Ricky, learn your damn lesson.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

The jury is out on Hodge as well, but he's getting a run in the top order. Ditto anyone else you care to name really. The difference is, Watson's also a bowler.

But not a good enough bowler to not be contributing with the bat. If he plays, he must play in the top order or become a much better bowler to justify his spot.

 

[Prince EWS]

But if he's not getting to bat in the top order, it decreases his value to the team greatly. Sure, he's a useful bowler, but not good enough to get picked primarily for his bowling. And if he's not going to bat and bat well in the top order, surely he's not the best option for that allrounder's position. If Watson is going to bat at 7, I don't see him being very successful, and therefore he should not be in the team as he weakens it considerably.

Australia obviously want him to be a top order batsman and proper bowling option in the future, but if that's the case, he should play those roles when he does play. Otherwise he shouldn't play. No sense grooming a guy for a position by playing him in another.

I agree with that essentially. However I believe the batting-him-in-the-top-order option is a far better one than the not-playing-him-at-all option. If he's going to bat #7 though, he probably shouldn't play at all.

 

[Prince EWS]

But not a good enough bowler to not be contributing with the bat. If he plays, he must play in the top order or become a much better bowler to justify his spot.

He's averaging under 20 with the ball since the the start of the 2005/06 season though, so it could well be said that he is becoming a better bowler. Clearly looked short of a gallop tonight though.

 

[Jono]

Collingwood handled most of the pressure tbh.
And Nixon should've been out for 1, some may argue.
Not convinced by Nixon's batting at all. Liam Plunkett would have seen them home if he had to.

How plumb was Paul?

Ummm, I was poking fun at Nixon, having a laugh.

I see his role in cricket alone to make me laugh, can't believe I got a serious response or two tbh.

 

[four_or_six]

Can I jump in with my first post here?

Why bag Watto on one innings where he was knocking it around sensibly until no.10 got in, and bowling where he got a crucial wicket and for some reason was bowled instead of Bracken for one over too long?

Oh, but I did love him walking off in the wrong direction when he was out

 

[Prince EWS]

Can I jump in with my first post here?

Why bag Watto on one innings where he was knocking it around sensibly until no.10 got in, and bowling where he got a crucial wicket and for some reason was bowled instead of Bracken for one over too long?

Oh, but I did love him walking off in the wrong direction when he was out

Because Fiery hates Watto. Always has, always will.

 

[four_or_six]

Because Fiery hates Watto. Always has, always will.

Huh, shame. I like him.

Watto, that is.

 

[PY]

Welcome to CW by the way mate, stick around.

 

[Prince EWS]

Huh, shame. I like him.

Watto, that is.

Yeah, there are a few of us Watto fans kicking around. Namely FaaipDeOiad, dontcloseyoureyes and umm.. me!

I'm sure there's several others as well but those few stick out.

 

[four_or_six]

Welcome to CW by the way mate, stick around.

Thanks

 

[four_or_six]

Yeah, there are a few of us Watto fans kicking around. Namely FaaipDeOiad, dontcloseyoureyes and umm.. me!

I'm sure there's several others as well but those few stick out.

Oh good... I like Watto and Monty... they're good to watch - they're both very expressive.

 

[superkingdave]

seriously, do they have a love affair with ejecting people in Melbourne? there must have been at least 500 ejections today. Good laugh though

 

[Neil Pickup]

First time England have won three consecutive ODIs against non-minnow sides in nine years.

 

[Barney Rubble]

First time England have won three consecutive ODIs against non-minnow sides in nine years.

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

From five innings at the top of the order in the Champions Trophy he got two blobs and a twenty. His average was bloated by scoring 57* in the final...

...and 50 against India.... and 75 in the DLF Cup.

 

[PhoenixFire]

Collingwood > Bradman

 

[Goughy]

Very happy that England (Collingwood) performed so well and got a good victory.

However, I think this game showed the gulf between the teams. England had to be on top of their game and in order to win a close game this had to be combined with an average Australian performance.

It doesnt really matter what England do, If Aus play decent or better cricket they will win the game.

Still today was fun though

 

[Tomm NCCC]

I heard someone on Sky say it was the Best ODI knock for a decade. Make your own judgements on that, but I reckon it would not be far off