I wasn't a White supporter when he wasn't doing anything and people rated him just because he bowls leg spin. But, nobody can deny White is a brilliant talent with the bat, and although he shouldn't be selected as a test match batsman, I have no problem with him being selected as a batting allrounder who may get through 10-12 (more if he's bowling well) overs a day to give one of the bowlers a rest.
Because he's the newbie. All of them (batsmen) bar the exceptional fielders such as Symonds and Clarke (who has every now and then) have fielded there in their first tests.Is he any good? I'd heard reports about his fielding being pretty weak, so is it a case of putting him there because it's his best position or he's not very good in other places?
EDIT: Or because he's the newbie
Previous records do play a part though, they usually tell you who is more likely to make runs. Obviously it's irrelevant if, for example, Hodge hasn't made a run all summer and White is scoring a truckload. But if both batsman are relatively even, then how those batsman have performed in the past should impact upon selection. As it is those three batsman you mentioned are all a class above White ATM, as is somebody like Simon Katich.
Thought that was probably the case. Is he any good though? Not that short-leg is a hugely important position for Australia in the current point in time, but ideally it's good to have somebody atleast reasonably competent under the helmet.
The big question is, is his bowling up to that standard?
Previous records really don't play a part. Of course if a rookie was averaging 60 and a seasoned player is averaging 45, the later is more likely to get a spot, but if Hodge, Hussey, White and Watson were all averaging around 45 it would be who the selectors feel is the better option and who is most in form. But, if one of those 4 was averaging 60 and the others 45 the player averaging 60 has a far greater chance no matter what the previous records of any of those players were. So, if it were White averaging 60 I think he would be the pick ahead of the others.
Haven't really seen that much of his fielding to make a comment, but from what I know he feilds in the slips for N.S.W. in Pura Cup and does some boundary riding in the Ford Ranger in the middle-late overs.
It's probably not up to test standard to be an out-and-out allrounder, but certainly good enough for him to average high 30s with the bat and give the bowlers a rest, he could be a partnership breaker or something like that.
Yeah, you're taking the extreme view here, and I kind of agree with what you are saying. However I think those other players would have to be averaging something like 30 and White to be over 50 for him to get a shot. I just rate those other batsman as better and classier, more likely to score runs and be a success at Test level. I understand totally where you are coming from though.
Sounds similar to Hayden then.
Then the other question comes into play. Would you rather have somebody averaging 37 or 38 with the bat and who could bowl 10 overs a day or would you prefer a batsman who could average 45-50?
Depends on how the bowlers are going. In the past we haven't had to worry about a batting allrounder due to Warne & McGrath, but it may need to be a serious consideration now we don't have those two.
I wouldn't, so I guess that is where we differ.
He's actually a very good short leg fielder, from all reports. Does it for his state as well, IIRC. Remember watching him practice, and looked very awesome.Is he any good? I'd heard reports about his fielding being pretty weak, so is it a case of putting him there because it's his best position or he's not very good in other places?
EDIT: Or because he's the newbie
I think the Slater/McGarth mode would be more accurate/ Marytn was a pretty decent fielder and Langer had brilliant set of hands. His just not as fast and mobile as your average Australian cricketer. He holds on to most catches, but wont take any screamers. Has a decent throw, but wont get you many run outs. Just a solid fielder and I guess in ODIs Australia have always looked for above average fielders for a while. One of the reasons why Langer himself never got a run, due to general fielding.
What about in, say, the last 5 years?
Sajid Mahmood and Glenn McGrath's Test careers started in a fairly similar way too.
Putting those two in the same sentence is madness.
