***Official Australia in India***

[Top_Cat]

Clinging on to a 300? He's just come off a man of the series (from Aus) tour of the West Indies and the highest score in the tour match!

Yes but clearly Watto's form in 20/20 matches trumps Kat's two Test tons against the WI and great domestic form previous to.

Seriously, Watto's not done enough to catapault him into the first Test XI. It's great that on the back of that IPL form he's now in the Test frame again. Good on him. Now let's see him get through a full season of matches where the game goes for longer than 40 overs.

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

I swear to God your last 900 posts have been the exact same thing. Broken record.

 

[Prince EWS]

If that turns out to be the case then that would be pretty lame, as it is Watson would be blocking out space of either Katich or Jaques, both of whom are better batsmen than him and lets be honest Watson ain't too good against spin either, his bowling though gives him a slight edge over those two when it comes to picking the playing XI, but don't see much sense in playing Watson just as batsman over those two.

"Primarily" was the operative word. He obviously wouldn't be picked at this stage if he couldn't bowl and he'll obviously be bowling in the Tests. That doesn't change the fact that he's being picked primarily for his batting.

 

[Woodster]

Can't imagine Watson would be picked over either Katich or Jaques, who have both worked so hard to gain a spot in this Aussie line-up, through years of apprenticeship in first-class cricket, and with great success during those years. Of course Watson's bowling does offer something different and should be utilised if Australia do feel as though a bowler of his type will make a difference, although I doubt his occasionally decent bowling spells will be of more importance to the side than the runs that can be added by Katich in that middle order.

 

[Uppercut]

I do rate his bowling tbh. Think he could work as a very useful partnership-breaker.

 

[Woodster]

I think he has a long way to go before he can be considered a Test quality bowler. Yes he is a decent enough fifth bowler that may have capabilities to break a partnership, but I don't think his bowling will frighten too many top players.

 

[Manee]

The question that bugs me is why his bowling is so unthreatening, I know he can't get the ball to deviate without imparting cut (and even then...) but surely there has to be an underlying cause.

 

[Jakester1288]

Great bowling by the Australians thus far, everyone picking up at least 1 wicket except Johnson! Exactly what Australia needs at the moment.

Krejza, whilst going for a lot of runs, has been going well, picking up 3 wickets in 11 overs. Nice work. He has impressed me the most.

Bollinger has also been impressive. Letting less than a run an over away is outstanding, even if it is against a club team. Picking up 3 wickets as well pushes his case further forward on the table.

But with these recent performances, I feel the need to change our line up, because some new players are performing. I feel Katich has to be in there somewhere. I feel the same about Krejza, because he is just one of those players who I think is going to be sucessful. Flights the ball up well, gets some spin, and I think he would be suited to the Indian conditions. Jaques has to be there, he has not done anything wrong, I don't honestly know how you can be calling for his head, even if it is for Katich. He has been batting really solid in the past season, and has been having runs flowing off his bat. Keep him there.

So at the moment our line up is looking like this, if you include my changes:

1. Hayden
2. Jaques
3. Ponting
4. Hussey
5. Clarke
6. Katich/Watson
7. Haddin
8. Lee
9. Krejza/McGain
10. Clark
11. Bollinger/Siddle

Where I put a slash, I put my preferred person first. Whilst McGain is playing better, I don't think he is going to influence the chance of victory, or do anything for our spin stocks in the future. We need to blood youngsters, which we have done, through Krejza (or we may do), Casson and Cullen. You could also chuck Hauritz in there as well if you like.

I think Katich over Watson for numerous reasons:

1 - Rebuilds the innings is we have a collapse
2 - Will definitely score more runs
3 - Adds spin, which in Symonds absence, we will need. Not to mention the Indian conditions favour spin
4 - Less chance of sustaining an injury
5 - Been in much better form in the longer form of the game

For mine, that selection is a no brainer. If I had a say, that would be my line up, but in the end, it all comes down to Andrew Hilditch and his team.

They couldn't possibly considering Krejza over McGain.

Great to see Johnson struggle - hopefully Dougie might get a gig.

I have not seen Krejza at all, but I agree with your post completely. Remember the days when he couldn't even make the New South Wales line up? For him, moving to Victoria was easily the best thing he has done, career wise of course.

By the way, if his first class career stats are anything to go by, he is not all he is hyped up to be.

23 matches, 43 wickets at 45.46, with an economy of 3.69. But it does say in his profile that he gets some good loop on the ball and extracts some decent turn, and that excites me in an off spinner.

 

[Uppercut]

Katich's spin is a non-factor. If Shane Warne averaged 47 in India.....

 

[Woodster]

I don't believe the specialist spinners will win Australia the series, the major contributions are more likely to come from the likes of Lee and Clark. I don't think Katich's spin will play much of a part at all, it may just be used to attempt to break a well established partnership, nothing more.

That is not to say Krejza or McGain do not have an important role. If Australia are to build pressure and stop Indian boundaries, they must not be dominated and relinquish any pressure built up by their fellow bowlers.

 

[bryce]

Krejza, whilst going for a lot of runs, has been going well, picking up 3 wickets in 11 overs. Nice work. He has impressed me the most.

I feel the same about Krejza, because he is just one of those players who I think is going to be sucessful.

I have not seen Krejza at all, but I agree with your post completely.

 

[Top_Cat]

I swear to God your last 900 posts have been the exact same thing. Broken record.

Right back atcha re: irrational Watto love.

 

[bryce]

Right back atcha re: irrational Watto love.

If I was Australian Watson would be considered nothing short of a god. Hardly irrational when it is that rare for a person to be able to bat and bowl aswell as Watson. I'll say right now any Australian who is not a huge fan of Watson's game must be blinded by his own neglegence

 

[Burgey]

Seems from the scores there was surely something in the deck for the bowlers. Still think Katich better value at 6 than Watto, but if the latter is picked obviously hoping he does well.

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

Katich is a better batsman than Watson, obviously. The spot isn't just for a batsman though, and Australia haven't looked to fill that number 6 spot with a pure batsman for a few years. Don't know why anyone thinks they'll start now.

The only spots in the team that are currently in dispute are the third seamer (for which Johnson has inside running) and the second opener (ditto Jaques). I can see Katich making it into the side to open but I'd be surprised if any other changes are made.

 

[howardj]

Jaques, as I understand it, elected not to play in this match and instead get acupuncture treatment for his sore back. Personally, I think Katich is a better opener, but I wouldn't read anything into Jaques not playing in the match just gone. As I see it, Jaques will be selected alongside the Bully for the opening Test.

 

[pasag]

Can't imagine Watson would be picked over either Katich or Jaques, who have both worked so hard to gain a spot in this Aussie line-up, through years of apprenticeship in first-class cricket, and with great success during those years. Of course Watson's bowling does offer something different and should be utilised if Australia do feel as though a bowler of his type will make a difference, although I doubt his occasionally decent bowling spells will be of more importance to the side than the runs that can be added by Katich in that middle order.

Watson is playing. It's Katich vs Jaques. Was dead certain before, but this has confirmed it http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/indvaus2008/content/current/story/370494.html

 

[howardj]

Good to see Doug making a late charge for the 1st Test.

Johnson surely must be under the pump, but I expect will play in Bangalore.

 

[howardj]

Chappell - Punter Ready To Erupt

You better believe it.

Will be as motivated as he was against the Poms in 2006/2007.

 

[Top_Cat]

If I was Australian Watson would be considered nothing short of a god. Hardly irrational when it is that rare for a person to be able to bat and bowl aswell as Watson. I'll say right now any Australian who is not a huge fan of Watson's game must be blinded by his own neglegence

Oh for goodness sake......

I'm on the record here as saying multiple times for years that I think Watson is a very talented player. But there have always been very talented players in Australia, what he's missing is performance. Getting on and staying on the park for a full season before getting picked ahead of a bloke who did exactly that last season and continued his form into the Test side isn't too big an ask surely?

As it stands, it looks likely he'll get a go in the Test side anyway which I think is a mistake. But hey, happy for him to go out, belt a ton or take 5-fer and prove me wrong.