***Official Australia in India***

[silentstriker]

Chappell - Punter Ready To Erupt

You better believe it.

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

Yea, I think he would be. This might be his last chance, maybe one more after this if he plays into his late thirties.

 

[howardj]

For Aussie viewers, the Tests start at 3pm Sydney time which is 2pm Brisbane time.

Which likely means stumps at 10:30pm and 9:30pm respectively.

 

[pasag]

For Aussie viewers, the Tests start at 3pm Sydney time which is 2pm Brisbane time.

Which likely means stumps at 10:30pm and 9:30pm respectively.

Perfect times really, especially after the WI.

 

[duffer]

Perfect times really, especially after the WI.

Yeah India series are always awesome in this regard. Come back form work after first session and veg out for the last two. Brilliant.

 

[Burgey]

For Aussie viewers, the Tests start at 3pm Sydney time which is 1953 Brisbane time.

Which likely means stumps at 10:30pm and 9:30pm respectively.

Fixed

 

[tooextracool]

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.

Correct me if I am wrong, but until Symonds made his place secure, the no 6 batsman was usually Katich, Hodge and the likes who were specialist batsmen. I do understand your point that Australia have always seem obsessed with having an all rounder in the side, but with the lack of any all rounders over the last decade, they have generally settled with the best batsman for that position. With Symonds out, that should quite obviously be Katich IMO.

 

[pasag]

Correct me if I am wrong, but until Symonds made his place secure, the no 6 batsman was usually Katich, Hodge and the likes who were specialist batsmen. I do understand your point that Australia have always seem obsessed with having an all rounder in the side, but with the lack of any all rounders over the last decade, they have generally settled with the best batsman for that position. With Symonds out, that should quite obviously be Katich IMO.

Yeah but at the same time Watson was a certain starter for Ashes 06/07 and Clarke only got back into the side because he got injured on the eve of the first Test. I don't think there's any hard and fast rule here.

 

[tooextracool]

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.

Yeah I think Katich's experience and ability against spin could be crucial for Australia who must surely be trying to outbat India to win this series. Watson surely cant be expected to provide any sort of miracles with the ball in the subcontinent and I think Katich is probably equally likely to take wickets with his chinaman bowling as Watson in India.

As far as Im concerned, India will seriously have to mess up to lose this series. Even one of the best Australian sides from 2001 struggled to win in India so I would be very surprised if this one which is a fly compared to the Australian sides that have toured India over the last decade can do any better.

 

[NZTailender]

Cbf reading back, but Katich is gun. Make him keep, should be in the side in any way possible.


This unbiased opinion brought to you by the letters S & K.

 

[tooextracool]

Yeah but at the same time Watson was a certain starter for Ashes 06/07 and Clarke only got back into the side because he got injured on the eve of the first Test. I don't think there's any hard and fast rule here.

No there isnt, and the Australian selectors are dull enough to pick Watson over Katich. However, I just feel that Katich has scored runs against India in the past and is a very good player of spin so he is more likely to succeed in India than Watson. I also believe that its not ideal for someone who is essentially a newbie with no real test experience trying to make his way into the side in a country such as India where there is a lot of pressure playing in front of big crowds in a big series. Katich is the safer option, hes done it before and is less likely to be overrawed by the occasion.

 

[pasag]

No there isnt, and the Australian selectors are dull enough to pick Watson over Katich. However, I just feel that Katich has scored runs against India in the past and is a very good player of spin so he is more likely to succeed in India than Watson. I also believe that its not ideal for someone who is essentially a newbie with no real test experience trying to make his way into the side in a country such as India where there is a lot of pressure playing in front of big crowds in a big series. Katich is the safer option, hes done it before and is less likely to be overrawed by the occasion.

As far as I'm concerned Katich should be the first batsman picked. He's the most in form Australian batsman at the moment coming off a brilliant domestic season, a top notch tour of the West Indies and the highest score in the practice match, it would be baffling if they didn't play him.

 

[Top_Cat]

As far as I'm concerned Katich should be the first batsman picked. He's the most in form Australian batsman at the moment coming off a brilliant domestic season, a top notch tour of the West Indies and the highest score in the practice match, it would be baffling if they didn't play him.

Aussie selectors seem intent on picking Jaques, though. You get the feeling, because he's not quite as up-front a character, The Kat gets shafted a bit too much. Like he did for Symonds a few years ago after the last Indian tour. I agree, he's gotten off the plane still in prime form. Why would you not pick him?

 

[tooextracool]

Katich isnt an opener, nor should he be selected as one. By my understanding, Jaques is the best candidate for this position in the country (although Hussey might have something to say against that) so he should be selected ahead of Katich. But Katich over Watson is surely a very easy, non worrysome pick?

 

[social]

Aussie selectors seem intent on picking Jaques, though. You get the feeling, because he's not quite as up-front a character, The Kat gets shafted a bit too much. Like he did for Symonds a few years ago after the last Indian tour. I agree, he's gotten off the plane still in prime form. Why would you not pick him?

Because his fielding is hopeless and, more importantly, the selectors are married to the idea of playing Jaques and Watson.

OZ selectors generally bash their head against the wall till it stops hurting

 

[bryce]

Anyone fancy an XI like this? Watson as third seamer and Clarke and Katich to get through a few overs.

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

 

[pasag]

Aussie selectors seem intent on picking Jaques, though. You get the feeling, because he's not quite as up-front a character, The Kat gets shafted a bit too much. Like he did for Symonds a few years ago after the last Indian tour. I agree, he's gotten off the plane still in prime form. Why would you not pick him?

I'm not sure if the Jaques love still rings true today. I know it did a year ago but a few clueless performances since then might have them thinking otherwise. Not sure.

 

[pasag]

Katich isnt an opener, nor should he be selected as one. By my understanding, Jaques is the best candidate for this position in the country (although Hussey might have something to say against that) so he should be selected ahead of Katich. But Katich over Watson is surely a very easy, non worrysome pick?

WI showed us Katich > Jaques as an opener easily at this moment in time.

 

[Top_Cat]

Because his fielding is hopeless and, more importantly, the selectors are married to the idea of playing Jaques and Watson.

OZ selectors generally bash their head against the wall till it stops hurting

I don't get where this perception of Kat's fielding being hopeless comes from, though. He's certainly not the best catcher and fielded poorly in the WI but he's far better over the ground than someone like Jaques and has a better arm.

 

[NUFAN]

Anyone fancy an XI like this? Watson as third seamer and Clarke and Katich to get through a few overs.

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

No.

Lee and Clark will be stuffed.

Hussey would be pissed off batting below both Clarke and Katich too.

 

[pasag]

Anyone fancy an XI like this? Watson as third seamer and Clarke and Katich to get through a few overs.

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

Nah, going in with Watto as one of the four main bowlers would be a disaster. My side would be (think I've posted it already but meh):

Hayden
Katich
Ponting
Hussey
Clarke
Watson
Haddin
Lee
Clark
Bollinger
McGain