Shane Watson, you're a star

[Precambrian]

Ever since his trip to India, he has grown leaps and bounds as a bowler. Should be immense pressure on Roy to perform to keep his place.

 

[Speersy]

Takes 7/69 and then follows it up with an 81 vs SA. What a guy.

Haha thats awesome, couldnt have done much more. That 81 was off 83 balls also, think he only has one thing on his mind. Get back into the Australian team asap.
The worse thing is that I am a big Symo fan as well, would be perfect if they were both in the team, have to be at the expense of the spinner obviously. Could they both play at Perth? Do you need a spinner there?

 

[Richard]

Takes 7/69 and then follows it up with an 81 vs SA. What a guy.

Sheesh that bowling must be a career-best surely?

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

Sheesh that bowling must be a career-best surely?

Yeah easy. Only his 3rd FC 5. Both his other two were in the same match for Tassie a few years back.

 

[four_or_six]

Yeah easy. Only his 3rd FC 5. Both his other two were in the same match for Tassie a few years back.

On the same day even, I think.

 

[Top_Cat]

Don't mean to diminish the effort by Watto in the last few days but it's easier to play well/aggressively when you have anger as your motivation. As far as I'm concerned (and I'm boring myself on this point, really, that broken record image would be appropriate), he needs more runs and against the best attacks in the country. Because as far as the Test number 6 spot goes, it's not just a direct swap if Symonds' poor form continues, D Hussey, Hodge and others should be in the mix too (although his recent bowling form helps his cause a lot).

I know he's disappointed at not being in the Test side, and this is understandable. But, as far as his recent form with the bat goes, he shouldn't be surprised. Moaning to the press about being 'confused' about why he's not in the side isn't helpful. Should take a leaf out of Hayden's book who was ignored for years before being picked again; just harden up, go back to your state side and perform day-in, day-out until they can no longer afford to ignore you. Then, when picked, own the spot.

 

[four_or_six]

I don't think he really complained that much, I definitely saw a clip of him saying he hadn't scored enough runs. All he said was that it put more pressure on you if they were really going for horses-for-courses selection.

Anyway, I think if they were trying to introduce him into the team, he should have had one more test on a flat pitch against a weaker side before being dropped. As it was, Ponting said it was an 'back from injury-type replacement' to have Symonds back, in which case Watson just has to lump it.

It's just good to see him go back, take wickets and score runs. He can only do that against the side Qld happen to be playing against at the time. There's only one more 4-day game before ODI's start too.

 

[Top_Cat]

Watto has to take the long view too, though. Basically, in the eyes of the Aussies, Symonds is a worthwhile selection only while he's performing and it could be argued his current form trough is largely because he's been out of the side for a while. If that form continues and, say, Aus lose to or are pushed by SA, it becomes untenable and I doubt Symonds, if dropped, would be able to come back.

Watto's time will come and from what I've seen, it's really not far away. He'll just have to be patient.

 

[four_or_six]

Watto has to take the long view too, though. Basically, in the eyes of the Aussies, Symonds is a worthwhile selection while he's performing and it could be argued his current form trough is largely because he's been out of the side for a while. If that form continues and, say, Aus lose to or are pushed by SA, it becomes untenable and I doubt Symonds, if dropped, would be able to come back.

Watto's time will come and from what I've seen, it's really not far away. He'll just have to be patient.

Agreed, I'm sure he'll get a chance at some point soonish. He does appear a somewhat calmer personality then he used to be, so hopefully the patience is there.

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

Don't mean to diminish the effort by Watto in the last few days but it's easier to play well/aggressively when you have anger as your motivation. As far as I'm concerned (and I'm boring myself on this point, really, that broken record image would be appropriate), he needs more runs and against the best attacks in the country. Because as far as the Test number 6 spot goes, it's not just a direct swap if Symonds' poor form continues, D Hussey, Hodge and others should be in the mix too (although his recent bowling form helps his cause a lot).

I know he's disappointed at not being in the Test side, and this is understandable. But, as far as his recent form with the bat goes, he shouldn't be surprised. Moaning to the press about being 'confused' about why he's not in the side isn't helpful. Should take a leaf out of Hayden's book who was ignored for years before being picked again; just harden up, go back to your state side and perform day-in, day-out until they can no longer afford to ignore you. Then, when picked, own the spot.

Next time you post this, can you just paste the link so we all know not to read it?

 

[Top_Cat]

Next time you post this, can you just paste the link so we all know not to read it?

CBF, tbh.

 

[Richard]

Jeez, cba to capitalise certain acronyms and can be arsed to capitalise others. TBH, that's extremely poor form imo, and FTR I might say that atm I'm scratching my head at the senselessness of it. But BTW, I might just end-up thinking wtf? Oh well, I DWTA, strongly, ffs just show some consistency.

 

[howardj]

Agree with Craddock here. My strong view is that Watson should play instead of Symonds against South Africa. Any number of guys around Australia are batsmen who can bowl a bit, as Symonds is. By contrast, guys who can hold their own as a genuine bowler and bat at number six are as rare as hen's teeth. I think Symonds' abilities are being exaggerated because he missed the losing tour of India - ie if only Symonds was there would have won etc. If you're not prepared to nuture someone who can bowl like Watson and averages 45 with the bat in FC cricket, then who are you prepared to nurture?

 

[four_or_six]

Agree with Craddock here. My strong view is that Watson should play instead of Symonds against South Africa. Any number of guys around Australia are batsmen who can bowl a bit, as Symonds is. By contrast, guys who can hold their own as a genuine bowler and bat at number six are as rare as hen's teeth. I think Symonds' abilities are being exaggerated because he missed the losing tour of India - ie if only Symonds was there would have won etc. If you're not prepared to nuture someone who can bowl like Watson and averages 45 with the bat in FC cricket, then who are you prepared to nurture?

Symonds, apparently.

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,24735400-23212,00.html

 

[Richard]

We've always known Ponting has this Symonds fixation. He's had Umpires make it look like he was inspired to always believe in him as a Test batsman, hopefully he'll get his way long enough for SA to make a complete fool of Symonds and show how poor he really is at Test batting.

 

[aussie]

Agree with Craddock here. My strong view is that Watson should play instead of Symonds against South Africa. Any number of guys around Australia are batsmen who can bowl a bit, as Symonds is. By contrast, guys who can hold their own as a genuine bowler and bat at number six are as rare as hen's teeth. I think Symonds' abilities are being exaggerated because he missed the losing tour of India - ie if only Symonds was there would have won etc. If you're not prepared to nuture someone who can bowl like Watson and averages 45 with the bat in FC cricket, then who are you prepared to nurture?

Thats may have been overexaggerated yea. But you can't doubt that Symonds coming in @ 6 gives Australia that counter-attacking dimension that is needed now that Gilchrist is gone.

Look it by no means clear cut, i would love to have both of them in the team ATM.

 

[aussie]

We've always known Ponting has this Symonds fixation. He's had Umpires make it look like he was inspired to always believe in him as a Test batsman, hopefully he'll get his way long enough for SA to make a complete fool of Symonds and show how poor he really is at Test batting.

yo put a cork on your ideologies man, damn son..

 

[Richard]

Nah.

 

[Mister Wright]

Yeah easy. Only his 3rd FC 5. Both his other two were in the same match for Tassie a few years back.

Ironically, I think it was against QLD.

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

Ironically, I think it was against QLD.

Yeah I think it was. He decimated them.