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*Official Third Test at Edgbaston

GIMH

Norwood's on Fire
Phil Hughes on twitter said:
Disappointed not to be on the field with the lads today, will be supporting the guys, it's a BIG test match 4 us. Thanks 4 all the support!
.
 

BoyBrumby

Englishman
I'm still not convinced Watto will open, reckon he might slip to 4 and Huss might move up, just quietly. No article I've read so far confirms that he'll actually open.
Would surely be the way to go. Hussey averages roughly 55 as an opener whereas Watson could hardly buy a run when he had a crack for QLD.

On Hughes, I dont have a problem with his omission as I'm not a fan of his technique
Me neither, but presumably the selectors were well acquainted with it and it wasn't seen as an issue when he was carting the SA attack a few months back. Yes, he has a quirky techique and yes he has issues with fast, short-pitched stuff but this can't be news to the selectors, surely? If it is one wonders what they've had their heads stuck and if it isn't why only give the boy three innings before the "thanks, but no thanks"?

This is the other side of the coin. But it's the middle of an Ashes series and they're 1-0 down so it's no time to be thinking of potential long-term damage to a 20-year-old prospect. It could just easily help the guy's progress to take time out of the team and work on his technique.
I agree with your point about ruthlessness, but where is their consistency? What has Johnson done to warrant the selectors' largesse that Hughes hasn't? Hughes career FC figures are more impressive and has performed in English conditions in the very recent past.

If Johnson has been retained because he's a genuine #8 it's wrong-headed IMHO & I'd refer the jury to PEWS's "Agarkar Law".
 

Pizzorno

State Vice-Captain
It'd be hilarious if Ponting won the toss and chose to bat first in an attempt to erase the mistake of the last time he was at Edgbaston, only to then get bowled out for less than 200. I'm sure the man would never want to step foot in Birmingham again.

Not going to happen though obviously.
 

Uppercut

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I agree with your point about ruthlessness, but where is their consistency? What has Johnson done to warrant the selectors' largesse that Hughes hasn't? Hughes career FC figures are more impressive and has performed in English conditions in the very recent past.

If Johnson has been retained because he's a genuine #8 it's wrong-headed IMHO & I'd refer the jury to PEWS's "Agarkar Law".
Johnson shouldn't be retained.

Now that we've got over it, can we please move on to judging a completely different selectorial decision on its merit?
 

Demolition Man

State Vice-Captain
It'd be hilarious if Ponting won the toss and chose to bat first in an attempt to erase the mistake of the last time he was at Edgbaston, only to then get bowled out for less than 200. I'm sure the man would never want to step foot in Birmingham again.

Not going to happen though obviously.
Yeah, no way he will win the toss.
 

BoyBrumby

Englishman
Johnson shouldn't be retained.

Now that we've got over it, can we please move on to judging a completely different selectorial decision on its merit?
Merit? It has very little I can see. Just because I agree that players' feelings shouldn't be an over-riding consideration doesn't mean the call doesn't stink.

Dumping a specialist opener who averages over 50 in FC & test cricket for a bloke who averages less than 20 in tests and couldn't buy a run when he's been tried as an opener? Even allowing for Hughes's technical quirks it's a ****ing howler.
 

Nate

You'll Never Walk Alone
Nah, still not completely against it. Watson is a very good player against pace, particularly against short-pitched bowling. It's a gamble for sure, but a positive one for mine.
 

Uppercut

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Don't agree, but at least you're not following the, "the decision on Johnson was a bad one, and this decision is the opposite of Johnson's, therefore it's also a bad one" line.
 

Woodster

International Captain
The weather looks sh**e with no signs of improving. The lovely Lucy said showers will be passing through during the morning and the afternoon should give way to spells of sunshine. The problem being the amount of water that this ground has already taken, it cannot afford to take much more or we can kiss goodbye to the first day's play and an entirely wasted day off work!!

So disappointing that the bleeding weather should ruin such a sporting spectacle! Typical of the weather over here!!So annoying.
 

Woodster

International Captain
Nah, still not completely against it. Watson is a very good player against pace, particularly against short-pitched bowling. It's a gamble for sure, but a positive one for mine.
Can't see anything good in selecting Watson to open the innings. It's not like Australia have no options for a back-up opener, if they hadn't you could understand an experiment with a player like Watson.
 

FaaipDeOiad

Hall of Fame Member
Haven't read any of the discussion here yet, but I'll go on record as saying that I don't think it's a bad decision to pick Watson, or to have him open. I think having Hussey open and batting Watson at 4 would probably be a better choice but it's understandable if the selectors don't want to displace Hussey with his somewhat shaky form etc.

I wouldn't be surprised if Watson did reasonably well opening the batting, he's got a good technique and he's such a huge confidence player that throwing him in there against the new ball might do him a world of good. In the modern era opening isn't that different from batting down the order anyway.

To put it another way, if you're going to pick Watson, and the only choices are to have him open or bat at 6 or 7, I think he's better off opening. He's the last of the Australian top order batsmen I'd want stuck with the tail, while Hussey has done very well down the order in general.
 

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