Michael Hussey – Is his time up?

[Pigeon]

After his duck. I really can't see Hussey holding his place for the home summer.

Unless he does a Laxman in the second innings, which looks remote.

 

[Prince EWS]

Yeah, Hussey's only chance of retaining his place is to score a match-saving ton in the second innings IMO.

 

[NUFAN]

I agree, but who would you replace him with?

Phil Hughes opening and Watson averaging less then 30 somewhere down the order?

Phil Jaques or Brad Hodge the other contenders possibly..

 

[Matt79]

Watson would be averaging 40+ since coming back into the team, so I see no problem with them trying him at 4. Would Katich want to try 4 maybe?

 

[NUFAN]

Watson would be averaging 40+ since coming back into the team, so I see no problem with them trying him at 4. Would Katich want to try 4 maybe?

I still have some doubts about Watson's ability as a top 6 batsman in Test Cricket.

I doubt Kato would want to risk being the number one opener to the middler order.

I wonder if the selectors would consider Callum Ferguson coming in with Clarke and North moving up a spot each.

 

[Matt79]

Well, given he's actually averaged 50 with the bat so far since returning to the team in a position that suits him, I'd think you'd need to at least give him some more chances to prove the issue one way or another.

 

[NUFAN]

Well, given he's actually averaged 50 with the bat so far since returning to the team in a position that suits him, I'd think you'd need to at least give him some more chances to prove the issue one way or another.

Why was Phil Hughes dropped then when he was averaging over 50 and had shown that he could convert a start.

Brad Hodge averages over 50 and Jaques is around 50 too, is Watto a better bat then both of these guys in your opinion?

 

[aussie]

I agree, but who would you replace him with?

Phil Hughes opening and Watson averaging less then 30 somewhere down the order?

Phil Jaques or Brad Hodge the other contenders possibly..

I'm split between bringing back Hughes to open & dropping Watson down to 4 - and keeping Watson opening & bringing Hodge in @ 4.

 

[Pigeon]

I still have some doubts about Watson's ability as a top 6 batsman in Test Cricket.

I doubt Kato would want to risk being the number one opener to the middler order.

I wonder if the selectors would consider Callum Ferguson coming in with Clarke and North moving up a spot each.

I actually agree with this. Ferguson now stands a reasonably good chance considering his excellent run in ODIs. He surely can take the pressure. But how's he been in the domestic circuit?

 

[Matt79]

Why was Phil Hughes dropped then when he was averaging over 50 and had shown that he could convert a start.

Brad Hodge averages over 50 and Jaques is around 50 too, is Watto a better bat then both of these guys in your opinion?

Phil Hughes was dropped, imo, because a glaring deficiency in his game had been ruthlessly exposed. He needs to work on it and then he'll be back. Jaques lost his spot through injury, and that gave other guys a chance to push in front of him through FC performances. Hodge's dropping was a terrible decision that I still think was a big mistake, but that's several years in the past now and I'd say his time is past.

Just because they made a mistake with Hodge, is no grounds to drop Watson. Just because they saw a problem with Hughes is no reason to drop Watson. There is no reason to drop Watson until he does something to merit being dropped, or in extremity, until someone does something truly startling to demand a spot ahead of him. Jaques hasn't played in ages, and Hughes' last performances were poor. If he goes back to NSW and plunders 6 centures at 200 before the next test series then fair enough.

 

[aussie]

I actually agree with this. Ferguson now stands a reasonably good chance considering his excellent run in ODIs. He surely can take the pressure. But how's he been in the domestic circuit?

He is still the king of beautiful starts & getting out. Dont think he is ready for test cricket just yet.

 

[NUFAN]

I actually agree with this. Ferguson now stands a reasonably good chance considering his excellent run in ODIs. He surely can take the pressure. But how's he been in the domestic circuit?

I wouldn't bring in Ferguson but I think the selectors will consider him. Ferguson averaged 42 last year playing for South Australia, Graham Manou averaged 46.

 

[aussie]

Phil Hughes was dropped, imo, because a glaring deficiency in his game had been ruthlessly exposed. He needs to work on it and then he'll be back. Jaques lost his spot through injury, and that gave other guys a chance to push in front of him through FC performances. Hodge's dropping was a terrible decision that I still think was a big mistake, but that's several years in the past now and I'd say his time is past.

Just because they made a mistake with Hodge, is no grounds to drop Watson. Just because they saw a problem with Hughes is no reason to drop Watson. There is no reason to drop Watson until he does something to merit being dropped, or in extremity, until someone does something truly startling to demand a spot ahead of him. Jaques hasn't played in ages, and Hughes' last performances were poor. If he goes back to NSW and plunders 6 centures at 200 before the next test series then fair enough.

WI or PAK dont have a bowler to expose Hughes like Flintoff though, so i dont have a problem with him coming right back in - if Hussey fails in the second innings.

But as i said I'm split between bringing back Hughes to open & dropping Watson down to 4 - and keeping Watson opening & bringing Hodge in @ 4. Reality would tell Us its 90% unlikely the selectors will go for option 2 in Hodge.

So i think D Hussey has a good chance of being picked as well or MAYBE also Katich going down to 4 again & Jaques opening if he starts well for NSW.

 

[NUFAN]

Phil Hughes was dropped, imo, because a glaring deficiency in his game had been ruthlessly exposed. He needs to work on it and then he'll be back. Jaques lost his spot through injury, and that gave other guys a chance to push in front of him through FC performances. Hodge's dropping was a terrible decision that I still think was a big mistake, but that's several years in the past now and I'd say his time is past.

Just because they made a mistake with Hodge, is no grounds to drop Watson. Just because they saw a problem with Hughes is no reason to drop Watson. There is no reason to drop Watson until he does something to merit being dropped, or in extremity, until someone does something truly startling to demand a spot ahead of him. Jaques hasn't played in ages, and Hughes' last performances were poor. If he goes back to NSW and plunders 6 centures at 200 before the next test series then fair enough.

I think Watson has a glaring deficiency also. He is so prone to missing deliveries that are hitting the stumps which is kind of a big problem, more so then Hughes problem against the short ball.

Actually just looking on Statsguru and Watson has been out LBW 8 times and Bowled 4 times in 17 innings, the stats don't lie, Watson has a 'glaring deficiency'.

You are right Jaques doesn't deserve a spot at the moment, but if he finds decent form for NSW I would be very tempted to bring him back into the Aus lineup.

 

[Pigeon]

I think Watson has a glaring deficiency also. He is so prone to missing deliveries that are hitting the stumps which is kind of a big problem, more so then Hughes problem against the short ball.

Actually just looking on Statsguru and Watson has been out LBW 8 times and Bowled 4 times in 17 innings, the stats don't lie, Watson has a 'glaring deficiency'.

You are right Jaques doesn't deserve a spot at the moment, but if he finds decent form for NSW I would be very tempted to bring him back into the Aus lineup.

Well in the case that Ferguson is not ready yet, I think the logical step will be to drop Katich/Watson down the order and bring in Hughes.

 

[NUFAN]

Well in the case that Ferguson is not ready yet, I think the logical step will be to drop Katich/Watson down the order and bring in Hughes.

A couple of days ago their was discussion about whether or not Ponting would ever drop himself down the order. If it was to ever happen now would be the ideal time.

I hope NSW get a game or two with all Australian players to chose from. I would love to see the batting order for Jaques, Hughes, Katich, Watson and Clarke.

Going back to Hussey, does anyone think he should stay in the team? His problem, should he get dropped is that no amount of runs for his state is going to convince anyone that he should be back in the Test Team because he is still currently making heaps of runs in other first class matches.

 

[Pigeon]

A couple of days ago their was discussion about whether or not Ponting would ever drop himself down the order. If it was to ever happen now would be the ideal time.

I hope NSW get a game or two with all Australian players to chose from. I would love to see the batting order for Jaques, Hughes, Katich, Watson and Clarke.

Going back to Hussey, does anyone think he should stay in the team? His problem, should he get dropped is that no amount of runs for his state is going to convince anyone that he should be back in the Test Team because he is still currently making heaps of runs in other first class matches.

Hussey clearly looks past it mate. He was NEVER a domestic giant in Australia. It just helped that he got everything in his favor in his first few years in test cricket, namely, lots of home matches, flat decks, great batsmen around him so less pressure, mediocre attacks to deal with, and of course that he was into his peak form.

3 seasons of mediocre performances are enough in my opinion to have a judgement about him. It is not bad form either because, he's getting runs in domestic games, and starts in tests as well. It's just that he is past it.

 

[aussie]

Hussey clearly looks past it mate. He was NEVER a domestic giant in Australia. .

Yes he was. Although he was a bit better in ENG.

It just helped that he got everything in his favor in his first few years in test cricket, namely, lots of home matches, flat decks, great batsmen around him so less pressure, mediocre attacks to deal with, and of course that he was into his peak form.

Not totally. He had testing attacks at the very start of his career vs SA 05/06 & he handled those pressure situations very well. In the last 10 months he has just suddenly forgot where is off-stump is in tests - very odd.

3 seasons of mediocre performances are enough in my opinion to have a judgement about him. It is not bad form either because, he's getting runs in domestic games, and starts in tests as well. It's just that he is past it.

Its has only been 10 months he has looked bad in test, not 3 seasons. I agree he probably is passed his best in test to a level.

 

[aussie]

Going back to Hussey, does anyone think he should stay in the team? His problem, should he get dropped is that no amount of runs for his state is going to convince anyone that he should be back in the Test Team because he is still currently making heaps of runs in other first class matches.

Its unlikely he would return if dropped. He is already 34, he would have to continue to make runs for years - plus his replacements would have to fail, which i dnt see happening.

But again he still could save his career with a top second innings performance like Hayden in 05 - presuming AUS bowl ENG out for a managable target to chase of course.

 

[TT Boy]

Yes he was. Although he was a bit better in ENG.

A bit? Hussey's average in England is comfortably over 60. In Aus, a mere 42. Not the stats of a 'giant'...