aussie
Hall of Fame Member
Not that big, it depends on what conditions they bowl in IMO.
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*Official* West Indies In Australia
- Thread starter James
- Start date
Top_Cat
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Midge Johnson would be a more convincing opener.
Okay seriously, Watto is actually a toughie for mine. See, he might not be that suited to opening but watching him play spin is, well...... hilarious.
Mind you, Freddie found a way to play spin fairly well so if he can, Watto can. Just gotta be a bit patient with him I guess.
Burgey
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Nate
You'll Never Walk Alone
What did he do wrong at the Gabba?
Andre
International Regular
I'm happy to admit he made runs at the Gabba - infact, I'd love to see him make a heap of runs cause I think he is a qualty player and even better bloke.
But to me, and it could just be a gut feeling, the way he has been making the runs in Test cricket suggests he is no longer sure of himself as a player in the longer form of the game. Plus, it's not to say he isn't in the top 6 bats in the country, but we do need to make a call on who will open long term for the next Ashes etc. and beyond. The time is now to make that call realistically.
Put it this way - we need to make a tough decision on who out of Hussey, Watson and North play next summer now so we have some preparation. In my opinion (and I'm happy to preface this by saying it is opinion only) I can't see all 3 making the Ashes to be honest, as Watson needs to bat in the middle order - the way the side is balanced now, his bowling is crucial so we need him to be just as fit for that as batting. North has more credit than Hussey and looks a more certain Test cricketer at this stage.
I reckon Hussey is a ripper fella and I would love to see him succeed. But I just can't see him making the runs we need in the middle order over the next 18 months. Watson has also become so valuable that he needs to bat in the middle.
We need to make a long-term call on who Katich's opening partner will be with the next 2 years in mind. I just don't see Hussey being around much longer to be honest.
But to me, and it could just be a gut feeling, the way he has been making the runs in Test cricket suggests he is no longer sure of himself as a player in the longer form of the game. Plus, it's not to say he isn't in the top 6 bats in the country, but we do need to make a call on who will open long term for the next Ashes etc. and beyond. The time is now to make that call realistically.
Put it this way - we need to make a tough decision on who out of Hussey, Watson and North play next summer now so we have some preparation. In my opinion (and I'm happy to preface this by saying it is opinion only) I can't see all 3 making the Ashes to be honest, as Watson needs to bat in the middle order - the way the side is balanced now, his bowling is crucial so we need him to be just as fit for that as batting. North has more credit than Hussey and looks a more certain Test cricketer at this stage.
I reckon Hussey is a ripper fella and I would love to see him succeed. But I just can't see him making the runs we need in the middle order over the next 18 months. Watson has also become so valuable that he needs to bat in the middle.
We need to make a long-term call on who Katich's opening partner will be with the next 2 years in mind. I just don't see Hussey being around much longer to be honest.
aussie
Hall of Fame Member
On point. Some tough decisions have to be made on what roles North, Hussey & Watson have to do for real. Based on this looking ahead to Ashes next year the team then should probably be:
Jaques
Hughes
Ponting
Katich
Clarke
Watson
Haddin
Johnson
Krejza
Siddle
Hilfenhaus
Katich is really the best man to go @ 4 tbf if Hussey does get dropped. His versatility is superb, i dont think it would affect his game on ioata if he suddenly went back into the middle-order. Dont want to move Clarke from # 5 either.
Watson safest position as all-rounder is @ 6 in this hectic modern day scheduling, plus with is injury record. Thus North will have to be "Hodged" regardless of his good start. Watto has the potential to bat @ 4 one day though.
Plus a natural opening pair & yes i prefer Krejza to Hauritz in tests.
Furball
Evil Scotsman
All of whom have a far more pressing case for opening than Watson does.
Mr Mxyzptlk
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I really don't think an extra 30 minutes would have made the difference, at the end of the day.
Top_Cat
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Honestly don't see why NSW are bragging about their alleged embarrassment of opening bat riches. The only one to score a ton opening the batting this year for NSW is, you guessed it, Kateesh.
And, as much as I don't think Watto is a long-term opener, you can't fault him too much for a few Test 50's and one near-ton when none of the others have come close to matching that at a lower level against demonstrably weaker bowling attacks.
Jaques in particular, as far as I'm concerned, should be nowhere near Test selection without a 1000-run season. Chris Rogers' age keeps getting brought up as a reason to not select him when Jaques is only a year and change behind him. I know a Vic batsman won't be selected because of the ban but if I see Jaques or Hughes name seriously mentioned in selection, I'll scream.
And, as much as I don't think Watto is a long-term opener, you can't fault him too much for a few Test 50's and one near-ton when none of the others have come close to matching that at a lower level against demonstrably weaker bowling attacks.
Jaques in particular, as far as I'm concerned, should be nowhere near Test selection without a 1000-run season. Chris Rogers' age keeps getting brought up as a reason to not select him when Jaques is only a year and change behind him. I know a Vic batsman won't be selected because of the ban but if I see Jaques or Hughes name seriously mentioned in selection, I'll scream.
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AlanJLegend
U19 Vice-Captain
Might as well replace Krejza with Hauritz and call them NSW.
Nate
You'll Never Walk Alone
Because that makes sense...
How do people think Hauritz performed on what was a turning track?
Mr Mxyzptlk
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I think Hauritz's day one performance was over-rated, and he was obviously outbowled by Benn in the match, but he certainly bowled better than his figures suggested. Still never looked particularly threatening.
Riggins
International Captain
That is exactly the team I would be playing, very in favour of the move of katich to 4. (except the top 7 all being from NSW is quite disconcerting). Massive props for that post.
Andre
International Regular
I know he didn't take wickets, but I actually thought he bowled well - one of the better spells from a finger spinner that went without reward.
The thing about Hauritz is that he isn't in the team to run through the opposition - his job is well defined to tie up and end and create pressure. Any ground in Australia is virtually a graveyard for finger spinners unless they get massive rip or bounce of which he gets neither.
Until Krejza runs through sides domestically he shouldn't be considered. Got a feeling he won't be playing for Australia again any time soon (if ever) anyway.
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