*Official* Third Test at the WACA

[howardj]

Dwta

That made that mistake with Watson - batting him at seven below Gilly just because he could bowl!!!

 

[howardj]

And youll find that the keepers dont want to bat at six.

They like the freedom and lack of responsiblity at seven.

 

[Woodster]

I may be overly harsh on Smith, but have not been impressed by either his bowling or batting, not that I'm any kind of expert. His record looks impressive, and I guess the old adage of not how but how many is a pertinent one with Smith. Just don't think it's the right time for him, yet shows a lack of options. With Watson in the side in theory that should give the side balance to select a strong top 7, now I appreciate there's a lack of options, but wouldn't have thought Smith is one of the best batsmen in the country yet.

 

[Woodster]

And youll find that the keepers dont want to bat at six.

They like the freedom and lack of responsiblity at seven.

Not sure about that, bit of a generalisation suggesting keepers don't like batting there. Reckon Prior would jump at the chance, and had Australia not had such a strong top six when Gilchrist was around, he'd have relished a move up, even just a place.

 

[NUFAN]

Yeah I've made my thoughts clear on Smith at 6, but I hope he does very well still even if I'm proven wrong.

Has anyone seen the commercial on fox 8 for the show Cricket Superstar, i wonder if it's on TV a few months after filming ended and Michael Beer was the winner, haha *dry*

 

[howardj]

I may be overly harsh on Smith, but have not been impressed by either his bowling or batting, not that I'm any kind of expert. His record looks impressive, and I guess the old adage of not how but how many is a pertinent one with Smith. Just don't think it's the right time for him, yet shows a lack of options. With Watson in the side in theory that should give the side balance to select a strong top 7, now I appreciate there's a lack of options, but wouldn't have thought Smith is one of the best batsmen in the country yet.

Mate, you're right - he definitely needs to improve in one or both disciplines to be a long term player. However, I think as do many folk here in Australia, that he has the raw potential and scope for that improvement.

Time will be the judge, I guess.

 

[Howe_zat]

And youll find that the keepers dont want to bat at six.

They like the freedom and lack of responsiblity at seven.

Depends on the player really, Prior for example is a batsman first, keeper second and often bats #5 for Sussex.

 

[NUFAN]

Depends on the player really, Prior for example is a batsman first, keeper second and often bats #5 for Sussex.

Yeah Haddin bats at around 5 often for NSW. In fact, the last time Haddin and Smith played together for NSW B Haddin was at 6, S Smith was at 7.

So I completely disagree with Howardj again.

 

[howardj]

It would confuse Smith to bat him at seven

He wants to bat at six

Haddin is a free wheeling player at seven

 

[Woodster]

Mate, you're right - he definitely needs to improve in one or both disciplines to be a long term player. However, I think as do many folk here in Australia, that he has the raw potential and scope for that improvement.

Time will be the judge, I guess.

I think it just shows where Australia are right now. If they actually planned to persevere with him it would be something, but you get the impression that a bad game here and he may be discarded again for Melbourne. Smith will know that and may find it difficult to perform knowing he has a short time to make an impression.

 

[Woodster]

It would confuse Smith to bat him at seven

He wants to bat at six

Haddin is a free wheeling player at seven

If that's the case not sure he's ready for Test cricket at all if he's going to be confused by batting at 7. He's a kid that should be honoured to play Test cricket at this stage, he's in no position to suggest he wants to bat in any specific position!

 

[NUFAN]

If that's the case not sure he's ready for Test cricket at all if he's going to be confused by batting at 7. He's a kid that should be honoured to play Test cricket at this stage, he's in no position to suggest he wants to bat in any specific position!

AWTA completely.

 

[howardj]

If that's the case not sure he's ready for Test cricket at all if he's going to be confused by batting at 7. He's a kid that should be honoured to play Test cricket at this stage, he's in no position to suggest he wants to bat in any specific position!

YOu've got to know your role.

At seven, you feel like a bits and pieces player.

You just do.

Look at Watson.

 

[howardj]

If there's any time Haddin should have been batting at six, it was when the walking wicket Marcus North was in the team.

 

[Jarquis]

He's been picked as a bits and pieces player tbf

 

[howardj]

YOu've got to know cricketers, and how they feel about batting in certain positions.

Yes, I grant you, Haddin is at the moment the better batsman. This does not mean he should bat at six.

You need to have a feel for the game.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Anyway, eight wickets in the just-completed Shield match, and a breezy 48 not out in the 2nd innings. What more do people want from a 21 year old punk! He's going to be a star, Steve Smith.

He may be in time but he certainly isn't ready as a bowler for test cricket yet. Might be the best way to find out though as a few years down the line we still haven't picked Rashid and he has a far better record than Smith.

 

[Jarquis]

Well CA had no care for that when they batted him below Tim Paine. He'll be fine at 7.

 

[Woodster]

I appreciate just because Haddin is the better batsmen he shouldn't necessarily have to bat at six, for the balance of the side in certain circumstances you do have to integrate lesser experienced players into the line-up. It has been said that England believe they get Australia six down, they'll soon be all out, that could become five down if Smith was at seven. So leaving Haddin at seven makes a little sense in that respect. I think Haddin is a very good batsman, and one we are right to be wary of for the rest of this series, and his experience of batting with the tail may be beneficial. But despite all this, still can't help but think there are better options for Australia as a number 6 batsman than Smith.

 

[GotSpin]

This is going to be one series I'd like to forget quickly