Australia Announce New Captain and Vice Captain

[Mike5181]

He probably won't be asked to do a huge amount as vice captain especially with players like Ponting and Hussey still around for Clarke to turn to. If Clarke gets injured and he is captain that will be interesting though.

 

[four_or_six]

I wonder how much Haddin really gets on with Clarke, and he has seemed a bit agitated with things in the media recently. With Watto, I reckon Clarke can be certain that Watto's 100% behind him.

Also, I reckon Watto is actually quite smart tactically. Certainly with bowling, he has recently come on when the front line bowlers were going all over the place and shown them where and how to bowl, which they've then copied and got wickets.

 

[iamdavid]

I can see the merit in giving Watson the VC job, given he's our best player and there was no real alternative. But he has never at any stage struck me as the leadership type. Tactically and technically I'm sure he's pretty good, but his character and the sort of mentality he often displays under pressure...Look at his repeated blow ups once he hit that mental roadblock in the nervous 90's last summer...and the ugly incident with Chris Gayle in Perth.

He's too snipey and he too often wears his heart on his sleeve. Just not leadership material imo, and this is coming from a long time Watson fan. He's never been earmarked as a leader at any level previously, and he's also too valuable as a player to risk burdening him with leadership and potentially compromising his performance.

 

[GIMH]

Yes, yes, there's always one.

Watto was aways highly rated on this forum tbf. I was surprised to learn it wasn't the general Australian consensus.

That being said, there was outcry IIRC at him replacing Phil Hughes at Edgbaston, from both Aussies and Richard.

If I know Richard though, I imagine he would still class it as an error/poor selectorial decision

 

[benchmark00]

Most Australian's who are actually learned on the game have always rated Watson as a player. It should be distinguished from the people who doubted he could have a good career due to injuries though.

 

[iamdavid]

Watto was aways highly rated on this forum tbf. I was surprised to learn it wasn't the general Australian consensus.

In terms of pure cricketing ability I think he's always been highly rated by the majority of Australian cricket followers. It was just the perception that he cared as much about his hair as his batting and the fact he'd break down on a monthly basis and just came across as a bit of a whinger. Everyone always knew he could play, they just didn't like him.

 

[Noble One]

Most Australian's who are actually learned on the game have always rated Watson as a player. It should be distinguished from the people who doubted he could have a good career due to injuries though.

Pretty much spot on. You would need to have your head in the sand to ignore the talent of Watson before 2009. He was averaging 50+ in Shield cricket despite all the injuries and was often in the top five or six fastest bowlers in the country. The Watson of 2005 / 2006 was just as capable as the current version. He simply couldn't string two games together back then.

 

[Kylez]

If only someone was releasing some form of written report or essay which addresses or comments on these issues...

 

[Spark]

I never said that people didn't think he was talented tbf. But it's hard to rate someone who can't actually play.

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

Thought I told you to gagf, c.

 

[Jono]

I'm a known Watson hater (rate him like hell as a player, but he ****s me with his antics), but he deserves the vice-captaincy. Has played his heart out his whole career, especially in the last two years.

Also agree with whoever said Watson looks like he'd be good tactics wise. His bowling reaks of "figuring players out". It could transform into strategy and field settings.

Wish him the best. Same with Clarkeeeeeeey. Not fans of these two blokes, but they deserve this opportunity.

 

[Pup Clarke]

I'm a known Watson hater (rate him like hell as a player, but he ****s me with his antics), but he deserves the vice-captaincy. Has played his heart out his whole career, especially in the last two years.

I'm sorry, I may be missing something here, but I can't remember many Watson 'antics' so to speak of.

 

[Jono]

Well you haven't watched much of Watson from 2008 and 2009 then.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fi4czgF_bXA

Been much better lately, and kudos to him for that.

 

[Furball]

IMO Gayle would have been within his rights to wrap his bat round Watson's face.

Was utterly embarrasing.

 

[Jono]

So embarrassing that Ponting had to immediately have a word to him.

Anyway, past is the past. Was just shocked someone could actually think Watson hasn't had behavioural issues. I'm sure Watson himself would be the first to admit it.

 

[Ikki]

Always rated Watson. If he hadn't broken down so often and have to change his game he would have made Jacques Kallis look human. Seriously had the tools to be the best all-rounder ever IMO - 50+ with bat and -30 with the ball.

 

[Jono]

How different is Watson's bowling action now compared to 2004/5?

 

[Ikki]

I can't remember that far back TBH but it looks very similar - I don't really pay attention to bowling actions that closely to comment. However, he is bowling some 10-20 kph less these days. Would regularly get in the 140s IIRC. Could bowl more overs too.

 

[Top_Cat]

IMO Gayle would have been within his rights to wrap his bat round Watson's face.

Was utterly embarrasing.

Only because it was so girly. Gayle was probably more likely to want to **** him than slap him after that.

 

[howardj]

I like your little essay there, Western Warrior.

It's a big thing to publish, and have your work exposed to the public at large.

My review is very thorough too, and importantly contains recommendations.