Watson - not good enoughWatson, Clarke, Harris?
Sorry didn't realise that this was only from 2 test teams. Thought it was World XI. He would have to probably make it in that case. Can't ignore most of South Africa's players.It's touch and go with him, but even disregarding from, he still has plenty of runs at around 50 per go. It's pretty damn hard for side to have two specialist openers better than that. A few months ago India might not have let him in, but that's about it.
Really good team, but I would have AB or Boucher as keeper instead of Haddin.Australia/South Africa
Smith
Watson
Amla
Kallis
Clarke
Hussey/de Villiers
Haddin
Steyn
Harris
Morkel
Tahir
Would pick this team too. Clarke capt, obvs, which is what gets him the nod over the Muss.I'd definitely pick Watson in a combined England/Australia side. There's not just picking a fifth bowling option for the sake of it if you have a strong four-man attack, and there's just flat out denying the role has any value at all. Strauss is hardly one of the world's leading batsmen in any rate.
Cook
Watson
Trott
Pietersen
Clarke
Bell
Prior
Bresnan
Broad
Swann
Anderson
Managing to leave Tremlett and Harris out is pretty cool.
It's got some value in it, but listening to what some of the England players have to say about Strauss' leadership qualities, I wouldn't be willing to sacrifice that for a player who doesn't really represent a batting upgrade.I'd definitely pick Watson in a combined England/Australia side. There's not just picking a fifth bowling option for the sake of it if you have a strong four-man attack, and there's just flat out denying the role has any value at all. Strauss is hardly one of the world's leading batsmen in any rate.
Cook
Watson
Trott
Pietersen
Clarke
Bell
Prior
Bresnan
Broad
Swann
Anderson
Managing to leave Tremlett and Harris out is pretty cool.
If I was particularly keen on Strauss's captaincy then I'd still pick Watson and drop either Pietersen or Clarke.It's got some value in it, but listening to what some of the England players have to say about Strauss' leadership qualities, I wouldn't be willing to sacrifice that for a player who doesn't really represent a batting upgrade.
I most certainly wouldn't do either. Watson's excellence as a 5th bowler doesn't IMO compensate for losing either of those two who are both superior with the bat and in another league when it comes to playing spin. They're both better fielders than Watson and aren't a liability when it comes to running.If I was particularly keen on Strauss's captaincy then I'd still pick Watson and drop either Pietersen or Clarke.
Dougeh is so gun we went and cloned him.New Zealand and Australia
McCullum
Guptill
Williamson
Taylor
Ryder
Bracewell
Vettori
Young
Southee
Bracewell
Boult
Personally wouldn't have Clarke in my side, obviously he's just come off the back of a great knock but apart from that has been poor with that bat for quite some time and like you say, he's not been as good as the players you mention over the past year or so.Watson - not good enough
Clarke - not better than Trott, Pietersen, Bell or Hussey
Harris - too injury prone