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***Official*** Sri Lanka in Australia 2012/2013
- Thread starter NUFAN
- Start date
flibbertyjibber
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That shows how bad both decisions were that at least one hit the pads.
Would imagine Aus will bat till then, depends what the weather forecast is like. Can always have a real dart once they are 250 in front to declare sooner.
wellAlbidarned
International Coach
Be a bloody long queue.
Neil Pickup
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Prince EWS
Global Moderator
Given the lack of alternatives at the moment I think he'll probably play the first Test in England unless he has a serious run of outs in this series. Even just getting starts would keep him in the team I'd say, rightly or wrongly. Ton against South Africa, a technique without major defensive flaws to keep people optimistic and an average in the 30s just about does it for an Australian top order player at the moment. It'd be nice to have higher standards but I think the selectors realise they'd just burn through heaps of young cricketers in a short period if they did; the quality just isn't there.
NUFAN
Y no Afghanistan flag
Not yet. He did just average above 45 against SA in the last Test and with the Big Bash on other bats are not currently getting an opportunity to push for Test selection.
A failure here and low scores at the G and he'll be playing for his future at the SCG.
flibbertyjibber
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Well they could go back to Watson opening?
Alarming lack of quality in the Aussie batting ranks though that guys averaging under 40 aren't under any real pressure for their place.
Briony
International Debutant
He doesn't look a long-term prospect. That debatable Morkel no ball in Brisbane was a big break for him though.
Prince EWS
Global Moderator
Watson's already in the team though. If you replace Cowan with Watson then you still need to replace Watson.
I'm not just talking about a lack of quality opening replacements; it's batting replacements in general. In fact most of the blokes on the fringes of selection are openers anyway. Unless they want to pick Cosgrove - and they don't - then I don't think there's anyone around who actually would do a better job than Cowan at the moment, especially looking forward to the Ashes. I don't think even think he's going to be Australia's worst batsman in that series, assuming he does play.
I don't think he's a long-term prospect either or even really a Test standard batsman in the short to medium term; he'll eventually be dropped with a 25-35 average and that's rubbish, but I just have no faith in the realistic alternatives at the moment. If I was picking the team I'd rather have Cosgrove or even Rogers playing but they aren't on the radar at all.
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NUFAN
Y no Afghanistan flag
Agree completely.
Khawaja and Maxwell are the two bats that I think the selectors will want to see perform once the Big Bash concludes. They'll come into contention if there is an injury or continued poor form. Maxwell might not get many chances if he plays OD/T20 for Australia.
Burgey
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Yes, we're all worried they might end up turning into Ian Bell.
Burgey
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Mate, Maxwell can't spell "defend".
NUFAN
Y no Afghanistan flag
I don't see that being a problem. There aren't many match situations that I can think of where spelling is a requirement. But yeah I get your point - said the selectors btw, not necessarily me.
Khawaja is definitely my preferred/next in line choice though.
flibbertyjibber
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What would you give for a guy averaging 45 though?
Burgey
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Certainly. I suppose they see Hughes opening long term. I hope khawaja makes it, don't get me wrong. Frankly, I'd prefer the incumbents and both Hufhes and Uzman over Watson opening. I know he's a better record there than the others but even in his pomp he seems incapable of scoring hundreds in the top order.
Think his best chance of pushing on to big scores is to come into bat at four down and belt it like Flintoff used to for England.
Burgey
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I wouldn't give you two bob for Bell. Not in a line up with an uncertain top three. Imagine him coming in at two or three for SFA all the time. You'd need the blokes in white costs to come and get him.