Ruckus
International Captain
Watson is just too top heavy. Fast bowlers aren't meant to be built like powerlifters.
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Solving the Watson conundrum
- Thread starter Spark
- Start date
Arachnodouche
International Captain
Least favourite player to watch in the current Aus set up. His batting feels rigid and one dimensional, and his bowling always carries a forced, constipated, stiff-limbed vibe about it.
Red
The normal awards that everyone else has
I actually love watching him bowl. Really enjoy it. He's a clever bowler. But his batting is ordinary to watch.
In limited over cricket he's great to watch, needs to smack it round.
Ruckus
International Captain
When he is in form, I think his batting is pretty glorious to watch.
The Shane Watson Cover Drive. - YouTube
Arachnodouche
International Captain
He looks like he's just got out of a heavy squat session while bowling. Though I do remember him having a more fluent run up and action when he first started. Injuries obviously.
Spark
Global Moderator
Nah I'm with Arachnodouche here in watchability. Has some good shots but generally speaking I feel like I'm watching a robot's version of Test batting. Think Rob has the best description - "board game technique"
chaminda_00
Hall of Fame Member
If you really want him to play as an all rounder. You have got to accept he will be injured at least 1 out 3 tests.
So you need a plan B, when he gets injured. If you want to play him as top order batsmen, then you need to have shadow top order batsmen i.e. Khawaja. If you want a him a 5th bowler that bats in the top 6, then you need to shadow him with a bowling all rounder i.e. Mitch Marsh, Moz or Maxwell.
If they are serious about the squad rotation, then you need a Plan B with Watson gets injured. Like they do for the front line quicks.
So you need a plan B, when he gets injured. If you want to play him as top order batsmen, then you need to have shadow top order batsmen i.e. Khawaja. If you want a him a 5th bowler that bats in the top 6, then you need to shadow him with a bowling all rounder i.e. Mitch Marsh, Moz or Maxwell.
If they are serious about the squad rotation, then you need a Plan B with Watson gets injured. Like they do for the front line quicks.
Ruckus
International Captain
Problem is his test career so far has been riddled with injuries/concentration issues etc., we've yet to really see a truly fluent Watson. His 80-odd the other day was a pretty good example of that. That wasn't his natural style at all, and against that attack on that pitch if he was in form he should have hit a run-a-ball hundred. Some of his 50's he has made have been pretty flawless, but with a score that low you really still don't see a batsman truly open up. He needs to break that mental barrier badly.
Spark
Global Moderator
Borderline infractable IMO. **** needs to sort it out.
BeeGee
International Captain
Stop moving him around and bat him at four. Tell him "You're our long term number four" and let him settle into that position and role. Only bowl him if absolutely necessary (and even then only sparingly).
If he injures himself don't shuffle the order around, just have a backup no.4 waiting in the wings.
If he injures himself don't shuffle the order around, just have a backup no.4 waiting in the wings.
Red
The normal awards that everyone else has
The myth of Shane Watson
Interesting analysis of his test career.
The Cricket Sadist Hour | Cricket Blogs | ESPN Cricinfo
Interesting analysis of his test career.
The Cricket Sadist Hour | Cricket Blogs | ESPN Cricinfo
