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*Official* First Test at Trent Bridge
- Thread starter James
- Start date
Spikey
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Cabinet96
Hall of Fame Member
I just don't particularly rate Khawaja. Strangles the bat with his bottom hand, rigid in his strokeplay. Everyone has been going hard at Watson for not converting 50's to 100's, well Khawaja was getting stuck in the 20's and 30's last time he was playing tests. On debut against England, he smacked a few early on, but then for the next 30-40 runs he got in the game you didn't know where they were coming from, he got bogged down and eventually just went for a big release shot off Swann in the first innings and prodded at Anderson in the second. And that was when he was coming off a shield season averaging 60, now he's coming off two shield seasons in a row averaging sub 40.
He's a specialist number three, but you've also got about five openers on tour, who could easily do a job at three (is it really that different?). He's seen him up close with Queensland, but if anything that's what makes me worried. Given he probably knows the bloke well and likes him, there could be other things derterming his potential selection, other than who'll get the most runs, if you know what I mean.
Yeah, Smith wasn't in the original touring party, which is why I think they'll go with Khawaja over him. I just would've gone the other way from the start.
howardj
International Coach
Big fear with Boof (other than selecting Faulks at 7), is his Warne/Chappell "attack attack attack" mantra
Patience/defensiveness is a lost art in Test cricket - grinding out an innings by setting your stall for six hours, having a third man, bowling to a field, and bowling the ball in the same spot for a whole, entire over
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NUFAN
Y no Afghanistan flag
You've mounted a strong case for excluding Khawaja and if the only spot available was six, I wouldn't be caring as much, its just when I see the number 3 (or 4) spot up for grabs I think he deserves an opportunity.I just don't particularly rate Khawaja. Strangles the bat with his bottom hand, rigid in his strokeplay. Everyone has been going hard at Watson for not converting 50's to 100's, well Khawaja was getting stuck in the 20's and 30's last time he was playing tests. On debut against England, he smacked a few early on, but then for the next 30-40 runs he got in the game you didn't know where they were coming from, he got bogged down and eventually just went for a big release shot off Swann in the first innings and prodded at Anderson in the second. And that was when he was coming off a shield season averaging 60, now he's coming off two shield seasons in a row averaging sub 40.
He's a specialist number three, but you've also got about five openers on tour, who could easily do a job at three (is it really that different?). He's seen him up close with Queensland, but if anything that's what makes me worried. Given he probably knows the bloke well and likes him, there could be other things derterming his potential selection, other than who'll get the most runs, if you know what I mean.
Yeah, Smith wasn't in the original touring party, which is why I think they'll go with Khawaja over him. I just would've gone the other way from the start.
On debut, I thought he was fine, he probably looked the most assured of all the top 6 in the first innings. I mean better players have performed worse on debut. He was just average the next few Tests until his break out innings of 65 which went a long way to winning the match against South Africa. He topped scored and looked terrific, punishing everything short. Next Test against NZ he again looked good until getting run out for 38 due to Ponting, I'm like 95% certain it was Ponting's fault - that was the innings that really could have cemented his place in the team IMO. 2nd innings 0* and then he struggled first innings of his currently final Test making only 7 and not rotating the strike. I actually didn't see that innings, but heard/read he looked all at sea and then in the second innings he was Australia's second highest scorer and was then dropped while lesser Cricketers like Rob Quiney and Glenn Maxwell were given opportunities ahead of him strangely.
I like the guy and I think the coach likes him too and just feel the time is right.
AlanJLegend
U19 Vice-Captain
FWIW in Khawaja's 11 test innings he has only been dismissed for less than 20 twice. Obviously this is a pretty small sample size and not much can be made of it but I can kind of see him being like a slightly less-limited Cowan who can stabilise and slowing build an innings but also (hopefully) press on and turn it into a big score. If he is going to play I don't mind where he bats, but I really think we need to decide on a good number 3 and stick with them and stop switching it around, whether that is Hughes, Khawaja or Cowan.
superkingdave
Hall of Fame Member
'Cookies must be enabled' returns **** all you ****
ajdude
International Coach
or change "theaustralian" to "news" in the url
Maximas
Cricketer Of The Year
Khawaja designated squad member/12th man, I thought Khawaja looked comfortable in his test match career, and I would love to see him back in, but why do that when you can play 5 openers in the team instead. Also, Khawaja shouldn't have an issue coming in at 6, if you can bat in the top order you can bat anywhere.
Top_Cat
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Ironically enough, Khawaja's more an opener than all of them bar Rogers; didn't bat lower until he played FC cricket.
Daemon
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funny you say that while hughes is in the team
Maximas
Cricketer Of The Year
But if you're Shane Watson, then you can only open.
