Red
The normal awards that everyone else has
Ok. We've lost two tests. The first could have easily gone either way. We were righteously smashed up the date in the second test, but we were also shafted by not breaking a significant partnership when Smith's catch was disallowed, and Twatto shafted all his team mates with his self indulgent reviews.
No doubt our main problem is our batting. We are particularly prone to collapses, and obviously because of that we are not creating significant partnerships.
The main issue I see is at the selection table. We are selecting batsmen for a couple of tests, then dropping them after low scores. I think the selectors need to be definite here. They need to select players, particularly batsmen, with two attributes. Technique and temperament.
I think there selectors really need to decide who is our best top six (technique and temperament) for the next 2 and basically stick with them. I think we need to stop playing openers at six, and mediocre allrounders as openers, and openers at 3, and Clarke anywhere but 5 etc etc.
Here are my thoughts on Australia's batsmen...
Watson- time to be dropped for good. Has had enough chances. Cannot convert starts, and has a massive technical flaw.
Rogers- will be a series by series proposition at his age. I rate him as an opener, shows some grit. I've been pleasantly surprised by his fielding considering he's a ranga with glasses.
Khawaja- I feel Australia owe this guy an extended run in the test team. And I think he has the goods to make it.
Hughes- I like him as a guy, but he has massive flaws for an elite batsman. I think he either opens or doesn't play.
Clarke- good etc etc
Smith- has grown on me in these two tests. Seems to want "it" more than some others. Nice player of spin, and good in the field.
Warner- should figure prominently based on raw ability. Far more than just a slogger, has a nice compact technique. Needs to be in the right headspace.
Cowan- seems like a champ but lacks the killer instinct. I'd love to see him carve a test career as a reliable opener averaging 40 plus, but I'm not sure he can do it.
Haddin- makes runs sometimes but has brain diahorrea sometimes too.
I'd love to hear who else people rate. Doolan, Burns, Maddinson and Henriques have all made runs for Aust A.
In all honesty, if you were Australian selector right, who would you pick right now if all players are available? A top seven to lock in for the next 12-24 months.
No doubt our main problem is our batting. We are particularly prone to collapses, and obviously because of that we are not creating significant partnerships.
The main issue I see is at the selection table. We are selecting batsmen for a couple of tests, then dropping them after low scores. I think the selectors need to be definite here. They need to select players, particularly batsmen, with two attributes. Technique and temperament.
I think there selectors really need to decide who is our best top six (technique and temperament) for the next 2 and basically stick with them. I think we need to stop playing openers at six, and mediocre allrounders as openers, and openers at 3, and Clarke anywhere but 5 etc etc.
Here are my thoughts on Australia's batsmen...
Watson- time to be dropped for good. Has had enough chances. Cannot convert starts, and has a massive technical flaw.
Rogers- will be a series by series proposition at his age. I rate him as an opener, shows some grit. I've been pleasantly surprised by his fielding considering he's a ranga with glasses.
Khawaja- I feel Australia owe this guy an extended run in the test team. And I think he has the goods to make it.
Hughes- I like him as a guy, but he has massive flaws for an elite batsman. I think he either opens or doesn't play.
Clarke- good etc etc
Smith- has grown on me in these two tests. Seems to want "it" more than some others. Nice player of spin, and good in the field.
Warner- should figure prominently based on raw ability. Far more than just a slogger, has a nice compact technique. Needs to be in the right headspace.
Cowan- seems like a champ but lacks the killer instinct. I'd love to see him carve a test career as a reliable opener averaging 40 plus, but I'm not sure he can do it.
Haddin- makes runs sometimes but has brain diahorrea sometimes too.
I'd love to hear who else people rate. Doolan, Burns, Maddinson and Henriques have all made runs for Aust A.
In all honesty, if you were Australian selector right, who would you pick right now if all players are available? A top seven to lock in for the next 12-24 months.
