Tbf a jammy Williamson would be perfect, but I get what you mean. We're not going to have Watling 6 and Bracewell 7 for instance, but I don't think we'll be too reliant on an Anerson/Neesham type figure (though Anderson does have dat golden arm).
I agree with OS. We need an extra batsman. Anderson, talent-ability-wise, is good enough to fill that role (despite not really having done so in Tests so far), so if he's fit he certainly plays. if not, I'd much prefer Brownlie at 6 than an Elliott (though WAFG), Munro, Ellis or Wells (am a fan though) type.
We'll probably get a preview to the batting dynamic of an Anderson-less scenrario in the next match.
Good post.
I AWTA with all of that.
The only strange thought that popped into my head that I wanted to share is that - should Brownlie really be a specialist number 6 batsman...lets talk about what a number 6 batsman really is and does for a team.
It seems to be the cushiest position to bat in the whole team. At number 5 you are obligated to dominate the attack. At least that is what a classical number 5 batsman should do. Your numbers 3 and 4 should be your engine room. Forget this Cantab crap about having an engine room at 7 and 8 or wherever Ellis batted this year. That is plunket shield bs. In real cricket your number 3 and 4 need to set the table. They need to score serious runs. Don't volunteer to bat in those positions unless you are a gun.
And openers are openers.
But number 6 is cushy. You don't really have to bat with a high SR, you just need to get as many runs as you can and probably you are going to walk out to bat against the old ball and a tired attack. Even if you walk out to bat when your team is in a spot of bother the score will usually be 120 odd and it will be the 40th over.
So what type of batsman are suited to batting at 6.
Now before answering that question I want to explain what I mean by suited. I mean a batsman who won't be frustrated by batting that low down, or be over qualified, or under qualified. Someone who is perfectly suited to bat there.
Young blokes on debut or for their first two seasons make great number 6s or all rounders.
If you are a journeyman like say Brownlie could be accused of being, and you can only make the team by batting at 6, do we really want you. Wouldn't we prefer to use that position to mentor some young bloke for the future of the team, or to trade off some batting prowess and get some overs out of the person so that we get a strong return on investment out of arguably the cushiest position in the side.
Now I have pulled most of this out of arse, and it just popped into my head, so yeah make of it what you will.
