Aussie Middle Order for the Ashes

[aussie tragic]

Assuming Haydon, Langer, Ponting & Hussey are certainties for the first ashes test, which two players should fill the remaining two Middle Order slots?

The candidates:

Clarke
Hodge
Jacques
Katich
Martyn
Symonds
Watson

Please vote for two

 

[marc71178]

I want 5 bowlers and Gilchrist at 6, so have only picked one - Symonds for me

 

[aussie tragic]

I want 5 bowlers and Gilchrist at 6, so have only picked one - Symonds for me

So Warnie will bat at 7 hey.....somehow I don't think so

 

[marc71178]

Well Cameel wants to bat Gilchrist at 9!

 

[Laurrz]

i voted Watson Symonds

 

[aussie tragic]

I voted for Watson and Clarke, however I admit Clarke being chosen over Martyn was more about the gradual replacement of one of the many 35+ Aussie players.

Actually, I knew we had an old team, however until I just checked the player pages, I didn't realise that more than half the team will be over 35 at the start of the Ashes (i.e. Martyn, Warne, Gilly, McGill, McGrath, Langer and Hayden)

Also, I just noticed that Hussey, Ponting, Symonds, Hodge, Clark & Gillespie are all 31, so if Watson & Clarke aren't picked, they'll not have any players under 30 (Note: Lee turns 30 just before the 1st test)

 

[Mister Wright]

I think it should be Martyn & Watson for the start of the summer, and if either of them fail it will be on for young and old among all Australian middle order batsman this summer. This summer is not the summer to be in a form slump for any Australian players. This is a time of transition, you can afford a bad run.

 

[Mister Wright]

i voted Watson Symonds

If that actually happened (and it won't) I would have to pinch myself all day at the first test to check I wasn't dreaming.

 

[Great Birtannia]

Jaques at #4, Watson at #6.

 

[Great Birtannia]

This summer is not the summer to be in a form slump for any Australian players.

Martyn after being dropped post ashes went back to the pura cup and averaged sub 30 to earn his recall.

The selectors are conservative pussies that won't take a chance to make us a better side.

 

[Laurrz]

If that actually happened (and it won't) I would have to pinch myself all day at the first test to check I wasn't dreaming.

Martyn is class... i just love watching him bat when on song....but my problem with him is that i think hes been rather lazy recently and isnt prepared to dig deep and play a dogged innings

he got that 100 in the dead rubber against south africa... off 200 balls so i hope he can continue with that in the Ashes coz he is one helluva batsman when on song..

and Watson has shown lots of form with the bat recently... with him playing we can also play MacGill ...

 

[andyc]

I'd like to see Watson with either Jaques or Hodge.

 

[aussie]

The selectors are conservative pussies that won't take a chance to make us a better side.

I have to disagree, the selectors have made far more ruthless in the selections they have made over the past 11 years than they have been conservative i.e:

- the dropping of Taylor in the ODI side so that Gilly could open

- the dropping of Healy in the test side for Gilchrist when may people thought Gilly aggressive batting wasn't suited for having a successful test career.

- the dropping of Slater & placing Langer to open the batting.

- Picking Clark in South Africa

 

[Nate]

I went Jaques and Watson, but wouldn`t be unhappy with Martyn and Hodge, or Symonds.

 

[NZTailender]

Haha, such a 'tard. I voted for three.

Edit: I dare say, Jaques and Watson

 

[andyc]

I went Jaques and Watson, but wouldn`t be unhappy with Martyn and Hodge, or Symonds.

I would be.

 

[luffy]

Clarke and Symonds

 

[BoyBrumby]

I would be.

I wouldn't, but then I am English.

It's looking like the selectors are gonna go for Martyn & Watson, but I'd have personally have Clarke in there ahead of Watson.

 

[Perry Mason]

Voted Martyn and Hodge

 

[aussie tragic]

It's looking like the selectors are gonna go for Martyn & Watson, but I'd have personally have Clarke in there ahead of Watson.

It looks like the selectors and CW agree then as Martyn & Watson are way ahead on the vote.