***Official** Malaysia Tri-Series

[Johnners]

I don't think he has looked "very good" at any point in the two games. He played two good shots off Agarkar, but he looked nervous and fidgety, which isn't the Jaques you see in domestic cricket at all. Really shows how harsh people have been on Katich. The guy went out there and made 30 odd in the first game, saw off the tough period with the new ball and saw the team make 280 and win the game, while Jaques looks all over the place and is the first batsman out in both games, and it's Katich who gets criticised.

Jaques scored 94 in his 1st game, a score Katich never reached until his 33rd... Whilst he may "see of the tough period" it's not all that helpful as when you have someone as explosive as Gilly, Jaques or Ponting down the other end, and Katich isn't turning the strike over, these guys are feeling more of a burden to score quickly, thus more likely to lose their wicket.

Simple fact is, in modern day ODI's it's unnacceptable to have an average of only 37.25 if your Strike-rate is 69.82!!!!

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

Jaques scored 94 in his 1st game, a score Katich never reached until his 33rd... Whilst he may "see of the tough period" it's not all that helpful as when you have someone as explosive as Gilly, Jaques or Ponting down the other end, and Katich isn't turning the strike over, these guys are feeling more of a burden to score quickly, thus more likely to lose their wicket.

Simple fact is, in modern day ODI's it's unnacceptable to have an average of only 37.25 if your Strike-rate is 69.82!!!!

Yes, Jaques scored 94 on debut, and has played a handful of games since and done nothing. Obviously he's a fine player and may yet turn out to be a great ODI opener, but the fact is that Katich is making consistent runs, and Jaques needs to do the same if he is going to replace him. Hayden is in the same boat, and will probably get his chance in the next three matches given that Jaques has gone home and Gilchrist isn't around.

Incidentally, the "seeing off the tough period" remark was solely about the first match in this series. A good ODI opener obviously needs to adapt to differing situations, and Katich's innings in the first ODI was pretty reasonable under the circumstances. Certainly better than getting out playing a stupid shot early in your innings.

 

[andyc]

With Hayden coming in to play, does this mean Watson will be back down the order again? I'd like to see him stay up there after this performance.

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

I think you're undervaluing experience for this one. Katich has plenty of international experience, especially compared to Jaques. I don't know why you keep backing Katich, Katich shouldn't be getting out after all these starts. As the anchor he needs to occupy the crease for 35+ overs, especially if he is going to use up valuable balls at the start of the innings without going on with it.

I'm backing him because he's been playing reasonably well within the role assigned to him, simple as that. He's averaging over 40 since his return to the side, and he's played some really good innings in that time. You can't just drop a guy who hasn't done anything wrong when his replacements aren't making a strong case. This series was the chance for Jaques or Hayden to displace Katich by outplaying him. If they don't and his form continues, he'll be there in the WC.

 

[Prince EWS]

With Hayden coming in to play, does this mean Watson will be back down the order again? I'd like to see him stay up there after this performance.

Jacques could always be given a rest. He has played both games so far.

I seriously wouldn't bother with Hayden - I'd play the two most likely to be used in the opening position in a full-strength side which IMO are Katich and Watson.

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

With Hayden coming in to play, does this mean Watson will be back down the order again? I'd like to see him stay up there after this performance.

Based on Ponting's comments, I expect they'll give him another run in the top order. If Watson could cement a spot at 4 or so it would do wonders for the team balance, and allow Clarke and Hussey to bat at 6 and 7 with Watson and Symonds filling in 10 overs.

Martyn's ODI career is just about over I think, and rightly so. I think he should stay in the test side, but there's simply better options in ODIs.

 

[Prince EWS]

I'm backing him because he's been playing reasonably well within the role assigned to him, simple as that. He's averaging over 40 since his return to the side, and he's played some really good innings in that time. You can't just drop a guy who hasn't done anything wrong when his replacements aren't making a strong case. This series was the chance for Jaques or Hayden to displace Katich by outplaying him. If they don't and his form continues, he'll be there in the WC.

I think Watson is a genuine chance to keep the role. At full strength, Watson doesn't really have a place down the order (and IMO his batting is fairly useless any lower than 4 anyway) so if he performs well, it wouldn't shock me if Katich was dropped and Watson was given the opening spot.

 

[Matt79]

I think Hayden should get a go - we're a much stronger side with an in-form Hayden at the top of the order and if possible that's what we want for the World Cup. Now, we'll never know if he's return to form in Tests carries over to ODIs unless he gets a go.

I think Katich hasn't done anything wrong, but has simply failed to prove himself as clearly the best alternative. This being the case, in the lead up to an event like the World Cup, he should expect the selectors will want to give the Jaques of the world a go.

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

I think Watson is a genuine chance to keep the role. At full strength, Watson doesn't really have a place down the order (and IMO his batting is fairly useless any lower than 4 anyway) so if he performs well, it wouldn't shock me if Katich was dropped and Watson was given the opening spot.

I very much doubt Watson will open in the long term. It'll go to Katich, Hayden or Jaques. Australia have had a stable player at 4 for a fair while in Martyn, and I think Watson is similar in the sense that he can consolidate after a poor start and is also capable of scoring reasonably fast if necessary. I agree that Watson should bat in the top order though, he's just wasted down the order where players like Clarke and Hussey are far better.

 

[andyc]

Jacques could always be given a rest. He has played both games so far.

I seriously wouldn't bother with Hayden - I'd play the two most likely to be used in the opening position in a full-strength side which IMO are Katich and Watson.

Jaques is going back home though, and it's been said that Hayden will therefore come back into the side for the next few games.

 

[Matt79]

Question - Is Gilchrist still the best option to open, or should he move to around 6-7, allowing him to come in and perform a quick cameo without the same burden of responsibility for laying the foundation?

I think he probably is still best opening, particularly when none of the other candidates for opener are making a compelling case, but I could see the move paying off

 

[Prince EWS]

Jaques is going back home though, and it's been said that Hayden will therefore come back into the side for the next few games.

Jacques going home opens the door for a Katich-Watson opening combination though.

 

[Matt79]

Jacques going home opens the door for a Katich-Watson opening combination though.

It would be pretty disrespectful treatment of Hayden to bring him over and not give him a game when an opening presents itself like that. If they weren't planning on giving him a game, surely they would have let him stay home...

 

[Prince EWS]

I very much doubt Watson will open in the long term. It'll go to Katich, Hayden or Jaques. Australia have had a stable player at 4 for a fair while in Martyn, and I think Watson is similar in the sense that he can consolidate after a poor start and is also capable of scoring reasonably fast if necessary. I agree that Watson should bat in the top order though, he's just wasted down the order where players like Clarke and Hussey are far better.

I like Watson starting up though. He seems to struggle a bit to get into the pace of a game when it's already been set and he gets frustrated, resulting in eventual stupid shots. His technique is good and he'd be good against the new ball, and he doesn't enjoy the spinners at all.

I think his best position would be opening the batting, with Gilchrist. I'd even put Katich at 4 if his form warranted it.

 

[Prince EWS]

It would be pretty disrespectful treatment of Hayden to bring him over and not give him a game when an opening presents itself like that. If they weren't planning on giving him a game, surely they would have let him stay home...

Yeah, I have no doubt that he will play at least one game. I was just saying that I personally wouldn't bother - I wouldn't have even brought him on tour though.

 

[Nate]

Katich
Hayden
Ponting
Watson
Symonds
Hussey
Haddin
Hogg
Lee
Clark
McGrath

for the next match I reckon.

 

[aussie]

Question - Is Gilchrist still the best option to open, or should he move to around 6-7, allowing him to come in and perform a quick cameo without the same burden of responsibility for laying the foundation?

I think he probably is still the best, particularly when none of the other candidates for opener are making a compelling case, but I could see the move paying off

he definately could be destructive batting low down, but opening is his baby he should definately stay @ the top until he calls it quits on his ODI career.

 

[aussie]

I like Watson starting up though. He seems to struggle a bit to get into the pace of a game when it's already been set and he gets frustrated, resulting in eventual stupid shots. His technique is good and he'd be good against the new ball, and he doesn't enjoy the spinners at all.

I think his best position would be opening the batting, with Gilchrist. I'd even put Katich at 4 if his form warranted it.

Yea he looks like a real good option for a long term opener pre & post world cup for Australia. With regards to his play vs spin he was playing Harbhajan & Sehwag pretty well when they came on just got out to a brilliant catch, so also batting @ #4 shouldn't be a problem.

 

[benchmark00]

Just saw the Johnson to Pathan wicket. Fair nut.

 

[adharcric]

Damn good delivery. Pathan didn't seem to play it well at all, as in he didn't bring his bat down straight. Even if he had, I reckon he would've edged it.