Shane Watson

[Johnners]

no, at this stage i don't think Watson should open ahead of Gilchrist & Haydos... that wasn't my point... the fact that so so very many people have written him off, and pretty much blamed him for our loss in the CB series ****s me off. Such comments as "not fit to tie their shoelaces" is to me saying that the cricketer in question has no hope whatsoever. Sure Watson's not reached the level's of haydos & Gilly, but you cannot argue that when he's opened, he has done a commendable job. Something so so very many people fail to acknowledge.

 

[cover drive man]

The lad's got potential.

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

Sure Watson's not reached the level's of haydos & Gilly, but you cannot argue that when he's opened, he has done a commendable job. Something so so very many people fail to acknowledge.

That's got more to do with the fact that he's never opened the batting on Australian soil more than anything else, IMO.

 

[chaminda_00]

How is that insulting? 95% of international cricketers aren't

Do people on here (EWS, Fuller, Clapo etc) really believe he is a better option opening than Hayden and Gilchrist? I can buy the fact he should be batting above 7 (4,5 etc) but opening ahead of those guys is Australian suicide.

Gilly been pretty up and down the last couple seasons, who to say he can't fill the Symonds role (if not fit) down the order at this stage in his career. I would still go with Watson at 4, but it would be an option to look at.

One of the reason why Australia have been so effective lately (prior to the CB Final Series and CH Series), as well as South Africa, is their ability to make the most of powerplays in the middle overs. Its also the reason for NZ recent improvement in form. Having Gilly down the order in the absence of Symonds, could help Australia get better use out of the middle power plays.

Again the best option is to have Gilly and Hayden open, but it wouldn't be 'suicide' to have Gilly bat at 4 or 5 and fill Symonds role in the middle overs. Clarke, Watson, Hussey and Hodge are workers of the ball, so to speak. So having an explosive middle order batsmen like Gilchirst could be just the balance they need in middle order. I doubt it would happen, but it wouldn't be the worst move in the world.

 

[Slow Love™]

ffs it's enough to drive a man crazy when you get bogans like those who wrote the above comments acting as if they know all about cricket when obviously they've got absolutely no idea about anything to do with the great game. I'm almost tempted to write a letter to the editor at this stage because it's pathetic that such ignoramus' are getting the spotlight and bagging out a player who is not only quite obviously better looking and has far more cricket talent in his left big toe-nail than any of them do in their entire body, but has the potential to be that allrounder that we're so desperately looking for.

Haha, Clapo letting loose with his true feelings here. Be sure to include that part in your letter to the editor.

But seriously, he's ghastly, IMO, worse looking than Amanda Plummer. I happen to enjoy his wicket celebrations though - I thought we were a bit lackluster at times, and he's trying to fire the boys up. It often comes down to whether you initially like the player or not, as to whether you're irritated by their sendoffs or not, although Lee did annoy the crap out of me during the chainsaw at 5/600 Jono mentioned in Sydney. Dizzy was always a good celebrator of a wicket, with his huge leaps in the air and **** you's, and usually had a good sense of when to do it and when not to bother.

 

[chaminda_00]

From memory when Dizzy started off his career he was pretty wild with his celebrations, running down the wicket and staring and shoting at batsmen from memory. A lot of it comes down to experience, as im sure most have noticed with Lee, his mellowed down a little bit. Im sure the same will happen with Watson, when he starts taking wickets regularly his celebrations wont be as extreme.

 

[Johnners]

tbh i much rather the Brett Lee chainsaw than Dizzy's "horse" after that Stand with McGrath

 

[Matt79]

I'd imagine Watson's celebrations are, at the moment, fuelled in part by the amount of flak the guy cops and the sense that he's really needing to produce to keep his spot in the team. It might seem he's overreacting in the context of the game, but from his perspective, any contribution he can make with the ball is a pretty big thing for him and his career - especially when he's getting knocked from pillar to post.

And a lot of wickets in ODIs come from batsmen committing hari kari in pursuit of the run rate - even for good bowlers - the perfect yorker is a much rarer commodity.

 

[Matt79]

Overall - he's certainly not my favourite player, but I think he could be a useful part of the team in both tests and ODIs for the next few years, and I'd like to see him stay in the team. In ODIs I think he should bat at 4 ahead of Symonds, Clarke and Hussey as they are more adaptable. He must be one of the most criticised players doing the rounds -reminds me of Andrew Symonds heading into the last WC when the hysteria about Steve Waugh getting a guernsey was in full swing. If he does come good, I hope lots of people will remember to admit that they wrote him off prematurely.

 

[howardj]

With Watson, there's great raw material there to work with - averaging nigh on 50 with the bat in FC cricket, and able to bowl 140km. Very few players can boast that. He must be thought of, at least in Test cricket, as a batsman whose bowling is a great bonus (sort of in the Kallis mould). I hope that he can make the step up mentally in to International cricket and he's someone who is worth investing in and, if necessary, carrying for a full year (which could mean 12 Test matches) of Test cricket, almost regardless of performance.

 

[pup11]

I think as i have said before and would say again if Watson has to really work on his batting against spin bowling if he desires to be a good top-order batsman. Atm, he looks very uncomfortable against spin bowling a weakness that would be sorted out by opponent teams in no time.

 

[Johnners]

Haha, Clapo letting loose with his true feelings here. Be sure to include that part in your letter to the editor.

But seriously, he's ghastly, IMO, worse looking than Amanda Plummer. I happen to enjoy his wicket celebrations though - I thought we were a bit lackluster at times, and he's trying to fire the boys up.

Smith will tan your hide

 

[Slow Love™]

Smith will tan your hide

He's been talking up his looks too? Deep down he must know. My credibility on this front has taken a bit of a beating in recent times though, it has to be said.

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

He has inner beauty.

 

[Fiery]

I'm curious. You guys in this forum who worship the ground he walks on (you know who you are). When you take away his cricketing ability, what it is that endears him to you so much? I've just been wondering.

 

[pasag]

I'm curious. You guys in this forum who worship the ground he walks on (you know who you are). When you take away his cricketing ability, what it is that endears him to you so much? I've just been wondering.

His eyes.

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

His eyes.

His beautiful, wonderous eyes.

 

[Fiery]

Ah, it all makes sense now...if you're serious, and for all I know you could be

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

I'm curious. You guys in this forum who worship the ground he walks on (you know who you are). When you take away his cricketing ability, what it is that endears him to you so much? I've just been wondering.

The way people bash him relentlessly for no reason and/or stupid reasons, mainly. Plus the comedy value.

 

[Smudge]

His eyes.

His beautiful, wonderous eyes.

<backs out of thread, ensuring Gelman and Smith can't check out his ass>