Should Langer be dropped for Jaques?

[Mister Wright]

As a pom, before our tour games started I'd have loved to see Langer dropped, now after Jaques plundering two centuries in two outings I'm really "meh" on the whole issue.

Langer's a class act tho, so I think it'd be insane to replace him unless form in the test series absolutely dictates. &, given the patience the selectors showed with Hayden, I think he'd have every right to be a tad agrieved if he was dropped after a couple of average games.

Bit of a different scenario though. There was no opener to replace Hayden on the last Ashes tour, however if Langer or Hayden were to have a poor series and we were behind, Jaques would come in, especially if he continues to pile on the runs.

 

[Poker Boy]

I'd keep Langer in the team - I wouldn't do a "Thorpe" on him...mind you England are doing their best to put Jaques in the team (two tons in a row off us)

 

[BoyBrumby]

Bit of a different scenario though. There was no opener to replace Hayden on the last Ashes tour, however if Langer or Hayden were to have a poor series and we were behind, Jaques would come in, especially if he continues to pile on the runs.

Katich? Coulda moved him up & brought Hodge in.

 

[Great Birtannia]

I think everyone has the wrong man on the block, Jaques at 5 if Martyn doesn't score runs in the first two tests.

 

[Mister Wright]

Katich? Coulda moved him up & brought Hodge in.

Nah. Katich has never been a regular opener in first class games anyway. Add to the fact he wasn't having the greatest series either.

 

[Nate]

I think everyone has the wrong man on the block, Jaques at 5 if Martyn doesn't score runs in the first two tests.

A-whaa? Saved our behinds against the Saffies, is in top OD form and just played a decent FC knock.

 

[Great Birtannia]

Dead rubber, about ****ing time (he was lucky to still be in the line up) and last time I checked 24 was not a good innings although I suppose it was a good enough average to get him back into the test side. I don't see why his gold pass should not be revoked if he goes back to mediocrity in Australia's most important series in a long while. I would certainly chop him before Langer.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

A-whaa? Saved our behinds against the Saffies, is in top OD form and just played a decent FC knock.

Plus, Jaques is much more of an opener than a number 5.

 

[Great Birtannia]

Plus, Jaques is much more of an opener than a number 5.

The irony of it all is that he only reverted to an opener to get a game for NSW, he has played the majority of his county career in the middle order.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Dead rubber, about ****ing time (he was lucky to still be in the line up) and last time I checked 24 was not a good innings although I suppose it was a good enough average to get him back into the test side. I don't see why his gold pass should not be revoked if he goes back to mediocrity in Australia's most important series in a long while.

Damien Martyn's last 6 international innings:

52
17
78
73*
26
47*

Damien Martyn's last 6 Test innings:

57
15*
22
101
4
7

I'm neutral. Just giving some fodder.

 

[Nate]

Dead rubber, about ****ing time (he was lucky to still be in the line up) and last time I checked 24 was not a good innings although I suppose it was a good enough average to get him back into the test side. I don't see why his gold pass should not be revoked if he goes back to mediocrity in Australia's most important series in a long while. I would certainly chop him before Langer.

Brett Lee likes it up the bum-bum.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

The irony of it all is that he only reverted to an opener to get a game for NSW, he has played the majority of his county career in the middle order.

But he forced his way into the Australian team as an opener. So yes, irony indeed.

 

[Slow Love™]

I think everyone has the wrong man on the block, Jaques at 5 if Martyn doesn't score runs in the first two tests.

I can see it happening. Maybe three tests, though.

 

[Great Birtannia]

Damien Martyn's last 6 international innings:

52
17
78
73*
26
47*

Preceeding ODI innings: 19, 4, 1, 4, 51, 4, 1, 8, 1

Damien Martyn's last 6 Test innings:

57
15*
22
101
4
7

Last ashes series: 2, 65, 20, 28, 20, 19, 1, 13, 10

Dropped from the test side. 142 runs @ 23.66 for WA. Recalled to test side.

Jaques is doing all he can to force his way into the side and if it comes down to Langer or Martyn needing to be replaced after a poor start to the series I know who I would be bumping off to fit him in.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Preceeding ODI innings: 19, 4, 1, 4, 51, 4, 1, 8, 1

What does that have to do with the pure fact that he's been in good form in his last few innings?

Last ashes series: 2, 65, 20, 28, 20, 19, 1, 13, 10

A tad harsh, considering the form he was in before that series. He was Australia's best batsman before that series and in incredible form. He then got a couple of good balls and a couple of horrible decisions and was pegged as the scapegoat for the Ashes surrender.

 

[Great Birtannia]

But he forced his way into the Australian team as an opener.

So did Hussey predominately.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

So did Hussey predominately.

I think we can all agree that Hussey is an exception to many rules. An extraordinary player.

 

[Great Birtannia]

What does that have to do with the pure fact that he's been in good form in his last few innings?

I was just completing the sequence to back up my earlier comment that he was lucky to still be in the one day team to have the opportunity to play well in India, Simon Katich certainly didn't get that sort of leeway.

A tad harsh, considering the form he was in before that series. He was Australia's best batsman before that series and in incredible form. He then got a couple of good balls and a couple of horrible decisions and was pegged as the scapegoat for the Ashes surrender.

It was on the harsh side for Martyn to be dropped and he did get a couple of rough decisions but he will be up against the same opposition again this summer.

 

[Nate]

Na-uh. No Jones. Big difference IMO.

 

[Great Birtannia]

I think we can all agree that Hussey is an exception to many rules. An extraordinary player.

That he is. I wonder what would have happened if we had bitten the bullet and taken the unconventional path, hmm bad cliches, and replaced an underperforming middle order bat with an opener (Hussey) mid way through the last ashes series. Perhaps the same question will be posed with Jaques a couple of years down the track with everyone in disbelief that he had been left on the sidelines for so long, a FC average just shy of 60 dwarfs even Hussey