Who will be Australia's next number three batsman?

[Red]

Since Ponting slipped down to number four, the first drop position has been flimsily guarded.

Khawaja had a bit of a turn there, then Marsh had a bit of a turn there, and then in the WIs Watson had a bit of a turn there as well. Seems pretty unstable.

So what do we do?

Leave Watson there?

Move Ponting back there?

Give Khawaja or Marsh another turn.

Move Clarke or MHussey up there?

Give Forrest a turn?

Someone else?

 

[flibbertyjibber]

I'd go Khawaja. No reason other than a hunch.

 

[Jager]

Difficult period for Australian cricket. We need someone with big cajones, a David Boon type batsman. Forrest looks dreadful, Khawaja has deteriorated, Marsh looked a broken man this summer... Hughes at 3? At least he's a hard working player who is excellent at FC level. I don't care if he has flaws in his technique, he's a great talent, perhaps the best we have at the moment that has the maturity to play at test level.

 

[AlanJLegend]

I assume Watson will be there next time we play. But if Cowan can't rack up some big scores this summer and gets dropped I reckon they'll put Watto back opening and bring in somebody else at 3, probably Forrest.

 

[vic_orthdox]

I think our best option is to be placing someone with an opening pedigree there, much like we did with David Boon. Unfortunately, our opening pair isn't settled on either, and I'm not convinced that Warner is a long term solution at the top of the order - rather, I think that he'd be more effective in the middle order.

There's too much up in the air at the moment about our batting order, and the top three is the key to sorting it out.

 

[stumpski]

Hussey would be a good short term bet as he has plenty of experience in opening in f-c cricket. Not sure if he's done it recently, but as you're probably only going to get another 12-18 months out of him anyway it might be worth a shot. Hopefully when he goes Khawaja, who seems to have been earmarked for the slot, will be ready for another go.

 

[Spikey]

patterson

 

[Jager]

Hussey would be a good short term bet as he has plenty of experience in opening in f-c cricket. Not sure if he's done it recently, but as you're probably only going to get another 12-18 months out of him anyway it might be worth a shot. Hopefully when he goes Khawaja, who seems to have been earmarked for the slot, will be ready for another go.

David or Michael?

 

[vic_orthdox]

I'm assuming he means Michael, as he's referring to opening in FC cricket, which Dave has never done.

 

[smash84]

khawaaajaaa (stephen fleming style)

 

[benchmark00]

It should (but won't) be:

Ponting three, Watson four, Clarke five, Hussey six.

 

[Spark]

It should (but won't) be:

Ponting three, Watson four, Clarke five, Hussey six.

Would agree with this.

 

[Flem274*]

The best number three with Australian heritage currently plays for Central Districts tbh.

 

[Ruckus]

Would trust Ponting more at 4 where he is, reckon he should stay there. Need more time to see if has got any proper consistency back, and if he hasn't, then I doubt it would help him having to come in earlier against the new ball. Think Watson is the best pick for No. 3 atm.

 

[Furball]

To be honest, I doubt Ponting would do a worse job than whichever name the selectors pick out a hat to be next in line for the position.

 

[Ruckus]

Yeah he probably wouldn't, but it's about trying to get as much from him as possible. And I think no. 4 would be a safer bet at this stage. He only has a year or two left anyway, so I think it's a good idea to be trying to get someone else settled into the no. 3 position (preferably for the long term).

 

[Spikey]

wade to 3, nevill to 6, haddin remains at 7

 

[vic_orthdox]

What about getting someone into the team at 5 or 6, and having them comfortable in Test cricket, than shoehorning them straight into number 3?

 

[Ruckus]

that's why Watson is the best option imo

 

[Spikey]

What about getting someone into the team at 5 or 6, and having them comfortable in Test cricket, than shoehorning them straight into number 3?

that's the only reason why wade bats above nevill