1st Test of the Aussie Summer

[Maddogmike]

Shane Watson to open the batting in the first test of the Aussie summer. Not sure who we are playing, but lock it in. Dont agree with it, but 99% sure its what will happen

[rod_rooster]

Well it is about time Australia do something to even up world cricket. We have been dominant for too long.

[jackpot jim]

Well it is about time Australia do something to even up world cricket. We have been dominant for too long.

Yep. I couldn't Agree with you more on that point.

[mal]

AUSTRALIAN SELECTORS+ MAL V SAFOOTY

[SOTTERS]

1st TEST ELEVEN

M.Hayden
M.Hussey
R.Ponting
M.Clarke
B.Hodge
A.Symonds
A.Gilchrist
B.Lee
S.Clark
S.Tait
S.MacGill

12th B.Hillfenhaus

[Dirko]

Shane Watson to open the batting in the first test of the Aussie summer. Not sure who we are playing, but lock it in. Dont agree with it, but 99% sure its what will happen

Shane Watson can't even open his mail without injuring himself...

[Blue Boy]

There will be one suprise thats for sure - the number 5 batsman I rekon !!!

[Hondo]

I don't think Hussey will be shifted to opener based on comments by the selectors the last few months

Langer's replacement appears to be a race between Rogers, Jacques, Hodge & Watson

If you play Symonds at 6 I can't see why they would put another all-rounder in the all-important opener position at Test level when he hasn't played their before at Pura Cup level

IMO

[youngster]

Watson is a dud, can't keep himself on the park. Rogers to open with Hayden, and Hussey to remain at 5

[rod_rooster]

Watson is a dud, can't keep himself on the park. Rogers to open with Hayden, and Hussey to remain at 5

Hussey has been batting at 4 in the Test side! Don't get real cricket confused with that overplayed bastardised version of the game they stretched out in a tournament so painfully over 2 months in the Carribean earlier this year.

[youngster]

I thought it was Clarke at 4, Hussey 5 and Symonds 6? Anyway, Rogers (or Jacques) coming in will be the only major change to the batting. We all agree on Watto don't we...

[rod_rooster]

I thought it was Clarke at 4, Hussey 5 and Symonds 6? Anyway, Rogers (or Jacques) coming in will be the only major change to the batting. We all agree on Watto don't we...

Nope. Hussey has been at 4 in the Test side since Damien Martyn quit. In fact he was sent in at 4 ahead of Martyn in the second innings in Adelaide as well.

[Hondo]

Hussey is solid at 4 and doing a great job - leave him there!

We must have another opener capable of doing the job without making the Huss do it

[Grahaml]

Watson averages nearly 50 in first class cricket batting mostly (and more successfully) at 3. Clarke for example averages 41 in first class. Watson can seriously bat and WILL make some people look stupid with his ability. He might not be the great allrouder people want just yet but he will be a superb batsman and useful change bowler for Australia. He will eventually get himself healty, just like Gillespie did. Would love to see him given a chance at test level while we still have the luxury of Hayden and Gilchrist in the line up. A line up of

Hayden
Watson
Ponting
Clarke
Hussey
Symonds/Hodge (Symonds if he's in form, Hodge if he's not)
Gilchrist
Lee
Clark
MacGill
Tait/Johnson/Hilfenhaus (again, depending on form, as well as fitness)

Would be very strong. 4 front line bowlers is the norm in test cricket, and ours would be just as good as any others going around, plus Symonds and Watson would give extra depth as coverage. No batting line up would get close to this one with Brett Lee in at 8. The time for the selectors to bring in a player like Watson and give him a dozen tests to see how he goes is now, and then they can send him back to the Pura Cup for a few seasons until he earns another crack if he doesn't make the grade. One of the "weaknesses" of our current team is a lack of youth. This means that the team is less settled than it could be and the fielding isn't as sharp as it might be. Watson and Clarke would be 10 year fixtures as well as one of the young quicks and would provide some valuable stability over the time when Gilchrist, MacGill and Hayden give it away, and then again when Hussey, Ponting, Clark, Lee, Symonds and Hodge are gone.

[Stumps]

Good post GrahamL totally agree with all sentiments- looks a strong side- and i too like Watson opening. Its his bowling where he struggles at times and when he cant play himself in with the bat (ODI's) - injury free he has the goods with the bat IMO

[youngster]

If Watson can play more than one shield game in a row without jagging a heart muscle that would be a start. But this is highly unlikely given his past record...

[Stumps]

you obviously missed the 03/04 domestic season and the champions trophy , and the world cup. His heart is too big and he tries too hard, that is about all he can be accused of. Iv done a bit of physiology before and im pretty sure your heart isnt attached to your hammies

[rod_rooster]

Watson averages nearly 50 in first class cricket batting mostly (and more successfully) at 3. Clarke for example averages 41 in first class. Watson can seriously bat and WILL make some people look stupid with his ability. He might not be the great allrouder people want just yet but he will be a superb batsman and useful change bowler for Australia. He will eventually get himself healty, just like Gillespie did. Would love to see him given a chance at test level while we still have the luxury of Hayden and Gilchrist in the line up. A line up of

Hayden
Watson
Ponting
Clarke
Hussey
Symonds/Hodge (Symonds if he's in form, Hodge if he's not)
Gilchrist
Lee
Clark
MacGill
Tait/Johnson/Hilfenhaus (again, depending on form, as well as fitness)

Would be very strong. 4 front line bowlers is the norm in test cricket, and ours would be just as good as any others going around, plus Symonds and Watson would give extra depth as coverage. No batting line up would get close to this one with Brett Lee in at 8. The time for the selectors to bring in a player like Watson and give him a dozen tests to see how he goes is now, and then they can send him back to the Pura Cup for a few seasons until he earns another crack if he doesn't make the grade. One of the "weaknesses" of our current team is a lack of youth. This means that the team is less settled than it could be and the fielding isn't as sharp as it might be. Watson and Clarke would be 10 year fixtures as well as one of the young quicks and would provide some valuable stability over the time when Gilchrist, MacGill and Hayden give it away, and then again when Hussey, Ponting, Clark, Lee, Symonds and Hodge are gone.

What possible logic could you have for moving Clarke to 4 ahead of Hussey?

Also why should the selectors bring Watson in? I don't disagree that he is a good batsman but is he better than the other options?

[Hondo]

Watson is a good player and will make his mark one day at test level but suddenly throwing him in to open the batting at test level surely isn't the best thing for him or the team?

[DemonGirl]

I rekon if Watson's in form he will be good. And i do like him as a player but as we all know, when he breaks a fingernail he is pretty much ruled out for the rest of the summer....