Elliott's Test Future Bleak

[Josh]

Matthew Elliott's omission from the Boxing Day Test squad could spell the end of his international career.

Elliott, who won back his Cricket Australia contract with sterling Pura Cup form last summer, was the best credentialled opening batsman available to be on stand-by for the injured Justin Langer.

But the selection of Simon Katich, best known as a No. 3 at interstate level, would seem to indicated Elliott, 33 has fallen in the pecking order.

Elliott, who scored 1 and 0 when given a one-Test recall against Sri Lanka in July when Ricky Ponting withdrew for personal reasons, has averaged a so-so 35 in Pura Cup matches this season.

The selection of Katich indicates the selectors feel no strong obligation towards any other opening batsmen in thhe country apart from Matthew Hayden and Justin Langer.
-Robert Craddock - Herald Sun. Friday, December 24, 2004.

Should Matthew Elliott have been considered before rival Simon Katich as a replacement opening batsman?? After all, that is his comfortable position, and is not Katich's. If Katich does not perform, have the selectors made a mistake?? If Langer is unavailable for Test 3, and Katich doesn't succeed as an opener, should the consider the change?? Or have they made the right decision in promoting someone who has been a key middle & lower order player for the side in the past?? Should someone else have stepped up to open?? E.g. Gilchrist. Have I asked too many questions??

Discuss.

 

[Mr Casson]

He had another chance and he was garbage. Katich would understandably feel hard done by if the next spot that became available in the side was given to someone else after the selectors had made it clear that he was man they were keeping an eye on.

 

[telsor]

I suspect Elliott's poor form this season had something to do with it...

I agree that he's unlikely to play for Aus again though. The selectors must start selecting younger players, even ( especially? ) for covering injuries for a match or two.

 

[Buddhmaster]

I'm glad Elliot was dropped from the squad. I did't think he should even have been considered for the Aussie squad in the first place.

 

[kwigibo]

I agree that he's unlikely to play for Aus again though.

Let's hope so.

I don't know where they get this "best-credentialed opener" business from. The test matches he has played in are the reason he was overlooked. I think Katich deserves the nod as the man-in-waiting, but if not, there are a lot of specialist openers more deserving of a spot.

 

[Craig]

He had another chance and he was garbage. Katich would understandably feel hard done by if the next spot that became available in the side was given to someone else after the selectors had made it clear that he was man they were keeping an eye on.

I don't suppose if Martin Love has Simon Katch's phone number he could have rung Katich and said "I know how you feel".

 

[kwigibo]

I don't suppose if Martin Love has Simon Katch's phone number he could have rung Katich and said "I know how you feel".

He's probably tied up listening to Stuart Law lamenting his lack of an average.

 

[Crazy Sam]

Elliot hasn't been 'omitted', he was never selected!! Katich is a much much better choice.

 

[Dasa]

Elliot has had enough chances already... there are better openers around who haven't been given a Test birth as well, I think. This coming from a big fan of Elliot as well...

 

[Hoggy31]

Even if they were gonna pick another Opener to replace Langer, Elliott wouldn't have been selected anyway. There are better openers like Jimmy Maher and Michael Hussey available.

 

[AUST_HiTMaN]

I'm glad Elliot was dropped from the squad. I did't think he should even have been considered for the Aussie squad in the first place.

Elliott has had enough chances already... there are better openers around who haven't been given a Test birth as well, I think. This coming from a big fan of Elliot as well...

Never a truer word spoken.

My opinion is (should JL be declared unfit) to give sombody a go, who hasn't had much of a chance in the past. Mike Hussey (call me biased if you like!) is a good candidate, his FC record is on a par with Elliott's, and has consistantly produced the goods at domestic cricket.

*passes a tissue to vic orthodox and Josh before they get all upset *

 

[Josh]

Not upset, just interested in opinions and discussions. His stats aren't reflecting good enough form, but I still say he is one of the more technically correct openers in the game.

 

[KennyD]

Not upset, just interested in opinions and discussions. His stats aren't reflecting good enough form, but I still say he is one of the more technically correct openers in the game.

But being technically correct means virtually nothing nowadays. Look at Mattie Hayden, the best opening bat in the world, but his technique is nothing to write home about. Its all about results, and who gets them.

 

[Craig]

I guess if they never play Test cricket, Jimmy Maher and Mike Hussey should consider themselves unlucky not to wear the Baggy Green at one point (obviously the spot wasn't open and when it was they were leap frogged).

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

I'd be happiest seeing Mike Hussey getting the call-up, but Katich is still a better choice than Elliot.

 

[Neil Pickup]

Elliott's Test career has been as dead as Brendon Julian's ever since his recall last summer/winter against Sri Lanka, when he contributed 1 and 0.

 

[age_master]

Katich has opened enough for NSW, should be play he should do well. i agree that Hussey would probably be the next opener in line at the moment. for a longer term appointment he would probably have got it, but for shoter term a stint opening Katich is the man

 

[mavric41]

As a one test replacement it would not of surprised me if they went with Jimmy Maher as he is in good form and has an established batting partnership with Hayden.

 

[Mister Wright]

As a one test replacement it would not of surprised me if they went with Jimmy Maher as he is in good form and has an established batting partnership with Hayden.

Yep, but don't expect anyone outside of Queensland to be campaigning for him.

Elliot has had his chances and cannot play quality pace bowlers. He was shown up by Courtney Walsh in the West Indies and Vaas mid-year. Give someone else ago. Katich was unlucky to miss out, he was rightly called up into the squad.

At least Katich's edge isn't as well knocked in as Elliot's.