Who will be Oz's 2nd opener in their next test series?

[social]

The last test vs WI isnt simply interesting because it's test cricket, but also because some critical positions are up for grabs.

Whilst most focus has been on Australia's lack of a spinner and choice of 3rd paceman, the choice of who partners a presumably fit Hayden next time out is also contentious

The serious contenders seem to be Jaques, Katich, Watson and, to a far lesser extent, Hughes and Marsh

Here's my summary of the situation

Jaques - looks like he's struggling, verrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrry ugly, but the guy has a very good test and fc record AND has pulled out a big one today under great pressure

Katich - another incredibly ugly player who was gone for all money last year but has bounced back with a stack of fc runs, is scoring runs out of position, handy bowler BUT shells catches easier than peas

Watson - IMO, best bat of the lot but why sacrifice him as opener

Hughes and Marsh - score more runs

Personally, I'd continue with Jaques.

[SirBloody Idiot]

Would have to be Jaques. He's plainly in pretty average form at the moment and still grinding away runs. Great player when in full flight (as everyone saw with those absurdly good few seasons he had in England and Australia).

[nightprowler10]

Haven't actually watched any one of them play, but from what I've read Jaques seems the best man for the job.

[SirBloody Idiot]

Also, what's with the exclusion of Rogers from the poll? He's comfortably Australia's number three opening batsman and if Hayden went tomorrow I'd be opening with him and Jaques.

[social]

Originally Posted by SirBloody Idiot

Also, what's with the exclusion of Rogers from the poll? He's comfortably Australia's number three opening batsman and if Hayden went tomorrow I'd be opening with him and Jaques.

Tell me how to edit the poll and I'll do it but he's miles behind the guys batting at present

[Richard]

Jaques, has to be. No way has he done poorly enough to be excluded.

Just wish Katich had got back in last year instead of Symonds now. And with them being the same age, unlikely that he'd be able to take Symonds' place if he had the massive run of low scores he deserves.

[silentstriker]

This innings cements Kathich's place? As an opposition fan, I'd rather see Jacques in India, but Katich might have done enough to earn that spot.

[pasag]

Nah, it'll be Katich that gets the chop, regardless of this innings, though no doubt he'll be next in line for any position 1-6 should any of the existing batsman go down.

[sanga1337]

Selectors could go for jaques and Katich. Not likely but considering how they have both scored runs and how Hayden is getting closer to retirement they might...

[Craig]

I wish it was Katich, but he is the fall guy so he will get the axe. He could score 277* and probably would still face the chop

[NZTailender]

Going to cut off Hayden's legs so he doesn't play tbh.

[S.P. Fleming]

DROP HAYDEN! he is just bad for cricket in general. You cant drop Jaques or Katich on the way their playing.

[Top_Cat]

Katich will go when Hayden comes back. He was always a stand-in opener for this series and he'll have been told that.

[Prince EWS]

Originally Posted by Top_Cat

Katich will go when Hayden comes back. He was always a stand-in opener for this series and he'll have been told that.

Indeed. It's not really a matter of looking over all the candidates and choosing the best one, as Jaques is already in the side as such; Katich is just filling in. Katich has played well but Jaques's performances have hardly warranted a dropping from the "best XI". If he didn't get this latest ton he'd probably be on shaky ground, but it'll secure his place regardless of what Katich scores.

[Laurrz]

will be - jaques
wish it was - katich

ultimately would be cruel not to play jaques so yea

will be interesting who indians prefer, Jaques didn't do too bad against em last summer