Solving the Watson conundrum

[Philhughesisbes]

Originally Posted by watson

There's not a lot of difference bewteen the 2 players in terms of numbers;

Cowan
Tests = 13
HS = 136
100s = 1
Ave = 32.81
SR: 43.10 (perfectly acceptable for an opener)

Watson
Tests = 38
HS = 126
100s = 2
Ave = 37.02
SR = 50.15

However the problem with Watson is that it is quite likely that he has already peaked as a batsman. In other words, he's as good as he's ever going to get. If he had the temperment of Steve Waugh then we could look forward to an improvement. But unfortunatley he's a long way off Steve Waugh.

On the other hand I get the feeling that Cowan has the potential to get better. He is no where near peak performance yet, and I think we can look forward to an increased average and more centuries.

In short;

Watson = has been
Cowan = good potential.

Therefore, we stick with the Warner-Cowan combo for the time being.

I agree Cowan should remain at the top but to suggest Watson has reached his peak ??? If Watson gives up the bowling don't you see his average going up?Watson and Cowan will be on the same team for some time certainly up to the end of the ashes series.

[NUFAN]

Watson isn't that bad, some of his posts are a little off the mark but he does try hard and clearly loves the game. At the moment I wouldn't ban him at all, maybe give him a few infraction points if he goes off topic (when people do that it really grinds my gears).

[Monk]

Originally Posted by NUFAN

Watson isn't that bad, some of his posts are a little off the mark but he does try hard and clearly loves the game. At the moment I wouldn't ban him at all, maybe give him a few infraction points if he goes off topic (when people do that it really grinds my gears).

Very true. Watson's a solid contributor and we need his experience in this transition period.

[watson]

Originally Posted by Philhughesisbes

I agree Cowan should remain at the top but to suggest Watson has reached his peak ??? If Watson gives up the bowling don't you see his average going up?Watson and Cowan will be on the same team for some time certainly up to the end of the ashes series.

If you look at Watson's career he has a good year followed by a bad year - 2008 was terrible, 2009 was great, 2010 was mediocre, 2011 was a shocker, 2012 was blah. Like his fitness his form tends to be all over the shop, and I suspect that the 2 things are inter-related.

So, over the long term his career stat's indicate that in a several years from now his average will be exactly 37 all over again.

[LongHopCassidy]

Originally Posted by howardj

Cowan by contrast averages 34, is a nuffy in the field

For all of Cowan's faults, I'd argue that his work at short leg has done him nothing but credit in the side.

[stephen]

Every time I see the name of this thread I cannot help but think "Rock beats scissors, scissors cuts paper but paper covers rock. Kiff, we have a conundrum".

[Viscount Tom]

Tbh I still think its more likely for Cowan to ton up again before Watson gets his third.

[Jono]

Originally Posted by Tangles

I don't get the Cowan love tbh. Seriously average opener. Poor mans Katich. I'd line to try Watson and Warner if he can stay fit not bowling.

He's a good bloke.