***Official*** Australia in India 2012/13

[Andre]

Originally Posted by vic_orthdox

Shane Watson. #shanewatsonthoughts

It's a joke, isn't it. Missed out with the bat, didn't get his coveted opening spot, so now he wants to bowl again. Nothing to do with the new all-rounder having a great first Test at all...

Wanting to bowl is one thing, coveting an incumbents spot is another... Really lost me when he did that. Bloke has no concept of team.

Any bets that if he doesn't score runs this Test he'll be fit to bowl for the 3rd?

[Monk]

I was thinking we should have a Watson Watch Thread for ages now, based on the amount of times he comes out and claims a different spot in the team (usually ****ting in the face of a team mate).

- I want to open
- I want to bat in the middle order and bowl more
- I want to be an opener and not bowl
- I want to be Jaques Kallis and bat at 4 and bowl a bit
- Want to bat at 4 and not bowl
- Think opening is my best position
- Want to bat down the order and bowl a lot more
- I cant bowl, so I want to bat at 3 or 4
- Or maybe open again.

etc etc, every week or so.

Self serving git.

[wellAlbidarned]

Him and McCullum should grab a coffee some time.

[uvelocity]

shane would burn his mouth and be out for 6-8

[shankar]

The part of the pitch's nature that needs to be criticised is the fact that it got slower with time. That's what makes these pitches boring and not the fact that they assist turn vastly more than pace.

[Valer]

Originally Posted by Monk

I was thinking we should have a Watson Watch Thread for ages now, based on the amount of times he comes out and claims a different spot in the team (usually ****ting in the face of a team mate).

- I want to open
- I want to bat in the middle order and bowl more
- I want to be an opener and not bowl
- I want to be Jaques Kallis and bat at 4 and bowl a bit
- Want to bat at 4 and not bowl
- Think opening is my best position
- Want to bat down the order and bowl a lot more
- I cant bowl, so I want to bat at 3 or 4
- Or maybe open again.

etc etc, every week or so.

Self serving git.

So what should Watson being doing (optimally) given he seems to do better opening, can be VERY effective with the ball, but has obvious injury problems. Its hardly like Australia doesn't need the help in either discipline.

[Monk]

Originally Posted by Valer

So what should Watson being doing (optimally) given he seems to do better opening, can be VERY effective with the ball, but has obvious injury problems. Its hardly like Australia doesn't need the help in either discipline.

Personally, I'd have him in the team only if he is fully fit as an all rounder (able to bowl when asked by the captain).

His correct spot is as an opening batsman.

I think he's an excellent bowler when fit, and if he can bowl in England, it will be a huge bonus for us.

So imo, his correct position is an all rounder who opens the batting.

[Valer]

Originally Posted by Monk

Personally, I'd have him in the team only if he is fully fit as an all rounder (able to bowl when asked by the captain).

His correct spot is as an opening batsman.

I think he's an excellent bowler when fit, and if he can bowl in England, it will be a huge bonus for us.

So imo, his correct position is an all rounder who opens the batting.

You'd be happy to have the line-up instability that this would cause?

(Part of) the problem is he bowls so well that if you don't try to limit the amount you call on him you'd see 30+ over matches with regularity.

[benchmark00]

What do you want Watson to say when asked a question about himself?

[Spikey]

i love shane watson #skidmark00thoughts

[Spark]

Originally Posted by benchmark00

What do you want Watson to say when asked a question about himself?

Yeah tbf the main reason he keeps talking about it is people keep asking. It is odd though.

[uvelocity]

did i just post in the correct thread #sparkthoughts

[Monk]

Originally Posted by benchmark00

What do you want Watson to say when asked a question about himself?

Basically, cliches like "I'm happy to play whatever role the team/captain need me to", instead of engaging the media in the way the media want.

[benchmark00]

Yeah I reckon we need to criticise sportsmen more for not just spewing out cliches...

Come on man. Is anyone else sick of people just complaining about players when it happens to co-incide with them going through a poor patch? 12-18 months ago there was nothing but good things said about Watson, but now that he's gone through some more injuries and not contributing as much to the team he's public enemy #1. Same thing with Clarke, just watch when(if!) he goes through an extended lean patch everyone will be jumping on his back.

[Monk]

Originally Posted by benchmark00

Yeah I reckon we need to criticise sportsmen more for not just spewing out cliches...

Come on man. Is anyone else sick of people just complaining about players when it happens to co-incide with them going through a poor patch? 12-18 months ago there was nothing but good things said about Watson, but now that he's gone through some more injuries and not contributing as much to the team he's public enemy #1. Same thing with Clarke, just watch when(if!) he goes through an extended lean patch everyone will be jumping on his back.

Cliches have a role to play when the alternative is placing pressure on your team-mates. Watson seems to have wanted every position in the batting order at one point in the last couple of years. In spite of whether you think he should open or not (which I do), how does his desire to open the batting (for example) being expressed in the media mess with Cowan (for example)? My negativity about Watson has nothing to do with his form. Reckon he'd have been one of the greatest ARs ever if his body held up (and I feel for him in this regard). But his demeanour on field, and the things he says off field, really **** me.