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

[uvelocity]

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.

I'd love to make a joke right now, but yes. Don't know that its universal though. H00sey was never derided, sure they said he was past it - but it was always about his playing. Always been seen as a good guy. Clarke turning monster has coincided with him doing a very solid job of being Australian captain. Who knows what will happen if his form dips. But yeah you're right that if someone is doing well there's no criticism.

[benchmark00]

If Watson saying he likes opening the batting causes Cowan to play poorly than I'm afraid Cowan isn't a cricketer to start off with. Every single cricketer in the country would come out, if asked, and say they want a position in the national side, it's not like that brings undue pressure on the incumbents. I concede it's a slightly different situation when the person saying it is an incumbent themself, but really it would have no baring, and if anything should be used as a source of motivation.

Every player within a professional sports environment should have pressure on them to perform, it's just the nature of it. Don't blame Watson for Cowan's failures.

And anyway, Watson has always said he wants to open, he said he was happy to bat down the order to accommodate Cowan or whatever, but he always said he likes opening the most. Yet we make him out like the devil?

[Monk]

If Watson saying he likes opening the batting causes Cowan to play poorly than I'm afraid Cowan isn't a cricketer to start off with. Every single cricketer in the country would come out, if asked, and say they want a position in the national side, it's not like that brings undue pressure on the incumbents. I concede it's a slightly different situation when the person saying it is an incumbent themself, but really it would have no baring, and if anything should be used as a source of motivation.

Every players within a professional sports environment should have pressure on them to perform, it's just the nature of it. Don't blame Watson for Cowan's failures.

And anyway, Watson has always said he wants to open, he said he was happy to bat down the order to accommodate Cowan or whatever, but he always said he likes opening the most. Yet we make him out like the devil?

You make good points, as always. But the issue is the regularity imo. Every other week it seems Watson wants to be doing something else in the team. I understand the media beat **** up, but he does keep providing quotes.

If Watson just expressed his preference once- "I'd like to open, but I'll play where the team needs me most", I'd like that.

I agree, Cowan controls his destiny. If he makes consistent runs, he'll probably open for Australia for years, if not, Watson will probably go back there. But really, the only people Watson needs to express this to now are the coaches, selectors and Clarke. Just stop talking to the media about what you want to do in the team.

[aussie tragic]

Interesting stat (or not), 5 of the Aussie top 6 have now played 7 matches together....not great results

Clarke: 635 runs @ 52.91
Warner: 482 runs @ 37.07
Wade: 376 runs @ 34.18
Watson: 391 runs @ 30.07
Cowan: 362 runs @ 27.84

(Hughes, 3 of the 7 matches, 118 runs @ 23.60)

At least we have Henriques at #7 who has 149 runs @ 149.00

Batting records | Test matches | Cricinfo Statsguru | ESPN Cricinfo

[Spikey]

did i just post in the correct thread #sparkthoughts

a great moment for spark

[Monk]

I've hardly seen Henriques bat. Anyone got any insight? What's he play like?

[Burgey]

I take umbrage at Monk saying Murphy made good points "as usual".

[vic_orthdox]

Good article on cricinfo, speaking to Gavin Robertson.

[uvelocity]

I take umbrage at Monk saying Murphy made good points "as usual".

clearly frazzled, he intended 'for once' I'm sure

[Mister Wright]

Dear Australian Public,

We have no idea how to select a team to beat competitive opposition.

Yours Sincerely,

The Austrailian National Selection Panel.

[aussie tragic]

okay clearly no-one is sharing my Cowan hate....

Last 6 Tests have produced 289 runs at 26.27, while his overall average is now a whopping 32.62

Batting records | Test matches | Cricinfo Statsguru | ESPN Cricinfo

Dump him already

Warner
Watson
Hughes
Clarke
Khawaja
Wade
Henriques
O'Keefe (replacement for Bird)
Pattinson
Siddle
Lyon

[Spikey]

same xi for tomorrow btw

Good article on cricinfo, speaking to Gavin Robertson. OH HEY HERE'S THE LINK Australia in India 2012-13 : 'You have no idea what you're doing here' | Cricket Features | India v Australia | ESPN Cricinfo

thx bro

[Prince EWS]

Dear Australian Public,

We have no idea how to select a team to beat competitive opposition.

Yours Sincerely,

The Austrailian National Selection Panel.

Definitely should have picked Cutting, Hartley, Khawaja and Hauritz obviously.

[benchmark00]

same xi for tomorrow btw

That isn't confirmed, just speculated.

[Mister Wright]

Definitely should have picked Cutting, Hartley, Khawaja and Hauritz obviously.

Absolutely, you've also forgotten McDermott.

QLD do hold all the current domestic titles btw.

Very balanced and well written article in today's Courier Mail about how Hartley should be the Australian wicketkeeper ahead of Wade and Paine. A very good read if you get a chance.