Michael Clarke Discussion thread

[marc71178]

Dont underestmate Watson it looks now as though his bowling is not going to reach a very high standerd but his batting is world class..

Batting is World Class despite the fact he's not played a Test and his ODI average owes more than a little to his 9 not outs from 17 (he doesn't even score quickly in ODIs!)

Surely one can only be a World Class batsman when they play Internationally?

 

[Mr. P]

Bowling properly? How is that an excuse?

Watson isn't bowling properly now.

It's only in the next 2 years or so he'll be bowling properly.

 

[Mr. P]

Surely one can only be a World Class batsman when they play Internationally?

One could argue against that. (Hick?)

 

[marc71178]

Bowling properly? How is that an excuse?

All Rounders need to both bat and bowl.

Owing to injuries, at 23 or so, Flintoff wasn't bowling.

 

[marc71178]

One could argue against that. (Hick?)

World Class?

Don't think so.

 

[Mr. P]

Hmm I suppose it depends on how you define "world class"

Some people here seem to think Tikolo and Odumbe are world class, I think Bashar is world class...so I don't see how Hick isn't. He has such a superb record, just unfulfilled at international level but I don't think that means he was a not-so-great player...

Put it down to whatever you want, but Hick has to be rated highly IMO...

 

[marc71178]

World Class performers can only be called world class by playing at the highest level.

 

[Mr. P]

Maybe yes. Maybe no.

Who would you rate higher, Tikolo or Blewett?

 

[marc71178]

In terms of World Class, neither.

 

[Son Of Coco]

He wasn't bowling properly then.

It's only in the last 2 years or so he's been bowling properly.

Averages suggest he certainly wasn't, Watson's coming back from injury, is it fair to suggest he's not bowling properly too?

 

[Son Of Coco]

Sounds eminently sensible to me (at least for a try) - he's not exactly had a fair crack of the whip in the big game

His last tour of the subcontinent wasn't exactly productive in Test cricket, unfortunately you don't get too many chances in the Oz team at the moment.

 

[luckyeddie]

His last tour of the subcontinent wasn't exactly productive in Test cricket, unfortunately you don't get too many chances in the Oz team at the moment.

He's not the first to be undone by Murali's eyes

 

[Richard]

World Class?

Don't think so.

I do, in ODIs, and so would anyone with any sense.

 

[Richard]

He wasn't bowling properly then.

It's only in the last 2 years or so he's been bowling properly.

The last 3, actually.

 

[Richard]

To me, Watson seems like he would be a better Test player than he would be an ODI player (ie I think he is better suited to the longer form of the game).

I've thought that ever since I've examined his situation.

 

[Richard]

talented batsman and the future of australian cricket or overated?

Both.
There are many commentators (especially here in England) who seem to be under the impression he is far better than IMO he currently is.
But equally there is no doubting he has a lot of potential and could be a big part of the future of Australian cricket.

 

[SJS]

Clarke has both high potential and real class.

He looks as if he belongs and thats something for one so young and more so in a side as strong as Australia.

 

[Deja moo]

Clarke has both high potential and real class.

He looks as if he belongs and thats something for one so young and more so in a side as strong as Australia.

second that

 

[Nate]

i think watties should get a go in tests... in saying that, i can imagine michael under a baggy green quite well. both future test players i reckon.

 

[Richard]

Clarke has both high potential and real class.

He looks as if he belongs and thats something for one so young and more so in a side as strong as Australia.

Clarke is 23 with 4 seasons under his belt - he's not that young.
He's also not been at all convincing in his ODI career to date - he had a fantastic start (average of 208 after 4 innings).
Since then he's averaged 29.13 when you remove Zimbabwe games (perfectly legitimate, given that Zimbabwe have not been ODI standard from WC2003 onwards).
Still to convince as far as I'm concerned.