Watson wants to be test opener.

[chaminda_00]

Haha, well he has self-belief, I'll say that. I'm not aware of him opening at any level aside from a few goes at the top in the ODI outfit.

His opened the batting in ODs for Tasmania and batted regular at 3 for Tassie as well. If he was to open he wouldn't be first No 3 to be pushed up to open. But usually that only happens when you got no other options, i.e NZ with Fulton.

 

[Dasa]

Watson should bat at 6, with Rogers and Jacques competing for the opening spot. Simple really.

In reality though, I think Hussey opening with Symonds and Watson both in the middle is more likely at the moment.

Haha, thought for a second there you meant Hussey should open with Symonds.

 

[Matt79]

His opened the batting in ODs for Tasmania and batted regular at 3 for Tassie as well. If he was to open he wouldn't be first No 3 to be pushed up to open. But usually that only happens when you got no other options, i.e NZ with Fulton.

But nothing in the longer form of the game?

 

[chaminda_00]

But nothing in the longer form of the game?

When he was at Tassie he basically played as an opener, not the most reliable opening combination they had back then. He might have been listed at three, but there weren't many innings where he didn't face the new ball early on.

 

[vic_orthdox]

Cox and DiVenuto aren't terrible...

 

[chaminda_00]

Cox and DiVenuto aren't terrible...

Im pretty sure at that time Cox was out of form and DiVentuto was batting in the middle order at 4. Probably have to check some scorecards, but i think Dawson was the other opener.

 

[Matt79]

When he was at Tassie he basically played as an opener, not the most reliable opening combination they had back then. He might have been listed at three, but there weren't many innings where he didn't face the new ball early on.

Interesting - however unless Hayden, Jaques and Rogers all fall under buses (in which case the coppers will be looking closely at the CW Watto Mafia) I can't see it happening. If Watto is in the team, then Symonds' bowling becomes pretty irrelevant. And if that's the case, then its hard to see the case for Symonds being a better option AS A BATSMAN than either Jaques or Rogers. We just don't need two all-rounders who are yet to prove they're credentials at test level - especially when there are specialists who have done everything you could ask waiting in the wings...

 

[R_D]

Ever feel Watson's just too eager, he should wait for his chance,they'll come as long he is not injured anyway it be pretty stupid move by selectors to chose a non-specilist opener imho.

This would be my team but Symonds in for Hodge most likely.
Rogers
Hayden
Ponting
Clark
Hussey
Hodge
Gilchrist
Lee
Clark
McGill
Tait

 

[chaminda_00]

Interesting - however unless Hayden, Jaques and Rogers all fall under buses (in which case the coppers will be looking closely at the CW Watto Mafia) I can't see it happening. If Watto is in the team, then Symonds' bowling becomes pretty irrelevant. And if that's the case, then its hard to see the case for Symonds being a better option AS A BATSMAN than either Jaques or Rogers. We just don't need two all-rounders who are yet to prove they're credentials at test level - especially when there are specialists who have done everything you could ask waiting in the wings...

Just for arguement sake say Watson opened, then you could bring in Hodge to replace Symonds as the middle order batsmen; Watson, Hayden, Ponting, Hussey, Clarke, Hodge.

Or is that what you were saying got a bit confused to your point there.

Anyway Mason and Cox were the two openers when Watson batted at three for Tasmania. They averaged 25.93 (Cox) and 28.84 (Mason). Watson came in early in most innings, generally one failed.

 

[Matt79]

Well if it got Hodge into the team... (Just kidding).

I don't think we need Symonds and Watson in the team at once. And if the choice is having one of Jaques/Rogers opening with Hayden and Watson/Symonds at 6 or Watson opening and Hodge/Symonds at 6, I'd go with the former - acknowledging that neither Jaques or Rogers have had a chance yet to show they can translate FC results into Test results...

 

[PhoenixFire]

Cox and DiVenuto aren't terrible...

DiVenuto is having a great season for Derby****e here, scored a 200, and made loads of runs, with any other Test nation, I reckon he would have had a look in, in Tests.

 

[Matt79]

There seem to be plenty of ridiculous scores being made over there at the moment, many by players who have looked not-Test class, or otherwise fairly average in the Tests they played though...

 

[Fiery]

Btw, where is D.Hussey's career heading atm.

He was in good form last season and has a lot of experience under his belt, but the Aussie selectors simply don't seem to rate him.

What do you guys think would he ever play for Australia??

Where's pup11? It's been over a week since this good chap posted

 

[howardj]

DiVenuto is having a great season for Derby****e here, scored a 200, and made loads of runs, with any other Test nation, I reckon he would have had a look in, in Tests.

I don't rate Diva in FC cricket.

 

[vic_orthdox]

Yeah, DiVenuto (despite being one of my favourite players) never really pieced together enough consistent season in a row to put pressure on selectors. Always been a bit of a start machine.

 

[aussie]

I don't doubt he can do it, but for an all-rounder in test cricket the workload is going to be too much overall, so in the long-run i don't think Watson opening would be a wise idea.

 

[silentstriker]

TBH, I wouldn't mind being a test opener either.

 

[four_or_six]

If he wants to bat like JL, hope he doesn't mould his bowling on JL too

 

[iamdavid]

Watson a test opener ?

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,21936416-23212,00.html

"Watson has managed just three Tests so far, breaking down with injury in his last match in December 2005.

But he believes he is a candidate to replace the retired Justin Langer as a Test opener.

"I do feel my game is up to standard technically and mentally to open the batting," Watson said.

Watson has done well as an opener in Australia's one-day team, and averages 49.22 in first-class cricket, batting mostly in the top-order. "

I found this interesting, it hadnt really crossed my mind the idea of Watson opening the batting in tests, but come to think of it I do agree that in terms of technique he has what it takes to counter the new ball, his technique is as textbook as that of anybody in Australia atm. And the other top 5 all apear reasonably settled atm and he wont make the lineup as a bowler so it may just be his only way in.

However it is fraught with danger the idea of shunting a guy whose never opened in FC cricket upto the top of the order in test matches, seen other countries make similar mistakes over the past decade making middle order players open (Ramps, Laxman, etc) and till now Australia have wisely steered clear of the idea.

Do you think its a good idea and do you think its likely to happen ?

 

[Prince EWS]

and till now Australia have wisely steered clear of the idea.

Langer?