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General Cricket => Latest Matches => Topic started by: vividgreen on November 14, 2012, 10:19:35 PM

Title: Shane Watson - Should he be selected as a batsmen ???
Post by: vividgreen on November 14, 2012, 10:19:35 PM
Hi Guys,
i thought i would run this past fellow cricket lovers. Do you think Shane Watson is a good enough batsmen to be selected in the Australian team as a batsmen only (no bowling duties) ??????

I find it hard to comprehend why the Australian selectors have a policy of "Allrounder or nothing" for Shane Watson - if he can't bowl he doesn't get selected.
I can understand this train of thought if they had plenty of batsmen knocking the test door down, but its pretty bear at the moment - surely he would be in their best 4 or 5 batsmen. His batting record is half decent....
Title: Re: Shane Watson - Should he be selected as a batsmen ???
Post by: Buzz on November 14, 2012, 10:26:01 PM
yes, he is good enough to play as a batsman. he should make more tons than he does though.
Title: Re: Shane Watson - Should he be selected as a batsmen ???
Post by: langer17 on November 14, 2012, 11:35:40 PM
When he wasn't bowling he as averaging 45 or 46 since returning from his injuries and being a regular member of the team, but since bowling again, his average has dropped to under 40. I'd say he should definitely come into the team if he is just a batsmen. Quiney out, Watson in. End of discussion really.
Title: Re: Shane Watson - Should he be selected as a batsmen ???
Post by: Jenko on November 14, 2012, 11:55:39 PM
Watson to open with cowan, quiney out, Usman back in....really rate him have done for a while now!
Title: Re: Shane Watson - Should he be selected as a batsmen ???
Post by: Old boy on November 15, 2012, 01:53:24 AM
Yes!! Watson should be in as a batsman only. His first entry, or entries, into test cricket was as a bowling allrounder but his body was not up to it. He finally made it back as a batsman, and did well, although he has not gotten those big innings that we'd like to see, he has been consistent. Unfortunately it would appear that the bowling has caught up with him again. He has shown that he is capable of still playing all 3 forms as a batsman only.
Title: Re: Shane Watson - Should he be selected as a batsmen ???
Post by: langer17 on November 15, 2012, 01:54:14 AM
Watson to open with cowan, quiney out, Usman back in....really rate him have done for a while now!


Who goes out for Khawaja?
Title: Re: Shane Watson - Should he be selected as a batsmen ???
Post by: langer17 on November 15, 2012, 01:56:34 AM
Who goes out for Khawaja?

Would have to be Warner or Ponting really. Hussey got runs so he won't be out and Ponting was smashing the shield before the tests. Warner didn't play any first class cricket, and not much cricket at all in the lead up to the series. Tough, but I agree, Khawaja should come back in at some stage.
Title: Re: Shane Watson - Should he be selected as a batsmen ???
Post by: Jenko on November 15, 2012, 03:11:38 AM
Yeah Warner would be the guy to go for kwahaja if Watson was to come back as an opener...
Title: Re: Shane Watson - Should he be selected as a batsmen ???
Post by: smokem on November 15, 2012, 05:26:33 AM
I agree Warner should go out for Watto. I'm not sure Warner is quite ready for the South African quicks. Quiney got out to a rash shot. But his footwork against Steyn in particular was really impressive - really quick into position. I think he deserves more time.
Title: Re: Shane Watson - Should he be selected as a batsmen ???
Post by: Village Trundler on November 15, 2012, 07:05:32 AM
Don't personally think so.

Arguably the best old ball bowler in the team.... I reckon he is a bowling allrounder, stuck in the top order because they struggled to find batsmen.

He could be a brilliant allrounder if managed properly, but instead he is a mediocre opening batsman. Should wait til he is fit, then move him to the middle order where his style is better suited.
Title: Re: Shane Watson - Should he be selected as a batsmen ???
Post by: Number4 on November 15, 2012, 07:08:58 AM
I see him more as an Ian Botham type middle order batsman/all rounder. Don't think Botham opened too many innings did he?
Title: Re: Shane Watson - Should he be selected as a batsmen ???
Post by: Jenko on November 15, 2012, 07:19:50 AM
I agree with giving quiney more of a go....I just think khawaja should be slotted in and not sure who else would go if him and Watson were to come in.
Title: Re: Shane Watson - Should he be selected as a batsmen ???
Post by: vividgreen on November 15, 2012, 07:39:22 AM
Ok, looks like a topic for a good discussion. Personally my line up would be;

Cowan
Quiney (is a geniune opener who should be given a chance)
Watson or Clarke
Ponting
Clarke or Watson
Hussey
Wade
Siddle (or Cummings when he gets fit )
Patterson
Starc or Hilfy (geniune swing bowlers)
Lyon

I think Warner may not quite be ready against top line attacks that the S.Africa and England have - he is alright when he can bully inferior attacks.
Ponting will come good....... was the only batsmen scoring sheild runs on green lively strips early season.

Khawaja will eventually take Pontings spot at No3, with Clarke at No4 and Watson dropping down to No5, bullying tired bowling attacks in the middle order - sounds nice doesn't it....
Title: Re: Shane Watson - Should he be selected as a batsmen ???
Post by: keysersolze on November 15, 2012, 07:43:23 AM
I love watching Watto play, when he is in the groove and hitting freely its as good as Chris Gayle for big hitting. Bowling is too much on his Calves and thighs now as can be seen in the change of his bowling technique from 10 years ago compared to now. But what a player if he can be fit for the ashes and hitting freely its a done deal ashes on their way back down under, and dont write punter of he still has it!!!!
Title: Re: Shane Watson - Should he be selected as a batsmen ???
Post by: Buzz on November 15, 2012, 08:24:25 AM
I am a massive fan of warner, I don't want to see him dropped.
Title: Re: Shane Watson - Should he be selected as a batsmen ???
Post by: ianbuchanan on November 15, 2012, 08:41:35 AM
Warner
Watson
Ponting
Clarke
Khawaja
Hussey
Wade
Siddle
Cummings
Starc
Lyon
Title: Re: Shane Watson - Should he be selected as a batsmen ???
Post by: The_Bird on November 15, 2012, 08:51:51 AM
Warner
Watson
Ponting
Clarke
Khawaja
Hussey
Wade
Siddle
Cummings
Starc
Lyon

No Cowan? Surprised the Aussies didn't persist with Khawaja after the ashes. Clarke should've gone up the order to protect the younger batsmen. But instead Australia are looking for a no.3 when they should be blooding a young no.5/6 who could slot in with a lot less pressure.
Title: Re: Shane Watson - Should he be selected as a batsmen ???
Post by: ianbuchanan on November 15, 2012, 08:59:55 AM
Would be a toss up between Khawaja and Cowan for me, long term I'd go Khawaja
Title: Re: Shane Watson - Should he be selected as a batsmen ???
Post by: The_Bird on November 15, 2012, 09:06:42 AM
Would be a toss up between Khawaja and Cowan for me, long term I'd go Khawaja

A Khawaja/Cowan hybrid would be perfect I think haha
Title: Re: Shane Watson - Should he be selected as a batsmen ???
Post by: lastmanstand on November 15, 2012, 09:27:18 AM

If I was paying money to see either Watson or one of Khawaja/Cowan it would be Watson every time
Title: Re: Shane Watson - Should he be selected as a batsmen ???
Post by: legger123 on November 15, 2012, 10:00:06 AM
I know this changing subject now, but why have they not tried Stephen O'Keefe as their spinner, after seeing him in the Champions League was fairy impressed with him, and he's also fairly useful with the bat.
Title: Re: Shane Watson - Should he be selected as a batsmen ???
Post by: Old boy on November 15, 2012, 10:17:07 AM
I know this changing subject now, but why have they not tried Stephen O'Keefe as their spinner, after seeing him in the Champions League was fairy impressed with him, and he's also fairly useful with the bat.
yet to be proven as a long form bowler.
Title: Re: Shane Watson - Should he be selected as a batsmen ???
Post by: Manormanic on November 15, 2012, 10:21:00 AM
Watson is an all rounder in one day cricket but he should not be needed too much in Test cricket ergo yes, they probably should at least consider him.  The only question is whether there is a spot for him.

Quiney should not be a one test wonder, and Hussey Cowan and Clarke are locked on.  Personally I feel Warner should also be a certainty (Watson ideally being a five or six bat to me) s0...is it time to give Punter the nudge?
Title: Re: Shane Watson - Should he be selected as a batsmen ???
Post by: vividgreen on November 15, 2012, 11:34:02 AM
Warner
Watson
Ponting
Clarke
Khawaja
Hussey
Wade
Siddle
Cummings
Starc
Lyon

What about Patterson ? he's made a super impact in his 6 tests so far - fast, agressive and can swing the ball - long future.......

I guarantee we will eventually be seeing Watson bat middle order (5 or 6), where he will come in and do a Gilchrist and destroy tired attacks. By being positioned here, it will give him more time to recouperate and bowl his 12-15 overs per innings like a Kallis. This will be when Watson reaches his potential. He is actually a very good bowler and picks up wickets consistently with wicket to wicket bowling and late swing.....
Thats my crystal ball in 2 years time.......... (store this thread).
Title: Re: Shane Watson - Should he be selected as a batsmen ???
Post by: ianbuchanan on November 15, 2012, 03:20:50 PM
Would have been a toss up between the 3 main seamers, gone with experience of Siddle, Control of Starc and raw pace of Cummings. Although Pattinson would be 12th man for sure ;)
Title: Re: Shane Watson - Should he be selected as a batsmen ???
Post by: wasted_talent on November 15, 2012, 03:33:01 PM
Hi Guys,
i thought i would run this past fellow cricket lovers. Do you think Shane Watson is a good enough batsmen to be selected in the Australian team as a batsmen only (no bowling duties) ??????

I find it hard to comprehend why the Australian selectors have a policy of "Allrounder or nothing" for Shane Watson - if he can't bowl he doesn't get selected.
I can understand this train of thought if they had plenty of batsmen knocking the test door down, but its pretty bear at the moment - surely he would be in their best 4 or 5 batsmen. His batting record is half decent....

i'd have thuoght Watson;s batting alone is good enough. Unless there are others on the domestic circuit who are better? Which I will find it hard to believe
Title: Re: Shane Watson - Should he be selected as a batsmen ???
Post by: Village Trundler on November 15, 2012, 06:56:05 PM
i'd have thuoght Watson;s batting alone is good enough. Unless there are others on the domestic circuit who are better? Which I will find it hard to believe

2 hundreds in over 60 innings, sub 40 average, fragile and on the wrong side of 30.

His true value is what he can do with the ball. He's the go to man when you need a wicket.

Odis are a different story, but I wouldn't pick him as a specialist batsman for tests.

Title: Re: Shane Watson - Should he be selected as a batsmen ???
Post by: Vic Nicholas on November 17, 2012, 12:41:55 PM
Watto is 5-6.

My bowling attack would be to pick any three fit pacemen from the following guys:

Pattinson
Cummins
Starc
Hazelwood
McDermott

That squad of five should form teh backbone of the Oz pace attack for the next decade.

Mitch Marsh will eventually replace Watson in teh next two years or so.
Title: Re: Shane Watson - Should he be selected as a batsmen ???
Post by: Village Trundler on November 17, 2012, 08:28:24 PM

Mitch Marsh will eventually replace Watson in teh next two years or so.

Lots of people (including very good judges) have raging tickets on M.Marsh. I dont see it personally...
I've seen him play a few first class games and he doesn't even look to aim up at that level.... Batting avg <22, bowling average is ok at <27, but thats from 31 wickets in 22 matches.
I know stats aren't the full story, but he just doesn't look like a long form player to me.