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[ianbuchanan]

Warner
Watson
Ponting
Clarke
Khawaja
Hussey
Wade
Siddle
Cummings
Starc
Lyon

[The_Bird]

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.

[ianbuchanan]

Would be a toss up between Khawaja and Cowan for me, long term I'd go Khawaja

[The_Bird]

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

[lastmanstand]

If I was paying money to see either Watson or one of Khawaja/Cowan it would be Watson every time

[legger123]

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.

[Old boy]

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.

[Manormanic]

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?

[vividgreen]

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).

[ianbuchanan]

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

[wasted_talent]

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

[Village Trundler]

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.

[Vic Nicholas]

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.

[Village Trundler]

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.