Search results for query: *

Look at this waffle. Just be straightforward: which batsmen do you think are well-placed to push into the ODI side?

That's inadequate. And makes no sense. Why won't you give a straight answer?

You're not impressed by his List A average of 27?

I wouldn't be posting at all if I were you.

That's a bit shrill. Do you think I've asked an unreasonable question? I happen to think the ODI side will remain settled until after the World Cup. I'm asking those who think there's still some wiggle room: Which batsman is a chance, if not Khawaja? Surely, if anyone is well-placed to force...

No way. There's another bloke with 600 Test wickets in him just waiting for a tap on the shoulder. The penny drops slowly for some.

In the Test side. We've been talking about the ODI side. I assume you understand the difference? Which batsmen are well-placed to push into the ODI side? Who is at the top of your list? How can I be wrong when you can't even articulate your own argument? If you think there are batsmen...

Very few questions are required to demonstrate that you don't know whether you're coming or going. For that to be possible, you would need to be able to think in a straight line. Tell us more about the opportunities for new players to emerge this summer. Who is top of your list?

That's reasonable. There are four questions to be answered before the World Cup: 1. How does the top three look? Watson is nailed on. Who takes the other two spots? 2. Watson aside, who is the preferred all-rounder and how does that alter the composition of the side? 3. Is Harris in the mix...

I agree. I just think it's odd that those who believe there are still spots up for grabs don't deem Khawaja a viable option. What squad would you pick for the ODIs against South Africa?

This makes no sense. How have I "answered your previous point"? What does that even mean? You ignored my question about whether Smith deserved to be recalled. Should we assume that's because you were simply unable to answer it? Also, we are clearly talking about the ODI side so I'm not sure...

I just want to know who would be top of your list. You said that there is the opportunity for other players to vault into the Australian side. Who is making a better case than Khawaja? Who would be in your squad to face the Saffas? Will there be opportunities for players who can stand up...

That's fascinating but I would suggest to you that you have misread the conversation. I expect it will be more or less a closed shop until after the World Cup. Others, however, have insisted that the stage is set for new players to emerge this summer and that any player in form could leapfrog...

Surely it's a case of shuffling the cards already in front of us. Some combination of Johnson, Starc, Harris, Coulter-Nile and Richardson, with support from 1-2 all-rounders? I guess we're close enough to the next ODI series to start talking about potential squads. We have five matches against...

Who would be your first choice? If it's not Khawaja, who is in great form and also has an outstanding ODD record, you must have a pretty compelling alternative. Hang on. You talk about "rewarding players performing at lower ranks" but don't want Khawaja, who's doing exactly that. What's that...

Are you saying it's unlikely major changes will be made so close to a World Cup?

Would you pick Khawaja? Like you said, the summer will bring opportunities for those that can stand up. Isn't Khawaja a prime example?

So you accept it's not a strawman? The several posts in which you insisted it was a strawman were complete bullshit. Agreed? You did in fact say that if a batsman was in cracking form, the selectors would give them an opportunity. But we should apparently infer some hidden nuance in your...

Again, it's not a strawman. It's a direct quote of your comments a few weeks ago. The fact you call it a strawman only indicates how desperate you are to distance yourself from those comments. You said that if a player was in cracking form, the selectors would give him an opportunity. You...

How is it a strawman? You said that if a player was in cracking form, the selectors would give them an opportunity. That is not a strawman. Khawaja is in cracking form but you don't want him, thereby undermining your previous argument. All I've done is reminded you of what you said previously...

Previously, you said that if a player was in cracking form, the selectors would give him an opportunity. Khawaja ticks that box. But you don't want him, thereby contradicting your earlier statement. Regardless of what 'your mix' looks likes, he played in Zimbabwe and the UAE. That's the...

Be specific. Would you pick Khawaja? He is the player in 'cracking form'. I think the XI for the World Cup will include a combination of the guys already in the mix. In other words, Watson, Finch, Warner, S. Marsh, Hughes, Smith, Clarke, Bailey and Maxwell.

Would you pick Khawaja? Previously you said a player in 'cracking form' would be given a shot. Does that still apply?

He's fit to bowl whenever he's bowling. So whenever Watson is bowling in a ODI, he is, in your view, as a good a bowler as Johnson or Steyn. Hilarious. You singled them out as guys who could challenge for spots in the Australian team. I'd say that constitutes 'talking them up'. That aside...

What are you referring to? Do you disagree with something I've said?

When he's bowled, he's been fit to bowl. By definition. Sure. But you made no such distinction when you simply said that Watson is as good a bowler as anyone in the world. That is a wild exaggeration. Just to clarify. Is Watson as good a bowler as anyone in the world? Is he as good as Johnson...

I'm a bit confused. Previously, you said that if a player was in 'cracking form' and 'scored three centuries', the selectors would give them an opportunity. Khawaja more or less ticks that box at the moment. Should he be picked? As for these other guys, do you think they will be picked before...

Hang on, if he's playing and bowling, he has to be considered fit. You can't just pick and choose. That's not what you said. His status as an all-rounder is irrelevant. You said he is as good a ODI bowler as anyone in the world. That's patently nonsense. Maybe he bowls in the middle overs...

Now we have a case study.

You have to do better than that. Why not? Khawaja has two tons and an 85 from his last three knocks and was also very good last season. My point is that, if a guy with those numbers shouldn't be considered, it means it's pretty much a closed shop until after the World Cup. Well, those are the...