Do the selectors hate opening batsmen?

[wazzaisachamp]

Okay, this is the theory Im subscribing too. Ricky and Watson opening the batting, S.Marsh struggling to get a place and probably the 2 best openers in the land playing for NSW! (P.Hughes and P.Jaques.)

Okay fair enough, Watson has started to prove himself as an opener and a strong top order player and Im also sure that Ricky could do a fine job opening, but why don't the selectors like actual opening batsmen anymore?

Jaques and Hughes both starting show form for NSW, it will be very interesting to see what happens at the top of the order for Australia in tests and ODI's in the future. Surely one of those two would slot in for the first test.

 

[King Elvis]

This is our current selection panel;

 

[demon21]

I agree that Marsh should be opening the batting at the moment with Watson but they must think they need Ponting to open for team balance.

I still think long term Watson will open in the One day side and when Haddin gets back in the team they will stick with that.

 

[courtjester]

One day cricket selection has never cared about proper opening bats. That started with a massively successful combo when Gilchrist and M.Waugh opened for us.

Tendulkar, Lara, Fleming: all those guys opened in 1 dayers and not in tests. Hopes, Haddin, Watson and Paine have all had a crack at it recently.

Basically Ponting is opening while Paine and Haddin are out injured, because Manou probably isn't suited to open and we can't pick an extra opener as well as an extra keeper.

 

[King Elvis]

Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist went alright together too...

 

[wazzaisachamp]

Yeah good point about the One Day games, Michael Clarke has opened plenty of times too, and Hopes and I think Martyn has too in the past (maybe that was a T20?)

Noticed that Manou didnt even bat at all the other day, and Johnson came in at #7, even though Mitch has shown to be very handy with the bat and they may have wanted him as a pinch hitter in the last few overs, surely thats a bit of a slap in the face for Manou?

Surely at least one of Hughes or Jaques should be playing in the first test, its crazy, both of them average about 50 in Test cricket and now they may not play in the first test instead of 2 part time openers!

As good as Katich and Watson have been, neither of them are long term prospects. Watson could probably hold his own in the middle order in the future though, before the Ashes series people were calling Hughes the new Bradman! And even though thats crazy talk, hes a talented kid and should be in there.

Phil Jaques for the last few years had always been the best opener in the land except for Hayden and Langer, got his spot in the team, played some great cricket, then got injured. Looks like hes getting in some very good form for NSW and surely is pushing for selection in the first test.

 

[Spikey]

This is our current selection panel;

They give me more laughter than the average Family Guy episode...

 

[Johnson#26]

tests:
katich
hughes (or di venuto )

odis:
marsh
paine(wk)

t20s:
marsh
warner

 

[courtjester]

It's actually quite difficult selecting a 1 day team due to the ten over maximum, because you must select 5 bowlers you can rely on. In tests Australia usually only pick 4 bowlers, but in 1 dayers we are forced to choose 5 bowlers. This is one reason Gilly was such a 1 day legend, he could play as a batsman, but also kept wickets.

It's also why we have seen the selectors opting for Haddin, Watson, Paine and Hopes as openers.

It's also the reason guys like Hopes and Watson are gold in the one dayers. They can both open the batting, often making quick 20s or 30s, then bowl 8-10 overs each.

Hughes is one guy I would like to see given a shot in the one day team. Did really well in the recent 20-20 comp, and would have been good for his confidence after he was dropped from the Ashes. I actually think that it wont be too long before Hughes and Warner are opening for Aust in 50 over cricket, and I like the thought! I'd say Jaques will never play 1 dayers, partly because he's a bit older, and partly because he's a poor fielder.

 

[Hellgood]

tests:
katich
hughes (or di venuto )

odis:
marsh
paine(wk)

t20s:
marsh
warner

Would be pretty happy if this happened however I would like to see Jaques or maybe Rogers given another shot at test cricket one day

 

[TorresIsGod]

Michael Di Venuto ftw! Get him in there.

Martin Love deserves a spot in the middle order too.

 

[Wallaby]

Michael Di Venuto ftw! Get him in there.

Martin Love deserves a spot in the middle order too.

Bring Back Deano!