Ed Cowan

[Marshland]

Well, Katich was no different. He was a grinder as well, so we shouldn't really be complaining.

 

[The Passenger]

Well, Katich was no different. He was a grinder as well, so we shouldn't really be complaining.

yeah but he was a grinder he was averaging about 50 as an opening bat....

 

[The Passenger]

yeah but he was a grinder he was averaging about 50 as an opening bat....

just backing up what i was saying before, that this series has seen a very high number of starts but very few big scores. aside from the obvious only one century there's actually only been one other score above 75.

despite this the series average for batsmen (29.86) is not a major dip on the 2011 average for batsmen (30.76). these don't include sundries.

that is just due to the placid nature of the wickets... very hard to get batsmen out, but the batsmen never quite feel set. it's not a great series for judging any cricketer to be honest.

2006-2010
overall inns: 7391, ave 33.46
batsmen scoring 20-75 inns: 2499 (33.8% of all innings)
451 centuries (6.1% of innings)
1453 50+ scores (19.6% of innings)

overall 2006-2010: http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/en...6;spanval1=span;template=results;type=batting
20-75 inns 2006-2010: http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/en...6;spanval1=span;template=results;type=batting

2011
overall inns: 1450, ave 30.76.
20-75 inns: 476 inns (32.8% of all innings)
72 centuries (4.9% of innings)
272 50+ scores (18.7% of innings)

overall 2011: http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/en...1;spanval2=span;template=results;type=batting
20-75 inns 2011: http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/en...1;spanval2=span;template=results;type=batting


this series:
overall inns: 69, ave 29.86
20-75 inns: 34 inns, 1111 runs (49.2 % of all innings)
1 century (1.4% of innings)
11 50+ scores (15.9% of innings)

overall this series: http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/en...uns;series=7009;template=results;type=batting
20-75 inns this series: http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/en...uns;series=7009;template=results;type=batting

inns by inns list of this series: http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/en...09;template=results;type=batting;view=innings

 

[Phone]

the most concerning thing is 5 LBW's....does he think he's watson or something?!

 

[Shupe]

I agree with what most others here are saying - He's solid and proabably wont average much more than what he is now. I guess you can say he's not doing a BAD job, he is just not doing a good job. He will continue to play until somebody in shield cricket puts up their hand and gives selectors no other choice.

At the moment the alternatives are Hughes, Khawaja or Watson back into the opening role meaning a lower order spot opens up (Marsh?). All of these alternatives are not going to offer much more than Cowan is at the moment. Because of this, I'd rather see Cowan stay in the side and try to get some consistency and stability, than the selectors chopping and changing the lineup.

 

[Phone]

If they dropped Cowan Watson would move up and Bailey or Forrest would come in. I wouldn't mind this because I still have doubts over the middle order (i mean, these guys cost us two ashes series in a row. I'm not gonna forgive them very easily) so I wouldn't mind some fresh blood. Bailey would be my preference.

 

[Selective Retention]

Bailey would be my preference.

I'm blown away

I think they would go Forrest and he would bat at #3 in that scenario.

Otherwise back to Watson opening, Punter at 3....

 

[Phone]

Got too many doubts over Forrest and the short ball

I mean, Bailey might have that problem too. But I know Forrest does

 

[western royboy]

The points raised about the batting conditions in the West Indies are in my opinion very valid. He just missed a straight one today, but that was more a result of trying to score in tough conditions.

I would like to see him given another series before we sacrifice him and I put Warner in this category to. Admittedly he has two test tons but take them out and its line ball.

Bottom line Ponting and Hussey are on their last legs, we can't afford to discard batsman after batsman or else we will become the West Indies-Chanderpaul.

What I would like to see is the pack of fast bowlers all stay fit and on the park and turn the shield into a real test for batsmen, then we can sort the wheat from the chaff.

 

[The Falcon Strike]

If his average is only 30 - then I must admit I like the fact he has a low scoring rate - it means he is occupying the crease and seeing off the new ball.

 

[frankrizzo]

It's a worry his scores are going down by the game but he was unlucky in his first few tests against india when he got some dodgy decisions when well set.

I think he's shown enough promise to at least make it to the start of the home summer, steyn and philander at the gabba should be a good test of any opening bat.

If he fails in that series then it's hard to see how he could survive.

 

[Wallaby]

He needs a score. He's got the spot at the moment, but you have to perform.

 

[Tyberious Funk]

It's true that batting in the Windies has been difficult. But Khawaja didn't exactly have great conditions to work with either, and he was cut by the selectors for similar performances.

 

[year of the roo]

Khawaja will be back. He cannot lament opportunities or harsh selections, his non-appearance currently in the Australian side is completely his fault. Totally up to him now to force the selectors hand. 12-13 needs to be a huge one for him because he needs to get into that top order.

Warner Cowan and Watson as our first 3 is laughable.

 

[Albert Bruce]

Cowan is a good shield player - deflects very well - front foot not strong.

Behind point just ok

Hopefully Hughes sorts himself out and goes on to become the player
he seemed destined to become

His figures are still outstanding for a 22 year old!

Kwahaja? - I have big doubts about

Maddinson yes ! - potentially 10 year player!

Decks in W Indies are rank! Need a program to get more money/skill over there to get decent decks

 

[The_Reaper]

The cupboard is quite bare after Cowan however - especially given that Ponting and Hussey will retire soon.

13 players scored over 500 runs in shield cricket last year.

#   Player       State  Mat  Inn  NO  Runs   HS   Avg   100  50 
1.  E.Cowan      TAS    10   19   3   948    145* 59.25 3    4 
2.  R.Quiney     VIC    10   19   0   938    119  49.36 3    5 
3.  L.Davis      WA     8    15   1   921    303* 65.78 3    3 
4.  M.Klinger    SA     10   19   1   835    219* 46.38 1    4 
5.  C.Rogers     VIC    10   19   0   781    124  41.10 3    4 
5.  J.Burns      QLD    11   19   0   781    130  41.10 2    4 
7.  A.Voges      WA     9    16   2   757    178  54.07 2    3  
8.  T.Cooper     SA     10   19   2   756    203* 44.47 1    4 
9.  G.Bailey     TAS    8    14   2   697    117  58.08 3    3 
10. W.Townsend   QLD    11   19   1   644    166* 35.77 1    3 
11. P.Forrest    QLD    6    11   1   581    132* 58.10 3    1 
12. C.Hartley    QLD    11   18   1   544    111  32.00 1    2 
13. P.Nevill     NSW    9    16   5   570    112* 51.81 1    3

The next in line for spots would be Forrest and Bailey, but that means Watson will have to open.

Burns is a prospect for the future but I'd suggest that it is too early for him.

Rogers and Klinger are highly unlikely, though I'd consider bringing along Klinger for an Ashes touring squad.

Nope to Voges and Quiney.

Davis and Cooper both made the list due to massive innings, an unbeaten triple century for Davis and an unbeaten double century for Cooper. They should back it up again next season if they want a spot.

 

[Doodlesweaver]

The cupboard is quite bare after Cowan however - especially given that Ponting and Hussey will retire soon.

13 players scored over 500 runs in shield cricket last year.

#   Player       State  Mat  Inn  NO  Runs   HS   Avg   100  50 
1.  E.Cowan      TAS    10   19   3   948    145* 59.25 3    4 
2.  R.Quiney     VIC    10   19   0   938    119  49.36 3    5 
3.  L.Davis      WA     8    15   1   921    303* 65.78 3    3 
4.  M.Klinger    SA     10   19   1   835    219* 46.38 1    4 
5.  C.Rogers     VIC    10   19   0   781    124  41.10 3    4 
5.  J.Burns      QLD    11   19   0   781    130  41.10 2    4 
7.  A.Voges      WA     9    16   2   757    178  54.07 2    3  
8.  T.Cooper     SA     10   19   2   756    203* 44.47 1    4 
9.  G.Bailey     TAS    8    14   2   697    117  58.08 3    3 
10. W.Townsend   QLD    11   19   1   644    166* 35.77 1    3 
11. P.Forrest    QLD    6    11   1   581    132* 58.10 3    1 
12. C.Hartley    QLD    11   18   1   544    111  32.00 1    2 
13. P.Nevill     NSW    9    16   5   570    112* 51.81 1    3

The next in line for spots would be Forrest and Bailey, but that means Watson will have to open.

Burns is a prospect for the future but I'd suggest that it is too early for him.

Rogers and Klinger are highly unlikely, though I'd consider bringing along Klinger for an Ashes touring squad.

Nope to Voges and Quiney.

Davis and Cooper both made the list due to massive innings, an unbeaten triple century for Davis and an unbeaten double century for Cooper. They should back it up again next season if they want a spot.

Scarily, that looks like a list of proper journeymen and stuff all else. Burns has just started, he's like Chris Lynn of the season before.

 

[Slax]

Tend to think that they will send Watson back to open and look to fill the number 3 spot. Serious lack of depth in opening if they want someone under 30.

 

[Marlin01]

I like Cowan. Good technique, good mentality for an opener. He'll come good. The worst thing selectors can do is have a revolving door selection policy. The poms are number one in the world atm. Traditionally the poms have used a revolving door selection policy and that was always their biggest weakness. More recently, they've persisted with Bell, Swann, Anderson and Cook. Now they're the best in the world.

 

[frankrizzo]

The pitches in this series have to also be taken into account, hussey and shiv have been the only two who look like they can bat a long time on these pitches but they are special players who thrive on such situations.

Reality is we won't play a lot of test cricket in the next 2 years on pitches like these.

 

[CAS79]

As someone who backed his inclusion to the team he needs a score and a good start to the domestic season next summer too.

Otherwise if Hughes, Khawaja finds fluency with their form or Liam Davis backs his 2011-2012 up they would be justified in looking at a change.

 

[courtjester]

I hope he makes it, but he needs a big score soon.

 

[Chris25]

Whether it's fair or not, I've always thought that Cowan was nothing but a stop gap while we waited for someone better to come along. I doubt the selectors ever really intended on him being in the team for longer than a year.

 

[The_Reaper]

Certainly the hope will be that Hughes sorts himself out.

 

[ltdamn]

Openers and #3's have the toughest job in the batting line-up. They need time and patience to come good. They're like KPP's, they don't come on as quick as opening bowlers.

Everyone thought Matthew Hayden would never make it as an opener until that test series in India, and he'd had multiple goes to make his mark before then.