Our top 4 batsmen

[BACCS]

According to Jim Maxwell (ABC commentator), this is the first time since 1956 that our top 4 batsmen haven't made a 100 during an Ashes series. That is a damning statistic, which obviously isn't a suprise to many, but hopefully a wake up call to selectors.

 

[Sylvia Saint]

I don't recall any centuries against the Windies just 12 months ago.

 

[Jimpson]

Or pakistan 6 months ago

 

[BACCS]

I don't recall any centuries against the Windies just 12 months ago.

Well there certainly wasn't any against Pakistan, so he obviously must have meant Ashes series, I'll edit the OP.

 

[ballanFYNE]

Didn't Ponting score a 101 then 99 against Pakistan? Anyway the teams most important position has been replaced possibly forever and I wouldn't be against Huss moving to 4 for the rest of his career now.

 

[The Fonz]

The Aussie batting has simply been hopeless. But for the first innings at the Gabba, they have struggled every time.
Not sure why they have more job security than the bowlers. Maybe it's because it's the batsmen which occupy the inner circle of the team?

 

[Messenger]

The Aussie batting has simply been hopeless. But for the first innings at the Gabba, they have struggled every time.
Not sure why they have more job security than the bowlers. Maybe it's because it's the batsmen which occupy the inner circle of the team?

It was hopeless in Brisbane too. Rescued by a massive 6th wicket partnership.

 

[OzBomber]

Didn't Ponting score a 101 then 99 against Pakistan? Anyway the teams most important position has been replaced possibly forever and I wouldn't be against Huss moving to 4 for the rest of his career now.

That was against South Africa 2 or 3 years ago.

 

[FRUMPY]

punters last centruy was aginst pakistan in hobart when he was dropped on zero, think he may have made a double hundred.

Batsmen have let us down massivly this ashes. No leadership shwon from our 2 'best' batsmen in Punter and Clarke, the others have crumbled under the pressure. Watson has shown he doesnt have the mentality to get big scores, he may averagewell as an opener but never makes big scores which an opener should do once in a while. He should bat 4

 

[BACCS]

punters last centruy was aginst pakistan in hobart when he was dropped on zero, think he may have made a double hundred.

Batsmen have let us down massivly this ashes. No leadership shwon from our 2 'best' batsmen in Punter and Clarke, the others have crumbled under the pressure. Watson has shown he doesnt have the mentality to get big scores, he may averagewell as an opener but never makes big scores which an opener should do once in a while. He should bat 4

If we drop Watson down though, who do we open with? Cosgrove is mentioned a lot, but I think he has burnt too many bridges with his attitude towards fitness.

 

[juddsentant517]

If we drop Watson down though, who do we open with? Cosgrove is mentioned a lot, but I think he has burnt too many bridges with his attitude towards fitness.

I know this isn't your opinion, rather just stating the opinion of the Australian selectors, but the statement stands. What good is fitness when you can't run between wickets. Twice now watson has stupefied me with the most ridiculously and unnecessary run outs*

* - pretty sure it was Watson

 

[DaRick]

The problem with shifting Watson down the order is that we either have to recall Katich to partner Hughes or some other inexperienced opener. If Katich returns, then he will promptly leave in one or two years - something that has been happening ad nauseum for nearly 5 years and has partially led us to this parlous situation. If an inexperienced opener comes in, then we have two starting. That has not been done in Australian cricket since the 80's (I would think), for good reason. When Slater came in, Taylor was there. When Hayden came in, Slater was there. When Langer came in, Hayden was there. When Jacques came in, Hayden was there...and so on. Watson and Hughes (bar Watson's idiotic run outs) appear to be working reasonably well with each other.

 

[BACCS]

The problem with shifting Watson down the order is that we either have to recall Katich to partner Hughes or some other inexperienced opener. If Katich returns, then he will promptly leave in one or two years - something that has been happening ad nauseum for nearly 5 years and has partially led us to this parlous situation. If an inexperienced opener comes in, then we have two starting. That has not been done in Australian cricket since the 80's (I would think), for good reason. When Slater came in, Taylor was there. When Hayden came in, Slater was there. When Langer came in, Hayden was there. When Jacques came in, Hayden was there...and so on. Watson and Hughes (bar Watson's idiotic run outs) appear to be working reasonably well with each other.

The run outs have happened twice now though, I'd say that shows they aren't working well together at all.

 

[Kyptastic]

It can take time to develop an understanding between batting partners, particularly when one of them is struggling for form.

 

[ROSEMVP]

if we picked a proper batting line up we would be in a better situation. clarke is always failing same with ponting. we go for 0 for 50 to 3 for 60 within 15 minutes every game. we need to change.

Ponting Clarke out

 

[Knight Ryders]

Playing Watson as an opener seems to be robbing us of a bowling option as they seemed more hesistant to go to him and he seems to have not been concentrating on his bowling nearly enough.

Also, this is not like any other time in the last 20 years. If Marsh and Cosgrove go on a scoring rampage for the rest of the year, they could very well find themselves in line for a opening spot.

 

[Thommo 42]

Maddinson is the answer for the other opening slot, get him in.

 

[Mismatched]

If we drop Watson down though, who do we open with? Cosgrove is mentioned a lot, but I think he has burnt too many bridges with his attitude towards fitness.

You see I don't understand why this is such an issue. We are talking about Cricket here, aren't we? Quite frankly, as long as he is, quite literally, able to pull his weight(score plenty of runs) I couldn't give a stuff what his weight is. This isn't football we're talking about, you don't need to be the perfect athlete to perform at the highest level. I think we should give him a shot at Test level, he's also a handy medium pacer and at the moment we need all the bowling options we can get.

 

[THRILLHO]

I used to believe Watson should move down the order but he seems to really struggle against spin and the older ball.

 

[dan warna]

watson found his niche and is performing well, don't mess with it.

the issues are hughes, clarke, punter and smith.

 

[Noobz0r]

Being overweight didn't stop Boof forging a decent test career

 

[The Passenger]

eventually i think it would be good for watson to drop down to 4 or 5. but that move can't be made until we have 1) a stable and performing top 4, 2) someone who is capable and ready to replace him and 3) an opening partner who has proven he is up to test cricket

at the moment we have half of number 2 - maddinson is capable, but probably at least 12 months away from test cricket just at the moment... although if he were to knock down the door with a couple more centuries over the remainder of the shield season he may find himself getting fast tracked. marsh is also capable but a lack of experience opening at shield level may count against him although i do believe he could make the move to opening batsmen and has scored a century there earlier this season.

 

[big_e]

Maddinson is the answer for the other opening slot, get him in.

Haven't we all just spent the last month talking about how Hughes and Smith aren't ready? And now you want to throw a 19 year old to the wolves?

 

[mattymac]

Being overweight didn't stop Boof forging a decent test career

nor boonie. i'd have absolutely no problem with cosgrove opening but in our nanny state age i can't see it happening cos he'd be a bad influence on the kiddies or he doesn't fit the image people at CA marketing or some shit. he's in top form. some of the best top order bats i've played with have been big fat bastards. they don't like running so they send it to the fence. they're good value when they do get a wriggle on though. that fat man run with the arms in front is pretty funny shit

watson has to drop back down to the allrounders slot at 6 though. that should be a priority for the rebuild. he's a bloody handy bowler these days and we're wasting him. his average is better than siddle and hilf and only a tick higher than johnson

 

[Underdog]

+1 of the opinion that Cosgrove's weight shouldn't be an issue.