Replacement for Waugh

[lamby29]

Who sould replace Waugh when he retires?

 

[Frodo]

I guess you mean Steve Waugh.

IMO Australia has lost it's balance. What we actually need is an opener to partner Matty Hayden. Langer was a good gritty No3 and looks better suited to that position. Ponters makes a great No4 and Martyn No5. My preference for 6 is Bevan, not only is he a great batsman but he's a handy part time bowler too. But Lehmann deserves a chance too.

For captain I guess ponters would get it but I think Shane Warne is worth a try too.

 

[bunsen burner]

Originally posted by Frodo
I guess you mean Steve Waugh.

IMO Australia has lost it's balance. What we actually need is an opener to partner Matty Hayden. Langer was a good gritty No3 and looks better suited to that position. Ponters makes a great No4 and Martyn No5. My preference for 6 is Bevan, not only is he a great batsman but he's a handy part time bowler too. But Lehmann deserves a chance too.

For captain I guess ponters would get it but I think Shane Warne is worth a try too.

Langer and hayden have highest opening partnership average in history (pretty sure), and you want to break them up? Unless the wheels fall off, I don't think there is any chance of this happening.

Number 3 is the hardest position of the batting order to play. I don't even think the selectors would even consider moving Ponting out of #3 while he is in this form.

Bevan Shmevan - he just isn't up to it.

Warne for captain - has proven he is an excellent tactician and would be an excellent captain. I would slightly prefer Ponting, and I'm pretty sure he will get the nod.

 

[bunsen burner]

Originally posted by lamby29
Who sould replace Waugh when he retires?

Ian Harvey? Mathew Elliott? Michael Bevan? Greg Blewett? With all due respect, although people have their favourites and will pick some of these players, do you think these players will even get a mention at the selection table?

Would have preferred you put Katich, Hussey, Hodge, and North in the poll. I'm sure that there would be another player or two that I have missed.

 

[scmods]

"None of the above"

 

[bunsen burner]

I haven't voted yet, because none of those players stick out. I think that what happens between now and when Waugh retires will determine who it is. Whichever out of the below batsmen step up in Pura Cup will get the nod IMO:

Love - may be in the lead at the moment
Maher - being an opener is a disadvantage, but he can still bat
Clarke - really has to play out of his skin to be considered at such a young age
Hussey - an outside chance, but do they think he is a long term prospect?
Katich - probably isn't in the mix, but if he hit a streak of form by the time Waugh retires, I'd think he'd be a chance.


Allrounder? Very slim chance.

 

[wagstaff]

The only viable candiates for Steve Waugh in that list are Maher, Love and Clarke. I presume putting Ian Harvey there was done as a joke.

I get the feeling that Bevan, Elliott and Blewett have a note attached to their names at ACB headquarters stating 'Never to be selected for Australian Test side again'. That they are never mentioned by journos (who would have sources inside the Australian cricket hierarchy) as being even in the running for a Test placed shows that they're not even seriously considered by selectors.

Matthew Elliott's problems lie not with his ability, but his mental failures, especially when he had a disastourous tour of the Caribeean in 1999.

I can understand Blewett not being given another go. He had plenty of opportunities to show himself of being a top-quality player after 43 Tests, but he hasn't been good enough. Bevan has only himself to blame as he has always been reluctant to play himself in the side as an allrounder, something that would've guaranteed him far more Tests then he has currently played.

Maher and Love would be up there as a chance to replace Waugh. Clearly the selectors rate Maher as they've inserted him in the one-day lineup and Love has been an excellent first-class player for several seasons now so he can't be too far away.

That Clarke has come out of nowhere to be touted by so many sections of the press this season as a potential Test candidate suggests that selectors are talking about him as a possible replacement. If he has a good summer, he may be heading for the tour of the Windies.

 

[lamby29]

OK if somebody could change Harvey with Katich in the poll it would be good, but I think Bevan must be considered. He scored a double century today.

 

[bunsen burner]

Originally posted by lamby29
OK if somebody could change Harvey with Katich in the poll it would be good, but I think Bevan must be considered. He scored a double century today.

I reckon you have to have Hussey in there as well. Has averaged 50.07 in 113 state games - that average is higher than any of the other candidates.

Although I believe whichever batsmen (out of Love, Maher, Clarke, Hussey and Katich) steps up over the next few weeks/months will get the nod, at the moment I'm tossing up between Love and Hussey.

 

[bunsen burner]

I just voted Love because I wanted to see the progress of the votes.

 

[lamby29]

I don't really know much about Hussey.

About Elliot, none other than Shane Warne said that Matthew was good enough to be in the Aussie test side at the moment.

I must admit Harvey was making up the numbers.

I also think Watson will be as good as Kallis in 3-5 years.

 

[bunsen burner]

Originally posted by lamby29
I don't really know much about Hussey.

He looks okay.

About Elliot, none other than Shane Warne said that Matthew was good enough to be in the Aussie test side at the moment.

Yeah, but people always overrate their team mates and say extra nice things about them. Elliott is so far back in pecking order at the moment, it is hard to see him ever having another opportunity.

I also think Watson will be as good as Kallis in 3-5 years.

Possible, but at the moment, he isn't up to it. The fact that the Aussies have been so successful without a bowling allrounder goes against him too. The team balance is good at the moment and I can't see them replacing Waugh with anything less than the best batting prospect in the country.

 

[hourn]

I accidentaly voted Shane Watson but i meant to do Martin Love.

 

[JUBJUB]

I'd like to see Martin Love get a chance.

 

[WoeyFanclub]

clarkey and wato r gona b stars!!!