Steve Waugh's future

[Spogs]

For anyone who didn't see 'At the Wicket' last night on C7, Kerry O'Keefe said that his spies have told him that Steve Waugh is being carefully watched by the selectors for the three tests against SA and if he doesn't perform, will not lead the team for the away leg.

He also said that a number of members of the board and the selection committee were not happy when Steve stated his intention to lead Australia to India again and the next world cup.

Kerry's spies are normally fairly close to the mark and he was more or less supported by Dean Jones and Geoff Lawson.

I guess it leads to the question, who could lead Australia to SA if Steve doesn't. Now that McGill is back in the 12 he may not be totally out of favour so Warney could be under some pressure to keep his spot as well.

Gilly would be the most obvious choice but Australia have historically kept away from naming keepers as captains and it would be a tough ask to do both jobs as well as play a key batting role.

Which just about leaves Punter who has matured a lot as a person lately but his dismissals against NZ were all very soft.

You would suspect that if Steve was left out, Junior wouldn't be far behind him and I doubt they would give him the job at this stage anyway.

Any chance McGrath? No.

 

[The Hippie]

But he's always tempered that by saying as long as his body and form held up, he'd like to go on. So, in that regard, he hasn't said anything that any other player wouldn't say in the same situation.

Just one from left field, if Gilchrist is not going to be considered as Captain, how would Matt Hayden go? He has settled better this time round in the team as the No.1 opener, has he had any leadership roles at Queensland? Age seems to be against most of the others, Ponting is still a little tempermental, Warnes previous record, plus his forms starting to come down a little, so that will count against him and I can't see a fast bowler being given the captaincy. There doesn't seem to be many other choices around does there?

 

[dogboy23]

Originally posted by The Hippie
But he's always tempered that by saying as long as his body and form held up, he'd like to go on. So, in that regard, he hasn't said anything that any other player wouldn't say in the same situation.

Just one from left field, if Gilchrist is not going to be considered as Captain, how would Matt Hayden go? He has settled better this time round in the team as the No.1 opener, has he had any leadership roles at Queensland? Age seems to be against most of the others, Ponting is still a little tempermental, Warnes previous record, plus his forms starting to come down a little, so that will count against him and I can't see a fast bowler being given the captaincy. There doesn't seem to be many other choices around does there?

Martyn has captained the a side before why not give him a crack.I cant see Waugh going anywhere though you watch him slay S.A this series.

 

[Spogs]

Don't mind the idea of Martyn getting a go. Drop Punter back to 6, Martyn up to 3 or 4. I'm sure Steve will pull something out this series and go to SA but I wouldn't mind betting there's a change within 6 months.

 

[Fat Red]

From memory Martyn's time as WA captain has not been without its problems.

 

[stoisle]

Originally posted by Fat Red
From memory Martyn's time as WA captain has not been without its problems.

You are right Fat, I think he gave the WA captraincy up in the middle of the season.

 

[Visro]

Hayden - not really
Langer - maybe
Ponting - maybe
M Waugh - maybe
Martyn - not really
Gilchrist - done it before, why not again?
Warne - maybe
Lee - lmao no
Gillespite - no
McGrath - no

Full of maybes (uncertainty) and no's. The only real standout is Gilchrist. Personally I would give it to Ponting. We need a captain for the future and may as well go with a younger player.

 

[Spogs]

Poor old Brett Lee. lol. Would be a sign that we're completely Fu(ked though.

Being a biased South Australian, I'd love to see Boof come into the side as captain. The idea's not totally stupid. He'd hold his own as a batsman and is as good a skipper as any.

Don't know if the selectors have got that big a set of balls though.

 

[WCE2000]

Originally posted by Visro

Lee - lmao no

Why do you think Brett Lee would be such a bad choice as skipper???

Personally, im not a big fan on a bowler being the captain of a side, as a captain has much more to think about on the field, then when a team is batting, and when he has to bowl, it becomes a very ardious task indeed.

But why do you think Lee would be any worse than Gillespie or McGrath? If it went to a bowler, i would have Lee infront of the other two, even if he is fairly inexperienced, he is young, and would groom himself into the role if it went to him, but i dont think it will go to a bowler.

The obvious choice would probably be Gilchrist, althought i would rather see it go to any of the other top 6 batsmen.

But i dont think Steve Waugh is going anywhere for a while.

 

[Darky]

Originally posted by dogboy23
Martyn has captained the a side before why not give him a crack.I cant see Waugh going anywhere though you watch him slay S.A this series.

Remember Aus A lost a game when Martyn brought himself on to bowl the final over with about 6 runs needed by the opposition? Wouldn't a frontliner been a safer choice?

The reasoning behind Waugh wanting to continue seemed to be largely for personal gain (Test caps & runs records) when I read the interview, and because HE hadn't won a series in India. No big surprise.

Gilchrist seems the best choice as captain, but as has been pointed out, captain, keeper and trump batsman seems a pretty big lot to juggle.

If he thinks he can handle it though, why not let him try? After Gilchrist, there seems to be a bit of a leadership void.

 

[Darky]

Originally posted by Spogs
Poor old Brett Lee. lol. Would be a sign that we're completely Fu(ked though.

Being a biased South Australian, I'd love to see Boof come into the side as captain. The idea's not totally stupid. He'd hold his own as a batsman and is as good a skipper as any.

Don't know if the selectors have got that big a set of balls though.

They don't.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Steve Waugh has had a slow start to the season due to a lack of match practice with his injury problems. However, when Steve is down he usually bounces back in a big way (remember the doubters early in his captaincy). I reckon he will top the run scorers for the upcoming series.

The next best option for captain is Warney. He has done a good job in the past when he has filled in & it has usually lifted his own performance. Gilly is OK as a stand-in, but with his workolad, I wouldn't make him a long-term captain. My next choice would be Langer, as he has such a passion for the game.

I wouldn't pick Punter as he is a headcase, M Waugh has no future at his age & Martyn can't cope at state level.

Also, agree the Aussies would be better balanced with Martyn (or even M Waugh) batting at 3 vs the Proteas. Ponting doesn't have the right temperment to bat at three - he is better down the order.

 

[dogboy23]

Bring back Deano.

 

[GoEagles]

Originally posted by dogboy23
Bring back Deano.

And Big Merv!