Test Squad for South Africa Tour Discussion

tomsimpkin31

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Same XI as Sydney with Doolan, Pattinson, Faulkner, Bird and Hughes.

There really is no one to replace Bailey without a shift in the order. Good luck getting Watto to bat at 6.
We won't take 16. No need for two back up batsman.

Watson, contrary to popular opinion has always batted wherever the captain has wanted, without a complaint. He's stated his preference but has always batted where he's told and tried to make the best of it.

Bailey is not up to it at test level. Not by a long way. Doolan will go. One of Hughes, North and White will probably go. Bailey's best shot is to go as a reserve batsman.
 

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Super Hans

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Patto_Man
Bird
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Doolan
 

Carbine Chaos

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The thing is, if we take North (or Doolan) and play him at 6, essentially we are playing an all-rounder at 3 and a top order batsman at 6. It would make more sense to (finally) move Watson down to 6 and leave him there. It would be the best move for both he and the team in the long run.
 

Yoda_

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The thing is, if we take North (or Doolan) and play him at 6, essentially we are playing an all-rounder at 3 and a top order batsman at 6. It would make more sense to (finally) move Watson down to 6 and leave him there. It would be the best move for both he and the team in the long run.
Watson averages 41 at 3
Watson averages 26 at 6

leave him where he is.. there or no where.
 

The_Reaper

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Watson averages 41 at 3
Watson averages 26 at 6

leave him where he is.. there or no where.
A number 3 has two roles- 1) To build a strong start 2) In the event of an early wicket rebuild the innings and provide an anchor

Watson can do the first. He can't do the second.

He's a good enough batsman to be in our best 6.
 

Yoda_

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A number 3 has two roles- 1) To build a strong start 2) In the event of an early wicket rebuild the innings and provide an anchor

Watson can do the first. He can't do the second.

He's a good enough batsman to be in our best 6.
thats what im getting at :cool:
 

Zach Package

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wasn't the primary argument for Watson staying at 3 (apart from being pig headed and not wanting to move) his skill against spin?

He isn't exactly going to be playing on bunsens, and there's the possibility the saffers could play 4 quicks (No Kallis and probable spin from Duminy).

It's doable, but i'd just leave everything as is for the moment.
 

Super Hans

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The thing is, if we take North (or Doolan) and play him at 6, essentially we are playing an all-rounder at 3 and a top order batsman at 6. It would make more sense to (finally) move Watson down to 6 and leave him there. It would be the best move for both he and the team in the long run.
Would you feel confident with North at number three though?
 

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Carbine Chaos

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O. Warner
O. Rogers
3. Watson
4. North
5. Clarke (c)
6. Smith
7. Haddin (+)
8. Johnson
9. Harris
10. Siddle
11. Lyon

Doolan
Pattinson
Faulkner
Coulter-Nile
See, I don't like this because putting Smith to 6 would be a step back for a guy averaging very well at 5.
 

Bucking Beads

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I don't understand the logic in shifting Clarke and Smith down the order to put North at 4.

I will be surprised if Bailey goes to South Africa. Really hard to find a reason for him to keep his spot other than leadership potential and the selectors liking him. You couldn't pick him on talent or form. He had his 5 tests and had a crack but wasn't up to it. Doolan at 6 will do the trick.
 

Carbine Chaos

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I think it's funny how the bowling attack is so uber-settled but we can't seem to agree on the batting lineup! Hell, I'm yet to name one myself that I am happy with.
 

The_Reaper

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I don't understand the logic in shifting Clarke and Smith down the order to put North at 4.

I will be surprised if Bailey goes to South Africa. Really hard to find a reason for him to keep his spot other than leadership potential and the selectors liking him. You couldn't pick him on talent or form. He had his 5 tests and had a crack but wasn't up to it. Doolan at 6 will do the trick.
Most probably because more than a few want Clarke at 5.

I still don't want him coming in against a swinging new ball.
 

Big Bryza

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1- Warner
2- Rogers
3- Watson
4- Clarke
5- Smith
6- White
7- Haddin
8- Johnson
9- Harris
10- Siddle
11- Lyon

Reserves:

Pattinson
Doolan
Faulkner

In all likelihood they'll probably pick 15. With the shield season recommencing I think they'd be better having as many blokes back home playing red ball cricket as possible rather then carrying the drinks in SA. Huge fan of Watsons bowling but I think they're too worried about him breaking down to bat him at 6 and bowl more than he does already. That means one of White/North/Doolan come in to the side for Bailey. Cam White is in career best shield form so I think he deserves an opportunity to have a crack at number 6. Wouldn't be against North getting another go as he's in top form as well.

Doolan is cover for injuries plus the experience of touring will be great development for him. Pattinson is the next quick in line with Faulkner available to bat at 7 if they opt for the extra bowler.
 

Big Bryza

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Just on the Clarke topic. He stays at 4. He failed in the Melbourne and Sydney tests, but he seemed to bat like a bloke with the weight of the world off his shoulders. Having clinched the series by winning in Perth, I think mentally he probably relaxed in his own game a bit. A couple of Clarke like dismissals from 3-4 years ago popped back in to his game. No doubt he'll have a massive tour of SA. Plus I wouldn't be moving Smith anywhere. He's the perfect no.5 bat.
 

Mr Magic

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Can Watson open?, maybe take Bailey out, possibly bring North in at 3 or someone else , shift Warner down the order.

Seriously, IMO our batsman are going to be seriously tested against SA. Warner may not be up to it against the elite as a batsman opener. Likewise how good is Haddin, Johnston and Harris go batting wise against strong bowling of SA? . Why risk it, give him some flexibility shift him down the order less pressure, bolster the batting taking Bailey out, including youngsters in the squad and a bit more stability like North.

Can't miss the jump and lose the series in the first match like England. We need to repair and strengthen our batting IMO quickly!!
 

matty p

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If they really are gonna replace Bailey with Doolan, they should take the opportunity to move Watson down to 6 and play Doolan at 3. Watson just isn't good enough to bat at 3. I'd still have Hughes ahead of Doolan but the selectors clearly favour Doolan right now. On form Hughes, North and White should all be ahead of Doolan, but Doolan is obviously Inverarity's pet project and flavour of the month.
 

Tulip

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Can Watson open?, maybe take Bailey out, possibly bring North in at 3 or someone else , shift Warner down the order.

Seriously, IMO our batsman are going to be seriously tested against SA. Warner may not be up to it against the elite as a batsman opener. Likewise how good is Haddin, Johnston and Harris go batting wise against strong bowling of SA? . Why risk it, give him some flexibility shift him down the order less pressure, bolster the batting taking Bailey out, including youngsters in the squad and a bit more stability like North.

Can't miss the jump and lose the series in the first match like England. We need to repair and strengthen our batting IMO quickly!!
Watson opened for years after Langer retired.
 
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