Why Hughes?

[OzBomber]

I don't get why people think Hughes walks straight into the side. He's done absolutely nothing this season and Marsh should definitely be in the side ahead of him. Marsh has averaged 84 this summer compared to Hughes' 19. He's scored 1 50 (in the 2nd innings of the Aus A game) and is yet to sore a ton. England have him worked out as well. If he was in form, then yeah pick him, but he shouldn't come straight in when he's done nothing.

 

[Minimum Chips]

Marsh is not a opening batsmen, he's a middle-order batsmen and there's blokes ahead of him for those spots.

 

[breeno]

If they have him worked out why did he make runs against them in the A game?

 

[HSSB]

Hughes scored 4 today

He is the future opener of Australia, but I'm not sure what we are going for this Ashes series, experience, or a win, if we lose in Perth, I would play Hughes, Khawaja and all the younger players to give them test match experience if were not going to win the Ashes.

But for now, we should just play whoever is in form, which is probably Marsh

 

[Heisenberg_]

Marsh is not a opening batsmen, he's a middle-order batsmen and there's blokes ahead of him for those spots.

Who is above Marsh for a middle order spot?
Don't even think about saying Ferguson, Khawaja is not batting well either.
Marsh is the most in form batsman in the country ATM apart from Hussey, he should be in for North.

 

[breeno]

Who is above Marsh for a middle order spot?
Don't even think about saying Ferguson, Khawaja is not batting well either.
Marsh is the most in form batsman in the country ATM apart from Hussey, he should be in for North.

Well, for middle order spots:

Khawaja - 464 @ 66.28
D Hussey - 393 @ 43.66
A Blizzard - 375 @ 53.57
A McDonald - 372 @ 93
Marsh - 339 @ 84.75
Ferguson - 191 @ 48

One would think they are the only blokes in contention for a middle order spot at the moment, that's the Sheffield Shield tally. Pains me to say it but McDonald's average is certainly surprising.

 

[Minimum Chips]

Who is above Marsh for a middle order spot?
Don't even think about saying Ferguson, Khawaja is not batting well either.
Marsh is the most in form batsman in the country ATM apart from Hussey, he should be in for North.

Marsh averages less than 40 in first-class cricket, that's simply not good enough. He's played well in the last two games sure, but I'd prefer him to continue that for more than two games before putting him into Australia's middle order. Kwawaja made 50-odd today so I wouldn't say he's out of form and he's the logical replacement for North.

 

[Torpedo12]

Hughes scored 4 today

He is the future opener of Australia, but I'm not sure what we are going for this Ashes series, experience, or a win, if we lose in Perth, I would play Hughes, Khawaja and all the younger players to give them test match experience if were not going to win the Ashes.

But for now, we should just play whoever is in form, which is probably Marsh

Exactly, the ashes isint time for going for youth that arent in form. Pick the players that are in form. This is the ashes not a test series against Pakistan.

 

[Heisenberg_]

Marsh averages less than 40 in first-class cricket, that's simply not good enough. He's played well in the last two games sure, but I'd prefer him to continue that for more than two games before putting him into Australia's middle order. Kwawaja made 50-odd today so I wouldn't say he's out of form and he's the logical replacement for North.

He also required 150 balles for that very scratchy 50 and he has done JS apart from his runs on the Adelaide road.
Marsh is by far the most in form middle order batsmen and has shown he can play at International level, he is the logical replacement.

 

[Minimum Chips]

He also required 150 balles for that very scratchy 50 and he has done JS apart from his runs on the Adelaide road.
Marsh is by far the most in form middle order batsmen and has shown he can play at International level, he is the logical replacement.

The majority of Marsh's runs this year have come of the very same Adelaide road, and if your going to base someone ability to play test match cricket on their limited-overs form surely Cameron White is ahead of him. Marsh isn't even in our best one-day side. To me the three options for the number six spot are: Kwawaja, White and Smith.

 

[Goldencats]

I agree, I just can't see why many ppl think Hughes would be an automatic inclusion

His form has been absolutely dreadful, and the Poms will have no probs in dismissing him cheaply, we need somebody with a tighter technique to open

It's amazing how thin the batting is around the country in terms of form batsmen

 

[Heisenberg_]

I agree, I just can't see why many ppl think Hughes would be an automatic inclusion

His form has been absolutely dreadful, and the Poms will have no probs in dismissing him cheaply, we need somebody with a tighter technique to open

It's amazing how thin the batting is around the country in terms of form batsmen

You mean how the far superior South African bowlers dismissed him cheaply?
Their was nothing wrong with his technique, its not textbook but it worked, then after a few poor matches he was made scapegoat for dud senior players and he has never been the same since.
Its not from being found out, its from a complete lack of confidence for being treated like absolute shit by our fearless leaders Nielson and Hilditch.

 

[Blue Dimension]

Because he's one of the most talented young batsman in the country.

He's also one of the main reasons why we won our away series in South Africa.

Yes, he's not in the greatest form and has had some flaws uncovered, but it's time to get him in there and back him in for the long haul imo. He's too talented not to be playing. England have stuck with Cook and are now benefitting from it. Australia need to do the same with Hughes.

That's just my two cents.

 

[i_hate_scams]

moreso considering guys like Johnson and Hauritz are scoring 100s, so the bowling is really not that s*** hot.

 

[Bradesmaen]

Awful technique that is completely suspect to short bowling. Suppose he's lucky they can't bowl more than 2 bouncers in an over. Even still he's not that talented. It's like saying Johnson is talented, when he isn't. England just worked out that you don't swing at his Left Arm Ratshit outside of off stump and you won't get out to him.

 

[The Convert]

For me the opener to come in is Jacques. Done it before and still getting a few runs. Good stopgap until someone demands to be selected. What do you do with Ponting? Has never been a great captain but being found out now with poor team and failing batting powers. Cannot pick Clarke unless fit because what you might gain in batting you lose in fielding. Hussey picks himself but North cannot stay any longer. So pick a No 6 who you think can be there for 5 years or more. Haddin OK for 12 months or so then Paine. Doherty should never have been picked. Kreja is the only one left unless go back to Hauritz who is so/so. For quicks Bollinger and Harris as they have had one game only and should be fitter now. Siddle done nothing except for one purple patch. Could try Cameron or Copeland as they can at least be economical. The future of the country quicks like Starc and Hazlewood are injured

So
Watson
Jacques
Ponting or Clarke
Hussey
Khwaja or Ferguson
White or Smith
Haddin
Krezja
Harris
Siddle or Cameron
Bollinger

 

[Selective Retention]

Probably because the best performed opener so far this year is Robinson and the best performed last year was Cowan.....

 

[Rookie]

Why Hughes?

Because he has performed at test level previously, he's the most likely to be our next ten-year opening batsman, and because let's be frank - Watson's career will only be prolonged by a drop to 3-5. We've already entered an era in which 20 wickets will be harder and harder to find, Watson provides an incredibly useful fourth seam option. He's had an injury-plagued career so we have to be careful and ease the workload on our blue chip allrounder.

Both Watson and Katich were makeshift openers come good, but I think there's a feeling Watson opening isn't a long term solution, hence the desire for someone perceived to be a genuine opener and not a stop-gap.


A couple good knocks this season but he hasn't earned his spot. Will Marsh make a genuine test match opening batsman? If the selectors believe he's capable of batting in this position, he should get the call up over Hughes. If he's perceived to be fighting for one of the middle order berths, Hughes should be picked.

So in summary as neither Katich or Watson are seen as long term opening solutions, I think it's perceived that we need a genuine opener, instead of trying to re-invent someone in that role (even though it's a tactic which has worked well in the past, Langer, Watson, Katich etc).

 

[Bucking Beads]

Hughes averages 50 in test cricket as an opener. He has been there before and now it is his turn for redemption against the Poms who are already talking it tough. I can't believe there is a push for Marsh to be picked ahead of him. FFS Marsh doesn't even open and he can't stay on the field with his constant injuries. He was lucky to get picked for Australia in the ODI's to start with, that selection was due to last name more than actual performance.

 

[Spook]

To all the blokes talking up S Marsh... I agree he is in form, I disagree that he is a test opener....

but now that you put the mocka on him he got a first ball duck.

 

[Bucking Beads]

A greater question is why Marsh for he doesn't even open the batting???

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Would it be that bad to suggest a team that reads...

1. Khawaja
2. Watson
3. Ponting
4. Clarke
5. Hussey
6. Steve Smith
7. Haddin
8. Hauritz (we need his batting, Doherty can't bat)
9. Harris
10. Copeland
11. Hilfenhaus or Siddle

 

[Smokey_22]

Specialist openers that average 50+ don't come on trees.

Oh and he's 21.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Yes but he is in poor form. Mind you are any of these options in great form? Ferguson would have to be the most ovverated cricketer I have seen, Marsh is in form but got a globe today, Usman looked good..then got out to Tom Cooper..lol.

 

[spanna050]

Awful technique that is completely suspect to short bowling. Suppose he's lucky they can't bowl more than 2 bouncers in an over. Even still he's not that talented.

That's funny. Steve Waugh was 'suspect' against the short ball as well, and he went okay. Remember the 95 WI series when they bowled more bouncers than Inflation nightclub. He scored a double ton.