Shane Watson to open for Australia?
While England ponder on Strauss' future, and consider their options for opener, Australia have to do the same following Justin Langer's decision to retire after the Ashes. There seem to be some thoughts that Shane Watson could be the man to follow in the footsteps of Langer. It would give Australia a 5th bowling option, rather than the 4 they have traditionally gone with but that's not a reason to pick him.
What are people's views on that possible selection?
3 comments:
They have to go with Jaques or Marcus North. Why pick a make shift opener when you have to perfectlry good ones that have been making mountains of runs in first class cricket for years? I can understand them trying to get Watson in to add to the bowling strength, but opening is not the spot to do it, too important a position.
Glad you said that - I've never really understood what Australia see in Watson - they say all-rounders are meant to be good enough to play as specialist bowlers or batsmen, but his bowling doesn't seem up to it - at least certainly not for Test matches, and his batting seems a bit hit and miss. (Spoken as someone who only watches him play occassionally!)
Opening batsman is just as much a specialist position as wicket-keeper or opening bowler. As such it needs the best person in that speciality to be picked. I can't believe the Aussie selectors will fall into the same trap with the opening batsman position as the English selectors have with the wicket-keeping position: square pegs don't go into round holes!
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