England get good news on Symonds
Time will of course tell, and no doubt he'll win The Ashes single-handedly, but I've always felt than Shane Watson was in that group of cricketers that are not quite good enough at either batting or bowling for Test cricket (an average of under 20 with the bat and over 35 with the ball would tend to support that argument). And, of course, he's the one person in world sport who can give Jonny Wilkinson a run for his money for number of injuries.
So his reaction to being picked seems a little strange. First, how does he feel about being selected ahead of Symonds (who averages more than double with the bat, and just slightly less with the ball)? "Good" apparently. Don't they do media training in Australia? And just to ensure that there are hard feelings he continues, "...of recent times he hasn't helped himself in regards to what he's been doing and I've just got to make the most of the opportunity that's presented itself." All true but seeming to miss the point that Symonds hasn't been ruled out of playing again and the two of them need to get on as they may well play in the same side in the not so distant future.
I look forward to hearing Symonds' thoughts when Watson goes down injured in the first warm up game (which would be true to form) and he's called in. As you can tell, I think Australia have made a mistake with their selection and Symonds English experience would have come in very handy. Not to mention his world-class performances when he last had an extended run in the side. But that can only play into England's hands, so let's applaud the selection!
Although Watson's comments made me cringe Chairman of Selectors, Andrew Hilditch, made me almost fall off my chair. Apparently Watson "is capable of batting anywhere in the top six". In Twenty20 or ODIs perhaps. In a Test in England with the ball swinging around, higher than 6 is exceedingly risky (some would say 7 or 8) and as an England supporter I'd love to see it.
Canvassing the opinion of a cricket-mad Aussie in our office, she was of the opinion that Australia should play their best side and it was the job of Ponting and the management team to man-manage Symonds and get the most out of him and the team. It somehow seems a dereliction of duty to leave him behind under the pretence that he's not good enough to even get a place in the squad.
Aussie Dave - what do you lot that live upside down make of it?
5 comments:
Symonds can be mighty destructive. I, for one am very glad he won't be on the flight.
It's occurred to me that Symonds may not be overly upset by having to play the IPL instead - he's just helped secure a semi-final win for Deccan.
It would be embarrassing for Australia if he won the final single-handedly....
I don't have a problem with leaving Symonds behind. At his best he is definitely destructive and a quality player but his numbers speak for themselves. Over the last twelve months his form simply does not warrant selection. He's had a number of opportunities in all forms of cricket for Queensland and Australia and has hardly scored a run. I've also read reports quoting unnamed Queensland team mates who basically say that his heart is not in it anymore.
As for Watson, his performances for Australi aren't great, but his first class form is excellent. I think I'm right in saying he averages over 50 in first class cricket and he can touch 140km/h with the ball. If England had a player with those numbers he'd be the first name on the team sheet. My problem with Watson though is injuries. I've always said I'd like to see him give 18 months in first class cricket injury free before getting another crack, but I think with Symonds form the selectors had no choice.
The only real problem I have with the squad is McDonald. He came into the side when Symonds and Watson were injured and did a good job with the ball, but with Watson in the squad, there is just no need to keep him around. The squad would be far better served by a back up batsman (Hodge or Rogers). If there's an injury to one of the top six, or Hussey continues his indifferent form we have nowhere to go but play Watson or Haddin at number six.
It was bound to happen....I see that Symonds was considered pivotal to Deccan's IPL victory, and Gilchrist says Symonds would have been in his Ashes side.
Although, clearly not everyone thought Symonds was the match-defining performance - Kumble bowled 4 overs, 4 for 16 and got the MOM award. It's difficult to argue with those figures(especially as the first was Gilchrist 3rd ball for 0), but Symonds took 3 wickets including 2 in 2, and got a few runs too.
They've presumably got McDonald in the squad as a bowler who might bat at 8. I've not seen him bowl more than a couple of balls but in English conditions I wonder if he might actually be pretty effective if he does something with it.
Similarly, Watson will only be effective if he can do something with the ball....Lee has always been pretty average against England despite bowling quickly so I don't think any English batsman will be worried about what pace he bowls, but pace and movement of course has the potential to be devastating!
Interestingly, someone that saw the IPL final tells me that Symonds over-stepped the mark in terms of aggression when bowling, which would hint that he perhaps isn't quite back in the frame of mind that is required for The Ashes. If anyone saw it, then let Cricket Burble know if his beahviour went too far....
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