Group A - Australia, Netherlands, Scotland, South Africa

[Griffo]

you hit the nail on the head matthew hayden may be a more talented batsmen but he trys to hit himself out of situations

 

[aussie1st]

I've been impressed with Watson opening, he and Gilly usually go off together and the run rate goes flying through the roof, if not that then one of the two are at least hitting the boundary.
Hes obviously got the technique as you don't fluke a 50 FC batting average.

 

[angryangy]

We're obviously at a point at which the career greatness of a Hayden must be weighed against the future prospect of a Watson or Jaques (or whoever). Hayden can't rest on his laurels, as the time will come soon when his place is simply robbing the next generation.

 

[sifter132]

I'd say that time will be after this World Cup. Surely at least one, maybe both Hayden and Gilchrist will give the one day game away. Gilchrist is still saying he loves playing and won't be retiring. Plus Gilchrist is better at ODIs than Test cricket at present, so I don't think he'd want to switch to tests only.

But at a guess, I'd say Hayden would retire from ODIs after this, especially if Australia wins. (And if he doesn't, he should get a gentle push from the selectors as there's no point in him hanging around for a couple more years, as he won't be a factor in the 2011 World Cup)

Then Watson would step straight into the opening gig. Unless of course he starts hitting like Afridi at #7...

 

[aussie_ben91]

But so far this year has statistically been Hayden's most successful in ODI's and his the 3rd best batsman in the country.

Watson will just burn out his body if he has to bowl 10 overs and then pad up and bat 10 minutes later and we'll be useless.

I remember someone saying in the Chappell-Hadlee thread that Watson didn't hit as much boundaries as Hayden and that he pushed his runs through the field. Wouldn't it be ideal to develop him into a number 4?

 

[ZexyZahid]

So, is Hayden expected to play?

 

[aditya123]

Hayden will be playing today .
I hope to see the Scots bat first and put up a score of around 220 and maybe give the Aussies give a scare.
That is their best chance on a slow track.

 

[Griffo]

the ground is smaller than the ones i play on if the aussies bat first look out

 

[Ponting_14]

Well, I'm doing an all-nighter... who's with me?

 

[Karachi Xpress]

Whatever happens the Saeed Anwar record should not be broken! Gos Scotland!

 

[aditya123]

Well, I'm doing an all-nighter... who's with me?

Iam !
Starts at 7 in the evening and goes up to 3.30 in the morning for us.
I guess its worse for you Aussies.

 

[Ponting_14]

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,21379235-23212,00.html

Hmm why is Gavaskar talking about us so much?

Iam !
Starts at 7 in the evening and goes up to 3.30 in the morning for us.
I guess its worse for you Aussies.

Starts at 12:30AM over here

 

[angryangy]

If it was a day-nighter at least we'd be able to catch most of the game in daylight.

 

[wolf]

Australia 91-1 in the 17th. Not bad from Scotland, Gilly has just gone, LBW to Dougie Brown.

 

[Harrypotter_fan]

scotland has don quite well