Watson as test opener?

[aussie1st]

Yea why not, average of 46 in FC we could do a lot worse!

 

[King Pietersen]

Wait, you're serious? =/ I thought you were joking with the posting of those scorecards. :laugh

 

[aussie1st]

I'd actually bring him in at 6, way North is going the time has come. Those scorecards were to show he opened and why I mentioned him as a possible opener.

 

[King Pietersen]

Wow. I honestly thought you were joking trying to use scorecards to back up a possible selection of Steven Smith to open the batting. I'm not even sure a batting average of 46 is that impressive in Australia, didn't Phil Hughes average around 65 in FC cricket during his first spell of Test cricket? Smith's certainly not anywhere near an all-rounder yet either. There is no way a guy with 11 FC wickets at 75 and a strike rate of 112 is an all-rounder, irrespective of whether Australian pitches don't suit spinners. He's less of an all-rounder than Luke Wright ffs. I'd be worried if I was Australian if Steven Smith is the next in line for the #6 spot. North's a far better player, probably a better spinner as well

 

[aussie1st]

The post was done 2 years ago when I was talking about potential openers for the future. All the scorecards were showing was that he opened which Matt stated he never seen before. They weren't used to backup him as opener, why on earth would I use u17 matches to get him into the side as test opener?

We already have an all rounder, Steven Smith would be in there as a batsmen first that offers part time spin. And we have a ton of options that are ahead of him, but given the selectors are really keen on him this would be the better way to get him in. And FTW North got into the side with an FC average of 44.

 

[drainpipe32]

Smith really has to play LOI this summer, as does Hughes and Jon Holland. Maybe a few young quicks as well.

 

[mattfb]

My posts are fact not something made up! Hes opened a number of times as shown below and hes batted 3 on numerous occasions.

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Ah fair enough, I can see why he bats lower for NSW now though

He's definitely improving in his bowling and batting, theres no doubt about that. He started poor but is slowly getting better as you can see through his cameos. Once he can concentrate and stay at the crease longer I wouldn't consider him to bat anywhere for Australia. In 2008 he only scored one 50, but so far this season he has a 90 and an unbeaten ton.

But in the next 2-3 years I wouldn't be surprised to see him bolt up as a strong contender.

 

[aussie1st]

When I first found him he looked to be an opener with handy part timers although I must have only checked a few scorecards as he wasn't opening in all the games. But once he got rated highly with his spin, that ended his chance of being an opener. Not to mention NSW has a truck load of openers who all get squashed into the top 4 so it works out in the end.

 

[drainpipe32]

I think he's got more chance as a spinner than a batsman, seeing as we're struggling to pick our top six now from over 10 contenders....

 

[sifter132]

The post was done 2 years ago when I was talking about potential openers for the future. All the scorecards were showing was that he opened which Matt stated he never seen before. They weren't used to backup him as opener, why on earth would I use u17 matches to get him into the side as test opener?

We already have an all rounder, Steven Smith would be in there as a batsmen first that offers part time spin. And we have a ton of options that are ahead of him, but given the selectors are really keen on him this would be the better way to get him in. And FTW North got into the side with an FC average of 44.

And...Watson got named as reserve batsman/opener for the Ashes after getting quite a few ducks opening for QLD. So you never know. But I guess you do for Steve Smith, Watson's FC record with bat AND ball was much superior to Steve's when he got picked - at any time in his career.

For those unaware, the reason Steve Smith is getting hype is because he's a young leg spinner - not because of anything he's done in cricket thus far. If he were a young off spinner, there would be no hype at all.

 

[TumTum]

For those unaware, the reason Steve Smith is getting hype is because he's a young leg spinner - not because of anything he's done in cricket thus far. If he were a young off spinner, there would be no hype at all.

Maybe it's because off spinners in Australia are blacklisted from bowling the doosra, so we need Leggies

 

[drainpipe32]

Yeah, Jon Holland=Much better bowler

 

[rahuldravidfan]

This maybe a bit early but Usman Khawaja in place of Marcus North?

 

[mattfb]

I wouldnt bat Khawaja at 6.

 

[piriyanth]

This maybe a bit early but Usman Khawaja in place of Marcus North?

Cameron White is a better option IMO.