Which opening pair is better Warner and Watson or Warner and Ed Cowan

[manav 56]

Yes everybody Warner and Watson are a old pair but good. Warner and Ed Cowan they are young so people do not like new and young player.::ye

 

[formula1man]

I think Warner and Watson is the better opening combo, but I think Warner Cowan is better for the team. I have always believed Watson should bat number 3.

However I still arent convinced Warner is ideal long term, I like him, but we will see. People will start to work him out.

 

[Sedition]

Cowan is almost exactly one year younger than Watson, so age isn't much of a factor. The Warner/Watson combo could be a pretty devastating one, but since they haven't opened together in tests yet, you can't say it's better than Warner and Cowan, who are so far undefeated in matches they've opened

 

[manav 56]

Cowan is almost exactly one year younger than Watson, so age isn't much of a factor. The Warner/Watson combo could be a pretty devastating one, but since they haven't opened together in tests yet, you can't say it's better than Warner and Cowan, who are so far undefeated in matches they've opened

Yep thats but Watson is more experienced than Cowan.

 

[ArcherMcKinley]

I'd like to see Watson going down the order. It'll be interesting to see what happens when he's back in the team.

 

[6ry4nj]

The best opening pair for Tests would be Katich and Cowan. In limited overs, it would be better for two aggressive bats like Watson and Warner not to bat together if it can be helped.

 

[manav 56]

The best opening pair for Tests would be Katich and Cowan. In limited overs, it would be better for two aggressive bats like Watson and Warner not to bat together if it can be helped.

Yes but Katich has retired.

 

[Sedition]

Nope, Katich hasn't retired. He still plays all 3 forms in domestic cricket and needless to say, was pissed when he wasn't offered a CA contract this year. In saying that, I doubt he'll be picked again.

 

[manav 56]

Nope, Katich hasn't retired. He still plays all 3 forms in domestic cricket and needless to say, was pissed when he wasn't offered a CA contract this year. In saying that, I doubt he'll be picked again.

Hey mate we are not talking about domestic cricket here sorry.

 

[Sedition]

So you're basing his retirement off what then?

 

[formula1man]

I think Katich has been retired by force not choice haha.

 

[War]

Cowan and Warner, because long-term Watson as an all-rounder has to bat in the middle-order.

However if the fast-bowling stocks continue to improve along with Lyon, thus making Clarke and the selectors feel AUS can do like England and back its 4-man attack in most conditions to take 20 wickets. Then Watto can open, since his bowling won't be needed much under this scenario.

 

[aussie1st]

Watson will definitely be bowling whether our attack is killing it or not. There were quite a few occasions throughout the summer where Clarke was thinking gee Watson would be useful instead of having to bowl Lyon when the ball was moving around. In particular just before the second new ball when it was reversing however since Clarke wanted to use the new ball the new ball pairing couldn't use it. That is where Watson steps in, our best exponent of reverse swing and 4th seamer so he won't be bowling with the new ball.

Warner and Cowan for the time being, both are specialist openers, Watson played the vast majority of his career at 3/4 so makes logical sense to keep them in their main positions.

 

[sifter132]

And there will come a time when Watson shouldn't bowl or maybe can't bowl to preserve his aging body which has already been through a lot. Maybe a guy like Mitchell Marsh comes into the top 6 in a couple of years and that stops Watson bowling. Either way, he's not bowling a lot in a couple of years time is my prediction.

However I still arent convinced Warner is ideal long term, I like him, but we will see. People will start to work him out.

I'm of the opinion that the English pacemen will really find Warner out as they are a bit more relentless than the Indians or Kiwis. Of course we won't know that until 2013 and by then it may be too late, although the SA attack next summer might be a good test for him. But I just think Warner is a real pusher outside off and will nick off a lot against good bowling. He'll also probably hit a rapid 100 or 2, it just depends whether that payoff is worth the failures.

Watson's game is a bit different - he's more willing to leave, and his game is reliant on his front foot plonking down as far as it goes. Watson's also less likely to make 100s, but more likely to get solid starts. Technically I think he survives longer vs good pace than Warner.

I think Watson and Cowan would be my favourite partnership, but that of course leaves the question of what to do with Warner. But if Australia can't find some good middle order players then Watson will have to go down anyway and there won't be a problem. Thinking of the Ashes too, Australia need more right handers than lefties in the middle to stop Swann's advantage.

 

[Imperious Red]

How about giving Phil Hughes another chance surely he's not done yet