Top_Cat
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Shane Watson's diminishing returns | Cricket News | ICC Champions Trophy | ESPN Cricinfo
A lot of what's been said about him in this article wouldn't be a problem if he was still a 22-year-old all-rounder with promise but at 32 (hb, Shane), he shouldn't have to be told how to play by anyone any more. ****, the same logic applied 5 years ago. All the talk when he comes up is how the team can find a place to fit him in. Well, I'm saying there isn't a place for him any more in the Test side. When you're hearing 'At his best, he's x.' about a bloke for 10 years, wears thin on us fans so can only imagine how his team-mates are going with that especially since, at his best, he wasn't exactly dominating. The current slump cant be blamed on not hitting them well because he is. There are obviously other issues at play.
The only things keeping Watson in the Test side are teenage promise and the lack of obviously good options. He can't open (certainly not in England) because he's junk against the swinging ball, he can't bat lower than 4 and do more bowling because he's junk against good spin and he can't bowl too much more any way because he'll be crocked. This is aside from the effect of his personality on the team which I obviously don't have first-hand knowledge of but the press hasn't been too positive. For the health of the team, it's time to look elsewhere and not for an all-rounder but someone who can contribute with either at other times than when in the mood.
A lot of what's been said about him in this article wouldn't be a problem if he was still a 22-year-old all-rounder with promise but at 32 (hb, Shane), he shouldn't have to be told how to play by anyone any more. ****, the same logic applied 5 years ago. All the talk when he comes up is how the team can find a place to fit him in. Well, I'm saying there isn't a place for him any more in the Test side. When you're hearing 'At his best, he's x.' about a bloke for 10 years, wears thin on us fans so can only imagine how his team-mates are going with that especially since, at his best, he wasn't exactly dominating. The current slump cant be blamed on not hitting them well because he is. There are obviously other issues at play.
The only things keeping Watson in the Test side are teenage promise and the lack of obviously good options. He can't open (certainly not in England) because he's junk against the swinging ball, he can't bat lower than 4 and do more bowling because he's junk against good spin and he can't bowl too much more any way because he'll be crocked. This is aside from the effect of his personality on the team which I obviously don't have first-hand knowledge of but the press hasn't been too positive. For the health of the team, it's time to look elsewhere and not for an all-rounder but someone who can contribute with either at other times than when in the mood.
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