I think that's where Tharmi's point comes into play. As it allows the Aussie's to play another bowler, so if he does make a big one in the heat he can bowl minimal overs and there's still Clarke and Symonds to cover his overs.Great Birtannia said:Ideally Watson will become the #3 for Australia in both forms once Ponting retires. If you bat at 3 for Tasmania you are practically opening anyway so he should be fine
The problem comes in if the selectors still see him as an all rounder and we rely upon him to still be able to bowl the full quota of 10. Big ask to bat first at Adelaide in 35 degree heat and then after a long innings back it up with the ball later on in the evening.
Don’t think Watson’s directives will be to pinch hit. His a naturally aggressive player but his a bit better than a fly by night pinch hitter (same goes for Gilchrist).Arjun said:With Gilchrist and Watson opening, you'll have a setup similar to the Lankan team of the late 90's, with two pinch-hitters at the top, both being non-specialists. It will be most effective if both of them go for the bowlign and attempt the big ones, but Hayden shoudln't be out of the plans. He's still the best opener they've got. As for Jacques, we haven't seen much of him yet, though many say age is on his side, but achievement is on Hayden's.
Spot on IMOFaaipDeOiad said:This was already discussed in the DLF Cup thread, but I think the best spot for Watson in the long-term is certainly number 4, and Martyn should go before Katich does. Martyn's done nothing of note in ODIs for some time, while Katich was the top runscorer in the VB Series and has basically only had one bad series since he started opening the batting.
If Katich is also dropped, I'd still like to see Watson at 4 and someone like Jaques opening.