It’s almost a Test-by-Test discussion among cricket writers and the public pundits these days, should Shane Watson be dropped?
There are two trains of thought.
Watson hasn’t done enough to retain his all-round place in the side, or it’s time for the new generation to be blooded.
Let’s kill off the second suggestion. The most important Test is the next Test – the future can wait especially as the baggy greens are a Test down against the Old Enemy.
Start tampering with the side, and the Australians will be two-down with three to play. That’s Russian roulette selecting.
And while there are very valid reasons considering the lack of Watson’s consistency with 21 digs in Ashes Tests in England for 12 leg-before, six caught and three bowled, there are other factors worth keeping in mind.
Firstly, there’s no standout replacement, with the Marsh brothers Shaun and Mitchell at the top of the list.
Shaun (32) is a leftie who has batted anywhere from opening to number five averaging 35.79 from 14 Tests, but doesn’t bowl.
Mitchell (23) played four Tests last year.
The first two were against Pakistan in the Emirates averaging 41, and two at home against India averaging 32.7. But in his medium pacers in those four Tests he bowled 61 overs, taking 1-164.
So replacing Watson with either Marsh would be a fingers-crossed decision.
And there’s another vital factor that must be fed into the selection mix. Watson is a first slip expert with Michael Clarke at second, and Steve Smith at third.
Take Watson out of the cordon, and there’s a dramatic change. With Clarke and Smith each moving in one, and who takes over third slip? The cordon is vital, and if it ain’t broke then don’t fix it.
Selection discussion over Brad Haddin’s keeping and batting is also gaining momentum.
Sure he spilled Joe Root on the dive before he had scored, and he went on to a superb 134 – that hurt badly. But Haddin also took a smart catch at the stumps to dismiss Stuart Broad in the first dig, and three more catches in the second.
It’s a lack of runs that has the knockers on the hunt, with Peter Nevill being the obvious choice to take over.
That he will at the end of this tour, when Haddin is expected to pull up stumps. But in the meantime, better the devil you know – and that’s Brad Haddin.
The second Test starts at Lord’s on Thursday, and as Clarke said at the media conference after the 169-run defeat at Cardiff, “we got a bit of a kick in the backside”.
Bit of?
When Clarke lost the toss, England were 3-43 and should have been 4-43 with Roots’ dismissal. From that point on, however, Australia were never again in the hunt.
They were totally outplayed.
So let’s go into Lord’s with the same team, and have a non-panicked review after that.
TheCunningLinguistic
Guest
Apparently, panicking was the correct answer, Mr Lord. Anything else to say?
Bearfax
Guest
Agreed Richard. Been arguing that point for years about giving youth experience. They are beginning to get it right with Starc, Hazlewood, Cummins, Neville, Smith, Warner and Mitch Marsh, but gee they are a conservative lot these selectors.
Richard
Guest
Nothing here makes sense. Absolute garbage. The problem is Watto should have been dropped years ago and here we are now with an aging team and too few younger players with experience. Putting in Marsh has only upside, he is young improving has enthusiasm we don't know how good he can be. I just hope for god and Australia's sake we never seem this biggest failure that ever played for Australia back on the test field. How anyone can argue for his retention now is beyond me.
Matthew Skellett
Guest
The public perception and opinion of Mr Watson has already being fixed Mr Lord. No matter what a umm and awwring Leahman says about 'not being swayed by public opinion' , Mr Watson is in the unfortunate but deserved position of having the distinct possibility of being booed and loudly abused at every public appearance . Notably by the ummmm long-suffering Public . It's quite clear to almost everyone and the drover's dog that Mr Watson has been the beneficiary of someone's protection and favor but like all favoured sons or daughters sooner or later the talent or lack of it speaks louder than any flattery . Mr Watson just isn't up to the mental and physical demands of being in the national side and the longer this is made to continue the harsher history will judge him . It's better he bow out now gracefully or face a unforgiving world in which he will feel every slight and offense and be expected to take it without pity .
The Bush
Roar Guru
No chance, balls hitting middle, see ya Watto...
The Bush
Roar Guru
Only after training with Dank.
jamesb
Guest
Shane Watson dropped, Mitch Marsh will replace him http://m.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/the-ashes/ashes-2015-shane-watson-dropped-for-second-test-replaced-by-mitchell-marsh-20150714-giceu2.html Apparently, Watson wants to review that decision.
Amateur hour
Guest
Click bait, more traffic and an up yours to the peolpe of The Roar! Thats about it really!
ColinP
Guest
Fingers crossed he is just having a trott moment, and nothing to do with his baby
TheCunningLinguistic
Guest
Oh man, I really hope & pray that his daughter is ok. Hopefully that's not what the issue is. Watson has to go, but I'd probably give Haddin till the end of this series.
TheCunningLinguistic
Guest
:-) I think with Shane Watson, it's always win-win. If he sucks (which he generally does), we get to tear him down with words. When he does well, Australia has already won. So yeah, win-win.
Lancey5times
Guest
You can see it from the moon
Don Freo
Guest
Every now and then he is cslled by an afternoon ABC announcer as a "sporting expert". He actually DOES think like this. Very Jim Maxwell.
Spooky
Guest
I think they are waiting for Rogers to retire to put Maxwell as opener again
JimmyB
Guest
You ain't seen me...right. ;)
Spooky
Guest
?
Spooky
Guest
When he gets out he is often over balanced and fallen to the offside and thinks he is no where near the stumps. It's a shame he seems like a likeable character and obviously well liked in the team. But in hindsight probably a mistake to pick him for Cardiff. Now the selectors are left with a more difficult decision, end a long term team members career before a last game at the home of cricket.
JimmyB
Guest
That made me chuckle Harvey...a lot.
Nudge
Guest
Everything crossed
Timmuh
Roar Guru
One report is saying "personal reasons". Hopefully not his daughter's illness again.