Look – we don’t want to have this discussion. The Australian selectors certainly don’t want to have this discussion. But it must be done – Andrew Symonds v Shane Watson
MC Gregor: Roy for me. He has form against the Yaapies in Perth, and his swing/spin actually offers bowling variety.
MixMaster D: But MC, when Watto bowls, Angels sing, butterfly's smile and small children skip merrily through the streets. And anyway, who's got the score on the board for Queensland this season. At this point, I will direct you to the most recent QLD shield match where Watto took 7/69 in the first innings and made 80-odd in the second innings. I believe these two innings alone place him above Roy in the wickets taken and runs scored this season.
MC Gregor: The team seems to prefer Roy, and his batting is better suited to number 6 than Watto's is. Plus he has dreadlocks, which are kinda cool. Oh, and he's a marketers dream.
MixMaster D: What? A pig shooting, drunken imbecile? How is that a marketers dream? And to be fair - I don't really care if the players would prefer to piss in Roy's pocket (as seems to be the case), I want someone that can get the job done. And let's look no further than India where Watto was the only bloke that was consistently moving the ball all day in each test. This has been my major criticism of Watto and he's rectified it.
MC Gregor: I like Watto, but just I just don't think he'll ever make it. Its fine for him to bat a bit lower in a shield side, and to have more luck with his bowling. But put him up a level and out of his batting order comfort. Plus, Watto has recently been rubbish in the field.
MixMaster D: True - Roy provides a magnificent asset by way of his fielding. He's clearly the best all round fielder in world cricket at the moment. But how long can that keep you in the Test arena? Watto can bat and Watto can bowl. Symonds is almost a batsman and is a genuine part timer with the ball. The selectors need to bite the bullet and get rid of Punters mate and bring in the bloke that can genuinely turn into the all rounder that all Australia has been craving since Freddy Flintoff showed us what damage they can do.
MC Gregor: I suppose it comes down to this. Roy has performed at the international stage. Watson hasn't. Granted he has had less time, but the baggy green has to be earnt. It isn't a right which comes along with a pilates class voucher.
MixMaster D: Agreed, but Watson's performances over the past few years have earned him an extended run in the Test side - Roy can have the one day side. Watson swings the ball, Watson seams the ball. Watson's bowling was what was always the big question mark. Now, he's turned chiropractor and straightened that question mark into an exclamation point -and trust me, he knows all about chiropractic.
MC Gregor: I'm running out of arguments
MixMaster D: And Roy is running out of time
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
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8 comments:
Roy v Watto v Noffke
Now there's a comparison. Truthfully I reckon they should be fighting for the same spot.
I don't buy this specialist no 6 batsman shite that Ponting bought out at the Gabba.
And how did Symonds get to be the incumbent after he was dropped? Sure as a beer swilling fisherman I dispute his being dropped at all, but surely after he's been through 'the processes' he'd have to earn his way back into the squad? Or do we drop players and hold their spot till they're right again, and if so, why isn't Tait back in?
Good point. I'm a big fan of Noffke as well. Although his balance as an allrounder goes more towards the ball than the bat (and the selectors seems to want a batter who dabbles with the ball). I do think Watto missed an opportunity to make himself the incumbent in India, and perhaps Noffkers is just seen as too old?
Too old? I thought that was a requirement of being given the baggy green. We just picked Bryce at 48, surely Noffke's not there yet.
btw can you change your link to me to http://beerandsport.net/
Cheers,
MOses.
Would it be too much to fit both in ?
Haydos
Krab
Punter
Huss
Pup
Symo
Watto
Lee
Clark
Johnson
[Insert Spinner here]
6 Proper batsmen, 1 all rounder and 4 bowlers.
Moses - I'm the number one drive of the AA Noffke bandwagon. He shouldn't be fighting with Symonds and Watson for a spot in the side, he should be the first man picked. And Symonds and Watson should be fighting for the opportunity to sit at a restaurant after Noffkers has eaten there. Just to be seen.
Damith - a few flaws
1) you're referring to Symonds as a batsman
2) who's going to keep?
Hey MixMaster, that's easy.. we just need to select a keeper/spinner.
How bout North? How's he behind the stumps?
and Damith's got Clark batting before Johnson, hard to see how that promotion was deserved..
Moses, North is good at everything...but not sure he'll be quick enough to collect his own bowling.
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