The time is ripe to introduce Hodge and/or Hussey to Test cricket.

[POBT]

BUt Katich isnt exactly a younger player who needs to be given time to develop, he should make way for Hodge, now.

As for Watson, its all well and good to let players develop, but isnt that what first class cricket is for? You can only carry so many developing players, atm CLarke and Watson are gift wickets to any bowler lucky enough to be bowling at them, Lee is worth plenty of runs for a batsman, by next series add in Tait and there is 4 developing players who are still developing yet all in the test side

I disagree that Watson is a "gift wicket" - if he's shown anything so far, it is that a bowler has to work pretty hard to dismiss him. He is defensively quite sound. He might not be scoring a heap of runs but to call him a gift wicket is, in my opinion, incorrect. I am not saying that his output does not need to improve substantially but criticise him where criticism is warranted and not just to try and prove your point.

There's only so much "development" a player can experience in first class cricket. Eventually players need to be given time at the top level to prove themselves. As I have said, give that time to Watson now and if he doesn't produce results, then drop him. Clarke has had that time and now should be on his final chance as he has not performed to an acceptable standard. Katich, due to his age and his future value to the side, should not be afforded the same level of patience. Just as Hodge should not if he is given a run in the Test side. It is expected that the players with 10 years plus of first class experience will perform immediately - that was the expectation on Langer, Hayden, Martyn, Lehmann on their return/debut in the Test team. Cf the likes of Clarke, S. Waugh, Ponting who were given extended opportunities due to their age and the fact that they were potentially 10-15 year contributors to the Test team.

People seem to forget that this has always been the way of Test cricket - ever since I can remember anyway. For every Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting who were given a run at the top level and ultimately succeeded, there is a David Hookes or Greg Blewitt who, for whatever reason, couldn't quite make the jump to an elite long term Test batsman. Giving younger blokes an extended run has always been the way. Just as it has always been the way that some of the best performers in first class cricket don't necessarily get the opportunities they deserve. This isn't something new and some of Australia's greatest players have been developed in part by the selectors' display of faith in talent, ability and potential.

There is a place for the "middle aged" batsmen filling roles. But there is also a place for giving young guys a fair go. Regardless of what you think of Watson as a player, he at least deserves more than 2 tests eight months apart to prove he is a Test player.

 

[Smokey_22]

To slow a scored? Geez, didnt realise that was a must for a test batsman to be a fast scorer?

However of course he is faster than any of the 3 players he might replace

Let me just help confirm this:

B.Hodge c:Hussey b:Williams 10 48 42 2 0

10 from 42 balls - just yesterday.
He doesn't score quick enough for a near 31 year old to warrant a place. He's solid, which is why he's there on the fringes, but thats all. Australia are doing too well to need solid slow scorers. Only young or dynamic batsmen.
Sorry hodgey

 

[usalion]

Look at my sig, both have much better averages than CLarke or Watson

Well, ed- it would help if you actually posted correct averages. According to Cricinfo, Bell's Test average is 42-something...not 46.

Amazing how much one drops once they start playing good Test sides- and we were not even full strength...Dingdong would be even lower had our bowlers been in top nick...let's see how he flails at Paki bowlers on their own deck....

 

[crownie]

Michael Clarke has a better bowling average then Flintoff so it must mean his a better bowler.

for those who use stats as there backbone for debate, get a clue.

 

[eddiesmith]

Let me just help confirm this:

B.Hodge c:Hussey b:Williams 10 48 42 2 0

10 from 42 balls - just yesterday.
He doesn't score quick enough for a near 31 year old to warrant a place. He's solid, which is why he's there on the fringes, but thats all. Australia are doing too well to need solid slow scorers. Only young or dynamic batsmen.
Sorry hodgey

On a ******** pitch, oh sorry, that doesnt count does it? Do batsman go out and score at a run a ball early in an innings in India? No, you have to adapt to the conditions

 

[eddiesmith]

Perhaps we'll see Clarke's after as many Test as Vaughan, and we'll see Watson's after as many Tests as Bell - as long as there's a guaranteed two against Bangladesh in there.

BTW: your Ian Bell average is WRONG.

At the rate CLarke is going, his average will be below 30 by the time he has played as many tests as Vaughan

 

[Joffaboy]

The NSW Hussey yes.

Hodge is the naughties version of Jamie Siddons and Mike Velleta. Good at Pura Cup level, but wouldn't handle the pressure of test matches. just not good enough.

 

[Gunnar Longshanks]

Just to point out - I think you meant 'at any rate'. You're wrong the way you currently put it, because at the 'level' below Tests Watson EASILY commands a spot as a specialist top 6 batsman. Just thought you might like to know.

I disagree.

If we were to judge Watson only on his Pura Cup performances, I'm still not satisifed that he is the best-credentialled player to take a top 6 spot.

Is that what you really think? That Watson is the next best/most deserving batsman in the country outside those currently in the Test side's top 6? Guys like Lehmann and Bevan are obviously out of the picture.

 

[Gunnar Longshanks]

The NSW Hussey yes.

Who's that?

 

[just maybe]

I disagree.

If we were to judge Watson only on his Pura Cup performances, I'm still not satisifed that he is the best-credentialled player to take a top 6 spot.

Is that what you really think? That Watson is the next best/most deserving batsman in the country outside those currently in the Test side's top 6? Guys like Lehmann and Bevan are obviously out of the picture.

Yes. Age, potential and technqiue MUST come into it.

 

[Smokey_22]

Yes. Age, potential and technqiue MUST come into it.

Exactly, with those 3 attributes, watson is clearly the standout.

Thats why he's in the team. Morons.

 

[~GURU~]

Exactly, with those 3 attributes, watson is clearly the standout.

Thats why he's in the team. Morons.

About all Watson has going for him is Potential and age.

Technique

 

[just maybe]

About all Watson has going for him is Potential and age.

Technique

Watson has fantastic technique...if you'd ever bothered to watch. He's one of the most technically correct batsmen in te Pura Cup.

 

[just maybe]

On a ******** pitch, oh sorry, that doesnt count does it? Do batsman go out and score at a run a ball early in an innings in India? No, you have to adapt to the conditions

Ah, always the excuses.

Plenty of other batsmen seem to have gone fine, eddie.

 

[eddiesmith]

Ah, always the excuses.

Plenty of other batsmen seem to have gone fine, eddie.

Plenty of others, i.e both top orders bar 1 player from each side, struggled on day 1

Watson has fantastic technique...if you'd ever bothered to watch. He's one of the most technically correct batsmen in te Pura Cup.

His technically correct technique hasnt helped him make any runs any time I have seen him bat

 

[just maybe]

Plenty of others, i.e both top orders bar 1 player from each side, struggled on day 1

And you say Hodge is the best player in Pura Cup. He should have been one of those players.

And it it's such a crap pitch, shouldn't it still be causing problems?

His technically correct technique hasnt helped him make any runs any time I have seen him bat

I don't recall him making a duck recently. That suggests you haven't actually watched him bat.

 

[just maybe]

Plenty of others, i.e both top orders bar 1 player from each side, struggled on day 1

What's that Eddie? ANOTHER failure? And this time not on day one? And to some random bloke who's played a handful of games?

Gee, Hodgey is really putting up a good case...must be your influence.

 

[eddiesmith]

What's that Eddie? ANOTHER failure? And this time not on day one? And to some random bloke who's played a handful of games?

Gee, Hodgey is really putting up a good case...must be your influence.

Oh well, he still scored more in 1 innings than Kato in both innings in his last match, and that was on a road against bowlers who couldnt give a ********

 

[just maybe]

Oh well, he still scored more in 1 innings than Kato in both innings in his last match, and that was on a road against bowlers who couldnt give a ********

Actually, as much as I dislike Kato, your above statement shows your lying and deceit as usual.

His first innings was a dodgy runout, his second innings he was facing a bowler who definitely DID give a ******** and was bowling absolutely unbelievably.

 

[eddiesmith]

Actually, as much as I dislike Kato, your above statement shows your lying and deceit as usual.

His first innings was a dodgy runout, his second innings he was facing a bowler who definitely DID give a ******** and was bowling absolutely unbelievably.

Yet you have no idea the circumstances around Hodgeys dismissals now do you? So dont go bagging Hodgey if you are just going to make excuses for katichs ******** form

If you are happy for a middle order consisting of players averaging under 40, then good for you, just dont bitch and moan when Bangladesh beats Australia next year

 

[just maybe]

Yet you have no idea the circumstances around Hodgeys dismissals now do you? So dont go bagging Hodgey if you are just going to make excuses for katichs ******** form

If you are happy for a middle order consisting of players averaging under 40, then good for you, just dont bitch and moan when Bangladesh beats Australia next year

I don't want Katich in the side.

But Hodge isn't exactly putting forward a good case.

Despite your unstinting, biased support of him. Can you even criticise him, or do you love him too much?

 

[Jumpin' Jimmy]

But Hodge isn't exactly putting forward a good case.

Despite your unstinting, biased support of him. Can you even criticise him, or do you love him too much?

Hodge(cricket) = Buckley(AFL) in Eddie's fantasy world.

 

[Smokey_22]

Hodge fails again eh?

10 and 21. Not the sort of domestic scores for the "test number 4".

Eddie, he isn't in the aussie 11 for a reason. If you think i'm talkin about age, you're wrong. But yeah, he's too old anyway.

 

[eddiesmith]

I don't want Katich in the side.

But Hodge isn't exactly putting forward a good case.

Despite your unstinting, biased support of him. Can you even criticise him, or do you love him too much?

Ok, so you dont want Katich in the side, yet you dont want to replace him

Riiiiiiiiiiggggggggghhhhhhhttt

 

[just maybe]

Ok, so you dont want Katich in the side, yet you dont want to replace him

Riiiiiiiiiiggggggggghhhhhhhttt

Not with Hodge, no. Is it that hard for you to understand? Do you think Hodge is the only candidate or something?