He manages to front pad thrust his way to 90 pretty well...

Once again facts dont back you up.

Watson has played 46 Tests and batted 85 times. He avrages 36 and has got past ninety only seven times. He hasgone onto 100 or more only 3 times.

Aside from his last Ashes Test 176, he has not hit a score over 90 since Dec 2010.

A stellar career of underachievement for a player who has been given so many opportunities to shine.

Bailey's 22 have come of 20 balls, including five 4s; all the other batsmen had strike rates in the order of 50. Think someone forgot to tell him he's not playing on roads in India any more.

You mean to tell me he scored 22 off of his first 20, but then only 12 from his next 32 before getting himself out!?!

Siddle, Harris, Johnson and Hilfenhaus are all being rested from next week's Shield games in preparation for the first Test.

http://www.theage.com.au/sport/cricket/pacemen-put-on-ice-for-ashes-20131107-2x499.html

If we have to resort to Hilfenhaus this series, then we're stuffed.

Edited November 7, 201311 yr by titan_uranus

I think the optimism for the home series is evaporating somewhat from the welter of injuries to our quicks.

The bowling attack that includes Johnson, Hilfenhaus and Siddle is Groundhog Day from back to last home series and we know what happened there. The absence of Cummins, Starc, Pattinson and Bird has made the stocks look very thin. Australia A has confirmed that.

And despite Watsons hope, doing a hamstring at 32 us not usually a 3 week recovery especially if there is potential for him to bowl.

And Clarke and Harris are being nursed along. They have Hazlewood as back up for Harris for the 2nd Test.

I have a feeling that what cards we have in our hands are going to spread very thin in the series

Does anyone have an informed opinion on Chadd Sayers?

Australia A finally batting down in Hobart. Doolan 31 off 35, poor guy didn't get a proper chance to do anything of merit. Khawaja just 3, rule a line through him. Shaun Marsh currently 26 off 58, but there isn't enough time in the match for him to make a proper innings to push his case.

Good to see Rogers make 88 and 117 in the Shield. White's good form continues, backing up his 48 with a 70*. Ahmed struggled again, whilst Nathan Lyon didn't do too much (got Rogers out both times though), but had good economy (another reason to take Lyon over Ahmed).

Bailey only made 41 in the second dig in Queensland, not ideal from him. Chris Lynn might be one to watch though, with an 81 and 72*.

Does anyone have an informed opinion on Chadd Sayers?

None at all. He's been around the Aussie team though, hasn't he? I'm sure we'll hear his name during the summer.

To answer the question posed in the OP, Kumar got Chanderpaul out today for 25 in West Indies' paltry 182.

India 0-37 with Sachin to come in at second drop in his final test. The way things are going, he'll probably only need to bat once.

Comes in to bat to a rousing reception and a guard of honour from the Windies.

Would be fantastic to see Tendulkar get a tonne in his final Test. He hasn't reached 100 since January 2011, which makes you wonder, if he wasn't Tendulkar, would have have kept his spot this long?

Would be fantastic to see Tendulkar get a tonne in his final Test. He hasn't reached 100 since January 2011, which makes you wonder, if he wasn't Tendulkar, would have have kept his spot this long?

Not a chance.

Not unless he was Shane Watson.......

anybody think they will pick a keeper?

or will they stick with the backstop

anybody think they will pick a keeper?

or will they stick with the backstop

If Cuzzy bro(Wade) keeps making runs then he should get back in.

Haddin is a great bat but as you say-a backstop.

Backstop??

Seem to remember he set an Ashes record somewhere.......

http://sports.ndtv.com/the-ashes-2013/news/212980-the-ashes-australias-brad-haddin-sets-new-wicketkeeping-record

Oh yes of course.......

The Ashes keeping for this series is Haddin's to lose.

Wade can do all he likes but if Haddin is in that sort of form then Wade should be contemplating his future chances post Ashes.

I would have thought that a fit Tim Paine with a bit of form is the heir apparent and would be called up if Haddin stumbles.

Edited November 16, 201311 yr by Rhino Richards

Backstop??

Seem to remember he set an Ashes record somewhere.......

http://sports.ndtv.com/the-ashes-2013/news/212980-the-ashes-australias-brad-haddin-sets-new-wicketkeeping-record

Oh yes of course.......

The Ashes keeping for this series is Haddin's to lose.

Wade can do all he likes but if Haddin is in that sort of form then Wade should be contemplating his future chances post Ashes.

I would have thought that a fit Tim Paine with a bit of form is the heir apparent and would be called up if Haddin stumbles.

At the moment, as a keeper Paine is well in front of Wade. Wade's main problem is his awful keeping, and until he fixes that, his run-making (made a tonne in the Shield game) and captaincy (we won today's match despite nearly a day of rain) won't be enough.

As for the Ashes, there is a little, faint bit of pressure on our batsmen.

Marcus North's Shield season so far has read 45, 118*, 50, 37, 110 and 84*. Very much in form. Phil Hughes just cracked a double century, Rob Quiney's in good form too, as is Cameron White, as is Alex Doolan. Chris Lynn is also a promising younger option too. None of those names jump out as amazing selections, especially given four of them have failed at Test level before, but at least this series if we're struggling to make runs we won't be forced to stick with the underperformers.

Backstop??

Seem to remember he set an Ashes record somewhere.......

http://sports.ndtv.com/the-ashes-2013/news/212980-the-ashes-australias-brad-haddin-sets-new-wicketkeeping-record

Oh yes of course.......

The Ashes keeping for this series is Haddin's to lose.

Wade can do all he likes but if Haddin is in that sort of form then Wade should be contemplating his future chances post Ashes.

I would have thought that a fit Tim Paine with a bit of form is the heir apparent and would be called up if Haddin stumbles.

record for catching the ball?get your hand off it mate

has also set a record for most dropped chances

its not the ones you take ,its the ones you miss

and haddin is an expert at that

Edited November 16, 201311 yr by jazza

record for catching the ball?get your hand off it mate

has also set a record for most dropped chances

its not the ones you take ,its the ones you miss

and haddin is an expert at that

And you are pushing for Wade???

Ugh.

At the moment, as a keeper Paine is well in front of Wade. Wade's main problem is his awful keeping, and until he fixes that, his run-making (made a tonne in the Shield game) and captaincy (we won today's match despite nearly a day of rain) won't be enough.

That might be eye opening for some.

. None of those names jump out as amazing selections, especially given four of them have failed at Test level before, but at least this series if we're struggling to make runs we won't be forced to stick with the underperformers.

Aside from Doolan, all the others have black marks against their name. Hughes two fold.

The clock is against North. Others dont excite. Lets hope we dont have to rely on them.

best keeper by a mile is.tim ludeman

unfortunately adam gilchrist and the shocking form of the current has killed tims chances because all selectors want a batsmen keeper now

its a shame the best keeper is not picked

Ah......having a keeper that can bat has been in vogue.....since ahhh....... Rod Marsh.

Ah......having a keeper that can bat has been in vogue.....since ahhh....... Rod Marsh.

your right as usual.batting average for marshy 26

I forgot about

roger wooley

kevin wright

greg dyer

phil emery

graham manou

Edited November 16, 201311 yr by jazza

record for catching the ball?get your hand off it mate

has also set a record for most dropped chances

its not the ones you take ,its the ones you miss

and haddin is an expert at that

You're arguing that Haddin's keeping is not good.

The statistic is that he just broke the record for Ashes dismissals.

Your conclusion is that catching the ball has nothing to do with keeping.

My conclusion is you have no idea what you're talking about.

Meanwhile - http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia/content/story/689523.html

Awks for Wade.

You're arguing that Haddin's keeping is not good.

The statistic is that he just broke the record for Ashes dismissals.

Your conclusion is that catching the ball has nothing to do with keeping.

My conclusion is you have no idea what you're talking about.

aaahhhh figures