Australia v India v Sri Lanka

[Master Q]

Well someone needs to Bat at 3. Hussey and Watson need to play, so as Captain I think Clarke should take it on and if he is the World Class Batsmen that he is playing like atm, he should be flexible enough to still play well at 3.

[PowerBug]

I think Watson may miss out all together in the West Indies. If the current side is playing well, and Cowan hasn't been a complete failure, and the middle order has been very solid, there's no need to make changes.

Although then there's Marsh, 17 runs in 6 innings isn't good enough. Now the selectors decide whether they want Khawaja back in, or Watson back in the middle order. I would pick Khawaja first.

[Cookie Monster]

I think Watson may miss out all together in the West Indies. If the current side is playing well, and Cowan hasn't been a complete failure, and the middle order has been very solid, there's no need to make changes.

Although then there's Marsh, 17 runs in 6 innings isn't good enough. Now the selectors decide whether they want Khawaja back in, or Watson back in the middle order. I would pick Khawaja first.

I would pick Watson, runs are pretty much gaurenteed with him.

[TheMailman]

*Sigh*

Clarke out in another dismal display of why we need technology.

As long as both Warner and Watson are in form Testwise why shouldn't they open? Because they'll score fast? Gambir and Sehwag did it with great success.

Khawaja is 25. This is the perfect time to see if he can perform against a lesser team in the Windies and get some confidence. Although I want Watson in the middle order the only way I see him fitting is if Cowan leaves as a backup

[Cookie Monster]

*Sigh*

Clarke out in another dismal display of why we need technology.

As long as both Warner and Watson are in form Testwise why shouldn't they open? Because they'll score fast? Gambir and Sehwag did it with great success.

Khawaja is 25. This is the perfect time to see if he can perform against a lesser team in the Windies and get some confidence. Although I want Watson in the middle order the only way I see him fitting is if Cowan leaves as a backup

We do, it's just India are the only country in the world who don't use the DRS system.

[TheMailman]

Yeah I was referring to the dumb whiny Indian Cricket Board.

Can't we just disregard them and just use it?  >:(

[Master Q]

I'm also a huge fan of Khwaja, but remember that Watson is also an AR. He was the best bowler in the team at one stage...

[TheMailman]

Rushing Watson in when he isn't fully fit/in form would do a lot more bad then good.

All rounder means he has a higher workload than most

[Master Q]

So he Bats at 6. By the time of the next test he'll be fully rested anyway.

[Cruiseon]

Well someone needs to Bat at 3. Hussey and Watson need to play, so as Captain I think Clarke should take it on and if he is the World Class Batsmen that he is playing like atm, he should be flexible enough to still play well at 3.

MasterQ I couldn't agree more.

His batting record has been great as Captain but very few have discussed that as Captain he dropped himself down the order to 5. Surely a step up in responsibility would push up not down the order.
 

[PowerBug]

Hilfy so close to taking a hat-trick spread over 3 overs. :(

Clarkey will eventually bat at 3, unless Khawaja is the man that the selectors want as the future number 3.

[TheMailman]

Gambir gone for 3 in what looks to be another average attempt from India

I've seen snakes with more foot movement then Sehwag atm

[My Chumps]

Why not just play Ponting at 3?  ???

It's where he played for 90% of his career...

[Shaggy]

Why ruin what is an awesome middle orer 4/5 with Ponting/Clarke batting how they are? You guys are no different to the selectors always trying to change things around haha.

Warner
Watson
Cowen
Ponting
Clarke
Hussey
Haddin/Wade/Paine
Siddle
Harris/Cummins
Hilfenhaus/Pattinson
Lyon


That is how it should look.

[Master Q]

Haven't you read the posts before Shaggy. Firstly, Cowan is an opener, and secondly you can't have Watson and Warner opening.

Clarke needs to step up and bat at 3, and I reckon he will. It's not up to Ponting anymore, it needs to be up to him.