2nd Test - Australia v New Zealand Hobart Dec 9 - Dec 13 2011

[lockyno1]

yes he is

check the scorecard

I see him averaging about 10...no wonder they wanted to play a 20% fit Sean Marsh!:lol:

 

[beads6]

one thing in Oozi's favour against India is that he plays spin very well

Does he?? He didn't look very confident against spin in Sri Lanka.. I hope we keep Khawaja in the side he is a break through innings away from being a top liner IMO. He has a lot of Alistair Cook about him IMO.

 

[Hallatia]

It would be great to have khawaja serve an apprenticeship at 6. Ponting got that luxury, north played a thousand tests for no runs there and now hussey is down there. Number 3 is the key spot in the order. To expect a young player to shine there immediately is grossly unfair. Fir the good of the team hussey should bat 3 and khawaja 6. If he fails at 6 then goodbye.

I am not convinced Khawaja will be helped by this because I really don't see his game as being suited to number 6 and I actually think it was a great move dropping Hussey to 6.

 

[hineyrulz]

I agree Ponting is going nowhere, but I think if you're going to drop him, as TT was discussing earlier, then Cowan is the man to get a look in at the moment. As it stands I would keep Ponting for India...I think his experience will be very handy. I wouldn't keep him past the summer though, which gives Uzi a half shield season to work on his issues. I have no issue with bringing these kids in and out of the side, I think it's the best way to do it. Hughes and Uzi certainly have issues with their game that continued exposure to test cricket is only going to exacerbate IMO. Being around the team is great, but we're helping no one by asking them to work out the kinks under the pressure of test match cricket

Can't argue with any of that. but what happens if Ponting continues to struggle and eeks out some runs in the third or 4th test??? He will want to go to the Windies and it all starts all over again. The sooner he is tapped the better for Australian cricket. I mean AB and Tugger were, and they were still captains and scoring runs. This bloke is not bigger than the team no matter how much the Clueless channel Nien commentary Box talk him up. It's sad when Champions don't know when to go, he should change his name to Ali.

 

[Twizzle]

I see him averaging about 10...no wonder they wanted to play a 20% fit Sean Marsh!:lol:

no they didn't

 

[Pete Cash]

I don't want to insult the lad but he reminds me of a young Ian Bell. It took 7 years for Ian Bell to work out his game. Lets hope Khawaja is a bit quicker.

 

[lockyno1]

no they didn't

Must have missed who played in SL and scored a 100...and then was one of the best batsmen before injuring his back...Khawaja comes in and averages 10...Marsh plays and averages 40 lol

 

[Bazal]

Can't argue with any of that. but what happens if Ponting continues to struggle and eeks out some runs in the third or 4th test??? He will want to go to the Windies and it all starts all over again. The sooner he is tapped the better for Australian cricket. I mean AB and Tugger were, and they were still captains and scoring runs. This bloke is not bigger than the team no matter how much the Clueless channel Nien commentary Box talk him up. It's sad when Champions don't know when to go, he should change his name to Ali.

Conversely, what happens if they drop Punter, he goes back and tears the Shield apart, and Uzi struggles against India? The you get the upswell of support that Waugh suddenly got (although for Waugh it was fair, if belated). That's where we need to have selectors that have the spine to make a decision and stick by it. I think, if we come out and tell Ricky this is his last hurrah, keep Uzi informed and playing well for NSW, then the transition becomes a whole lot easier.

Then again, we might also just drop both and go with Cowan. He certainly wouldn't be a left field selection, he's averaging like 65 IIRC.

 

[AlwaysGreen]

I am not convinced Khawaja will be helped by this because I really don't see his game as being suited to number 6 and I actually think it was a great move dropping Hussey to 6.

Khawaja is basically being asked to open these days as at least one opener is usually gone by the third or fourth over. I'm not talking a long term swap between Hussey and K, just a series or two to get him going. If he gets dropped outright you won't see him for a long time because he won't be part of the limited over squads.

 

[hineyrulz]

Conversely, what happens if they drop Punter, he goes back and tears the Shield apart, and Uzi struggles against India? The you get the upswell of support that Waugh suddenly got (although for Waugh it was fair, if belated). That's where we need to have selectors that have the spine to make a decision and stick by it. I think, if we come out and tell Ricky this is his last hurrah, keep Uzi informed and playing well for NSW, then the transition becomes a whole lot easier.

Then again, we might also just drop both and go with Cowan. He certainly wouldn't be a left field selection, he's averaging like 65 IIRC.

If Ponting gets tapped i doubt he'd go back to state cricket, he lives in NSW and i doubt state pride has been something he's worried about the last 5 or 6 years. Anyway all this talking is a waste of time because we know he won't be dropped. Him or Hussey, no one has the balls to make any tough decsions anymore, Hughes and Uzi will miss out and if one of Marsh or Sunshine aren't fit Uzi may get a reprieve.

 

[Twizzle]

Must have missed who played in SL and scored a 100...and then was one of the best batsmen before injuring his back...Khawaja comes in and averages 10...Marsh plays and averages 40 lol

which has nothing to do with him nearly being picked, as you called it

he was injured douchebag

how can he nearly be picked ?

put down the keyboard and back away before you hurt yourself

 

[ElectricEelMan]

For all those questioning Khawaja (or even Williamson) ... did you also question Kallis's and Amla's position in their teams? What about Glenn McGrath?

Kallis didn't get his average above 30 until his 20th test
Amla didn't get his average above 30 until his 16th test (actually I do remember A LOT of people bagging Amla when he first came on the scene and they couldn't believe when the South Africans stuck with him.
McGrath averaged above 40 for much of his first ten tests.

You probably thought Sangakarra sucked too ... he only averaged 28 after his first 6 tests.
Sobers? He sucked. He only averaged 29 after his first 13 tests.
Viv Richards? He too sucked. Only averaged 30 after his first 11 tests.

There are SO many test players with similar stories. For many of the best all time players it can take a while for them 'get' it ... but it is up to the selectors to make sure they stick with said players.

Khawaja has the talent and temperament to be added to this great list.

 

[Hallatia]

For all those questioning Khawaja (or even Williamson) ... did you also question Kallis's and Amla's position in their teams? What about Glenn McGrath?

Kallis didn't get his average above 30 until his 20th test
Amla didn't get his average above 30 until his 16th test (actually I do remember A LOT of people bagging Amla when he first came on the scene and they couldn't believe when the South Africans stuck with him.
McGrath averaged above 40 for much of his first ten tests.

You probably thought Sangakarra sucked too ... he only averaged 28 after his first 6 tests.
Sobers? He sucked. He only averaged 29 after his first 13 tests.
Viv Richards? He too sucked. Only averaged 30 after his first 11 tests.

There are SO many test players with similar stories. For many of the best all time players it can take a while for them 'get' it ... but it is up to the selectors to make sure they stick with said players.

Khawaja has the talent and temperament to be added to this great list.

hey, I brought Kallis into this discussion first:x.

Seriously, what you're saying is perfectly valid

 

[hineyrulz]

For all those questioning Khawaja (or even Williamson) ... did you also question Kallis's and Amla's position in their teams? What about Glenn McGrath?

Kallis didn't get his average above 30 until his 20th test
Amla didn't get his average above 30 until his 16th test (actually I do remember A LOT of people bagging Amla when he first came on the scene and they couldn't believe when the South Africans stuck with him.
McGrath averaged above 40 for much of his first ten tests.

You probably thought Sangakarra sucked too ... he only averaged 28 after his first 6 tests.
Sobers? He sucked. He only averaged 29 after his first 13 tests.
Viv Richards? He too sucked. Only averaged 30 after his first 11 tests.

There are SO many test players with similar stories. For many of the best all time players it can take a while for them 'get' it ... but it is up to the selectors to make sure they stick with said players.

Khawaja has the talent and temperament to be added to this great list.

Well said, i think if Uzi know his place is safe for a few tests and not every innings will be his last he could do well for us. He's been in and and out then dropped to 6 and then dropped and then back in he hasn't had the chance to settle. nd lets face it the only time he got to bat on a really good deck the tail crumbled and he was 14no. He was also looking good defore Ponting took that quick single in Brisbane.

 

[Tonearm Terrorwrist]

Khawaja is basically being asked to open these days as at least one opener is usually gone by the third or fourth over. I'm not talking a long term swap between Hussey and K, just a series or two to get him going. If he gets dropped outright you won't see him for a long time because he won't be part of the limited over squads.

With due respect to Khawaja that's a pitiful argument. The role of the first drop is to be prepared to bat from ball 2. If he can't open he shouldn't be top 3

 

[aussies1st]

For all those questioning Khawaja (or even Williamson) ... did you also question Kallis's and Amla's position in their teams? What about Glenn McGrath?

Kallis didn't get his average above 30 until his 20th test
Amla didn't get his average above 30 until his 16th test (actually I do remember A LOT of people bagging Amla when he first came on the scene and they couldn't believe when the South Africans stuck with him.
McGrath averaged above 40 for much of his first ten tests.

You probably thought Sangakarra sucked too ... he only averaged 28 after his first 6 tests.
Sobers? He sucked. He only averaged 29 after his first 13 tests.
Viv Richards? He too sucked. Only averaged 30 after his first 11 tests.

There are SO many test players with similar stories. For many of the best all time players it can take a while for them 'get' it ... but it is up to the selectors to make sure they stick with said players.

Khawaja has the talent and temperament to be added to this great list.

One thing I'd like to know in those situations above, were any of them in the situation that our team is in now. Where we are collapsing 24/7 and we have so many players in our batting lineup that need to be dropped? Reason I ask is because it is much easier sticking by a player if the rest of your lineup is settled.

 

[Red Bear]

Must have missed who played in SL and scored a 100...and then was one of the best batsmen before injuring his back...Khawaja comes in and averages 10...Marsh plays and averages 40 lol

On a road, that Khawaja got declared on (wonder how he'd have gone had he been at three then).

Then next match Khawaja makes a vital 65, top score in a large chase in Saffa.

Then 38 run out.

Didnt go great this test but averaging about 30, not ten.

f**king pillock

 

[AlwaysGreen]

With due respect to Khawaja that's a pitiful argument. The role of the first drop is to be prepared to bat from ball 2. If he can't open he shouldn't be top 3

No, the role of the number 3 is to be prepared to come in early and play as an opener or come in after a solid opening stand and play the game as the situation dictates. ATM khawaja is being asked to come in early at almost every point. He is not ready for that but is ready for test cricket lower down the order. The situation as it stands right now in the Australian team is that the 3 most experienced batsmen in the side are batting where they wish to, which just happens to be 4,5,6 leaving the younger players to be scapegoats for poor team performances.

 

[ozbash]

With due respect to Khawaja that's a pitiful argument. The role of the first drop is to be prepared to bat from ball 2. If he can't open he shouldn't be top 3

you're a pitiful argument

 

[ozbash]

I think this MOM award being voted by the fans blows, they are always going to be bias

Bacewell should have got MOM

I'm really starting to appreciate your obvious intelligence, Twizz.