Warner could seriously be the best bat in the world for the next decade. People keep pigeon holing him as a 20-20 specialist, but he's much much more than that. He has the technique to make runs when things are tough, but once he's on top he can destroy even good attacks. No better time than a test against NZ to get him in. What he could do to them and India (especially if Zaheer isn't fit) is frightening. Then he has the tour to WI in April. Those nine tests are an excellent opportunity to blood and groom a new top order. As for talk about playing him at 6 - it's crazy talk. He's an opener, always has been an opener. They're a different breed. NSW tried to play him at 6 and he was shit. As soon as he started opening the runs flowed. Let's stop trying to manufacture openers and just let the best ones we have play in the spot they prefer.
Hughes will also be great. Some of those shots he played in that 88 were pure class. Again it was that shortish ball close to his body angling across that did him. It's the one part of his game he really has to fix, but fix it he will. The stuff into his body doesn't really trouble him, and he's getting shots away to leg. Having Amla in at that backward short leg is really wasted. Sure one half chance came, but you saw how far back he had to stand as it was, and still no one is going to catch something off the middle that close. That position is no more useful to Hughes than any other batsman. I expect he'll get at least 1 ton against NZ and at least 1 against India to put his position beyond question. He does have a little of Marcus North's "rocks or diamonds" problem with his 88 being only his 2nd completed innings between 37 and 100 (the other being his 75 on debut) so he needs to get more starts, (which he will), but f**k he goes on once he's in.
Marsh I still see as a prick tease and a fraud. When I point out he averages 38 and there is a good reason for that the cry is 'but look at his last couple of seasons'. So you look at his last couple of seasons and yeah he averages well over 50 (in 3 or the last 4). But look closer. Invariably he starts with a nice early ton, backs it up with a 50 or two before trending down and after very few games breaking down and not playing again that summer. Now look at how he's started his test career...
I'd like it to be otherwise, because he does 'look' like such a good solid bat with a lovely correct technique and solid defence. I just can't think of the point of trying to build a top order around a guy who breaks so often. As a bowler we all know Harris is just a stop gap because of his injuries until one of the young guys steps up. Cummins may have ended his test career (may). Similarly Marsh despite his good start is probably no more than a stop gap or handy guy to have as a reserve to fill in for injuries (until he gets his next one).
Khawaja should be given longer at 3. I do hope he makes a good score in the 2nd dig, but even without it should probably get the NZ tests. I'm convinced he's the long term answer at 3. He's shown the temperament, he just now needs to convert his starts. Too good not to do so soon.
Watson to 4 will still leave him in the top order where his game is probably more suited (he's always looked lost at see low down), but will ease the pressure on him after bowling. If he can average 40 or so here he'll be fantastic for us even if he doesn't convert 50s into tons.
Clarke is 5 - never to be moved. Should end up with Waugh like stats playing in the role best suited to him and his game. Hussey is safe until at least the end of the Windies tour. I reckon either Smith or Maxwell will step up and if he retires or fails next summer might be ready to take his spot and offer a 2nd spin option.
As for bowlers just moving on from Johnson will be reinvigorating. That f**king hack has been a huge part of our problems. We've been punting on long shots rather than backing guys who might not look flash but get the job done more often than not. Siddle is almost in the same boat, but not quite. Siddle's problem isn't so much that his bad is terrible, just innocuous. He can take a bag full, but goes wicketless far too often. I wouldn't so much mind giving him a few more chances, but I do think there are better options as well. Just so long as I never have to endure watching Johnson again. Plenty of good guys who deserve one of the thousands of chances Johnson has had. I've no doubt we can find three or four who will do far more with those chances than that myth ever did.
