5TH ASHES TEST: England v Australia at The Oval Aug 21-25, 2013

[African Monkey]

Now seriously guys, just what is the basis of this love for Khawaja, when has this guy ever done anything of note in a pressure situation? Four tours now and absolutely nothing to show from any of them! At least Hughes has a few hundreds to his name, something Khawaja can only dream about.

One of his big problems is kicking on. He looks amillion bucks getting to 25 then manages to find a way to get out. He did it all the time at Derbyshire.

 

[typicalfan]

Khawaja lacks awareness at the crease. Needs to rotate the strike more especially early and improve his running between wickets. Good thing is these things can be worked on. He makes himself an easy target.

 

[Alpha]

Agreed on the Khawaja love on here I don't really understand it. As I posted in the last thread these are his test stats.

Usman Khawaja

Innings - 17
Runs - 377
Average - 25.13
Strike Rate - 40.14

As many excuses as you want to make for this guy if he doesn't score in the 5th test he should be dropped.

 

[Alpha]

Also why would we play Faulkner?

Bowling hasn't really been a problem and the guy averages 30 in FC cricket with a highest score of 89.

He's not going to improve the top order so there is no point

 

[Twizzle]

I'd persevere with him in the last test.

Its not as though there are other batsmen knocking down the door.

 

[Alpha]

Agreed and if he fails goodbye.

 

[Twizzle]

Also why would we play Faulkner?

Bowling hasn't really been a problem and the guy averages 30 in FC cricket with a highest score of 89.

He's not going to improve the top order so there is no point

because Watson is injured

 

[hineyrulz]

Faulkner is a like for like replacement, well as close as we can get. Henriques is probably as close as a watson type player we have. So i'd give Faulkner the nod if Twatto is out.

Uzi should be on his last chance.

 

[Alpha]

I'd argue Haddin is in our best 3 batsmen anyway. No issue with him sliding up to 6.

Serious question

Are you related to Brad Haddin or do you know him personally?

I have never seen such a staunch supporter of a cricketer besides the two trolls/homos on here.

No doubt that he's a much better keeper than Wade is, however his last 3 series including this one he averages 27.5. He hasn't been performing with the bat and i'm sure Starc, Pattinson and maybe even Siddle's is not that far off what Haddin has achieved.

 

[Alpha]

But why do we need a like for like replacement?

We cannot make runs and that is why we haven't won a test.

 

[AlwaysGreen]

Got any ideas for replacements yourself?

 

[hineyrulz]

But why do we need a like for like replacement?

We cannot make runs and that is why we haven't won a test.

Well who would you throw in??? Another Batsman who isn't up too it and unlikely to score heavily??? I'd argue that Faulkner at 7 would probably score more than Cowan or Hughes. Plus Watson played at 6 the last test and the two openers contributed. So why pick a top order to bat at 6????? Hughes and Cowan bating first up against Swann is a recipe for disaster.

 

[Twizzle]

Serious question

Are you related to Brad Haddin or do you know him personally?

I have never seen such a staunch supporter of a cricketer besides the two trolls/homos on here.

No doubt that he's a much better keeper than Wade is, however his last 3 series including this one he averages 27.5. He hasn't been performing with the bat and i'm sure Starc, Pattinson and maybe even Siddle's is not that far off what Haddin has achieved.

Do you expect him to outscore the top 6 batsmen ?

He's a keeper

 

[AlwaysGreen]

Not to mention that having Faulkner in the team reduces the strain on Harris and Siddle.

 

[hineyrulz]

Not to mention that having Faulkner in the team reduces the strain on Harris and Siddle.

Agreed, having that exrta bowler has been a bonus and helped the top line quicks have a breather. If Watson is out i see no problem giving Faulkner a go, he's got a bit of mongrel about him and if it was the choice between him or Steady Eddie Cowan there is no choice as far as i am concerned.

 

[Alpha]

Do you expect him to outscore the top 6 batsmen ?

He's a keeper

No but given his talent I expect him to average more than mid-high 20's.

I would definitely have Haddin over any other keeper. I'm just saying his results have been poor.

The question to Timbo wasn't meant in bad spirit i've just noticed a great deal of support over many years.

 

[Alpha]

Agreed, having that exrta bowler has been a bonus and helped the top line quicks have a breather. If Watson is out i see no problem giving Faulkner a go, he's got a bit of mongrel about him and if it was the choice between him or Steady Eddie Cowan there is no choice as far as i am concerned.

Agreed we are short on options and Faulkner batted really well in the Shield Final so may do well I'm just not a big fan of "total cricket" and reliance on "all rounders".

 

[hineyrulz]

Agreed we are short on options and Faulkner batted really well in the Shield Final so may do well I'm just not a big fan of "total cricket" and reliance on "all rounders".

I agree about this obsession with an all rounder, we have had it since Flintoff helped beat us in 05. But from the squad we have over there Faulkner is the best option to replace Twatto.

 

[Alpha]

Ok so I have worked out the Australian players averages in their last 10 test innings faced.

Rogers - 363 runs at 36.3
Warner - 233 runs at 23.3
Khawaja - 182 runs at 20.22
Clarke - 364 runs at 40.44
Smith -264 runs at 26.4
Haddin -227 runs at 25.22
Harris - 185 runs at 37
Starc - 230 runs at 25.56
Siddle - 175 runs at 17.5
Lyon - 71 runs at 10.14

EDIT (Added Cowan and Hughes)

Cowan - 279 runs at 27.9
Hughes - 224 runs at 24.89

 

[hineyrulz]

Ok so I have worked out the Australian players averages in their last 10 test innings faced.

Rogers - 363 runs at 36.3
Warner - 233 runs at 23.3
Khawaja - 182 runs at 20.22
Clarke - 364 runs at 40.44
Smith -264 runs at 26.4
Haddin -227 runs at 25.22
Harris - 185 runs at 37
Starc - 230 runs at 25.56
Siddle - 175 runs at 17.5
Lyon - 71 runs at 10.14

Cowans and Hughes numbers wouldn't be anything to write home about either.