As Opener:
Watson averages less than 40 this year. Has scored only two centuries as opener and needed help through approximately 4 dropped catches to obtain those two centuries.
Hughes averages over 50. Scored two centuries in the same test against South Africa in South Africa. Was dropped two testes removed from above test because Ponting still thought he was too young and we needed Watson to improve our bowling.
If other players were dropped with the same 'form slump' as Hughes than North, Hussey, Clarke, Watson, Ponting and Katich would all have been dropped by now.
After scoring the two centuries in the same test Hughes scored 152 runs in 5 innings at an average just over 30 before being dropped.
Now lets look at the form slumps of these other batsmen AFTER Hughes's dropping (5 innings or more slumps)
North - A couple of Norths slumps. 128 runs in 8 innings and 46 runs in 6 innings.
In fact since Hughes's dropping North has scored 837 runs at an average of 32 (about the same as Hughes who was only given 5 innings before being dropped - North has been given 27 innings)
Hussey - Since his last century Hussey has scored 280 runs in 11 innings at an average 25.45. In his last 7 innings Hussey has scored 112 runs. That's 40 less than Hughes in two more innings.
Ponting went through a 'form slump' when he scored only 126 runs in 6 innings. Considerably worse than Hughes's 'form slump' when considering Ponting batted against New Zealand and Pakistan in his slump. Ponting has only scored one century in his last 16 tests ... and if you remember that century, he was dropped on ZERO by a guy who likely intentionally dropped the catch. Here's a link if you don't remember:
http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport...er-investigation/story-e6frepmo-1225912067829
Meanwhile Hughes has scored twice as many centuries in half as little tests AND was on his way to scoring one more (before we won the test to stop his inning)
Clarke has scored 265 runs in his last 10 innings ... since his last century.
Watsonscored 274 runs in a ten inning stretch playing against Pakistan and New Zealand (considerbaly worse opposition to who Hughes played against during his 'form slump'). Watson did come good against India but he was given that chance because HE WASN'T DROPPED DURING HIS FORM SLUMP SOMETHING HUGHES WASN'T GIVEN!!
Katich seems to be the best of the Australian batsmen, being very consistent. Although he only scored 134 runs in his last 6 innings (still worse than Hughes's slump)
As shown all Australian batsmen, even our most consistent batsmen in Katich have gone through worse slumps than Hughes AND in most cases considerably worse slumps.
Why were these batsmen given more latitude than Hughes?
