MELBOURNE 3rd Test: Australia v India on Dec 26-30, 2014

[TheParraboy]

Big call. I'd probably like to see how he handles test cricket befor making any sort of determination like that.

Wether he fails or smacks India into orbit in the next two tests (assuming he is here for the MCG and SCG tests) probably wont give a good indication what he is like as a test player.

Hopefully we stick with him for a few more tests after that and he does well in the ashes

Shame Voges is on the wrong side of 35, I think his test calling is well and truly over if he couldn't make this squad

 

[rickywalford1]

Pitching him in at 3 is probably the toughest way to find your feet in test cricket. He is not even batting there domestically. They did similar with Khawaja, Marsh and Hughes at 3 and they all bombed. It's a massive ask. I'd be easing him in at 6 and having a look.

 

[blaza88z]

Joe Burns is a quality player, I think he will do a better job than Watson at 3 but that in itself isn't saying a lot as Watson has only scored 4 hundreds and been given every opportunity at almost every position in the batting order

I just hope they don't flick him out after a failure or 2 because as it's been said, it is such a big ask to make your debut at 3 and fire right from the get go. On debut he should probably bat down the order but long-term he's a definite candidate for that #3 spot.

I know playing for Australia requires you to be consistently performing I just wish they'd give guys with obvious potential a bit more of an opportunity to prove themselves

 

[East Coast Tiger]

He'll play six. M Waugh just said Cowan wasn't picked because he's a top order bat. So that suggests they haven't considered burns as one.

 

[JJ]

Burns should bat at 3.

I still don't think he will average more than 35 which is Watson's average.

I hope I'm wrong though. I really want to see one of our up and coming shield batsmen do well and be in our test team consistently.

Especially with our squad ageing.

Watson's avg is dropping all the time been a while since he averaged 35 over any period. Really strange that he's got such influence and status, with a test batting career arguably worse than Matthew Sinclair's

 

[rickywalford1]

Not really, considering the lack of depth in the ranks and the fact that for the only period where he strung together some consecutive years injury free, he carried us in all 3 formats. He had a golden couple of years there. Definately running out of credits, but it's no surprise those credits exist. It's just that people hate him.

 

[BunniesMan]

But he's never ever done anything at 3 or opener. He doesn't live or die on performance, he a protected myth

Watson averages over 40 as opener.

 

[WaznTheGreat]

Good luck Joe,do well fella.

 

[Rabbits20]

Good to hear Gilly speaking about Haddin.

Haddin's glovework is faultless.

Gilly says Haddin will get back to scoring runs.

 

[lockyno1]

Pitching him in at 3 is probably the toughest way to find your feet in test cricket. He is not even batting there domestically. They did similar with Khawaja, Marsh and Hughes at 3 and they all bombed. It's a massive ask. I'd be easing him in at 6 and having a look.

Burns opens for QLD mate. Has batted 3 and 4 for QLD too. He is a top order bat!

 

[lockyno1]

Gilly says Haddin will get back to scoring runs.

I remember someone else saying that...pretty sure it was that last keeper that retired from England. At 37 Haddin's reflexes are gone, his batting won't improve. However, Sam Whiteman who is seen as the next test keeper is 12 months away...so the question is can we cop Haddin being a hack with the bat for 6-12 months. Then have Sam Whiteman next year at the GABBA. Possibly. Or do we go for a Chris Hartley 12 month option, won't let you down, better keeper, same runs, has experience too.

 

[rickywalford1]

Burns opens for QLD mate. Has batted 3 and 4 for QLD too. He is a top order bat!

Ok. Opening is now the same as batting 3.

 

[Twizzle]

yeh, pretty much

 

[JJ]

Watson averages over 40 as opener.

perhaps, but the last calendar year he averaged 40 in was 2010, he's averaged 40 in 2 of 8 years of test cricket, 3 of 8have been in 20s, and a further one below 20....

Sorry but two good years don't make a test career, he can only be in the team for his bowling at the moment, and it is insane to have him at #3 - in saying that, now the pressure is off he'll likely make some runs - but that's how he rolls...

He's a fine ODI player, but as a test player he's not... I just don't get his automatic selection status.

What's the gossip on Burns? Record looks decent, but all I read here and elsewhere was talking Fergusson, Voges, Cowan... and if Burns is the goods, why was S Marsh picked ahead of him?

 

[The Charlatan]

Good to see Burns get a start, as some have already said it is a vision to the future.

Disagree with Haddin getting the chop. Smith needs him there and he is the best gloveman in the country by a long margin. Rogers efforts in Brisbane might have granted him a stay of execution which is a good thing IMO, media is finally starting to ask questions of Wazn as well. With the extra bowling that will be required of him, he will most likely be pushed to 6. May actually see Wazn bat better at six if the top order get to a good start, if we cop a collapse and are relying on him to stick it out there with Smiffy we are f**ked.

Would like to see an obvious replacement make themselves known for the #5. Darsh is f**king dire. Middle order here looks ordinary...

Rogers
Warner
Burns
Smith
Darsh
Wazn
Haddin
Johnson
Harris
Lyon
Hazlewood

 

[umina panther]

Because his last name is Marsh. I'm not joking it's the only possible reason.

 

[The Charlatan]

Good thing the tail can bat...

 

[JJ]

I really don't see Watson at 5 or 6, only because he's adamant he should bat in the top 3, and for some reason his opinion counts

 

[Twizzle]

Or quiet possibly because Darsh has always been an experienced fringe player who can replace Clarke on a short term basis where as Burns maybe a permanent move to replace watson at 3.

 

[rickywalford1]

yeh, pretty much

Of course. Test history is littered with examples of blokes successfully transitioning between the two.