Ashes 2015

[whatmeworry]

1 - He's scored more test runs in the past year than all the batsman from Afghanistan, Ireland and the UAE, and Chris Martin combined.


2 - He has nearly as many test centuries as Marcus North


3 - He hasn't been injured in weeks


4 - He was in pretty good form five or six years ago


5 - He kind of looks like Jaime Lannister (and bats like he sword fights from the third book), and he's played for Tasmania


6 - He tries hard, and has even started doing his homework


7 - A lot people point out that he doesn't take a lot of ODI wickets. This is unfair, as he also doesn't take a lot of test wickets. Also, his role in ODI's is to be economical rather than take wickets, and in the last two years the only Australian bowlers to have a better ODI economy rate than Watson are Johnson, Starc, Pattinson, coughmins, Doherty, Faulkner, Marsh, Hazlewood, Smith, Maxwell and probably a few others.


8 - He seems as likeable and articulate as David Warner, and he doesn't assault lesbians


9 - He has all the foundations of a world class allrounder, and soon he's going to hit his peak. I know people have been saying that for ten years, but this year it's totally true.


10 - He has previously captained the side, and seems the obvious choice for captain in all formats once they finally drop Steve Smith


11 - He scores runs when the team's under pressure. Several of them.


12 - His batting is constantly improving.
Early in his career he would get out bowled quite often. After a few years, he worked out you can block the stumps with your legs, unfortunately, he started getting a lot of LBWs. Then he worked out if you use the wooden thing in your hands, you can't get LBW. Unfortunately, sometimes the ball flies off that and goes into a fielder's hands. But wait until he works out you can hit the ball into the ground. He will be unstoppable.


13 - He has incriminating photos of the selectors, I assume
And finally, the biggest, strongest argument for keeping Shane Watson in the team:


14 - If he got dropped now he'll probably retire and become Channel Nine's new top commentator

 

[Warks]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qY-mW_mBVu4

What Hitler thinks of Watson - warning sweary words in subtitles.

 

[moa999]

What's worse is it apparently rained heavily all day in Cardiff yesterday.

A few more runs, catching Root or batting a bit longer and we would have had a draw (not that the team deserved it)

 

[whatmeworry]

Will Anderson getting into the act.

 

[moa999]

Haddin reportedly out
https://twitter.com/coreynorris9/status/620904781213736960?s=09

 

[JohnK]

Haddin out due to personal reasons? And a 29 year old debuts? Why are they debuting older and older?

 

[Warks]

Watson has been dropped for Marsh according to the SMH but it's not on Cricinfo as yet.

Nevill at 29 is 6 years younger than Voges on debut, JohnK! Actually Adam Gilchrist debuted at 29 although he'd been in the ODI team for many years.

Starc has bowled without trouble in the nets so might play.

 

[Rallo]

Haddin out due to personal reasons? And a 29 year old debuts? Why are they debuting older and older?

Because selectors lack vision ,they should have flicked Watson and Haddin last summer.

 

[samh004]

And yes, the title should read Ashes 2015. Typo.

Fixed that for you.

 

[Hvr]

Whilst not a cricket tragic I am pleased I went to Lord's earlier this year and took the tour.

The privilege of travel is that we often get to see sights around the world that many can only see on television. It makes it so much more interesting knowing about the ground and the history of cricket. And having sat on the balcony where the team watches the match, well can you get any closer to the action?

 

[quokka77]

1/100, Australia progressing nicely. Warner out after getting a few quickly, now to see if Rogers or Smith can put a big score on. I've got a good feeling about this!

 

[TheRealTMA]

1/100, Australia progressing nicely. Warner out after getting a few quickly, now to see if Rogers or Smith can put a big score on. I've got a good feeling about this!

As the Auld Langs Syne refrain goes 4:1 4:1, 4:1 4:1, 4:1 4:1, 4:1!

 

[quokka77]

Smith and Rogers seem well set and are taking their time. Rogers adds another 50 to his tally, come on CR, push on for the 100. The rest of the batting may be a little brittle if Cardiff is any guide. Marsh and Nevill will be nervous and hoping the score is already respectable by the time they pad up.

 

[moa999]

Definitely agree Rogers deserves a ton. Is running at 8 of 9 50s with no 100s

 

[JohnK]

Where was this commitment in the first test?

 

[moa999]

Well done to Smith and Rogers... Great partnership

 

[QF WP]

I'm loving the score at stumps:



Warner must feel disappointed at only getting 38.

 

[serfty]

Looks like this one's gunna be a draw ...

 

[quokka77]

Fantastic partnership. This may end in a draw, but if not, only one team can win now.

 

[Warks]

I got into the car after dinner out and heard the first over from Moeen Ali. Aus were 0 for 70 odd. Then Warner skies one and gets out. I was thinking I was the curse! However I left them at about 1-120 and I had a good feeling they'd still be one down at stumps. It's nice to hear those words on ABC Radio in the morning "Australia is in a strong position after the opening day of the Second Test at Lords..." rather than "Australia is in deep trouble..." or "The Second Test is evenly poised heading into the second day..."