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Craig HillNot every body can be an Aussie opener
July 27th 2007 00:52
With Langer's departure from the Australian cricket team the inevitable scramble for an elusive test spot has started, mostly in the press at this stage. The English monsoon season hasn't helped the likes of Jacques but in the end the decision will be made on the basis of the first 2-3 round of Sheffield Shield cricket in October and November.
The 'I can be an opener too' articles that have appeared in the media through the loose mouthed and ill informed comments of Hodge and particularly Watson do them no favours at all.
Opening is a specialist job, one that requires a strong technique and an equally strong mind. Langer's bruises and bumps will attest to that over many years. An opener can not be created in one off season through slipping tid bits into the press. Of all the batting positions in the line up (save for perhaps the number 3 role) it is the opening position that requires the most care in selection. The West Indies and India are good examples of the types of pressure borne by the remainder of the order when the openers are unable to get regular solid starts.
Shame Watson cannot make himself into an opener overnight. He has never opened for Queensland in the four day game and nor has he shown the sort of form that would get him a position in the top four of the national team. Australian cricket, in a time of transition, does not need another Tom Moody who was flicked between number 6&7 and opener whenever it suited the selectors. Remarkably enough it didn't suit his cricket either and his figures bore that out.
As for Hodge his record against moderate attacks in England and at number 4 & 5 in the Aussie line up is fine. Likewise his tilt at opening in the one day game last season. He has a stronger case than Watson but he seems to lack the grit of Langer that made the latter's transition from a number 3 to an opener largely seamless.
Chris Rogers and Phil Jacques seem to have the best claims for the position and depending on how the early domestic rounds pan out Rogers may have the upper hand.
The 'I can be an opener too' articles that have appeared in the media through the loose mouthed and ill informed comments of Hodge and particularly Watson do them no favours at all.
Opening is a specialist job, one that requires a strong technique and an equally strong mind. Langer's bruises and bumps will attest to that over many years. An opener can not be created in one off season through slipping tid bits into the press. Of all the batting positions in the line up (save for perhaps the number 3 role) it is the opening position that requires the most care in selection. The West Indies and India are good examples of the types of pressure borne by the remainder of the order when the openers are unable to get regular solid starts.
Shame Watson cannot make himself into an opener overnight. He has never opened for Queensland in the four day game and nor has he shown the sort of form that would get him a position in the top four of the national team. Australian cricket, in a time of transition, does not need another Tom Moody who was flicked between number 6&7 and opener whenever it suited the selectors. Remarkably enough it didn't suit his cricket either and his figures bore that out.
As for Hodge his record against moderate attacks in England and at number 4 & 5 in the Aussie line up is fine. Likewise his tilt at opening in the one day game last season. He has a stronger case than Watson but he seems to lack the grit of Langer that made the latter's transition from a number 3 to an opener largely seamless.
Chris Rogers and Phil Jacques seem to have the best claims for the position and depending on how the early domestic rounds pan out Rogers may have the upper hand.
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Comment by The Early Crow
What sort of "team man" puts himself before the Victorian side and elevates himself to open the batting against WA. His scores of 2 and a GOLDEN DUCK (yippee!!) show he is a very ordinary player against good swing bowling. Hodge's comments in the latest edition of ALPHA magazine show him to have an extraordinarily inflated sense of his own abilities. He claims he is in the top six batsmen in Australia!!! Bradley Bradley Bradley, you ignorant little man. You only kept your spot because Mike Hussey was injured. Wake up to yourself!
The other party involved here - the Victorian Selectors - should all be removed from office for allowing the delusional Test aspirations of a dud to override the chase for six Pura Cup points. The impending outright loss is on your heads.
In case you are wondering, I am a Victorian.