Not 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 DavidH
on Well batted Gilly but will your new technique go the way of the aluminium bat?
Defending the indefensible