Anzac preview: Oram out, Watson back in
The squads for tonight's ANZAC game (televised not long after Australia play New Zealand in rugby league) are starting to take shape. The good news is all indications are Bond and Vettori will play so I will be missing out on another night's sleep. The bad news is Jacob Oram will miss the game due to a heel injury. I've got a lot of time for Oram - when he hits his straps with the bat, it's spectacular stuff.
On the Australia front, Shane Watson will return from injury. You have to feel for Brad Hodge - in the three matches since Watson was injured, he hasn't batted once. I enjoyed the story where when filling out "occupation" on his customs form, Hodge put down "professional fieldsman". Not that he's bitter! Hodge may still get his chance though. Following news that Watson promises to go full throttle, betting odds of him lasting to the semi-final shot up to 500 to 1.
In what is a dead rubber, you don't imagine there would be much motivation for either side other than finding good form and momentum going into the semi-finals. But NZ coach John Bracewell is talking up the crucial consequences of winning the match:
"One of the reasons for ending up second is we get the preferential treatment in terms of the early (Monday) morning practice."Beware the Kiwis... there's nothing like the promise of an early practice session to put fire in the belly!
| Posted by JC on Fri 20 Apr |  6 comments |
Still reckon Watson is the most overrated player in the Australian squad.
And that's just based on his level of skill (ignoring the fact that he's made out of paper mache).
Posted by Timbo on 2007-04-20 14:12:25
And that's just based on his level of skill (ignoring the fact that he's made out of paper mache).
Posted by Timbo on 2007-04-20 14:12:25
Is it just me or do Kiwis talk up the rivalry between us and them more than we do. Personally, when it comes to cricket, it's the POM's that must be beaten and preferrably humiliated.
Posted by P. Dorf on 2007-04-20 15:22:42
Posted by P. Dorf on 2007-04-20 15:22:42
I'm actually surprised to see how much Watson is actually berated in Aussie circles.
I do accept that he's ridiculously injury-prone, but I have to admit that he looks like a very fine talent with the bat and a decent bowler to have. I personally will look to have him even as just as a batsman as he seemed to have a lot of time for this strokes. So his added dimension of bowling defly does make him irresistible.
Guess it's easier not to criticize somebody when you don't come from that country :)
Posted by Karthik Ranganathan on 2007-04-20 15:51:58
I do accept that he's ridiculously injury-prone, but I have to admit that he looks like a very fine talent with the bat and a decent bowler to have. I personally will look to have him even as just as a batsman as he seemed to have a lot of time for this strokes. So his added dimension of bowling defly does make him irresistible.
Guess it's easier not to criticize somebody when you don't come from that country :)
Posted by Karthik Ranganathan on 2007-04-20 15:51:58
Personally, I don't mind Watson as a player when he can stay fit. He's a little overrated and maintains his spot as much out of the selector's desire for an allrounder to balance the side. This is why he gets berated so much by Australians.
But he's talented with the bat and can bowl faster than 140kph - he's bowled tidily at the World Cup. In the hands of Troy Cooley, he could be a handy player if only he'd stay fit.
Posted by JC on 2007-04-20 16:18:17
But he's talented with the bat and can bowl faster than 140kph - he's bowled tidily at the World Cup. In the hands of Troy Cooley, he could be a handy player if only he'd stay fit.
Posted by JC on 2007-04-20 16:18:17
Watson lived up to his reputation tonight! Tell ya what, with Haydos worth a ton a time and a 50 from Punter every time he goes out, the final may be (like this was) the largest ODI defeat for the opposition!
Posted by virtualgaz on 2007-04-21 06:06:34
Posted by virtualgaz on 2007-04-21 06:06:34
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