Sydney: Former Australian cricket captain and commentator Ian Chappell has given his considered opinion about the present national squad, showered accolade and praise on some, questioning the credentials of others, and in overall terms, suggesting to the national selectors to pull up their socks and select the best that Australia has offer for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka.
According to Chappell, while Shane Watson is best suited to open the innings, and Dave Warner is a match winner who needs backing, he terms the stop-gap inclusion of NSW opener Phil Hughes as a “Bandaid Solution”, News.com.au reports
He describes Western Australian batsman Michael Hussey, long regarded as Australia’s “Mr. Cricket” for saving the team from embarrassment on many occasions, as the team’s “Ideal Anchorman”.
Skipper Michael Clarke, he says is in the form of his life, and all his past traumas off the field need to be given a miss.
He believes wicketkeeper Mathew Wade needs to improve his performance with the gloves, while he questions fast bowler M. Johnson’s in the squad on the grounds that on his home ground WACA, he didn’t deliver as he should have against the South Africans.
Chappell’s comments on the squad are as follows:
Watson: "Opening his best position"
Warner: "Match winner, needs support"
Hughes: "Bandaid solution but he’s young"
Clarke: "Forget past traumas – he’s in form"
Hussey: "Ideal anchorman"
Henriques: "Performing consistently"
Wade: "Needs to be a good keeper"
Johnson: "Is he a WACA bowler or not?"
Starc: "Battle with Johnson for one spot"
Siddle: "Attack leader sorely missed"
Lyon: "Good finger spinner"
Smith: "A talented, smart all-round option and Clarke’s considerate of spinners"
ANI
First Published: Sunday, December 09, 2012, 14:59