Adam Gilchrist has changed the way Australia play one day cricket as an aggressive attacking batsmen with an average of 36 and a strike-rate of 97 he intimidated opening bowlers and punised them to all parts of the park.
Gilchrist is arguably the most attacking opening one day batsmen of all time along with the likes of Sanath Jayasuriya. Australia’s success is due in large part to Gilchrist’s efforts at the top of the order as he always got the innings going.
Minus Gilchrist it will be a new look and new strategy with more conservatives Michael Clarke, James Hopes and Michael Hussey as possible opening contenders within the Australian one day team or will the selectors opt for, ‘the next Gilchrist’?
Gilchrist is arguably the most attacking opening one day batsmen of all time along with the likes of Sanath Jayasuriya. Australia’s success is due in large part to Gilchrist’s efforts at the top of the order as he always got the innings going.
Minus Gilchrist it will be a new look and new strategy with more conservatives Michael Clarke, James Hopes and Michael Hussey as possible opening contenders within the Australian one day team or will the selectors opt for, ‘the next Gilchrist’?
Wicketkeeping successor Brad Haddin is a successful attacking batsmen in the Gilchrist mould but generally has not opened for his state, New South Wales. Averaging 33 with the bat in state one day cricket with an impressive strike rate of 92.
Haddin’s limited opportunities with the bat in the Australian colours have seen him float from Number 3, to Number 7 in the batting order where his average is 29 striking at 79.
Haddin is capable of possibly emulating Gilly but he will find his feet within the team first and there are other options.
Looking into the crystal ball Luke Ronchi has starred with the bat as an opener in Western Australia striking at 104.63 in 42 one-day matches for his state while 23 year old Aiden Blizzard from Victoria’s statistics may not look fantastic but at a twety20 level he strikes at 191.
While Ronchi and Blizzard may come on and become regular members of the Australian team in a few years, Victorian Captain Cameron White could emulate Gilchrist’s attacking prowess at the top of the order.
Despite not opening the batting for his state or his country, he has had experience at the top level and is a very clean striker of the ball. His statistics back up a possible move to the top of the order.
In his 16 one day matches for Australia, White has been batting at Number 7 or Number 8 and averages 22.42 striking at 116.
Playing for Victoria, White has played 108 matches, with 3 centuries, batting in the top order averaging 32.70 with a strike rate of 80.
Australian Captain Ricky Ponting has praised the Indian team for brining youth into the one day team and believes the Australians should consider doing the same. White is still only 24 and a brilliant captain and fielder, a worthy addition to the Australian outfit.
White may not have the same instant success that Gilchrist has had but scouring the country, he is the best qualified and experienced at a young age.
Other batsmen in line for Australian honours are David Hussey, Adam Voges and Luke Pomersbach but all of them, except Pomersbach are not in the same attacking mould as Gilchrist or White.
This is what the selectors should do, select White and partner him with Matthew Hayden at the top of the order, a masterstroke that won’t be detected by other teams and Australia have a quality batsmen capable of striking the ball to all parts of the ground.
Why change a winning formula?
Haddin’s limited opportunities with the bat in the Australian colours have seen him float from Number 3, to Number 7 in the batting order where his average is 29 striking at 79.
Haddin is capable of possibly emulating Gilly but he will find his feet within the team first and there are other options.
Looking into the crystal ball Luke Ronchi has starred with the bat as an opener in Western Australia striking at 104.63 in 42 one-day matches for his state while 23 year old Aiden Blizzard from Victoria’s statistics may not look fantastic but at a twety20 level he strikes at 191.
While Ronchi and Blizzard may come on and become regular members of the Australian team in a few years, Victorian Captain Cameron White could emulate Gilchrist’s attacking prowess at the top of the order.
Despite not opening the batting for his state or his country, he has had experience at the top level and is a very clean striker of the ball. His statistics back up a possible move to the top of the order.
In his 16 one day matches for Australia, White has been batting at Number 7 or Number 8 and averages 22.42 striking at 116.
Playing for Victoria, White has played 108 matches, with 3 centuries, batting in the top order averaging 32.70 with a strike rate of 80.
Australian Captain Ricky Ponting has praised the Indian team for brining youth into the one day team and believes the Australians should consider doing the same. White is still only 24 and a brilliant captain and fielder, a worthy addition to the Australian outfit.
White may not have the same instant success that Gilchrist has had but scouring the country, he is the best qualified and experienced at a young age.
Other batsmen in line for Australian honours are David Hussey, Adam Voges and Luke Pomersbach but all of them, except Pomersbach are not in the same attacking mould as Gilchrist or White.
This is what the selectors should do, select White and partner him with Matthew Hayden at the top of the order, a masterstroke that won’t be detected by other teams and Australia have a quality batsmen capable of striking the ball to all parts of the ground.
Why change a winning formula?
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