Shane Watson goes teenybopper

The best writing on the web can be found in the comments sections of YouTube videos. No, not really. But every once in a while, a gem shows up there that deserves to be highlighted. For instance, four hours ago, a worthy nicknamed xxImSexy7272xx, wrote the following in response to Shane Watson's celebration of Chris Gayle's dismissal:

What an absolute TOSSER. He looks like a fucking 12 year old girl after winning tickets to the see the latest Twilight film.

Could I have said it any better? I don't think so.

102 in 34 overs

So, the all-pace attack works. England 102 all out in 34 overs at Headingley. Clearly the Don has been invoked. Some loose batting by England and excellent bowling by Australia.

I think this shows too (just a little bit) how modern batting sides tend to struggle in bowler-friendly conditions.

Now, to see what the English bowlers will do. I suspect Watson will fail.

Pulling the trigger too soon on Watson

Right. So I dissed the Watson selection/Hughes dropping. But He Who Is Permanently Injured has now gone ahead and participated in an opening partnership, and whats more, is not out at the end of the first day of the Edgbaston with 62. Batting Shane! Now go on and make a ton. It won't make Hughes' dropping right, but it will justify your selection.

Pulling the trigger too soon on Hughes

So it has come to this: Phil Hughes, Australia's bright star, has been dropped after two test matches in favor of a man who can't be counted on to remain injury free on the team coach as it makes its way to Edgbaston, who has not batted higher than #6 in tests, whose opening experience is limited to one-day internationals. Given that there is little chance that Watson will be axed after one test, (though he will probably be injured soon enough) I would say this move potentially knocks Hughes out of the Ashes.

To say that I'm surprised is an understatement. As selectorial moves go, this one reeks of panic. Hughes didn't appear short of confidence in his innings, and I'd have backed him to have come good soon enough. The correct move would have to replace Mitchell Johnson with Stuart Clark, but it seems Australian selectors are doomed to make the mistakes of 2005 in reverse, where they showed excessive faith in Hayden.

I don't know if the wheels have fallen off but there are a few struts lying around on the road.