bushrangers 2013/14 squad

[Yoda_]

Matt Short has big wraps on him. Keath could be anything. Hill can bat. Theoretically after Dussey/White/Christian retire and Wade is possibly in the test team this would be the side IMO:

Hill, Stoinis, Handscomb, Short, Maxwell, Keath, (keeper), Hastings, Pattinson, McKay, Muirhead

Would love to hear your thoughts in a bit more depth on the kid Keath?

Seems to be really maturing a bitt this season at district level (324 runs @ 64) but hasnt been able to convert any of his 5 half centuries into 100's. Would you start 'gifting' him games in hope he comes good at state level? after all, he is now the poster child for cricket b4 football now wheter he likes it or not.

 

[eth-dog]

Would love to hear your thoughts in a bit more depth on the kid Keath?

Seems to be really maturing a bitt this season at district level (324 runs @ 64) but hasnt been able to convert any of his 5 half centuries into 100's. Would you start 'gifting' him games in hope he comes good at state level? after all, he is now the poster child for cricket b4 football now wheter he likes it or not.

From what I've seen of him he's a very raw but talented cricketer. Has all the shots and can hit the ball a mile. Two biggest weaknesses with his batting are his ability to turn over the strike and his mental lapses. I would give him games, as I think he offers as much as Christian but has a lot more upside as well

 

[year of the roo]

I would pick Keath before Hussey, but not before White, Maxwell and Christian.

I would have posted "I'd pick Hill before Finch in the shield too" but now that pigs started flying and Finch got himself a score of note, he should be safe for the next 3-4 seasons.

 

[eth-dog]

I would pick Keath before Hussey, but not before White, Maxwell and Christian.

I would have posted "I'd pick Hill before Finch in the shield too" but now that pigs started flying and Finch got himself a score of note, he should be safe for the next 3-4 seasons.

I was thinking 4-5 years down the track when they've all retired.

As would I. But he'll play the next 6 games guaranteed now

 

[eddiesmith]

eddiesmith, surely you would agree that the development of Victorian players in the past decade has been poor - very poor?

Some of our best players have been mostly ex pats from other states (Rogers - WA, Dussey - WA, Christian - SA, Hastings - NSW, Wade - Tas etc).

Thought about 2 years ago that we would be royally screwed once the core of our middle order are on the decline and ultimately retire,unselected.

Apart from Handscomb, do you have faith in any of our 'next gen' batsmen coming through? Cric Vic mustn't if we go out and select Stoinis, Christian as all round/batting options. Disappointing really.

I know everyone bangs on about NSW, but they select the kids and throw them in the deep end, where they invariably sink or swim. Victoria don't.

Thoughts on the next gen of Victorian batsmen?

Definitely, I don't mind at the time topping up a talented side and it was only after winning the Shield that a couple of players got noticed but as usual they didn't really get the opportunities of others either being played out of position or dropped quickly for no reason, this also hurts in that it means the players who look like spending some time in Australian colours therefore maybe making the selectors want to recruit another seasoned player, then they come back and suddenly that gap that could have been filled by a younger player is gone.

I also think our district competition is way too large, too many teams meaning the overall talent is not there, a few less teams and therefore stronger teams means players are better tested and you get a better idea of their abilities before they step up. I also think there needs to be more mid week Shield games allowing the state players to be seen at District level more often. Gives them better practice as well, at the moment with the weaker comp when they do go back they usually dominate

Honestly I'm not a massive fan of the NSW approach of stacking the side with youngsters, a few seasoned players is good for the younger players. They often got smashed and sometimes you have to wonder just how good is a 100 in a badly losing effort? Whilst a player is doing well with others failing around them, at the same time there isn't the same pressure from a match POV. Look at Doolan, credits his great form to batting with Ricky Ponting. Maybe Australian cricket could benefit from a marquee player, 1 spot taken up by a top level international for everyone to learn off.

One player I am very interested in is Ian Holland, curious to know what others think of him?

 

[western royboy]

Some of the major problems with Victorian Cricket

1. Too many clubs in Premier Cricket (18) Good Luck trying to fix that! Standard has declined considerably - gap between District / First Class
2. Too many poor wickets (bowler friendly) part climate / part football / part lack of funds
3. Disconnect between Pathway and District systems (refer reason 1)
4. Contracting System / Squad mentality (refer point 1 - once in it's harder to get out than in)

 

[eth-dog]

How do you fix the grade system?

 

[western royboy]

How do you fix the grade system?

Drop out Clubs - 18 is too many and the talent spread too thin - it went from 12-18 really quickly and at the same time the standards in all cricket started to go the other way. Sydney has 18 spread over a much bigger geographic region and still remains a strong competition, but if you talk to people involved up there (and I do because I am a past player) they will tell you the same.

The other issue is that the competition needs a shake up - tradition is fine but and I would classify myself as a traditionalist, but there are too many instances of talented country kids heading to Melbourne and having to start off in the 4's and earn it the hard way, I can confidently say that attitude does not apply in Sydney and that is a big a part of the reason why NSW produce more first class and international players than any other state.

 

[The_Reaper]

Some of the major problems with Victorian Cricket

1. Too many clubs in Premier Cricket (18) Good Luck trying to fix that! Standard has declined considerably - gap between District / First Class
2. Too many poor wickets (bowler friendly) part climate / part football / part lack of funds
3. Disconnect between Pathway and District systems (refer reason 1)
4. Contracting System / Squad mentality (refer point 1 - once in it's harder to get out than in)

Geoff Havercroft (the former secretary of the WACA for many years) goes to the same chuch as my old man and apparently the WACA is seriously considering cutting the number of clubs in Grade Cricket over here.

And of course South Australia have already done it with their new franchise system above grade cricket.

 

[western royboy]

Geoff Havercroft (the former secretary of the WACA for many years) goes to the same chuch as my old man and apparently the WACA is seriously considering cutting the number of clubs in Grade Cricket over here.

And of course South Australia have already done it with their new franchise system above grade cricket.

It is so obvious to everyone bar those with vested interests - as are the problems within ouyr cricket set up. Wining the Ashes will only cover over the cracks in the games at the lower levels.

 

[eth-dog]

Well let's now focus on our dismal Shield campaign again. Wow, this year really has sucked for us.

 

[year of the roo]

With the emergence of Muirhead during the BBL, we really need to bite the bullet and put him in our Shield side and see if sinks or swims.

Hill
Finch
Handscomb
White
Maxwell
Hussey/Quiney
Wade
Christian
Hastings
Muirhead
McKay

It would be nice if another batsman emerged so we could pension off Hussey and Quiney.

I guess Finch gets another chance at this format for now.

Hoping Hill and Handscomb can really cement a spot too.

 

[eth-dog]

Can't have Christian batting at 8. It's a top 7 spot or nothing. I'd go:

Hill
Quiney
Handscomb
White
Wade
Maxwell
Christian
Hastings
McKay
Muirhead
Boland

Need top order to stand up and make big runs in the first innings. I want 150 between the top 3 regularly, so White and Wade have a platform

 

[Kyptastic]

Muirhead's new contract probably means the end of the Ahmed experiment. Holland may also move, probably to South Australia.

 

[eth-dog]

Yeah, unless Maxwell goes into the Australian team and seal his place there (unlikely) we're unlikely to go 2 spin bowlers. And I doubt Holland would go SA. Tassie probably the safest choice, better than Doherty and Clive

 

[western royboy]

Yeah, unless Maxwell goes into the Australian team and seal his place there (unlikely) we're unlikely to go 2 spin bowlers. And I doubt Holland would go SA. Tassie probably the safest choice, better than Doherty and Clive

** Get's down on knees and prays - please God - No. **

What is "The Big Show"?
Is he a genuine all rounder? (Negative)
Is he a batsman who bowls? (I don't think so)
Is he a bowler who bats? (Not convinced)
Is he an unfinished article, that we aren't sure what he we be? (Yes)

That being the case the all rounder spot should be the one he holds down - nothing else. He should not hold back genuine bats or bowlers because I don't think he's there yet.

 

[FRUMPY]

** Get's down on knees and prays - please God - No. **

What is "The Big Show" - A nickname that he hates and only people like JB and Slater keep sprouting.
Is he a genuine all rounder? - Would be the closet thing Victoria has as an all rounder. Batting ave of 36 and 36 wickets at 40. Early days and bowling needs to improve.
Is he a batsman who bowls? He is more a batsmen who bowls than the other way around. Should bat top 6. His batting has improved alot in last 2 years from trying to smash everything to playing more sensibly.
Is he a bowler who bats? Doesnt bowl enough to be in as a bowling all rounder but bowling is improving
Is he an unfinished article, that we aren't sure what he we be? Definitely unfinished article and wont be anywhere near his potential for another 2-3 years id reckon.

That being the case the all rounder spot should be the one he holds down - nothing else. He should not hold back genuine bats or bowlers because I don't think he's there yet.

Who are the batsmen he is taking the place of?
Maxwell ave 36 after 25 games
Hill ave 29 after 17 games
Quiney ave 36 after 69 games
Handscombe ave 31 after 22 games

Maxwell is a potential australian player in all forms (already plays ODI and T20, more tests could come in a few years down the track) who has decent stats after 25 games. He is exactly the type of player the vics should have in their top 6.

 

[western royboy]

Who are the batsmen he is taking the place of?
Maxwell ave 36 after 25 games
Hill ave 29 after 17 games
Quiney ave 36 after 69 games
Handscombe ave 31 after 22 games

Maxwell is a potential australian player in all forms (already plays ODI and T20, more tests could come in a few years down the track) who has decent stats after 25 games. He is exactly the type of player the vics should have in their top 6.

At this stage and going forward as a batsman give me Handscomb over Maxwell any day of the week. Batsman improve over time - it's a proven fact - but under pressure he still reverts to the slog - he would need to improve a lot in my book to get near the Test team ever again on that basis alone and his bowling lacks the threatening nature that it needs to be considered. He needs to follow the Cameron White playbook.

 

[eth-dog]

Aaron Finch gets another ****ing life. White and Hussey to play their 100th FC game for Victoria this week. Squad is:

Matthew Wade (c, +), Scott Boland, Dan Christian, Aaron Finch, Peter Handscomb, John Hastings, David Hussey, Clint McKay, Glenn Maxwell, James Muirhead, Marcus Stoinis, Cameron White. My side from that squad would be:

Stoinis
Christian
Handscomb
White
Wade
Maxwell
Hussey
Hastings
Muirhead
McKay
Boland

But we all know Finch will get another chance despite him being shit in this form of the game

 

[eth-dog]

And looking at the NSW attack that they'll probably be available I have a bad feeling about this. The only thing we have in favour of us is that they're likely to be a bit underdone fitness wise (Cummins, Starc, Copeland, Hazlewood, Bollinger, O'Keefe). Honestly I don't know who'll miss out of that lot, probably Doug. If SO'K isn't fit they'll play that offie that they played last game I think.

 

[Phone]

Cummins will miss out, if previous reports are correct

 

[eth-dog]

Good. That means we only have to face Starc, Bollinger, Copeland and Hazlewood. Will SO'K be fit?

 

[Phone]

I wouldn't've thought so.

 

[eddiesmith]

Aaron Finch gets another ******* life. White and Hussey to play their 100th FC game for Victoria this week. Squad is:

Matthew Wade (c, +), Scott Boland, Dan Christian, Aaron Finch, Peter Handscomb, John Hastings, David Hussey, Clint McKay, Glenn Maxwell, James Muirhead, Marcus Stoinis, Cameron White. My side from that squad would be:

Stoinis
Christian
Handscomb
White
Wade
Maxwell
Hussey
Hastings
Muirhead
McKay
Boland

But we all know Finch will get another chance despite him being shit in this form of the game

Stoinis to miss for Finch

 

[Carbine Chaos]

Aaron Finch gets another ******* life. White and Hussey to play their 100th FC game for Victoria this week. Squad is:

Matthew Wade (c, +), Scott Boland, Dan Christian, Aaron Finch, Peter Handscomb, John Hastings, David Hussey, Clint McKay, Glenn Maxwell, James Muirhead, Marcus Stoinis, Cameron White. My side from that squad would be:

Stoinis
Christian
Handscomb
White
Wade
Maxwell
Hussey
Hastings
Muirhead
McKay
Boland

But we all know Finch will get another chance despite him being shit in this form of the game

You berate Finch for being shit but then you choose Stoinis?