How would you change Cricket Australia and the Australian team?

[Jascave]

The Sheffield Shield regular season game should be changed to 5-day games, in line with Test cricket. We want to see how Shield captains and players in each of the 6 states can handle the pressure of a Test-match like atmosphere at Shield level, which we rarely see now. Another thing I would like to see is for Cricket Australia put more money into club/grade cricket. Maybe have a 'Champions League'-style tournament from winners of each of the 6 states' premier club comp to play against each other in a ie 1 day series to see who is the no.1 team at club level in Australia.

 

[Sman-21]

Our state cricket is fine nothing needs to be changed except maybe putting some rules in place where there only allowed 1 player over 33 an must have x amount under 25.

Our state cricket for many years has been praised by everyone worldwide saying its the perfect breeding ground for talent.
As theres not too many teams so in order to get a game u must be pretty good.
More teams will mean more crap floating around.
Also we have a great mix of pitches we play on.

Trouble is anstead of the teams looking at making money by developing players an getting them in the Aus team.
There looking at making money by other ways ICL an big bash gate takings.
So there willing to sacrifice developing talent for australia by buying overseas players to help win an help attract people.

Before their only ways to make more money was by getting players into the aus team.

So its time cricket australia started maybe offering more for states that develop players an get them into Aus team an enforce those age rules

 

[big_e]

Our state cricket is fine nothing needs to be changed except maybe putting some rules in place where there only allowed 1 player over 33 an must have x amount under 25.

Excellent article by Gideon Haigh on AB - http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/455503.html - mentions Border went back to play for Qld for a couple of years after retiring from international cricket, which helped out a certain M Hayden.

I think we should not gift anyone a game because of their age. If you are being kept out of the Shield side by a couple of 33 year olds, it is because they are better than you. So take their place by becoming better than them.

I'd get rid of the 2nd XI comp or futures league or whatever it is called these days, and shorten the domestic one day comp to a quick series like the Big Bash. Bring it back to 50 overs (because that is still the ODI format) and ditch the home and away aspect of it. Get it over and done with so we can focus on the first-class arena. Also, fewer meaningless games at state level will have all those guys playing more grade cricket, which helps develop younger players.

Have a clear month at the start of every season where the test side is in Australia playing Shield games. Gets them ready for the home tests, increases the standard of Shield cricket and increases interest in it, too.

Have Australia A touring sides travel overseas in every off-season or pre-season to get experience at a more senior level and to give coaches, selectors and management a better view of players with international prospects.

While I think the selectors and coaching staff have been doing a poor job, I think that is a symptom of what is wrong with Australian cricket, not the cause. (But the Chairman and at least one other selector should be full-time, with the other two being full-time during the Australian summer.)

 

[The Passenger]

agree with everything in your post big e aside from getting rid of the second XI competition?? i don't know why you would want to do that. i've always thought it was a nice bridge between grade and shield level cricket.

we have to get the australian guys playing more shield cricket. 3 or 4 games a season is perfect.

all these one day and twenty20 games must be tough on the quickies. they are packing all the intensity of a full 90-over day in the field into about 80 minutes.

 

[The Passenger]

speaking of quickies.... hazlewood out for the summer

http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket...as-hazlewood-misdiagnosed-20110106-19hli.html

****

 

[mattymac]

righto sack the physio aswell...

nah but seriously thats fkd. should go with copeland, pattinson and starc then

 

[GoldenSky]

I think they need to select players with the right attitude. The current team seems to lack patience and discipline.

The difference between someone like Alastair Cook and Michael Clarke for example is stark.

Too many players kept in the team on past achievements and reputation - fine when the team is winning, but it is clear as day that Australias dominant period is over and so rebuilding must occur. New, youthful players can't push out other new players. Those over 35 must go.

Marking out potential captains from the time they debut also must come to an end. The Australian public have not warmed to Michael Clarke. The team is not playing for him. I'm betting we would have seen better results if a man with the character of Waugh was out there captaining as opposed to Clarke, even if he was making the same runs with the bat.

The NSW dominance of the test team also has to come to an end. Another reason why someone like Clarke was earmarked as a future captain.

 

[Doodlesweaver]

righto sack the physio aswell...

nah but seriously thats fkd. should go with copeland, pattinson and starc then

CA seems to be in the business of destroying our bowlers. Johnson is the only one who never seems to be injured. What is going on?

Actually, the Warriors have that habit too. Their bowler injury list this season is a joke.

 

[The Governor]

I love this blog!!

I have blogged so many times about the changes and I love everyone's opinions. I told everyone on this site that the four incompetent dumb and dumber selectors led by Golden Retriever Hilditch (Hilditch, Fat Merv, Cox and Boon) should have started the process of blooding in young players from January 2008. Instead, they went for Chris Rogers, Marcus North, Simon Katich and persisted with Mike Hussey etc. We have become a Dad's Army of world cricket and Australia has taken England's mantle. At the end of the day, we have to thank ANDREW MARK JEFFERSON HILDITCH, JAMES SUTHERLAND, MICHAEL BROWN AND TIM "THE TOOL" NIELSEN. You cannot blame Ricky. If you have not got the cattle or talent, you are on a hiding to nothing!!

Here are my changes.

CHANGE 1

I just hope the CA board would sack James Sutherland as CEO and replace him with Tony Dodemaide or Graeme Wood. We need a CEO who has played test cricket and understands the commercial and practical aspect of international cricket whilst understanding the need to generate profits and cash flow. Sutherland is qualified Chartered Accountant who is more suited to a Chief Financial Officer position of Cricket Australia than the CEO's post.

CHANGE 2

If Michael Brown extended Tim Nielsen's contract, I think it is about time for the former Hawthorn CEO to be given the flick. How can someone extend Nielsen's contract in a similar fashion to Peter Jackson giving Matthew Knights an unwarranted contract extension? Nielsen is the wrong man for the job whilst Michael Brown is not the right man for the role. How about Robert Shaw? He has an AFL background and is a former cricketer who can implement the professional ideas and processes of AFL clubs into the Australian test and one day sides?

CHANGE 3

I would seriously look at our Sports Science Department. The current physio and sports conditioning staff are a complete joke. How can the physio and medical staff miss the important stress fracture of Josh Hazelwood's back and allow Ryan Harris to play test cricket with a fractured ankle? If the sports science conditioning and medical staff allowed this to occur in an AFL club, the employees within the medical and sports science staff would feel the wraith of the club's CEO, Football Operations Manager and Head Coach.

The Geelong Football Club did not renew Paul Haines' contract in October last year. Paul Haines is one of the best sports fitness conditioning experts in elite sport. He has excellent core values and principles and he knows how to get the best out of his squad of athletes from a fitness point of view. Cricket Australia should give Paul Haines a call and offer him a job as the Australian team's head Sports Conditioning Manager.

There is a need to look at appointing a new physio. Errol Alcott was a great physio for Australia whilst the current physio who worked for Sri Lanka under Dav Whatmore is a complete joke.

CHANGE 4

The Australian test players are being paid mega bucks to play cricket full time for Australia. Is not it about time for the Australian test and one day side to find a permanent base where they can train 5 days a week during the down time before a test match and one day series? If you look at the cricket calendar, the players have 1 to 2 week gaps in between test matches. During this time, the players should be playing shield matches, recovering from injuries and attending full time training sessions where they can review their performances from the previous game.

With cricket not attracting the talented athlete who is street smart, it is about time for CA to create a learning environment for the test players and one day players so their performances can improve over time. At AFL level, players from the Hawthorn Footy club attend daily training sessions to prepare for up and coming matches. During the off season, they are still attending training session from October to February with the Christmas period as annual leave.

How about CA establishing the Allan Border field as Australia's permanent training headquarters for the test players to review their performances in between test matches and one day matches? After the conclusion of a test match, players usually go home if they have 1 week off from an international match. Instead, the players should fly to the AB field to review their performances and prepare for the future international matches whilst others can return to their states to play in the next shield match.

Our international players who have a CA contract are getting paid mega bucks to play cricket and they should have to behave like an AFL footballer to warrant their pay packet!!

CHANGE 5

Hilditch, Cox and Boon have to be sacked and GS Chappell should be appointed Chairman of Selectors.

The ideal replacements who should replace the 3 dumb and dumber selectors are Rodney Hogg, Trevor Hohns, Steve Rixon, Damien Flemming, Allan Border, Steve Smith (former NSW opener) and Darren Lehmann.

However, the problem is CA must make the selector's role a rewarding one. With the media being a well paid career path for former international cricketers, CA must find a way to attract former test players to the role.

CHANGE 6

Sack Tim Nielsen.

The ideal replacements are Mickey Arthur and Steve Rixon.

Dav Whatmore and Tom Moody are the dark horses.

CHANGE 7

Here is my TEST XI for the 1st test match against Sri Lanka

Shane Watson
Usman Khawaja
Aaron Finch
Callum Ferguson
Ricky (CAPTAIN)
Stephen Smith
Tim Paine
Peter Siddle
Josh Hazlewood
Dan Cullen
James Pattinson.

The selectors have to build a pace attack around Peter Siddle. Mitchell Johnson is a liability whilst Hilfenhauss is a poor man's version of Terry Alderman and Richard Ellison. Hilfenhauss is another Hilditch dud.

THE GOV

 

[Daytripper]

CHANGE 7

Here is my TEST XI for the 1st test match against Sri Lanka

Shane Watson
Usman Khawaja
Aaron Finch
Callum Ferguson
Ricky (CAPTAIN)
Stephen Smith
Tim Paine
Peter Siddle
Josh Hazlewood
Dan Cullen
James Pattinson.

FFS - Finch averages 29 at Shield level this season with just TWO fifties and a highest score of 84. On what possible basis can he be included in any National side except as the drinks waiter ?

Cullen hasn't bowled at Shield level for almost two seasons.

At least you have given up on the Cam White obsession which is one positive.

 

[Beth]

I'd piss that T20 crap right off.

I'd only have it at state level and only for those who aren't close to national selection. I'm just an armchair cricket observer so know little about the technicalities of batting but watching Finch's innings for Victoria the other night it made me wonder what all that slogging wildly does to your technique in the long run.

Young players like Smith, Hughes, Khawaja (basically any kid that has the potential to play test cricket), ban them from this tripe, get them playing Shield and County cricket only for the next two years and compensate them for not playing pyjama cricket.

Finally move Watson down the order or slowly explain to him that white clothes means he has more than 20 overs.

In conclusion I hate T20. Brainless rubbish for the short attention spanned drunken masses. What was wrong with 50 overs as a hit and giggle for god sake??

 

[Saint7]

SIMPLE SOLUTION...

Hillditch- GONE!

 

[Daytripper]

I'd piss that T20 crap right off.

I'd only have it at state level and only for those who aren't close to national selection. I'm just an armchair cricket observer so know little about the technicalities of batting but watching Finch's innings for Victoria the other night it made me wonder what all that slogging wildly does to your technique in the long run.

Young players like Smith, Hughes, Khawaja (basically any kid that has the potential to play test cricket), ban them from this tripe, get them playing Shield and County cricket only for the next two years and compensate them for not playing pyjama cricket.

Finally move Watson down the order or slowly explain to him that white clothes means he has more than 20 overs.

In conclusion I hate T20. Brainless rubbish for the short attention spanned drunken masses. What was wrong with 50 overs as a hit and giggle for god sake??

Agree with all of this.

I saw young Lynn playing T20 the other night and I just cringed watching a player with an excellent technique and a future test player having to resort to mindless slogging. Like you, couldn't help but wonder what this does in the long run for their technique.

Would rather he and Khawaja never played a T20 game again. At any level.

 

[chinggis77]

Get over it guys. T20 is here to stay.

Try to piss it off and you will get a Kerry Packer type split happening again. T20 is where the money is. It pays the bills for Cricket Australia, just as ODI's paid their bills in the past.

The rise of T20 has actually allowed Cricket to start to turn the tide against AFL/NRL in the battle for talent. Alex Keath is the prime example of that. Mitch Marsh. No doubt that the riches on offer and greater opportunity to play overseas, brought about by T20, was a big part of their decision.

Rather than knee-jerk reactions calling for its extermination - we should be looking for ways to make sure they can work together, be it a policy whereby players choose to play either only for the Test team or for the T20 team or some other in-between measures whereby test players can play a limited amount of T20 to earn extra bucks as long as they commit to extra shield games or something like that.

Just as an aside.

Does anyone know what obligations players have when they are given a Cricket Australia contract?

Presumably - being given a CA contract means you're close to selection in the test team or national OD team or in the team. Does this mean they get extra training/tuition/coaching? They do get a big whack of money for being on a contract. Maybe this is one of the things we need to look at changing - i.e. a CA contract means extra levels of professionalism are required. I recall they used to have a camp at the start of summer - do they still do this.

It could be something like:

• CA Test Contracts given to X number of players who commit to playing for the test team. They agree to only play a limited amount of T20/ODI and commit to extra 4 day/5 day games in Shield or County Cricket or Australia A tours overseas (if a fringe player). Additional Centre for Excellence/Academy specific for test cricket needs compulsory. Specific camps at beginning of summer for all players on CA Test Contracts to build team unity/refine skills for test arena.
• CA ODI/T20 Contracts given to X number of players who commit to playing for the national OD/T20 teams. As above - specific training/camps/academy for the rigours of ODI/T20.

This would be the best way towards domination of all forms of the game - ie specialising players for the specific needs of each. Of course, splitting it like this would have repurcussions for our depth for the test team and vice versa. Anyway, just a thought.

 

[Daytripper]

Get over it guys. T20 is here to stay.

Try to piss it off and you will get a Kerry Packer type split happening again. T20 is where the money is. It pays the bills for Cricket Australia, just as ODI's paid their bills in the past.

Whilst I agree it is a money earner now, I'm pretty certain that it will eventually go the one of ODI's - ie people will get sick of it.

The longer forms of the game are the backbone of cricket. We must be looking at players with a view to them playing this form of the game. I would hate to see an Alex Keath wasted on T20 and ODI's.

 

[Beth]

Absolutely its a great money spinner, unfortunately when playing T20 our future test players bat with the same technique I use when picking up the kids bat at a BBQ. This scares me.

 

[IanG]

Hilditch gone, Chappell as Chair.

Sutherland has to go as well. Appointees have no accountability under his regime, with a rigorous search to be conducted for a top sports administrator to replace him.

Neilsen also gone, and a new bowling coach. Let Cooley head the Centre of Excellence and nothing else. Mike Young should be with the team full time on any tour.

I'm unsure about Langer, from the sound of it the batsmen aren't doing what he's coaching but is that because of the batsmen themselves or Langer's coaching techniques, I dunno.

 

[chinggis77]

Whilst I agree it is a money earner now, I'm pretty certain that it will eventually go the one of ODI's - ie people will get sick of it.

The longer forms of the game are the backbone of cricket. We must be looking at players with a view to them playing this form of the game. I would hate to see an Alex Keath wasted on T20 and ODI's.

Ratings would suggest that test cricket is not the financial backbone of cricket. Heck, you only have to see how much money is on offer in T20 in the Indian Premier League to see that we would ignore it at our peril.

I don't see why we need ODI AND T20 to be honest. Interest in ODI declined and T20 came along to replace it as it catered to the shorter attention spans/peak hour viewing that audiences/TV networks craved. As much as some of us hate T20. The trend has always been towards shorter/more adridged versions of the game. I don't see how you can get more abridged than T20 so maybe we have reached the endpoint and T20 is here to stay.

As Gilly said: "It would," he said, "be difficult to see a better, quicker or cheaper way of spreading the game throughout the world."[15]

I'm not defending T20 - I just think we should plan for it in our future as the trend started by ODI' in the 70's towards shorter forms of the game has been a strong one that has got stronger with T20 so in all reality its here to stay.

 

[damochandler]

Get over it guys. T20 is here to stay.

Try to piss it off and you will get a Kerry Packer type split happening again. T20 is where the money is. It pays the bills for Cricket Australia, just as ODI's paid their bills in the past.

The rise of T20 has actually allowed Cricket to start to turn the tide against AFL/NRL in the battle for talent. Alex Keath is the prime example of that. Mitch Marsh. No doubt that the riches on offer and greater opportunity to play overseas, brought about by T20, was a big part of their decision.

Rather than knee-jerk reactions calling for its extermination - we should be looking for ways to make sure they can work together, be it a policy whereby players choose to play either only for the Test team or for the T20 team or some other in-between measures whereby test players can play a limited amount of T20 to earn extra bucks as long as they commit to extra shield games or something like that.

Just as an aside.

Does anyone know what obligations players have when they are given a Cricket Australia contract?

Presumably - being given a CA contract means you're close to selection in the test team or national OD team or in the team. Does this mean they get extra training/tuition/coaching? They do get a big whack of money for being on a contract. Maybe this is one of the things we need to look at changing - i.e. a CA contract means extra levels of professionalism are required. I recall they used to have a camp at the start of summer - do they still do this.

It could be something like:

• CA Test Contracts given to X number of players who commit to playing for the test team. They agree to only play a limited amount of T20/ODI and commit to extra 4 day/5 day games in Shield or County Cricket or Australia A tours overseas (if a fringe player). Additional Centre for Excellence/Academy specific for test cricket needs compulsory. Specific camps at beginning of summer for all players on CA Test Contracts to build team unity/refine skills for test arena.
• CA ODI/T20 Contracts given to X number of players who commit to playing for the national OD/T20 teams. As above - specific training/camps/academy for the rigours of ODI/T20.

This would be the best way towards domination of all forms of the game - ie specialising players for the specific needs of each. Of course, splitting it like this would have repurcussions for our depth for the test team and vice versa. Anyway, just a thought.

their obligations are. to make sure you aren't allergic to any make up that will be used on you while you are doing stupid ads

 

[Daytripper]

Ratings would suggest that test cricket is not the financial backbone of cricket. Heck, you only have to see how much money is on offer in T20 in the Indian Premier League to see that we would ignore it at our peril.

I don't see why we need ODI AND T20 to be honest. Interest in ODI declined and T20 came along to replace it as it catered to the shorter attention spans/peak hour viewing that audiences/TV networks craved. As much as some of us hate T20. The trend has always been towards shorter/more adridged versions of the game. I don't see how you can get more abridged than T20 so maybe we have reached the endpoint and T20 is here to stay.

As Gilly said: "It would," he said, "be difficult to see a better, quicker or cheaper way of spreading the game throughout the world."[15]

I'm not defending T20 - I just think we should plan for it in our future as the trend started by ODI' in the 70's towards shorter forms of the game has been a strong one that has got stronger with T20 so in all reality its here to stay.

Exactly the same thing was being said about ODI's fifteen/twenty years ago.

People will get sick of it.

Once the administrators start scheduling too much of it, all the various competitions will lack any meaning or purpose and it will die off.

Hell - they've already started over-scheduling it now.
They just can't help themselves.

 

[spanna050]

CHANGE 7

Here is my TEST XI for the 1st test match against Sri Lanka

Shane Watson
Usman Khawaja
Aaron Finch
Callum Ferguson
Ricky (CAPTAIN)
Stephen Smith
Tim Paine
Peter Siddle
Josh Hazlewood
Dan Cullen
James Pattinson.

The selectors have to build a pace attack around Peter Siddle. Mitchell Johnson is a liability whilst Hilfenhauss is a poor man's version of Terry Alderman and Richard Ellison. Hilfenhauss is another Hilditch dud.

THE GOV

Excellent post until this. Ferguson is the most overrated cricketer in the country. Averages 35 in Shield and has consistently struggled to convert scores into hundreds. Not good enough.

And building a pace attack around Siddle. Surely this is a joke. Has a huge heart and works his guts out, but simply does not do enough. Struggles to move the ball through the air, and gets minimal movement off the pitch if the conditions are right. Facing Siddle on a flat track is like facing a bowling machine. Has taken two six wickets hauls, fair enough, but one was on a green top in Brisbane where any half decent bowler should be taking wickets. The fact we have Siddle and Hilfy opening our attack is an indication that our bowling is in crisis.

 

[dumb]

hilf hasn't come on like may have been expected, most of us had him pegged for a far better series. siddle is the youngest of the fast bowler regulars if i recall so there may be some room for improvement. ryan harris is a shame, to some extent bollinger as well. bollinger's early odi/test figures showed that he was pretty much playing at his peak, remains to be seen if he can get back to good form/fitness.

dan cullen would have less chance of coming back than hauritz who looks like he's been black-listed.

wondering how much of andrew hilditch's test blooding via one dayers we'll see. i'm not totally against that theory but i wouldn't be surprised if a few names are picked with an eye on them playing test matches too. clint mcckay comes to mind, similar stats to harris/bollinger.

 

[damochandler]

I love this blog!!

I have blogged so many times about the changes and I love everyone's opinions. I told everyone on this site that the four incompetent dumb and dumber selectors led by Golden Retriever Hilditch (Hilditch, Fat Merv, Cox and Boon) should have started the process of blooding in young players from January 2008. Instead, they went for Chris Rogers, Marcus North, Simon Katich and persisted with Mike Hussey etc. We have become a Dad's Army of world cricket and Australia has taken England's mantle. At the end of the day, we have to thank ANDREW MARK JEFFERSON HILDITCH, JAMES SUTHERLAND, MICHAEL BROWN AND TIM "THE TOOL" NIELSEN. You cannot blame Ricky. If you have not got the cattle or talent, you are on a hiding to nothing!!

Here are my changes.

CHANGE 1

I just hope the CA board would sack James Sutherland as CEO and replace him with Tony Dodemaide or Graeme Wood. We need a CEO who has played test cricket and understands the commercial and practical aspect of international cricket whilst understanding the need to generate profits and cash flow. Sutherland is qualified Chartered Accountant who is more suited to a Chief Financial Officer position of Cricket Australia than the CEO's post.

CHANGE 2

If Michael Brown extended Tim Nielsen's contract, I think it is about time for the former Hawthorn CEO to be given the flick. How can someone extend Nielsen's contract in a similar fashion to Peter Jackson giving Matthew Knights an unwarranted contract extension? Nielsen is the wrong man for the job whilst Michael Brown is not the right man for the role. How about Robert Shaw? He has an AFL background and is a former cricketer who can implement the professional ideas and processes of AFL clubs into the Australian test and one day sides?

CHANGE 3

I would seriously look at our Sports Science Department. The current physio and sports conditioning staff are a complete joke. How can the physio and medical staff miss the important stress fracture of Josh Hazelwood's back and allow Ryan Harris to play test cricket with a fractured ankle? If the sports science conditioning and medical staff allowed this to occur in an AFL club, the employees within the medical and sports science staff would feel the wraith of the club's CEO, Football Operations Manager and Head Coach.

The Geelong Football Club did not renew Paul Haines' contract in October last year. Paul Haines is one of the best sports fitness conditioning experts in elite sport. He has excellent core values and principles and he knows how to get the best out of his squad of athletes from a fitness point of view. Cricket Australia should give Paul Haines a call and offer him a job as the Australian team's head Sports Conditioning Manager.

There is a need to look at appointing a new physio. Errol Alcott was a great physio for Australia whilst the current physio who worked for Sri Lanka under Dav Whatmore is a complete joke.

CHANGE 4

The Australian test players are being paid mega bucks to play cricket full time for Australia. Is not it about time for the Australian test and one day side to find a permanent base where they can train 5 days a week during the down time before a test match and one day series? If you look at the cricket calendar, the players have 1 to 2 week gaps in between test matches. During this time, the players should be playing shield matches, recovering from injuries and attending full time training sessions where they can review their performances from the previous game.

With cricket not attracting the talented athlete who is street smart, it is about time for CA to create a learning environment for the test players and one day players so their performances can improve over time. At AFL level, players from the Hawthorn Footy club attend daily training sessions to prepare for up and coming matches. During the off season, they are still attending training session from October to February with the Christmas period as annual leave.

How about CA establishing the Allan Border field as Australia's permanent training headquarters for the test players to review their performances in between test matches and one day matches? After the conclusion of a test match, players usually go home if they have 1 week off from an international match. Instead, the players should fly to the AB field to review their performances and prepare for the future international matches whilst others can return to their states to play in the next shield match.

Our international players who have a CA contract are getting paid mega bucks to play cricket and they should have to behave like an AFL footballer to warrant their pay packet!!

CHANGE 5

Hilditch, Cox and Boon have to be sacked and GS Chappell should be appointed Chairman of Selectors.

The ideal replacements who should replace the 3 dumb and dumber selectors are Rodney Hogg, Trevor Hohns, Steve Rixon, Damien Flemming, Allan Border, Steve Smith (former NSW opener) and Darren Lehmann.

However, the problem is CA must make the selector's role a rewarding one. With the media being a well paid career path for former international cricketers, CA must find a way to attract former test players to the role.

CHANGE 6

Sack Tim Nielsen.

The ideal replacements are Mickey Arthur and Steve Rixon.

Dav Whatmore and Tom Moody are the dark horses.

CHANGE 7

Here is my TEST XI for the 1st test match against Sri Lanka

Shane Watson
Usman Khawaja
Aaron Finch
Callum Ferguson
Ricky (CAPTAIN)
Stephen Smith
Tim Paine
Peter Siddle
Josh Hazlewood
Dan Cullen
James Pattinson.

The selectors have to build a pace attack around Peter Siddle. Mitchell Johnson is a liability whilst Hilfenhauss is a poor man's version of Terry Alderman and Richard Ellison. Hilfenhauss is another Hilditch dud.

THE GOV

give up on the idea aaron finch will be picked. they aren't going to pick someone that has only had a couple good of performances in on t20 and odd here and there. to say we should build our attack around peter siddle is just ridiculas. he very inconsistant

 

[Parquet Court]

If you look at it population and participation wise, it makes no sense for NSW or Victoria to have the same number of teams as Tasmania.

If the shield competition is just for development, then it makes sense to have teams where the population is.

That's why in the football U/18 championship Victoria have two teams.

the domestic system is fine the way it is, years ago we were saying it was so damn good because of the difficulty it is to get a gig with any domestic side.

there is no need for more teams as players are free to move states or teams as they really should be called now.
Beer to WA, Cossy to Tas, Watson to everywhere, gilly to WA, all of victorias sqaud to SA and etc etc

the population is one thing but the amount of people playing cricket is another, it is just right, there is a lull in the australian cricket landscape atm. Sometimes these things happen, its not the AFL where you get compensations to get back to the top.

and as for Starc...Johnson Mk II, no thanks.

 

[chinggis77]

Exactly the same thing was being said about ODI's fifteen/twenty years ago.

People will get sick of it.

Once the administrators start scheduling too much of it, all the various competitions will lack any meaning or purpose and it will die off.

Hell - they've already started over-scheduling it now.
They just can't help themselves.

But shortened/abridged versions of the game are as popular as ever if not more popular. That it has changed from ODI to T20 doesn't change the fact that short versions of the game are more popular than the longer versions. T20 or some other abridged version of the game will always be around and will always bring more people in.

We need to plan for a future with both in mind. Lets not kid ourselves.