Redbacks 2011/2012

[Phone]

I dunno know, apart from Ferguson, who somehow has Shield stats that flatter him for this season, I think most of their senior-ish batsman got the amount of games they deserved....that is none of them apart from Klinger and Cooper deserved more than 5 games. Harris' recall for this match was a bit odd but then none of the keepers deserved a game either

But yeah the token "give this U19 player a game" thing annoys me - J. Smith must average about 10 in his last 10 games for SA - but then what can they do when the senior-ish batsman suck so much. So it goes back to getting senior-ish batsman from interstate and not having frickin all of Stray Head and Smith in the top 5

 

[Bradesmaen]

Who else are they going to give games to? It isn't like the senior players were scoring. Stray came from interstate and hit a 90 last week as did Head. Head has looked good, he deserves his game based on his form. One problem for us is that the Futures team does pretty well and their stats flatter them compared to when they come into the Redbacks side.

 

[Cap]

A backbone would be handy too, how many capitulations have we had this year? Disgraceful.

im sure the saca will find someone to blame

 

[Chris25]

One problem for us is that the Futures team does pretty well.

This is actually a good point.

James Smith smashed 150 in the Futures League. Davey was coming off a 90. Doropoulos was scoring well too. Stray has been our leading run scorer. But then they come into the Redbacks Shield side, they do nothing. Basically, we're picking our form players. They just can't take that next step.

The other option is to give grade performers a chance - Raphael, Brown, Ross and Garrett. But they are all relatively young and inexperienced too. Would this option be any better?

With Ferguson, Klinger, Cooper and Christian in the team, we shouldn't have to go out and recruit a senior player. They just need to take on that responsibility - maybe easier said, than done? Sure. But they are all in our top 6 and would be in any state team. At some stage we need to develop our own kids, or we just become even more of an interstate dumping ground/retirement home.

Stick with Head and Stray, give some new grade players a chance when there is a free spot. But it's time to move on from those that have tried and failed over the last two seasons.

On the positive side of things, we have a nice bowling attack developing - George, Putland, Mennie and Lyon is a quality Shield line up.

 

[Ill Chicken]

I've heard from a few sources the way the Redbacks train is the main factor separating them from the other states. I'm not sure what they're doing different or not doing, but it is obvious that talent is not the issue with the side.

 

[1990crow]

Anyone know what's happening in regards to SA poaching a NSW batsmen and keeper Peter Nevill? Any other news about interstate recruits?

 

[Chris25]

Here is an article from last night. For anyone who doesn't want to read it, let me summarise...

- talk of promoting Ferguson to captain (depending on talks with Klinger)
- mentioned trying to keep Christian from going to Queensland
- 'rumour' of either Steve Smith or Moises Henriques (please God, no)
- Ryan Harris maybe coming back home?
- Alex Carey potentially being our new wicket keeper
- Travis Head being a reason for optimism

It seems a given that we will recruit one or two guys from interstate. There was talk of an injured former Australian player being targeted. I was hoping for a Paine or something along those lines. I don't know what I'd do if we got Smith or Henriques, maybe cry?

As for Carey, GWS signed him as a rookie but he couldn't make the grade and returned home to SA. Was a pretty decent cricketer before getting drafted, so he could be a very nice option - despite a couple of years out of the game.

 

[Phone]

if you make Ferguson captain I'm burning down Adl Oval

Nevill has two years on his contract. We'll be fighting hard if WA/SA try to take him.

 

[Phone]

also just a few names that popped up re injured former aus player

- Hastings (hmmm. maybe I guess. victorian bowling stocks filling up)
- North (Fills a need, but he won't leave WA. Let's throw Katich in here too)
- Moz (Fills a need if Christan goes, but NSW will fight hard. Not likely I don't think)
- Burt Cockley (He's not actually a former Aus player, and he's finally fit for the first time in 2 years but whatever. Still only 25. SA has tried before I think)
- Hauritz (Fills the need of a back-up spinner but uh don't think Hauritz will do that. You're trying to get James Muirhead anyway)
- Mitchell Johnson (hey hey hey I think I might be onto something. Works for SA, works for WA - they have plenty of seamers already, works for MJ - try to prove himself on the flattest pitch in the country. Wife the only problem)
- Cosgrove (fatty fat fat)
- Paine (fat chance)


And I'm out of ideas.

But yeah the other week it was rumoured Berry told SA to throw everything at Smith

 

[Chris25]

Unless someone like Ryan Harris actually wanted to come home, I doubt we'd be searching for a quick bowler. They did make mention of our inability to bowl out a team twice, but quick bowling stocks are our strength.

I thought we'd be looking at a wicket keeper. But obviously there just aren't many decent ones out there (hence Daniel Smith getting games) and now we're talking about Carey. So maybe that can be ruled out. Triffitt will probably be the only one to move states.

It'll be an allrounder/spinner in my opinion. Especially if Christian leaves, and given that O'Brien is a T20 specialist these days. So my money would be on Smith over Henriques, which I suppose is the lesser of two evils.

 

[Phone]

Yeah that's what I was thinking as I was putting down the names. The bowling attack isn't great yet, but it's SA's biggest strength right now. Depth is a problem, particularly given Putland's injury woes, so getting a MJ or Hastings, and to maybe get a bit more out there, Josh Hazlewood, could probably do wonders. But you should really only be doing that as a last resort.

Of course, the problem is, SA needs batsmen, so do every other state. Just look at QLD's top 3. SA needs a keeper, so does WA and maybe VIC. There's plenty of demand but not much supply. That's why I always throw out getting an overseas player (eg Michael Carberry), but I doubt Jamie Cox would do that so w/ever. Along with the Steve Smith rumour, you were said to be trying to get Nic Maddinson which I would be cool with. Sorts out one opener I guess. Oh and Phil Hughes can keep....

And Daniel Smith didn't get games as a keeper... We were just down so many batsmen he got a game and the **** scored 180. On a related note to that, the thing that always strikes me when I look at SA's contracts is the amount of players who are LO over players only pretty much - Blizzard, Borgas, Haberfield, Harris, O'Brien, even Richardson, although that'll change over time, and as I like to joke, Ferguson. On one hand, you've won two LO titles during that time, on the other, you've won about one FC game. It's an interesting 'problem'.

 

[Ill Chicken]

Giving Fergs the captaincy would be like when they gave it to Adcock who looked like he had settled in FC cricket only to be loaded with a hell of a lot of responsibility and now rarely plays grade cricket.

Burt Cockley could be potentially on the move, he is playing the off season in Darwin, NSW are keeping a fair eye on him as well.

They'd be better going after someone like Sheridan or Hill. Even Cameron White (just because he still has a few years left and could potentially pull himself out).

 

[mattymac]

Johan Botha ftw

EDIT: if rhino came home as well you'd think things had to improve. best adelaide oval bowler in the land

 

[Buzzasto DaSilva]

Johan Botha, I know a lot of people will criticize it, but I think it is a good move, providing we use his expertise properly!

 

[Phone]

good move if only 'cause it's got people talking!


although i guess not all talk is good. whatever, i like the discussion it's provoked.

 

[Ill Chicken]

Apparently the Strikers are going to pick up a VTCA spinner for the Big Bash next season, not sure how true it is, but could be a monumental stuff up if they do.

 

[Manni & Ken]

There was a Pakistani guy who was trialling with the Renegades, but wouldn't leave his side to play Premier Cricket because he was getting so much $$ from his club. Ended up playing some T20 with Melb Uni. Not sure if he's naturalised now or not, but might be him?

Anyway, I'd be very cautious about making big predictions about BBL at this stage of the season, even more about guys who aren't playing Grade Cricket.

 

[Ill Chicken]

There was a Pakistani guy who was trialling with the Renegades, but wouldn't leave his side to play Premier Cricket because he was getting so much $$ from his club. Ended up playing some T20 with Melb Uni. Not sure if he's naturalised now or not, but might be him?

Anyway, I'd be very cautious about making big predictions about BBL at this stage of the season, even more about guys who aren't playing Grade Cricket.

Fawad Ahmed. He is almost 34, play 1st or 2nd Division VTCA. Never got asked to trial with the Renegades. Was invited down as a net bowler and tells everyone that they're looking at him.