The CA XI gets a bad wrap.
For it’s short tenure in the domestic one day competition, it was seen as an easybeat, a kids club and ultimately a pet project for Greg Chappell to hang his hat on.
But having rediscovered some highlights the other day of them competing in the one day cup from a few years ago, what struck me were the number of familiar names. Many of which who have gone on to play for higher honours.
Not many players played in multiple years with the side, as they had often used it as a platform to propel themselves in their state side the following year.
Whilst it’s unlikely that the concept returns, there may have been more benefit to this experiment than first meets the eye. Exposing young talent to better cricket, forces them to rise to the challenge and become better. Are they going to win much, if at all? No. But are they going to learn more than sitting on the bench of their state side, biding their time for an opportunity? Absolutely.
For me, I wouldn’t mind seeing it return. This season it could give the likes of Harry Dixon, Hugh Weibgen or Mahli Beardman regular cricket at at advanced level.
For it’s short tenure in the domestic one day competition, it was seen as an easybeat, a kids club and ultimately a pet project for Greg Chappell to hang his hat on.
But having rediscovered some highlights the other day of them competing in the one day cup from a few years ago, what struck me were the number of familiar names. Many of which who have gone on to play for higher honours.
Player | 2015/16 | 2016/17 | 2017/18 | Played for Australia |
---|---|---|---|---|
Riley Ayre | X | | | |
James Bazley | X | X | | |
Will Bosisto | X | X | | |
Hilton Cartwright | X | | | X |
Matt Dixon | X | | | |
Seb Gotch | X | | | |
Alex Gregory | X | | | |
Marcus Harris | X | | | X |
Liam Hatcher | X | X | | |
Ryan Lees | X | X | | |
Jimmy Peirson | X | | | |
Matt Short | X | X | | X |
Mitch Swepson | X | | | X |
Jack Wildermuth | X | | | X |
Xavier Bartlett | | X | | X |
Jake Carder | | X | X | |
Brendan Doggett | | X | | |
Ryan Gibson | | X | | |
Sam Grimwade | | X | | |
David Grant | | X | X | |
Sam Harper | | X | | |
Josh Inglis | | X | | X |
Josh Lalor | | X | | |
Arjun Nair | | X | | |
Tom O’Donnell | | X | | |
Jason Sangha | | X | | |
Param Uppal | | | X | |
Clint Hinchliffe | | | X | |
Beau Webster | | | X | |
Ben Pengelly | | | X | |
Jono Merlo | | | X | |
Mac Wright | | | X | |
Max Bryant | | | X | |
Harry Nielsen | | | X | |
Henry Thornton | | | X | |
Jackson Coleman | | | X | |
Mark Steketee | | | X | |
Dan Fallins | | | X | |
Matt Kuhnemann | | | X | X |
Charlie Stobo | | | X | |
What’s evident from this is the earlier iterations proved more successful than later seasons, with the level of talent potentially tapering off somewhat. Not many players played in multiple years with the side, as they had often used it as a platform to propel themselves in their state side the following year.
Whilst it’s unlikely that the concept returns, there may have been more benefit to this experiment than first meets the eye. Exposing young talent to better cricket, forces them to rise to the challenge and become better. Are they going to win much, if at all? No. But are they going to learn more than sitting on the bench of their state side, biding their time for an opportunity? Absolutely.
For me, I wouldn’t mind seeing it return. This season it could give the likes of Harry Dixon, Hugh Weibgen or Mahli Beardman regular cricket at at advanced level.