By Stoffy
January 29th 2009 @ 2:09am
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Aussie selectors get it wrong yet again
I think the Aboriginal community summed it up pretty well by tagging Australia Day as “Invasion Day.” The Australian cricket team would tend to agree as the South Africans once again soured what was meant to be a great day for our nation.
Though pointing the finger at the cricketers appears a little harsh as the team fielded on Monday would struggle to challenge a State team.
Working our way down the team, Marsh and Ponting have done enough to reinstate their position, with Warner contributing valuable runs at the top of the order.
Michael Hussey’s current slump can be overlooked for a period of time, but with a number of State cricketers staking their claim, runs in the New Zealand series will be as good as gold from Hussey’s point of view.
His brother David has hardly lived up to his expectation of being the “pinch hitter” and has struggled to maintain the pace set by the top order.
Then it all unravels when Cameron White’s name comes to the table.
With an average of 17 batting at number six in what’s predominantly a position reserved for a consistent finisher of the innings, White has done nothing to justify his continuous selection in this squad.
Not only does his batting comes under scrutiny, also his ability with the ball. Being labelled as a genuine all-rounder, White’s lack of overs this summer begs the question: why isn’t he being thrown the ball?
It’s quite obvious tha,t like me, Ponting can see that White simply can’t bowl.
I understand we can’t expect him to bowl with the success of Warne, but top-spinning short deliveries outside off-stump just doesn’t cut it.
You have to wonder if we continue to persist we these types of selections, how long does Australian one-day cricket have before it falls into the dumps of failure?
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Reg said | January 29th 2009 @ 9:31am | Report comment
“but with a number of State cricketers staking their claim”
to be honest, I think that’s the problem. Who are you speaking of? I know there are plenty of openers around (Klinger, Hughes, Rogers), but what middle order batsman are really stepping up and proving themselves?
Tank said | January 29th 2009 @ 11:34am | Report comment
“what middle order batsman are really stepping up and proving themselves?”
Lee Carseldine certainly is, although at 33 he might have missed the boat.
Stoffy said | January 29th 2009 @ 2:26pm | Report comment
Reg although there is no real standout in the batsman vying for the middle order position, the selectors have shown that simply a few good scores is enough to give them the opportunity (Marsh and Warner for instance). Also any one can fill the position of Cameron White, even a front-line bowler.
Ben J said | January 29th 2009 @ 6:29pm | Report comment
Spiro made the assertion (if I read it correctly) that only Dale Steyn and maybe J Kallis would be considered for the Australian sides. I still do not understand on what he based it but so be it. From what I could see the only consistent performer in the ODI side is Ponting and he would probably be the only Australian that I would pick on form to be in the South African side.White, both Husseys,Hilfenhaus, the wicketkeeper(forgot his name) to name a few has been decidedly pedestrian. Even Tait, who started like a man on fire in the T20’s, fizzled out and looked like Allan Donald past his prime.
This is an average Australian squad and if we have to look at a rogue like Symonds you know you are in real trouble. Michael Clarke will make a difference but even Brett Lee looks past his prime. The building blocks of the future are there but prepare for a lenghty spell of South African dominance.