Comments on: Off with the heads of the national cricket selectors

By: True Tah

True Tah — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 02:41:41 +0000

Is Michael Clarke a part of the “leadership group”? Are these same selectors the ones who are grooming him as our next captain?

I thought the likes of Brad Hodge would have accepted that the Vics get dudded when it comes to national cricket selection?

By: vinay verma

vinay verma — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 02:35:09 +0000

Greg,I was just Browsing this old post of yours and suggest Australia should have two seperate Panel of Selectors. Australia plays more ODI’s and 20/20′s than tests in any year so why not get professional and have two panels. This way the selectors will not be compeeled to pick someone in all forms just because they have a weighted contract.

For the shorter forms I suggest a Panel of Michael Bevan,Dean Jones and Mathew Hayden. Bevan may be on the outer because of his ICL sojourn.

By: Justin

Justin — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 02:47:57 +0000

Rabz you are fantastic. Havent laughed so hard in a while.

Ponting cant bat! Keep them coming, who needs the Melbourne Comedy Festival when we have Rabz.

By: Greg Russell

Greg Russell — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 11:55:34 +0000

Rabbitz wrote “I would contend that Ricky Ponting and the so-called “leadership group” have far too much say in selections”.

I do not know whether or not this is true, but assuming it is, then this makes Hilditch look even worse, because it is the job of Hilditch to select the best side, not to be dictated to by senior players over who should be selected.

Further, regardless of who is doing the actual selecting, the buck stops with Hilditch for who is selected.

By: Rabbitz

Rabbitz — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 11:20:53 +0000

Well I will admit, Ponting used to be able to bat. However over the last couple of seasons and especially recently I wouldn’t say he has been a fantastic batsman.

How about this for a compromise:
2. Punt Punter – Can’t bat anymore, Can’t Captain without Warne and McGrath.

(See also point 5)

Rabz

By: Michael C

Michael C — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 10:49:57 +0000

Apparently ‘age’ wasn’t an issue for Katich, but, is for Hodge.

And Symonds……gawd……he still hasn’t done anything of note to get a recall, and, surely age is becoming more and more an issue with he too?

By: keith lamport

keith lamport — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 10:01:39 +0000

Agree with Tom but Ponting should just be there as a batsman. Worse still bringing back Symonds says all the wrong things, cant bat cant bowl but still gets in, how weird is that, we have long ago found far better replacements in any form of the game than Roy, only problem is Hilditch has no idea who they are, lets put blind freddy into the job!

By: Tom

Tom — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 01:12:32 +0000

Rabbitz, say whatever you like about Punter’s captaincy, but to say he can’t bat is just absurd. Credit where credit’s due, you don’t average 56 in test cricket without being able to bat.

By: Rabbitz

Rabbitz — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 21:14:23 +0000

Are the selectors and Hilditch entirely to blame? I would suggest “It ain’t necessarily so”.

I would contend that Ricky Ponting and the so-called “leadership group” have far too much say in selections for the various squads. This seems apparent when you look back at the retention of old, broken down, out of form players and the non-selection of up and coming players who this group allegedly don’t like. It is also obvious that Symonds is being brought back, despite not having shown any of form on the field but having plenty of form in the pub, at the insistence of the “old boys”

Secondly, you cant blame the selectors when the experienced and top-line players are performing so badly that the Berowra Under 12′s would flog them on 7 out 10 meetings.

My suggestion for a solution?

1. Bring back Hohns and give him the power to make the selections the team NEEDS.
2. Punt Punter – Can’t Bat, Can’t Captain
3. Remove the leadership groups influence in the selection of the squad. I guess this is related to point 1.
4. Find a captain who is a leader – M. Clarke, sorry you just ain’t up to it.
5. Drop any player who is out of form

Just my $0.02

Rabz