Australian cricketer Michael Clarke celebrates his century against India. AP Photo/Aman Sharma
Are the Australian selectors expressing the growing concerns of the greater national cricket punditry by giving Brad Haddin a match in charge of the international team?
Haddin had shown for a number of years at New South Wales that he had the tactical and leadership nous to be a skipper at the elite level. In fact, before deals were done for Simon Katich to join the Bluebags and was guaranteed the captaincy as a part of that lucrative deal, Haddin was doing an exceptional job.
It is no secret that Haddin was miffed at the time as he was replaced by a outsider with limited leadership credentials and experience.
Ostensibly, the Cricket Australia announcement centered around Michael Clarke having some extended rest before heading off to England late in the month to prepare for the ICC Twenty20 World Championship.
The final match of the UAE tour was only four days later, so it is hard to fathom why the vice captain, cum stand in captain, would not be participating in a finale of 20 overs.
The selectors did not tell the public whether Clarke had requested the ‘extra’ rest, or if they had given him orders to go home early. In fact, the official press release was quite ambiguous, perhaps deliberately so because it made little sense: “the NSP has recommended that Michael be released …”
Released? What the?
The NSP make the decisions and TELL the players when and what they will be doing, so I can’t figure out just whom they would be “recommending“ to.
The statement goes on with some attempt at rationalising the reasons. I assume Andrew Hilditch, the chairman, is carrying the can on this one, although Jamie Cox, the South Australian Redbacks’ High Performance manager, has been prominent on screen as selector on duty in The Emirates.
“It will give him extra time to prepare for the ICC World Twenty20.“
This might sound a tad left field as a suggestion, but by playing the final game of the tour, such as a Twenty20 match, that might be the ideal preparation for an international 20 over tournament.
Australia did not do very well in the original Twenty20 World Cup. Even Zimbabwe beat them. So a spot of match practice against the finalist in that tournament might come in handy.
But no, apparently rest and facing a bowling machine will be much more efficient preparation. Unless, of course, there is an ulterior motive.
Brad Haddin “will assume the captaincy.“
Assume?
Sounds like lawyer talk to me. Haddin has been a leader, with his opening one day batting. He has been the most consistent of the batsmen, and Clarke has leaned heavily on his shoulder for tactical advice, especially under pressure out in the middle.
Haddin also has the distinction of having no “off field“ dramas to attend to.
Maybe the Australian Cricket Board have had enough of blond tips and sports cars. I can’t recall Allan Border ever having anything other than a Holden.
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onside said | May 5th 2009 @ 6:43am | Report comment
blonde tips, sports cars ,and ; career defining tattoos
It must have riled sponsors last season,when Clarke appeared in an advertisement ,
hair all faux ,just got out of bed teenager,a clutching a youth image, albeit costing
$200 a pop for a stylelist, to appear live on TV with his head just about shaved.
What do other cultures make of Australians that adopt centuries old Asian symbols
they cannot relate to, and have them tattood on their arm or kneck. What would we
think of a Japanese person with a tatoo on their kneck saying,’You bloody beauty’
I asked a Chinese friend of mine about an intricate tattoo on a young Australian lady
and he told me it meant , ‘No MSG’. Perhaps Clarke could get one reading , ‘No LBW’
LeftArmSpinner said | May 5th 2009 @ 7:15am | Report comment
could not have put it better myself. I think we have all had enough of the superficial, cosmetic behaviour of highly paid underperforming national sportsmen.
Holdens all around.
The joke is that Mr Clark doesnt realise the massive drop in values of all Super cars, and in particular, poorly built, idiosyncratic, temperamental Aston Martins. Oh, and completely tax deductible, NOT! Despite his massive earnings, he still cant afford it. He must have a very small “you know what” and feels that he has to placate Lara with a car. Hope she doesnt have a bingle in it!!!
Haircuts are a different story. Their “damage” can undone in a month or two.
Earrings leave a hole for ever visible for all to see. Ads like the bonds ad where he puts a ball down the front of his jocks last forever. Again, he must have a very small “you know what”!!!
LeftArmSpinner said | May 5th 2009 @ 7:19am | Report comment
BTW, I have just noticed that when Henry penned the article, he used the term “fake blondes” while our faithful Roar Editors changed this to blond tips. I suspect this is an example of the simple difference between the age groups. Henry, I’m with you…………. Its fake!!!
Brett McKay said | May 5th 2009 @ 8:43am | Report comment
As far as conspiracy theories go, this one isn’t bad. Could it be that it’s just Michael Clarke’s turn for a rest?? I mean, really, it’s a one-off T20I on the end of a series that we have all at different points struggled to see the point of. Is Clarke gettting an early mark from his first tour as captain really that big a deal Geoff??
And what’s with the cheap shots?? What does hair styling and choice of transport really have to do with this artcile??
By the way, you mention Haddin’s “leading” in the one day series, with him opening the batting. I’d be more interested in your thoughts – as a cricket commentator – on some of Haddin’s “soft” dismissals this series, which are starting to become monotonous in their regularity. How many times should someone hit straight catches to mid-on or mid-off before they might consider some remedial work??
aLi said | May 5th 2009 @ 10:58am | Report comment
We need Clarke, and his Image its good for the game. Its these individual characters that make the sport much loved. I say Hanry has read too much into the early send back of MC.
equalizer said | May 5th 2009 @ 12:02pm | Report comment
Remember as kids at school someone would slap a “kick me” sign on the back of your shirt. I always wonder what the Japanese/ Chinese characters really say when tattooed on the back. The potential is mind boggling “But I paid for give world peace a go … ” not “this is where I like it… “
Brett McKay said | May 5th 2009 @ 12:24pm | Report comment
equalizer, a good mate of mine has some Chinese characters down his shoulder, which he claims translates to “one life, one love”. The joke has always been that he’ll continue the characters further down his arm, so as to complete the lyrics of the U2 song….
matta said | May 5th 2009 @ 1:09pm | Report comment
I have no problems with his hair, car or girl…but the LB (Lara Bingle) tat he got last year shows that lack of maturity the bloke has..
Brett McKay said | May 5th 2009 @ 1:26pm | Report comment
matta, how is it any differnt to any other guy in his mid-20s getting his fiance’s initials as a tat??
Papa Romeo said | May 5th 2009 @ 1:38pm | Report comment
Can we stop calling these guys “the NSP”? They’re the fricking selectors, for goodness sake, always have and always will be. Why the hell shoudl we endorse their self-originated, lets-make-ourself-sound-more-important TLA.