James Sutherland and Jake White clear the air
Columnist By David Lord, 18 Feb 2012 David Lord is a Roar Expert
ACT Brumbies head coach Jake White speaking during a press conference. AAP Image/Alan Porritt
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A breath of sporting fresh air at last from Cricket Australia boss James Sutherland and new Brumbies coach Jake White.
Sutherland gave his chairman of selectors John Inverarity a wake-up call on transparency, while White appointed former Waratah Ben Mowen as his skipper for the Super Rugby tournament ahead of long-term Brumbies in a bid to stamp out the franchise’s rotten player-power culture.
Low-key Sutherland hit a high note of transparency over the well-publicised Brad Haddin affair.
Fact – Inverarity told cricket fans Haddin was being rested for the first three ODI games in the Commonwealth Bank Tri-Series tournament,
Fact – Haddin told cricket fans he was dropped.
Sutherland didn’t explain why Inverarity didn’t tell the truth to the fans, especially as the chairman allegedly did tell Haddin he was dropped because of poor form.
Which begs the question: why hasn’t Inverarity come clean himself with his hidden agenda?
And why has it taken Sutherland nearly three weeks to tell the truth?
In the end he had to carry the can yesterday with: “We’re not comfortable with the level of uncertainty and public discussion on this particular matter (Haddin). The really important thing for us (Cricket Australia), and the real focus in recent times has been to the players and that must be improved for the public’s benefit.
“The public deserves to know why certain selections were being taken, and I hope this situation will be avoided in the future. We owe that to cricket fans, and the country”.
Pity Inverarity didn’t think of that when the squad was first named. Telling the truth from day one, instead of gilding the lily for some unknown reason, would have saved a lot of angst.
But there’s no doubt which side of truth Jake White is on. He is a straight as an arrow. He also takes no prisoners as a strict disciplinarian.
The 48-year-old was a shock appointment as Brumbies coach. But his CV bristles with success: coaching South Africa to capture both the junior and senior Rugby World Cups, plus the 2004 Tri-Nations, and being recognised as the IRB Coach-of-the-Year in 2004 and 2007.
His track record as Boks coach stands at 67%, with 36 wins, 17 losses, and a draw.
All those impressive stats were behind his decision to appoint Mowen as skipper. It sent a strong message to any player-power members left at the franchise: “Don’t mess with me as you did by sacking David Nucifora in 2004, and Andy Friend last year, or I’ll bury you.”
Judging by reports from the capital, the message has been taken on board, but with no grace. Noses are well and truly out of joint.
Good.
It’s just the major uppercut the Brumbies need. Shape up or ship out.
Mowen is a class footballer, who was never truly recognised by the Waratahs. Jake White has seen his talent, and acted on instinct that has proved so successful over the years.
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The Crowd Says (24) | Page 1 of Comments
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- Cricket, Cricket Australia, Jake White, James Sutherland, John Inverarity, Rugby Union
February 18th 2012 @ 8:06am
Chris said | February 18th 2012 @ 8:06am | Report comment
It will be interesting hearing Invers at his next press conference trying to explain why he (and by extension the other selectors including the coach and captain) lied to the public.
February 18th 2012 @ 8:28am
David Lord said | February 18th 2012 @ 8:28am | Report comment
You betcha Chris.
February 18th 2012 @ 9:36am
Red Kev said | February 18th 2012 @ 9:36am | Report comment
From SMH: ”…it’s understood Inverarity does not consider speaking to the media as a part of his brief.”
Don’t hold your breath.
February 18th 2012 @ 12:01pm
Grimmace said | February 18th 2012 @ 12:01pm | Report comment
that’s amazing. How… why… ummmm never mind
February 18th 2012 @ 1:40pm
Hansie said | February 18th 2012 @ 1:40pm | Report comment
Didn’t Invers learn anything from the Hilditch debacle?
February 18th 2012 @ 4:28pm
Atawhai Drive said | February 18th 2012 @ 4:28pm | Report comment
As I understand it, Inverarity did tell Haddin in private that he was being dropped.
Presumably Inverarity tried to spare Haddin’s feelings by being ambiguous in what he said to the press. In hindsight, this was probably a mistake, but I can’t see any reason to bag Inverarity for what he did or didn’t do.
It comes down to his job description: to what degree is he supposed to interact with the press? If it’s part of his job description to keep the public informed via the media, then he’s failed on this occasion. But if media relations is not part of his brief, he’s done nothing wrong.
As a selector, he’s obliged to keep the players informed of what the selectors are thinking. As far as I can tell, he’s doing that. Talk of a “hidden agenda” is fanciful at best.
As for Jake White, well, good luck, son. He’ll have Gregan and Larkham lurking around, scarcely a recipe for harmony if the going gets sticky.
February 19th 2012 @ 11:56am
Bayman said | February 19th 2012 @ 11:56am | Report comment
Atawhai,
Personally, I’m inclined to your way of thinking on the Haddin/Inverarity story – and probably for the reason you stated.
The problem with sparing the feelings in regard to the public is that questions were always going to be asked when Haddin remained out of the team. How long a rest does a player need?
As for Inverarity’s communication skills surely as long as Haddin knows the real story there’s little harm done. Certainly Haddin cannot complain about a lack of communication or transparency.
Whether the public is entitled to know any reasons for a selectorial decision is a moot point. Sure, we’re all curious, nosey even, but whether it’s Inverarity’s job to enlighten us is another thing altogether.
Personally, I’m more concerned with Shane Watson buying into the argument given he’s managed to miss an entire summer with a calf strain. Some strain is all I can say – I’m assuming his leg fell off and it’s onjy just been grafted back on. He has been, as they say, “out of the picture” so if I was Watto I’d just stay concentrating on my own fragilities and leave everyone else’ problem for them to sort out.
February 19th 2012 @ 11:58am
Bayman said | February 19th 2012 @ 11:58am | Report comment
…By the way, Atawhai, I enjoy seing your ever changing array of accompanying photographs. Is the current one that of Wyatt Earp?
February 19th 2012 @ 12:19pm
Atawhai Drive said | February 19th 2012 @ 12:19pm | Report comment
Bayman
Close. It’s Wyatt Earp’s best mate, Doc Holliday.
And agreed, Watto should have stayed out of it. As suggested on Insiders this morning, there may still be a culture of entitlement in the Australian team.
February 19th 2012 @ 1:31pm
Bayman said | February 19th 2012 @ 1:31pm | Report comment
Ah, that explains it. I knew I had seen him when I walked past the OK Corrall that day………
February 18th 2012 @ 10:26am
matt said | February 18th 2012 @ 10:26am | Report comment
Storm in a teacup. Everyone one was crying out for H to be dropped, is done so but in all lokelihood Invers mistakenly tries to soften blow w rested line. Silly but understandable. Selectors overall been a great improvement over last lot, lets not get too keen to bury them
February 18th 2012 @ 11:34am
Bigbaz said | February 18th 2012 @ 11:34am | Report comment
Maybe someone can explain the inspired decision behind Punters elevation to captain last night. Punter showed why we slipped so far under his reign. Obviously the side didn’t make enough runs,but in defending that total he showed no imagination at all.Clarke would have attacked all night,they had to bowl them out not wait them out.Warner could not have done any worse and just might have been ,like Clarke , the type who blossoms with added responceabilty.Last nights defence was a farce.
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February 18th 2012 @ 11:34am
Bigbaz said | February 18th 2012 @ 11:34am | Report comment
Maybe someone can explain the inspired decision behind Punters elevation to captain last night. Punter showed why we slipped so far under his reign. Obviously the side didn’t make enough runs,but in defending that total he showed no imagination at all.Clarke would have attacked all night,they had to bowl them out not wait them out.Warner could not have done any worse and just might have been ,like Clarke , the type who blossoms with added responceabilty.Last nights defence was a farce.
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February 18th 2012 @ 11:47am
Wozz666 said | February 18th 2012 @ 11:47am | Report comment
Pathetic effort last night – the selectors set this course by refusing to elevate Warner as captain. Epic fail with another uninspiring performance with both bat & ball!!!
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February 18th 2012 @ 12:18pm
DC of nz said | February 18th 2012 @ 12:18pm | Report comment
Maybe the dominant narrative should steer away from the Haddin/Warner smokescreen sagas to the real issues:
- why is the batting so poor against good tight bowling?
- Why does Warner fail so often in 50 over matches?
- what is happening with the middle order – why is it David Hussey that have to save the team all the time?
- Why does good in-form talent not get selected – Cutting, Quiney?
- when is Ricky going to be punted?
- When will Pup face up to the reality that the one day team needs massive improvement ?
February 18th 2012 @ 12:32pm
Bakkies said | February 18th 2012 @ 12:32pm | Report comment
The reason why Warner struggles in 50 over format is that there is a tactical element to the game plus you have to build an innings. He is learning in first class and test cricket. He probably feels he has to make an impact before the power play ends and needs to vary his game like Hussey does in the middle overs. I don’t think he had been sure of his spot. Sure look at Jaques was dropped after making 91 on debut, hardly got another shot at that and we will never know the real reason why he didn’t get his test spot after his injury (he was averaging 50 when he played his last test).
‘“The public deserves to know why certain selections were being taken, and I hope this situation will be avoided in the future. We owe that to cricket fans, and the country”.’
hmm I wish they were more transparent when they re-signed Tim Neilsen despite him losing several test series and taking so long to ditch Andrew Hilditch. Both were poisonous to the team that was rebuilding after retirements to key players. Troy Cooley was another who was kept on too long.
February 18th 2012 @ 2:36pm
Chris said | February 18th 2012 @ 2:36pm | Report comment
The odd thing about Warner is that is is very good at the longest and shortest forms of the game but can’t put it together in the middle form.
He should stop worrying about finding a middle ground and just play ODI’s like he plays T20s. Bludgeon anything that moves. It’s not like it matters if he gets out, only three people still watch ODI’s and they are mostly friends and family of the players.
February 18th 2012 @ 7:02pm
Behold said | February 18th 2012 @ 7:02pm | Report comment
The odd thing about Warner is he is good at the shortest form of the game, and still hasn’t been convincing in the longest form but absolutely sucks at the shortest form. If they want to keep him in the team, the might want to float him in the batting order, to come in just before the batting powerplay and try and blast to the end of the innings. Only problem with that, is he is rubbish against a good spinner.
February 18th 2012 @ 7:19pm
Dubble Bubble said | February 18th 2012 @ 7:19pm | Report comment
Warner might be another Slater. Excellent with the open spaces of Test cricket but gets strangled by the tight fields in one dayers. Not that Warner has completely proven himself in Tests as yet.
February 18th 2012 @ 8:38pm
MyLeftFoot said | February 18th 2012 @ 8:38pm | Report comment
Interesting thing about Warner, many people have seemed all too willing to be convinced by him and were outraged that he didn’t cover for Clarke as Captain -
but, in numbers
281 ODI runs at average of 20, with only 2 50s, and since his last 50 in Port Elizabeth, he’s produced 81 in 5 hits at 16.2. Not very inspiring.
He’s got 5 T20 50s, but, since his last in Pallekele (SL), he’s produced 49 runs at a tick under 10.
The irony then, is his long form innings provide his only redemption….but, only just.
303 from his 2 big innings (both fabulous and whet the appetite of fans). Around them though, his next highest score is 37, and he’s only produce 116 runs from 7 outs at about 16.5.
So, Warner, really, really has some work still ahead of him, and, may be just as flawed a ‘talent’ as Phil Hughes??
February 18th 2012 @ 6:58pm
Behold said | February 18th 2012 @ 6:58pm | Report comment
I really do think Haddin was dropped/rested so that the selectors could have a look at Wade in the ODIs i think they were also trying to save face that, if Wade failed in the first three ODIs, they could bring Haddin back in and say oh he was just being rested.
The same should happen with Ricky Ponting, give Bailey the captaincy for Sunday and if he performs and Michael Clarke comes back into Ponting doesn’t get a look in until someone else is showing signs of poor form.
February 18th 2012 @ 8:29pm
MyLeftFoot said | February 18th 2012 @ 8:29pm | Report comment
100% right.
I don’t see how it’s that hard to understand.
Haddin was NOT deserving of retaining his ODI spot. Wade got T20s and 3 ODI’s to state his case. Simple. If Haddin chucks a wobbly then that’s pretty sad – but, it seems it’s not so much Haddin – but, the media. Fair enough, for Haddin, he was dropped and his chances of regaining his place was pretty well out of his hands (for the time being).
February 20th 2012 @ 2:35am
Dubble Bubble said | February 20th 2012 @ 2:35am | Report comment
Maybe all this talk of ‘resting’ Haddin was more to do with Wade than Haddin.Possibly they wanted to give Wade a clear shot at staking his claim without all the pressure that comes with having to do it on such a big stage. If he succeeds they keep him on, if he fails it’s ‘O.K. you aren’t out of the picture, this won’t count against you, you were just a fill in ‘. Or maybe my tinfoil hat is too tight.
February 20th 2012 @ 3:07pm
mudskipper said | February 20th 2012 @ 3:07pm | Report comment
Massive upper cut really! That’s utter nonsense. In the leadership group are established Brumbies Moore, McCabe and Palmer.
The White article comments are way off the mark. He has chosen both Larkham and Gregan to work with as coach and specialist consultant coach. He has also chosen and old Brumbies coach to look after the forwards. He has chosen Mowen because he thinks he is more suited to leading this group of players. He doesn’t believe in the Captaincy being awarded as a long service medal.