The writing is on the wall. There is just too much cricket; there are too many unnecessary tours.
In last week’s column I argued that Australian cricketers need rest and so do we. Our cricketers need a break from the almost non-stop international schedule.
Something has got to give.
The first victim is Australia’s bowling coach Craig McDermott, the carrot-top, sun-tan-lotion-faced fast bowler of 1980s and 90s.
Will this be the first of many retirements?
Speaking about his decision, McDermott said “it has been a very difficult decision to leave my position as the bowling coach of the Australian cricket team, a job I have thoroughly enjoyed since beginning 12 months ago.
“However the team’s schedule is a particularly busy one and after looking at the upcoming touring demands, I felt this to be the right decision from a personal and professional point of view.”
Cricket Australia should read The Roar website – hear, hear!
“It has been a great honour to work with our most exciting bowlers over this period and we have achieved much success,” continued Craig.
“The progression of particular players and the improvement of depth in Australian bowling stock has been the result of much hard work from both sides and is something I am particularly proud of.”
“While I have agreed to provide input through Cricket Australia’s Centre of Excellence, I am looking to continue my coaching career in a context that allows me further flexibility and will be looking to explore a range of options.
“I am certainly not ruling out being involved with the Australian cricket team in the future should that fit within the team’s requirements.
“For now though, I want to thank Michael Clarke and head coach Mickey Arthur for the opportunity and wish them and the team every success over a really exciting next 12 months of cricket.”
Arthur praised McDermott’s contribution: “Craig has done an outstanding job since taking over the role and without doubt will be very difficult to replace… He has taken our fast bowlers to another level and his skills and experience will be sorely missed.
“However we completely understand and respect Craig’s decision. The international schedule is a particularly busy one and family must always come first. We wish Craig the best and really hope he can be involved with the team at some point in the future.”
It may also be possible that Craig quit the job as bowling coach as his carrot-top son Alister, also a quickie, is in running for a spot in the Australian team in near future.
I imagine he does not want any accusation of nepotism. But that’s only an unsubstantiated theory.
The 15-man squad for the tour of Ireland and England has produced a few surprises.
There are six quicks (Ben Hilfenhaus, Brett Lee, James Pattinson, Clint McKay, Mitchell Johnson and Pat Cummins), but only two spinners in Xavier Doherty and Steven Smith, the latter of whom can also bat.
It’s good to see Cummins back but the return of Johnson is a surprise for me.
While loaded with talent, Johnson in recent years has self-destructed himself with his wayward length, bowling his out-swingers way outside the off-stump. He has talked about not enjoying his cricket before a toe injury, which gave him some valuable time away from the game, and away from the spotlight. Yet another sign of too much unnecessary cricket being played.
Looking at the spin department, I would have preferred Nathan Lyon to Doherty as the former bowled very well in the West Indies last month.
The batting is strong with the three Ws occupying the first three positions; David Warner, Matthew Wade (the only wicket-keeper) and Shane Watson.
They are followed by skipper Michael Clarke, who has had a marvellous 2011-12 season as both a batsman and captain, the Hussey brothers Michael and David and George Bailey.
It must have been disappointing for batsman Peter Forrest to miss out after promising performances with the bat against India and Sri Lanka earlier this year.
His century against Sri Lanka at Hobart in February had class written all over it. What are your thoughts, Roarers?
chris mackinnon
Guest
unless johnson can swing the ball forget it, shouldnt be playing for australia not good enough, he was one of the reasons why we were rubbish. our batting has some problems for one watson is a number 6, i prefer if u had warner and cowen i would bring back katich for stability, forrest has to play, ponting has to go clarke at 5. wade has to stay, haddin is gone
jameswm
Guest
Yeah Flemo's an interesting choice, especially as a self-proclaimed bowlologist. I'd be happy with Stuey Clark too. Still, I don't know if either would put their hand up for the job or be approached.
Disco
Roar Guru
Yes, why criticise selections and player performance when you could be a one-eyed cheerleader for all things Cricket Australia? Not sure how Fleming has been there and done it more than Lawson.
Morning Son
Guest
Anyone who listens to Geoff Lawson knows that if you are not from NSW then you can't possibly be any good at cricket. Geoff Lawson did nothing for Pakistan as coach, I really can't see why anyone would think he'd make a good bowling coach. He clearly isn't respected by the players - relentless sniping from the side-lines doesn't make you a 'telling it like it is' type. It just makes you a loudmouth earning a crust by bagging out everyone and anything. That routine gets old pretty quicky. No sadder sight than to see once great players like Neil Harvey and Jeff Thompson bagging out modern day players. Once saw a sportsmen night with Thommo where all he did was bag everyone but himself. Depressing to see for a guy that could hurl a ball like no other. I think someone like a Damien Fleming would be a great choice as a bowling coach. Someone who has been there and done it. Whoever it is will do a good job Im sure.
Disco
Roar Guru
Quite so. Even in South Africa he was questioning Johnson's bowling and Punter's batting. Imagine that?!
Rhys
Guest
Unfortunately Lawson has put too many of the inner sanctum off side with his honest appraisal of Australian team selection and on field performances.
Disco
Roar Guru
But how would he take the repeated boys club selections that ignore performance? Not well, judging by his comments on the ABC over the past few years.
Kersi Meher-Homji
Guest
My choice for Australia's bowling coach would be Geoff Lawson.
aussie1st
Roar Pro
As long as we get a good replacement we should be fine. Allister de Winter was the man behind Hilfy's return to form so he is definitely worth a look.
Rugby Realist
Guest
Wow. Could this tour have any less appeal?
Lolly
Guest
I was surprised that he was recalled so soon but as Matt says it's hardly a left-field choice for odi cricket. He's got a fine record in that format. I think it's good that he's in the A squad. He was likely to get a recall at some time for the long form - he's likely to take a swag in the Shield next season with his home ground being the WACA - and in England there is little chance of him doing well which will leave him a real outisder for test cricket selection.
Matt F
Roar Guru
His ODI/T20 selection is hardly surprising. Even as his test performances were in free fall his ODI form was fantastic. He was in the ICC ODI Team of the Year for a reason. He's not the first player to get an instant recall because of his good record, in fact it happens all the time. As for his selection for the "A" squad? I'm not 100% sure. Then again it's only an A squad. If he gets selected for the Test squad against SA then I'll start to consider joining the angry mob that seems to have formed
Atawhai Drive
Roar Guru
It all comes down to cold hard cash, Kersi, as I'm sure you realise. For cricketers to be paid as much as they are, they have to be kept on the treadmill. Fewer matches means less money to go around, and even more tempation for players to head for the IPL. On the face of it, the ODI tour of England this year seems particularly pointless. However, the Australia A tour in July and August is a good thing. Three-day matches against Derbyshire and Durham, and then two four-day "Tests" against England Lions. Some good players (such as Peter Forrest, vice-captain for the tour) and Tim Paine will get a taste of first-class cricket in English conditions, which could be useful next year. This has echoes of England's shadow squad brought to Australia in 2010-11 alongside the Ashes squad.
Disco
Roar Guru
I suspect it's based Johnson being embraced within 'the group' and on the fact that selectors, current and previous, have bought into this notion that he is some sort of world-class bowling allrounder, which clearly the player is not. They'll quickly trot out rubbish like "matchwinner" when in reality Johnson has fallen short both with bat and ball at Test level.
Disco
Roar Guru
I quite agree. Invers used "Mitch" because the player is part of the boys club. As for the selection criteria for the A squad, it seems very muddled; as though it's one rule for one player and a different rule for another - playing favourites - which seems to still be how CA operates.
Disco
Roar Guru
Johnson had plenty of chances to rediscover his fleeting good form and fell short. I've no problem with him being picked in the one-day side but he shouldn't even be considered in the longer form, especially with the presence of at least a dozen better options than him. You only need to think of the last two Ashes series, as well as Pakistan at Lords and the last tours to India and South Africa to see what Johnson offers.
Rabbitz
Roar Guru
Sorry Kersi, I agree there is too much cricket and that it is therefore becoming ho-hum. Really I was just having a dig with the comment. I think there is more to McDermott's resignation than trite comments at a press conference. He doesn't strike me as one to give up.
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
The news of McDermott's departure is terrible news for Australian cricket. Our bowlers had really come on strong under his leadership and mentoring. Let's hope they continue to pitch the ball up. Johnson's return is a shock. What is the selection based on? He hasn't played cricket for ages and was in horrible form before he got injured. If he's being picked on potential, he's a bit old for that.
Kersi Meher-Homji
Guest
Rabbitz, I was writing as a cricket-lover and not a journo or an expert. Yes, the cricketers today are professionals and are paid well. And good on them. Also fair enough that they have to "work" 10 months a year for being paid well. But that is precisely IT. It's work for most of them. They don't get much thrills out of representing their countries, as in the past. Five to ten Tests in a year kept us glued to the radio or TV, looking for the next Test or series. Expectations and excitement have gone out because of a surfeit of cricket. This tour to England and Ireland is unnecessary. That's precisely my mantra. Roast chicken every Sunday is great. Every day is ho-hum.
Dan
Guest
When I saw Johnson in the squad I thought the icc must have widened the English pitches by 5mtrs -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.