The public should get the chance to select an Australian cricket team online and choosing a one-off T20 game or series that fans could become selectors for should be a priority for Cricket Australia.
The publicity this kind of game would get could only have a positive boost for the on-going support of cricket in our country.
This would give back to the fans who have stuck solid with the sport through downward participation and crowd figures over the last few years.
There are two events totally unrelated but demonstrating the changing nature of fan participation.
The rugby league All Stars game and Triple J’s Hottest 100 are both glorious examples of how involving the general public drives mass participation and enthusiasm by the fans.
Would Cricket Australia have enough courage to embrace the online revolution of sports fans across the world?
There will be arguments that it will become a popularity contest or cheapen the Australian cap. These statements are irrelevant and just as ludicrous as recent events which saw Australia playing a tour game in India on the same day as a T20 international game in Brisbane.
Cricket Australia are already making it much easier to become capped for Australia through their administrative decisions and policies, why not allow the fans there say as well?
I believe it’s a birth right to make public comment on our national cricket selectors, but could the public do a better job?
What do fellow Roarers have to say about this idea?
Bugsy
Guest
I'm sorry but pattinson has proved himself time and time again over starc. He is more economical, quicker and certainly more aggressive. Siddle to me is the one struggling to keep his place, however I think we have the best fast bowling attack in the world, but no bowling attack can defend 270 in a first innings away from home. The batsmen have been our problem for too long now. It really started with the decline of Ponting. It's like the rest of the batting line up just decided to fail at the same time. Clark wasn't even doing it til he took over the captaincy!!
Dave Benson
Guest
Openers should be Watson and warner, ed 1st drop, Clarke at 4, Phil highs dropped for good.number 5 is up for grabs maybe Maxwell, wade, siddle, starc then its anyone's. Stop so many changes learn to bat for a day no matter what.
The_Big_Big_Show
Roar Rookie
Throw your support behind a fan selected team @Vote1Cricket on twitter. FACEBOOK PAGE TO FOLLOW. cheers for the feedback
The_Big_Big_Show
Roar Rookie
Cheers or the feedback, see my comment above with the first way too support this cause. Try and get 2000 people and take it from there.
The_Big_Big_Show
Roar Rookie
If you have twitter show support @Vote1Cricket. Or he your friends/family to support
TheGenuineTailender
Roar Guru
Well we used to have the all-stars T20 game at the start of each summer. Maybe the all stars could be fan selected.
TheGenuineTailender
Roar Guru
I know right. I've been advocating a batsman at six for some time now and I still think a six batsmen, four bowler split is the way to go. However at the moment, it could be argued that Henriques first-class batting form alone this summer is better than basically any of his competitors. Long term I'd like to see Joe Burns as our number six.
Brendon
Guest
Picking an all rounder in the test side TGT, shame on you
Timmuh
Roar Guru
Maybe for T20. A poinltess gimmicky game can have another pointless gimmick added to it. And perhaps for some invitational eleven tour game, but not for the real Australian team.
TheGenuineTailender
Roar Guru
Test side 1. Warner 2. Watson 3. Hughes 4. Khawaja 5. Clarke 6. Henriques (I'm still not sold but he's as good as any other option at the moment, others to be considered include Voges, Burns and Baily) 7. Wade 8. Siddle 9. Pattinson 10. Lyon 11. Bird 12th man Starc ODI side 1. Warner 2. Watson 3. Hughes 4. Clarke 5. Baily 6. Wade 7. Faulkner 8. Johnson 9. Starc 10. McKay 11. Doherty (as much as I dislike him as a cricketer) 12th man M. Marsh T20I side 1. Warner 2. Watson (Hughes comes in for any of the top four if theres an injury and opens) 3. Finch 4. S. Marsh 5. Baily 6. M. Marsh 7. Wade 8. Johnson 9. Starc 10. McKay 11. Doherty 12th man Faulkner Not all sides are perfect and certainly subject to change, but they're the sort of line-ups I'm in favour of.
bugsy
Guest
I think this is a great idea as I too found it a mockery of Australian cricket to have a tour match played in India while the Australian summer of cricket was still going on. This way, when there is a supposed T20 international meant to be played that is a one off we arent disrespecting the touring side by calling it Australia. If they are going to send touring teams away early the last T20 of the summer team should be called the Big Bash All-Stars and they take on which ever nation is left. That to me seems like a better idea than having a second rate Australian Team and calling them Australia. This would give us couch selectors a chance to see if we really are better than the current national selectors. I counted 6 Australians in the touring team that would be walk up starts for the T20 team in warner, wade, watson, starc, doherty and maxwell. This is surely disrespecting our opposition who were the world champions in this format of the game.
Praveen
Guest
Yes good idea, I like it