As the Australian cricket team’s Indian tour debacle drags on and on, the three key posts need replacing.
Let me preamble replacements with most of the muck that has been hitting the fan has come since the controversial and hotly-debated Argus Review that Cricket Australia called for after the 2010 Ashes humiliation.
One of those suggestions was a team performance manager to be the buffer between Cricket Australia boss James Sutherland, and the selectors.
The suggestion was flawed before it began, and made even worse when former Wallaby Pat Howard was appointed, knowing precious little about cricket.
Disaster.
My choice to replace Howard is Belinda Clark, the greatest woman cricketer Australia has produced, and currently the boss at the Australian Cricket Academy in Brisbane where she is producing future baggy green cappers.
Belinda is one of only three women who have been inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame – the other two Rachel Heyhoe-Flint, and Enid Bakewell, two former England captains, and class cricketers.
Belinda (42) played for Australia from 1991 to 2005 in 15 Tests averaging 45.95 as an opening batswoman with a top score of 139, and 118 ODIs averaging 47.49 with a top score of 229 not out, the first male or female to crack a double ton in a ODI.
She has scored the most runs by an Australian in ICC women’s World Cups with 1,151.
Has scored the most Test runs by an Australian with 919, and the most ODI runs with 4,844.
And has captained Australia a record 101 times.
Stella stats, and just as good an administrator – perfect for the job.
The selection panel must be reduced to three, all full-time and not like now a full-time chairman and two part-time selectors.
More importantly with no captain, and no coach. I’ve said it many times, but it’s worth repeating, selectors select, players play, and coaches coach.
They NEVER mix.
John Inverarity to be replaced as chairman by Rod Marsh, they are alike as chalk and cheese.
Inverarity’s so timid, so earnest, so worthy – Marsh is a rough-cut diamond who doesn’t suffer fools and right now the Australian team needs a no-nonsense chairman who will tell it the way it is.
No problems with Andy Bichel staying on, he was an honest, 100 percenter every time he represented Australia, with the third selector to be former Australian vice-captain Geoff Marsh, so relation to Rod.
There will be some knockers who will say Geoff has two sons Shaun (29) who has already scored a Test ton on debut, and Mitchell (21) the youngest ever at 17 to play a domestic one-dayer.
Have no fears, Dad will only support his sons selections if they deserve it.
Geoff Lawson would be another first-class choice as a selector, but he’s doing such a top job as an ABC radio commentator, as well as writing for The Herald and The Roar, cricket would be best served if Lawson stayed right where he is.
And finally Mickey Arthur should be replaced by the most outstanding coach in Australia – Darren Lehmann.
“Boof” by nickname, but sure not a boof-head coach, he has superb communication skills, taking Queensland from the basement to the penthouse.
Like Rod Marsh, Lehmann is a no-nonsense believer, None of the current problems would have ever surfaced if Lehmann was the coach.
Time for James Sutherland to make his move, and for those of you who believe he’s part of this mess, think again.
He’s been the boss for over 10 years, and I’ve found him first class, he never shirks an issue.
And he won’t shirk this one.
Can’t say the same about the board, Let’s see if those men stand up to be counted, or close the door, bunker down and hope the muck stops hitting the fan.
Just as they have done before, the reason why Don Argus surfaced.
A Punter
Guest
Agree 100%. Sutherland is ultimately responsible for this mess. If he does not step in and take action, then he should go first.
Richard
Guest
Replace Sutherland!! It is so obvious
Richard
Guest
Replace Sutherland first. Then let the replacement decide who is next. It's so obvious!!!! The real question is who is going to replace Sutherland? He is the root cause of all our troubles !
Silver_Sovereign
Guest
Sutherland should be turfed out too
desmond
Guest
OH MY GOD this is brilliant! Everything that crossed my mind in this post you just smashed it's like you were reading my mind while i was reading this. Rattling off Belinda's cricketing stats as if they have any relavence to a high performance manager, henry lawson as selector and picking Geoff marsh for no other reason that the one and only lordy assured us, blaming anyone he can and generally a typical knee jerk reaction from Davey. Well said cazz. David learn to enjoy cricket bud
desmond
Guest
maxwell has a better first class record then sok sooooooo.....
desmond
Guest
one of the better commenst i've read
Praveen
Guest
Agree 100% bearfax
Praveen
Guest
The gang of 3 left in India are working hard in the nets according to Clarke so all good for them to come back in the 4th test
Praveen
Guest
Khawaja is a hard worker and boof would be out best coach
Julian
Guest
Selection of the Australian cricket team should be like the selection of the rugby league all stars game - chosen by the fans. Going off the Roar posts, SOK and Uzi would finally get a gig and the Big Show would be stamped never to represent again.
Julian
Guest
We need informed NSP management.
Lroy
Guest
Kermit the frog? Give the position seems to require a muppett...
Brett McKay
Expert
I have no idea why, but my guess is that it's the Chairman's job to do the speaking. Either way, it still doesn't explain why Marsh and Bichel stay while Inverarity goes. It would seem to me if you want real change at the selection table, they'd all go..
Millz
Guest
What about they dig Don Bradman up from the grave to do all three roles David ?
steggz
Roar Rookie
Um, he was talking about R. Marsh, not you. Not everything is about you.
David Lord
Expert
You have just made a big mistake HH, I was involved in the lead-up to World Series cricket up to my ears. Obviously your memory has faded, mine hasn't.
Bearfax
Guest
Trouble is desilva, we dont know if there are other repeat offenders not included in the four. The implication is that there are. If so how do you justify penalising one group and ignoring another.
Christo the Daddyo
Guest
Belinda Clark has "Stella stats"....? Is that like Boonie's VB stats?
BennO
Guest
Well have they? You're a journalist so it'd be great if you could find out the answer to that for us.