I like McCain and their food, mostly for their old ads, and their catchphrase, “Ah McCain, you’ve done it again”.
As a naive eight-year-old, I took a liking and haven’t let go.
Now as a 17-year-old cricket lover, the same catchphrase can be applied to James Sutherland and his merry men.
They have truly done it again.
The Big Bash. The money rolling, six smashing juggernaut for CA, is hurting our overall national set up.
There, I said it. Not only is our scheduling messed up because of it, so are Cricket Australia’s priorities and I fear they will dent Australia’s chances of a home Ashes series victory.
Why? The reason is simple. This season, Cricket Australia decided it would be smart to split all three domestic formats into their own little windows.
Good in theory. But so is communism. In extending the Big Bash, this will in turn hurt the Test team.
This windowed form was brought in because of last year’s scheduling disaster, when Usman Khawaja and other budding candidates for the Test line-up were left with batting for 10 overs max, swinging out of their proverbial instead of patiently grinding their way to runs.
That’s good preparation for the Melbourne and Sydney Tests. But Usman and co were the lucky ones.
Pigeon-holed long form players such as Ed Cowan and Jackson Bird either had to hit the nets, or play grade cricket.
That too, is just magnificent preparation.
Some players were going weeks without facing a red ball.
The same predicament faced by our nation’s best caused by Cricket Australia is the coming weeks. We play seven needless ODIs against India on Bunsen burners in preparation for an Ashes series, as happened in 2010.
Perfect.
I’m sure George Bailey will be licking his lips, facing the prospect of facing Jadeja, Ashwin, Chawla and Yuvaj all at once, then a week later possibly batting at number six at the first Test at the Gabba facing some of the tallest bowlers in England, such as Broad, Finn, Tremlett and Rankin.
Perfect.
Bailey himself said after Sunday’s Ryobi Cup loss to Victoria, that “it’s (the Ryobi Cup) a quick fix to try to get us playing better cricket I’m not sure. Your one-day side is going to be away for two-thirds of the competition anyway”.
Bailey went on to say he preferred last year’s format, and those of years gone, where everything was spread out, and your three forms were ranked in importance- Shield cricket, One-day, T20.
Now we have got a horrible imbalance.
Cameron White, Bailey’s Victorian counterpart, slammed the format as well. “I’m not sure about the whole Sydney thing and the whole set-up itself”.
White is referring to playing every game in Sydney, on suburban ground and slow and low wickets, not conductive to run scoring or wicket taking, in front of the die hards, and only six matches to be played, down from 10 last year, and 12 the year before.
All in all, if Cricket Australia wanted the best for our number one forte, the Test team, they wouldn’t extended the Big Bash and monotonies Shield cricket for money.
If Cricket Australia wanted the best for our Test team, they wouldn’t send a team to India preluding the Ashes at all.
They’d have our 14 best cricketers facing a red ball in the nets, but no, they went for the BCCI’s money.
And if Cricket Australia want to have a look at themselves and open their eyes, I’d encourage that too.
Cricket Australia, you’ve done it again.
Tenash
Guest
Davros hey Dav, have a read => After Brad Haddin, now Qld Captain James Hopes has strongly supported the new Ryobi Cup format Queensland captain James Hopes supports the new look Ryobi Cup format http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/cricket/queensland-captain-james-hopes-supports-the-new-look-ryobi-cup-format/story-fni2fnmo-1226739907600
vocans
Guest
Perhaps the 12th man should run Cricket Australia? Or even the ICC? I fear T20 will see the death of a great game. So many growing up bedazzled by the hit from bash and grab, and not attracted to Tests.
davros
Guest
CROSSUBSIDISATION TENASH...TO KEEP ALL FORMS OF THE GAME STRONG ...If t20 is the flavour of the mth and generating significant revenue ...well you use that revenue to keep ALL forms strong ...I would go as far as to identify young test style batsman and award them reasonable 2 year contracts not to play bbl and concentrate on the longer form. It is a reasonable assumption that the new t 20 will introduce new people to the game ...and some of those people might go on and want more and become fans of 1 day and test cricket ...so why would you dumb down Ryobi to the level they have now and starve home fans...I believe CA have given up and I think with some fresh ideas Ryobi could be made more appealing ...one way is to take it to regional centres in home states...Adelaide already well supported there side at home ....but to me the way its run is as almost as if they have given up and would be quite happy to see the one day form die ....ie because they only see the monetary value ...bit like yourself maybe ...im sure your views and Sutherlands are congruent
davros
Guest
tenash as i have previously stated I enjoy the bbl ...I am glad we have it and I am glad of the income it generates....I also think the only time to hold it is in the middle of the xmass break ( I would condense it though ) I don't like to see our test cricket suffer or one day for that matter and there is no doubt t20 bbl is detrimental to those forms ...and I believe very strongly that revenue from the bbl should be used to cross subsidise the other forms in this country, why ? because I love traditional cricket ...bbl is fun and light entertainment but lacks substance...bbl has contributed makedly to our decline in test batting CROSS SUBSIDISATION..........I ALSO BELIEVE VERY STRONGLY THAT YOU SHOULD NOT DISENFRANCHISE YOUR TRUE SUPPORTERS OF LIVE CRICKET AND STOP THEM FORM SUPPORTIN G THEIR HOME STATES AS THE PRESENT RYOBI SET UP DOES
Clavers
Guest
I was recently chatting to a friend about Aussie team selections and at one point he said: "I'm not talking about what team I think *should* play. I'm talking about who I think they'll pick." In that spirit, here's my considered forecast of what our vaunted Australian selection panel will serve up for the First Test, in batting order: Glenn McGrath Colin "Funky" Miller Greg Ritchie (appearing in character as Mahatma Coat) Ritchie Benaud Fatty Vautin Pat Rafter Kylie Minogue (capt) Mark "Jacko" Jackson Stephen Hawking (wk) The Orange Wiggle Stephen Bradbury Basil Fawlty (12th man)
Tenash
Guest
The BBL is only 2 years old. such a league needs all the money it can make to sustain itself until it gets well established. its very unfair to expect it to prop up other comps
Tenash
Guest
i don't get your argument ? why are you so against T20/BBL ? why should the BBL money be used to help other formats and comps ? money made from Tests and ODI's should be used for Ryobi/shield
davros
Guest
according to an article written on here today CA recorded an operating surplus of 102 mill for the 2012 year ad returned 56 mill to the states
Tenash
Guest
i would really like a credible source for those finance figures of yours. the largest surplus that CA have ever made in a year is $45m during the last India tour. last year was a poor result financially. as for the Ryobi cup Brad Haddin said exactly the opposite to Bailey and i trust the Australian Test vice captain to a guy who got a 1st ball duck yesterday and then lost the game for australia with horrific captaincy. AND ha,ha James Sutherland wouldn't be fit to lace my boots. if i were running CA , JS might feel like the saviour for test purists as for people disagreeing with my views, don't give a crap unless they can counter me with actual facts (unlike that $102m figure). i would happily accept my mistake. i don't write popular views. i write what i feel is best for the game
davros
Guest
lucky you scott to be at the game ...there were many other interstate fans who wait all year for their 4 or so home games each year so they can watch their team live and support them ...the evening one dayers at Adelaide oval were a treat , well patronised and eagerly awaited ...im so glad the people from bankstown got to go and watch my team ....I wont go on ....have a listen to what Bailey and Cam White have had to say ...even though CA tried to do a BCCI and gag them ....THEY SAID WE ARFE HEADING IN THE WRONG DIRECTION!....so many people want to buy this CA- channel 9 commercial pap line...we have 50 million in the CA kitty ...why did we have to dumb this down ....and I would add that true cricket fans stumped up for foxtel anyway I know I did (at least it was nearly commercial free) ....I am glad it is on free to air for the people who cant afford fox ...but did we really have to sell the games soul to do it and disenfranchise so may loyal home fans ? With the money available we could have easily continued with the same format .....and force either ten or channel 9 to come to the party with a shared commitment ...or you don't get t 20 rights ...or you don't get test right's ....so that is poor negotiating ...or if you regard the 100 mill as good negotiating ...then spend the money for the betterment of the game and its players ...try and increase the attendance of the Ryobi ... not limit it to a western syd enclave with a low dud pitch ...played on over and over again
davros
Guest
now there's an idea I have been mulling over myself ....I think it has a lot of merit ...how to sort this mess out ....t 20 came in and robbed the game of a lot of one day watchers..people who were time poor and just wanted light entertainment and big sixes.. if there were no t 20 I think a lot of these people would still be watching one day .....I reckon 35 overs would be just about spot on ....juniors in nsw mange 30 overs each in a 3 hour morning game all across the state ...we could maybe keep the whole thing to 4 hours with a lot of the tactical end entertainment benefits mentioned by clavers above...without a go out and swing wildly mentality....I think this could be a good way forward ....could you convince the bcci and others who are purely motivated by money ? Probably not
davros
Guest
crticket oz has 102 mill in the kitty and distributed just 56 of it to the states.....there are so many people oz wide who listen to cricket on the abc ...they would not listen to commercial radio probably myself included ...some people just cant stand commercial radio ...some people are just so dumbed down they are immune to screaming inane commercials but many many others aren't.... and with all this money in the kitty why would you dumb down the Ryobi cup ....wa just finished playing qld on a terrible wicket and redbacks and Tassie go head to head AGAIN tomorrow on the same wicket....with neithers home fans able to watch live ...and you reckon that is not causing serious irreparable harm to people who love to follow their home teams ?......I'D RATHER LISTEN TO GUY'S LIKE WHITE AND BAILEY AND OTHERS I KNOW who have clearly stated w are heading in the WRONG direction instead of you pair ...but CA still has 50 million in the kitty ....whats it for ? ...first class air travel and 6 star hotels for the boardroom suits? I still reckon your james Sutherland , tenash....So many people have disagreed with your views over the last few days ... Roger your argument reminds me of the tea party republican senators in the usa If the abc don't buy into this new commercial arrangement foisted on them by CA and no longer cover matches ....then it is all their fault if we lose a couple of generations of rusted on cricket lovers....and why would we RISK THIS anyway? For a few more lousy dollars?...like I said and i'll say it again THEY KNOW THE PRICE OF EVERYTHING AND THE VALUE OF NOTHING. ditto for you pair ....OBVIUOSLY YOU JUST DONT GET IT !
Tenash
Guest
I'm sorry Davros but its definitely you who is not 'getting it'. if these legions of "fans" turn off this glorious sport just cause the ABC radio walks away from it , then I'm sorry to tell you that these people were NOT REAL fans of cricket in the 1st place
Scott Pryde
Expert
Exactly, even though our top 3 spinners should be practicing for the Ashes in Aussie conditions, which they are!
jameswm
Roar Guru
Josh That McCain ad was from an older TV show...Oh Magoo, you've done it again
Roger
Guest
NO davros you dont get it buddy. ABC won't walk away and if they do THEY are the ones that are 'disenfranchising a generation of cricket lovers' not CA. CA have done nothing wrong you're all just a bunch of whingers who have to have a crack at CA's every move. Stop whinging about the indian ODI tour as well, CA had no choice. The only choice we have is so 'no were not playing' then India don't play here next year and there's not cricket on until february when the world cup starts. Yep thats a better option. Use your brain some of you lot instead of whinging about everything CA do.This article is attrocious
davros
Guest
you said it Tenash ..you just don't get it ! on the single point alone of abc radio right 's ...the non exclusivity of the abc contract means it is possible abc walks away leaving us with a commercial coverage only .... do you know how many people this will disenfranchise ?do you still not get it ?
Clavers
Guest
20/20 is too short and 50 Over cricket is too long. Both forms should be scrapped in favour of 35 over cricket. 35 overs would reintroduce the concept of pacing an innings -- making tactical decisions as to when to bat aggressively and take risks and when to reduce risk and accumulate. This aspect of cricket is lost in T20 where batting teams simply have to try to score a breakneck speed all the time. I think the focus on T20 is ruining the techniques of the current generation of batsmen. And 35 over cricket would do away with the predictable single-off-every-ball period you get in the middle of nearly every 50 over ODI innings.
Clavers
Guest
Agreed re the India series. And what's even more mindless about it is that Australia hasn't at least taken the opportunity to send any of the country's three best spinners (Lyon, Ahmed and Agar) over to India for the experience. So how are we ever going to beat India again on those sandpaper wickets in tests?
Tenash
Guest
Dav the same good as all the money made by leagues such as AFL/NRL/A-league. does anyone ask whats the good of all the money made by AFL/NRL/A-league ?? why not ??? and so why should the BBL be held to any different standard ??? and frankly i don't get the ABC issue at all. they just lost their **EXCLUSIVE** elitist privilege. what that means is the radio cricket coverage has actually increased. WE have more ***CHOICES*** for cricket commentary. you can ***CHOOSE*** if you want to listen to ABC or any other station. no one is forcing us to listen to 2UE/3AW etc. its ***OUR*** ***CHOICE*** & that can only be good.