Sporting administrators must sometimes wonder whether it’s all worth the hassle.
Time after time their good intentions are held open to ridicule by those who just want something to whinge about and have spotted an easy target.
Why’s this game here? Why’s that tournament being played there?
He should be available. He shouldn’t be available.
This is nonsense. That is nonsense.
I could go on – and at some stage I probably will – but’s that’s for another day.
However, every now and then, a sporting body decide upon a course of action which demands criticism and can’t really be defended in any manner.
Step forward Cricket Australia.
Those in charge of the game Down Under haven’t really covered themselves in glory in the recent past, be it sacking their coach without warning, hijacking their first-class structure in the chase for the almighty dollar and kowtowing to The Board of Control for Cricket in India when they threatened to pull the plug on a tour to name a few.
Well add to the list the current one-day international tour to India as yet another act of lunacy.
You may have noticed that in three weeks’ time the Ashes gets under way in Brisbane.
An opportunity for the home nation to put three consecutive series defeats behind them and get their hands on the prize that, for much too long if you’re of an English leaning, was in their possession.
For such a scenario to unfold, you would think a robust period of preparation would be necessary, girding the loins so to speak for the challenge that awaits.
But no, why go down such a route when there is the chance to play a virtually meaningless contest in foreign conditions against an opposition who couldn’t emulate what is on the horizon if their lives depended on it?
For the Gabba in November, don’t read Jaipur in October.
And don’t confuse 25 days of attritional fare, which the tourists will attempt, with three hours of being flogged by bottom-handed Indians with a penchant for non-bouncing surfaces.
It almost, I say almost because they’ve got form, beggars belief the Australians are on the sub-continent at this moment in time.
And the fact Mitchell Johnson has just been sent home from the aforementioned to prepare for the Tests – “Mitch has performed very well in India, however, we believe it is best for his preparation ahead of a busy summer to have him return home to increase his bowling loads in preparation for the Ashes Test window,” said Pat Howard, Cricket Australia’s general manager team performance – merely highlights the stupidity of their schedule and shouts the question ‘what are they doing there in the first place?’
From reading between the lines, Phil Hughes, Shane Watson, Brad Haddin, George Bailey and James Faulkner could all potentially be involved in Brisbane, yet they are being asked to prepare by doing anything but.
Meanwhile, England, despite starting in mediocre fashion in Perth, are getting ready for the event that features right at the top of their agenda by seeking to acclimatise in a professional and thorough manner.
Should half of the hosts’ side look undercooked come November 21 and the series result is an unwanted one after the fifth instalment in Sydney in January, it won’t be any more than Cricket Australia deserve.
You can’t legislate for idiocy.
Joshua Munting
Roar Rookie
Mitchell Johnson shouldn't be in the Test team anyway!
Hookin' YT
Guest
...West Indian spin doctor 1998.
Simoc
Guest
A pretty average 'feed the kids' article saying nothing worthwhile except the normal simpletons criticism and getting the whingers votes of approval. Boring! Get with the times old man. Income pays for things, no income doesn't. The guys are professional fulltime cricketers. Entertainment is the main game for live and TV audiences. If Oz win the Brisbane test all is sweet. If not you can rant on again.
Hookin' YT
Guest
Retired to give others a bat
davros
Guest
so greg chapel is one of the biggest problems ? These guys have cast a pall acroos oz cricket for something like 40 years ... they are entrenched in posns of influence ...I for one woiuld like to see some fresh blood ....maybe someone like S Waugh involved ...oh that's right the chappels cant abide Him...and so it goes on and on
Ash
Guest
he's just a disgruntled former cricket fan. wouldn't take him much seriously. he thinks just because he doesn't like it anymore, so cricket's gonna die. Twisted logic
Jiggles
Roar Guru
Haha so what you're saying is that you'd rather watch a sport that's popular rather than watch something you actually like? Gosh you truly are something else!
JimmyB
Guest
Fellas, Australian cricket and rugby need your support. I'd like to think that England will retain the Ashes, but it's by no means certain as most have pointed out. Also, whilst I can't see the Wallabies doing a Grand Slam, I can see them turning England over today and winning maybe 4 out of 5 on tour. It seems to me that it's mainly the administration of these two sports that is the problem, losing does happen unfortunately, but I'd suggest that you'll win more than you lose. Keep the faith.
Aakash bhat
Guest
Bell injured?
Brendon the 1st
Guest
Disgraceful
Brendon the 1st
Guest
Apparently Clarkes dismissal ball from hilfy was a beauty and he is swinging the ball at up to 150kmh. Interesting
Brendon the 1st
Guest
Until white manages to score a century, I'm not even considering him. Quiney said the other day after he missed the ton that not going on with it can become a bad habit, and it appears to be what's happening with white.
Hookin' YT
Guest
No abc radio cricket? No way! Thats my summer.
Brendon the 1st
Guest
I'd say he's probably the next picked, but he's going to need some wickets. Reading all the news though, it looks as though MJ is already selected, so it's unfortunately a mute point I think.
davros
Guest
apparently just announced ...the ABC is walking away from broadcasting cricket furious at how negotiation have gone...they will fill there slots with A league Football ...take a bow james
Hookin' YT
Guest
Stating the obvious? We are now ranked 5th with a bleak outlook. Denial is a river in Africa.
Will
Guest
Yep. It's not like the brother of Graeme Swann is going to be bias.
TheGenuineTailender
Roar Guru
Bollinger is said to have trained the house down in pre-season. Is fit as a fiddle, bowling good pace and with great control, as evidenced by running through the Tassie order and taking six-for.
ChrisUK
Guest
Quite. And has created the whole debate about whether Bailey deserves a place based on ODI performances when they needn't have done.
Peter
Roar Rookie
Indeed, but if he is fitter and can bowl like did for NSW a few ago, he could well bowl for Australia again.