South Australian batsman Mark Cosgrove is upset at being axed just days after playing a key role in a season-opening Sheffield Shield win.
Cosgrove made 46 and 78 in SA’s victory against Queensland yet has been dropped for Phil Hughes for the day-night fixture against NSW starting on Saturday at Adelaide Oval.
“Mark is disappointed … while he was upset, he understood the decision,” SA coach Darren Berry said on Friday.
“Phil Hughes was coming in and someone was going to miss out.
“The sign of a good side is when you have to leave good players out and that was a very tough decision.”
Hughes returns to open the batting while paceman Gary Putland is ruled out with a calf strain, replaced by uncapped quick Cameron Valente.
Fellow fast bowler Daniel Worrall also made the squad at the expense of batsman Sam Raphael, who was 12th man last start.
The Blues, who lost their opening Shield game against Victoria, have been strengthened by the return of Test squad members Mitchell Starc and Steve O’Keefe.
But Test tweaker Nathan Lyon will miss the match to spend time with his newborn girl – his partner Mel giving birth to the couple’s second child on the final night of the second Test in Abu Dhabi.
NSW omitted novice spinner Patrick Jackson and were unable to select Josh Hazlewood, who will join Australia’s one-day squad.
SA: Johan Botha (capt), Tom Cooper, Callum Ferguson, Travis Head, Phil Hughes, Tim Ludeman, Andrew McDonald, Joe Mennie, Chadd Sayers, Cameron Valente, Daniel Worrall, Adam Zampa (12th man to be named).
NSW: Peter Nevill (capt), Ryan Carters, Harry Conway, Scott Henry, Josh Lalor, Nick Larkin, Stephen O’Keefe, Kurtis Patterson, Ben Rohrer, Gurinder Sandhu, Will Somerville, Mitchell Starc (12th man to be named).
davros
Guest
cossie had a strong start to the season ??? I don't think so ...he couldnrt buy a run in matador and was dropped and sent home ...granted he did score first game in shield ...but dropped a sitter catch in slip . I want to say I was wrong about head he batted well yesterday and was exactly what redbacks needed ...they were bogged down ...hhe got them rolling again. gee he rides his luck though Maybe cossie would have scored as well . Redbacks on top after day 2 .
John Uhr-Henry
Guest
Crosgrove would be welcome back to Tassy any tick of the clock.Although he is not the greatest looking Athlete,he is still a very handy batsman and he has been given a very raw treatment back to the SACA`S especially after making plenty of runs at the seasons start. Hughe`s is no certainy to make runs either.If ever there was an iffy batsman playing cricket at the present he would be it. What would you expect with Darren Berry coaching the side...Cricket in SA is very indifferent after their great selector and manager from Tassy got the big A. When you have to resort to a south African import like Johan Botha to captain the team it doesn`t say much for cricket in South Australia does it..
Davros
Guest
no ...but these pretzels are making thirsty ...I think you'll find the answer to your question in the Penske file ? He lost a bit of weight but by my reckoning he's put it back on . Im not sure how Chuck will handle him ballooning up in weight again. He'll have to cut out the Mars bars especially to balls on a good length. What I want to know is who is the talent recruitment manager responsible for him coming back ...was it the bloke they sacked ?
Tom from Perth
Roar Rookie
Reports were that he lost a lot of weight last season, but he still looks massive and moves like a turtle.
Silver Sovereign
Roar Rookie
Mr Pennypacker are you familiar with a Dr Van Nostren or Art Vandalay?
H.E. Pennypacker
Guest
How's his weight going? If he could just cut it back to a pie and a pizza every other day he'd be practically svelte.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
He did make 124 runs in his first Shield game back for them. I'd say he's a pretty handy recruit!
Quitwhinging
Guest
How is that so?
JB
Guest
SA should never have taken Cosgrove back; yet another dud move.
Silver Sovereign
Roar Rookie
Mr Hughes certainly needs a good showing in the shield to really stick it to the selectors for a chance this summer. Cosgrove wont, but he should use this time to lose 10kg or so. It aint that hard. He is supposed to be a professional athlete
Davros
Guest
Thought Cossie had a suspect groin injured only 4 days ago ...IF he was fully fit I would have played him and left out Head . I can see why he is upset , although he had some fairly ordinary form before last shield game . Also he is still very much a liability in the field...they try and hide him in slip but he's been less than brilliant there as well.