- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
After years of success under coaches Greg Shipperd and Simon Helmot, a run of disappointing results could see a clean-out in playing and coaching ranks of the Victorian Bushrangers this off-season.
With consecutive outright losses in recent Shield matches adding to an underwhelming 2014-15 campaign, Cricket Victoria may sharpen their axe in coming months.
Despite the array of talent throughout their squad, the Bushrangers have failed to fire in all forms of the game this summer.
The season started poorly for the Vics in the One Day Cup, with just two wins from their seven games played. While the return to form of Cameron White was one highlight of the tournament, inconsistent efforts from the rest of the squad resulted in sub-par performances.
Switching to the whites of Shield cricket initially saw the Bushies improve, with three wins from four completed matches prior to the mid-season break.
While Victoria’s two Big Bash League franchises have tweaked their playing groups every season so far, a berth in the final continues to elude the Stars and the Renegades.
The ‘Gades have already announced Helmot will not be returning for BBL05. This is not a big surprise, as the boys in red have been disappointing in three of the four Big Bash league tournaments to date.
Although the Stars have fared better than their cross-town rivals, four consecutive flameouts in the semis have perennially choking president Eddie McGuire searching for answers.
While it remains to be seen whether Shipperd will continue as coach, all Victorian sides underachieving this summer raises questions as to whether players are tuning out their coaches.
The resumption of the Shield in 2015 has seen two humiliating outright defeats, each inside three days. A sharp axe and some new blood in the playing ranks may be in order.
Alex Keath has performed well when given an opportunity this season, and is certainly worthy of a recall. Likewise, young leggie James Muirhead will be eager to impress after spending the BBL season on the bench with Perth.
Batting wise, Rob Quiney is looking shaky, while Cameron White has failed to replicate his short-form efforts in the four-day game of late. These two senior players will need to perform in the Vics’ next match to avoid demotion to district cricket for the remainder of the summer.
A dramatic turnaround could see Shipperd and Helmot return for another tilt next summer. Further decline could see one or both men ousted in favour of a fresh voice. The off-season promotion of Matthew Wade to skipper may have weakened White’s place in the Shield side, and further meagre returns could see the Bear jettisoned in coming weeks.
Declining returns are a poor security blanket for any player or coach, and Cricket Victoria may be one more loss away from pushing the panic button. The remainder of the Shield season will make for compelling viewing.
Build your own fantasy cricket team and put it to the test with Draftstars daily fantasy competitions. Pick your match, pick your team and watch the points roll in to take out cash prizes on each match. What are you really gambling with? Set a deposit limit.