When any one-day international series follows the Test matches, as sure as night follows day, there will be a chorus of disapproval when an established player is given a bit of time off.
‘We pay our money and want to watch the best players’ is the cry and it’s hard to argue against this point. If I’d splashed out the best part of £100, I would want to see the best that my country and the opposition had to offer.
International sport, by its very definition, should be the cream of one nation against the cream of another and not a mish-mash of the various personnel who make up the fringe element.
In the real world, however, if you are tempted to throw some of your hard-earned at the various ticketing agencies then you have to take what you’re given. A sense of entitlement may be all well and good but the world game sings a different tune to the one desired by the punters, especially in this day and age of attempting to milk the product dry.
And this is where Australia find themselves with Mitchell Starc.
Had I any say in the make-up of the Australian team then I would want Starc playing in everything. His prowess in the limited overs formats is undoubted with his showings in the World Cup cementing his reputation in that theatre. As a Test match performer he has all the attributes to be a success.
Granted, there is an inconsistency in his red ball displays that tend to infuriate as much as enthral, but a glimpse at the ledger sheet should make a case for his inclusion.
Capable of ninety miles per hour plus, the ability to swing the new ball and reverse the old one and the requisite streak of aggression that, as a rule, doesn’t do any fast bowlers any harm.
Unfortunately, the ability of the individual doesn’t necessarily tally up with the demands of the schedule. Should Starc be flogged in to the ground then his retirement, either enforced or voluntarily, will arrive a damn sight sooner.
Obviously Australian fans and fans of opposition teams would not want this outcome.
If Australia want Starc to spearhead their quest for a first World T20 title next March then, with an ankle already giving him problems, he’ll need to be rested at some stage during the summer.
If Australia want to reassert their standing in the five-day game after the unexpected Ashes defeat then they might have to accept the fact that they could be gambling with the shorter game.
So what do you really want, Cricket Australia?
Countries should be able to plough the requisite energy into each and every series but in a year when Steve Smith’s side get all of 10 days at home, following four months away, before jetting off on another overseas assignment, it simply isn’t a possibility.
Dragging it down to the lowest common denominator, the seam bowlers are the ones who will inevitably lose out from such idiotic, calendar-filling gluttony.
Specialisation isn’t too much of a problem for a Jimmy Anderson who is in the twilight years of his career, but for someone of Starc’s age, it is a question they would probably rather not have to answer or have answered for them.
The differing strands of the game are as far apart as they have ever been and with that particular trend showing no sign of stopping, the move towards separate teams is ever closer.
Perhaps this is just progress, the next step in the evolution of the sport but until the day someone puts their hand up and states, for the record, they are committing to this course of action then we’re stuck with a compromise that doesn’t want to be reached.
As a fan, I want to see Starc at full tilt against New Zealand in a couple of months and I want to see him swinging the white Kookaburra in India come next March.
This a prime example of an issue the game has willingly saddled itself with – I won’t be holding my breath.
Tana Mir
Roar Rookie
Agree. Starc needs to prove himself in shield cricket. Lack of ability to bowl consistent line n length in Test cricket is costing us. He needs a solid shield season behind him. We all know he has the ability, just needs more experience to gain better control.
Abbey
Guest
Exactly!! When CA posted on Twitter that Mitch has not slept in his own bed since 116 days and will get only 10 days off before Bangladesh tour and a grueling summer, people were mocking him that he gets to sleep in 5 star hotels and all. Do they not realise that 5 star hotels =\= own home? Being on tour is no picnic. I wish people were more understanding.
Abbey
Guest
Summer series are more significant than Bangladesh tour. If they are not resting him for that, I doubt they'll do that for summer. But I hope you are right. He absolutely needs a break. His ankle has troubled him a lot. Also, Rod Marsh said something like "he will keep playing until he breaks down." Was he kidding? He's got to be. I feel like he will play every game until and WT20 and then they would have him have his surgery and conveniently skip IPL. Because, reasons.
JoM
Roar Rookie
Why should Warner be moved to 5 or even 4. He is an opener and once you start mucking around that his form will suffer, just like it did with Hughes. They put him up and down the order like a yoyo and it didn't work. Sorry, but I can't see it happening.
JoM
Roar Rookie
A lot go on about how these guys get paid a ton of money and get to stay in 5 star hotels and all the rest. Starc and Smith haven't been home since the middle of April so it is 5 months for them. 5 months and then home for 10 days where the two of them will probably sleep through most of it and then overseas again and then back here for summer. It's not as easy as people seem to think it is.
Arthur Pagonis
Roar Guru
Guys, Guys ...please read the following...I think this is exciting, the discussion on Cricketers , Family and the scheduling that you bring up. Cricket is cricket. T20-Test-ODI. Every player of the 200 major leaguers who play Big Bash, Sheffield Shield, Matador and International Cricket and are eligible to represent Australia can be picked in any Australian team, and would love to be. Australia is the world’s best cricket nursery. It is simply a policy of Rod Marsh and Darren Lehmann to not let certain players get involved in one or more of the 3 forms of the game, especially during or after long, laborious tours. These 2 month Ashes Tours are hard on families and cricketers alike. It is why I advocate for shorter Series in a World Cricket League. The players could have a season planned out for them 12 months ahead, know when they will be free from Cricket commitments and can plan for their families holidays etc. As it is now they must commit to Australian T20, ODIs, Tests, and often Sheffield Shield , Matador Cup and BBL…then give 2 months to the IPL. They are rushed all over the globe and family life suffers. That aside, if you take the last year I'm betting 50 players have played for Australia in T20-ODI-Test-Australia A. Isn’t that incredible? Fantastic opportunities are available for kids from 17 to 37 to get into one or more of the 4 Australian rep teams. That is why Cricket Australia is a giant Farm System, not a squad. There are guys coming out of the selectors ears from all over the country. They come from the Shield, BBL, the Matador, from Australia A, the District Competitions, U’19’s etc …..1 million of them are out there busting a gut to get a baggy green. And the best 200 are always being looked at by Selectors. Cricket Australia and all the people connected with it represent 1 billion dollars Australian in value if you had to replace it. Think about what a juggernaut cricket has become in this country. We have lost almost an entire team of veterans…and we are in wonderful shape I believe. Don’t worry about what Rod Marsh says…he’s a worry wart. For instance, CA could send a separate 15 players to the ones who are going to Bangladesh and beat their best. But let's take the present day and the future. WA’s Justin Langer would love to see Marcus Harris join Cam Bancroft as Australia's premier opening partnership. Lawry and Simpson, Langer and Hayden is in the back of his mind. So let’s call them 1 and 2, just for argument’s sake. Steve Smith 3, Joe Burns/Usman Khawaja 4, Dave Warner 5, Glenn Maxwell 6, Phil Nevill 7, Mitch Johnson 8, Mitch Starc 9, Pat Cummins 10, Nathan Lyon/Adam Zampa/ Ashton Agar 11 or lower. Okay, then is this our best 11? Bancroft, Harris, Smith, Khawaja, Warner, Maxwell, Nevill, Starc, Johnson, Cummins, Zampa! Maybe not right away…but soon. Get a long term opening partnership going which incorporates the kids, Bancroft and Harris so they learn to blunt and belt opposition teams. Move Warner to a place where the shine is off the ball, which is 4 or 5, for the rest of his career. I would agonise between Burns and Khawaja at 4. Maxie at 6 or higher if neither Burns and Khawaja make it. Maxie loves to bat low. Mitch Marsh can be 6 in that event. England used 2 dour openers to blunt us, and a batting order that was serviceable down to 9. We can easily emulate or beat that in time. What you have to love about this type of lineup is that all the kids are surrounded by 26-30 year olds….and it is so flexible through the 3 forms of the game. They all love to bat and show their wares. They love cricket! They bring a fresh and real excitement. Now we should keep Burns, Lyon, Agar, Josh Hazelwood, Mitch Marsh, Aaron Finch, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Matt Wade, Shaun Marsh, Chris Lynn, James Faulkner, James Pattinson very, very close at hand. Why? Because that would be the loyal and right thing to do if you are a good manager. They have already served Australia well. And rotate people such as Moises Henriques, Marcus Stoinis, Fekete, Steketee, Behrendroff, O'Keefe, Boyce, Pete Hanscombe through Australia A games, Aus T20, Aus ODI's. etc, because that also would be the right thing to do. It brings certainty and structure to a cricketer’s life. Henriques and O’Keefe could captain and v/c the Australia A side. I’d love to see Maxie captain of the T20 team. Joe Burns his deputy. I’d love for Smith and Warner to continue as C and V/c of the ODI side and the Tests. This breeds continuity and allows for rotation of a number of key players through all 3 main sides. It also signals that the ODI team is the level just below Tests and that if you are in that team, you are being considered for Test selection. It breeds certainty, and structure. I'm sure I've missed someone because there are such great young kids in Oz cricket...but that's enough to talk about now. ARTHUR PAGONIS MANAGING DIRECTOR AUSTRALIA GLOBAL TRADING PTY LTD 10 HERTZ WAY, MORLEY, W.A. 6062 AUSTRALIA PH. 61.8.9377 3833, FAX 61.8.93773877, MOBILE 61. 409918874 SKYPE: apagonis2 WEB: www.ausglobaltrading.com
matthew_gently
Guest
"...10 days at home, following four months away, before jetting off on another overseas assignment..." Honestly, who'd sign up for a job with that description? The reality of playing for Australia must be such a tedious drag sometimes.
Arthur Pagonis
Roar Guru
Ahhh now we are getting somewhere..even without Alex. Cricket is cricket. T20-Test-ODI. Every player of the 200 who play Big Bash, Sheffield Shield, Matador and International Cricket and are eligible to represent Australia CAN BE PICKED. Rod and Darren have almost proved that. If you take the last year I'm betting 50 players have played for Australia in T20-ODI-Test-Australia A. That is why Cricket Australia is a Farm System, not a squad. There are guys coming out of the selectors ears. They could send a separate 15 players to the ones going to Bangladesh and beat them. But let's take the present day and the future. Justin Langer would love to see Marcus Harris join Cam Bancroft as Australia's premier opening partnership. Lawry and Simpson is in the back of his mind. Steve Smith 3, Joe Burns/Usman Khawaja 4, Dave Warner 5, Glenn Maxwell 6, Phil Nevill 7, Mitch Johnson 8, Mitch Starc 9, Pat Cummins 10, Nathan Lyon/Adam Zampa/ Ashton Agar 11 or lower. Keep Josh Hazelwood, Mitch Marsh, Aaron Finch, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Matt Wade, Shaun Marsh, Chris Lynn, James Faulkner, James Pattinson close at hand. Why? Because that would be the loyal and right thing to do. And rotate people such as Moises Henrqiues, Marcus Stoinis, Fekete, Behrendroff, O'Keefe, Boyce, Pete Hanscombe through Australia A games, Aus T20, Aus ODI's. etc I'm sure I've missed someone because there are such great young kids in Oz cricket...but that's enough to talk about now.
Broken-hearted Toy
Guest
I'd say almost everyone realises that his first class average is underwhelming. It's been one of the main beefs against him.
Harvey Wilson
Roar Rookie
I agree but everyone is suited to all forms if you look at the selectors history. Watson, an obvious short form specialist played way more tests than he should have. Maxwell is also a short form specialist, should not be playing tests. There are others too who should not be playing all forms. ODI runs apparently is proof you can play 90 overs a day for 5 days. What is the shield for?
Big Steve
Guest
there are lots of players who are suited to one form of cricket over another. Chris rogers, langer then bevan and bailey. Forcing player to play all three forms wouldn't work. But I agree it does seem unplanned for these older players to suddenly be picked. im pretty sure the world cricket schedule is set up to 4 years in advance.
Arthur Pagonis
Roar Guru
Alec, you and Ronan are good judges of these things. Don't you think that Cricket Australia should pick 30 guys a year on Contract...and stick with them for one year. How can John Hastings, O'Keefe, Fekete and Voges appear suddenly when there are 30 guys out there who deserve a proper shot. I think Rod Marsh and Darren are just using their farm system as they wish. In other words, guys like Agar, Pattinson, Shaun Marsh, Adam Zampa, Marcus Stoinis, Chris Lynn, Pete Hanscomb, Ed Maddinson, James Faulkner, Jason Behrendorff would have been better choices in the One Dayers and the Bangladesh tour consistently. Pete Siddle went home and missed the One Dayers. Mitch Johnson the same. Maxwell and Burns didn't go to England in the test Squad after playing against India. There is a looseness to it. Tours to India for Australia A are great. Under 19 overseas tours are great. But the top 30 cricketers in Australia should be contracted for 1 year, play all games involving all 3 forms for Australia...then be assessed. If you are less than 32 and fit , you should be able to play 3 forms of cricket. It will benefit you to do that. You learn by it every day. Cricket is like baseball. You have to play or practise almost every day for 6-7-8 months to be great at it. And I despair that we cannot get a world cricket League and a National Australia Cricket League to set scheduling in place for 3 forms of the game 12 months ahead.
AJM
Guest
Perhaps they need to stop having so many meaningless series. If teams are prepared to send under strength teams to all these limited over assignments it probably tells you how serious they're taking it and how seriously we should take it. Nobody ever remembers who's even played let alone the results of these fixtures. Less is more -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
The Bush
Roar Guru
I have no issue with Johnson, Pattinson and Hazlewood being the line up this summer. I am not convinced that Starc and Johnson should play together and Johnson has a proven track record in Australia. Starc is young and I don't think it'd hurt to have him play some Shield Cricket. A lot of people probably don't realise but his FC average is actually incredibly underwhelming compared to a lot of bowlers around the Shield who don't get a look in (29.27). I'd love to see Starc rip through some Shield attacks this summer whilst we're playing New Zealand and the Windies. Also keep him fresh for the ODIs and T20 World Cup.
Sideline Comm.
Guest
That was my thought too when I saw the squad. I have a feeling the lineup for the summer tests may be Johnson, Hazelwood and Pattinson. After this tour Starc might take time off to get his ankle sorted and be back later in the summer. I agree that scheduling is bad for player management, but I see no happy solution. I don't like the idea of completely separating the different formats with different teams, because I don't want to see different sports form. But the way the national cricket associations want revenue the scheduling wont change, so it's almost inevitable.
Ruminate
Roar Guru
I have often thought that Starc should be set more defensive fields in test cricket. His greatest strength is in bowling at the stumps and in test cricket he can get put away to leg. Clarke, in attempting to be aggressive, perhaps missed this and tried to apply a similar field as he di with Johnson.
madmonk
Guest
Good article Alec. It sometimes looks like the selectors see Starc as both valuable and expendable. Hazlewood and Johnson go home early and get Bangladesh break. If the selectors had a grand plan of bringing Johno in for Starc for the home tests and saving Starc for whiteball cricket this summer that might make some sense, but I doubt that is the plan.
Tommy
Guest
Another good article. just like everything else on Earth....capitalism dictates !