Cricket Australia thought it would be a good idea to include a team of young men in this season’s One Day Cup. The result has so far been a chastening experience for those thrown into the fire.
In their first two matches in this season’s domestic 50-over competition, the Cricket Australia XI has been blown off the paddock.
In their opening fixture, against New South Wales at Bankstown Oval, the CA XI conceded 3-338 before being dismissed for 59 in the 25th over – a 279-run defeat.
Game 2 provided more of the same.
Sent in by Victoria at Hurstville Oval, the CA XI was shot out for 79 in the 28th over. The Bushrangers lost one wicket in running down the total in the 12th over, achieving victory with 233 balls remaining.
In the loss to the Blues, South Australian Alex Gregory made 23, the only batsman to make double figures. Three batsmen reached double figures against Victoria.
Through 61 overs, the CA XI bowlers have gone for an average of 6.9 runs per over and captured just four wickets.
The idea behind the launch of a seventh team into the competition was to broaden the player base and provide experience to young players who missed out on selection in their own state squads.
The reality has been akin to the Christians being sent into action against the lions.
For the likes of Mitchell Starc (6-25) and James Pattinson (4-18) it has been a glorified net session as they dismantled the opposition batting with the same ease as flicking a piece a lint off their uniform.
It is one thing to select a group of young men with the idea of providing them with experience. It is another altogether to simply throw them to the wolves.
One of the major flaws in the concept is the fact there are no wise old heads on the field to guide the up-and-comers.
Each year a Prime Minister’s XI is selected to play an international touring team at Manuka Oval in the nation’s capital. Most of that team comprises young men identified by the selectors as having a possible international future.
In January this year, the PM’s XI took on England with Chris Rogers at the helm. In recent times the likes of Michael Hussey and Justin Langer have skippered the side after their state one-day careers had ended.
The CA XI has no such experience at the top.
The current skipper is 22-year-old West Australian William Bosisto, a former national Under-19 captain. Prior to this current tournament he had played a solitary one-dayer for Western Australia, and that was three years ago.
He has now played three games – the last two as captain where he has gone head-to-head with Matthew Wade (a veteran of 109 List A games, including 53 one-day internationals) and a bloke named Steve Smith.
Neither did the youngsters any favours.
One wonders what solace Bosisto and his teammates can take from being handed such hammerings. Surely it is doing little for their future. In fact, in some cases it may be doing irreparable damage.
Rogers, who is not part of the Bushrangers’ one-day line-up, would have been an ideal choice to lead the CA XI given his vast experience. However this week he has signed on to captain Somerset next year in the English county competition.
The cancellation of the Bangladesh tour has seen a trickle-down effect at state level. So much so that a player like Mark Cosgrove – a man with ODI experience and 119 first-class matches behind him – cannot find a spot in the South Australian team.
His experience would be invaluable in the CA XI.
The same for 34-year-old Ben Rohrer, who has been squeezed out of the New South Wales line-up by the return of the internationals.
It can only be hoped that should CA continue to back this latest innovation it provides a little more steel to its XI, otherwise it is a futile exercise.
13th Man
Guest
Funny how they just beat Tasmania.
Bluebag
Guest
It's all in the timing Glenn! I'm sure you're glad to be proven wrong after an excellent effort from the youngsters. Let's hope that holds them in good stead for the rest of the tournament, after which we'll be able to assess their season.
Zim Zam
Roar Rookie
"And then you write this piece and they go on to beat Tasmania in their next match." Murphy's Law ...
Zim Zam
Roar Rookie
Yep, reckon so.
Jocko
Guest
I also think the idea is right, after all noone in Australia could play Starc with the white ball last year. It has been painfully obvious that young players who come up to the national team have serious deficits. Teenagers in cricket benefit from playing with and against hard heads, sometimes slightly past prime who guide them and smack them over the ear when they get too big for the boots. Of course being CA they left the hard heads out. It could be a great role for the recently retired or should be retired. Give a few a good dollar to work with these kids or to play shield. So many of our greats go from test to absent and we lose that ability to test the newbies. To the Chappell knockers, a lot of good players do not make the change. He should be commended for trying to get them up. My continued wonder is how the HP manager and CEO still have jobs. I have also long wondered what a second string Wallaby has to give at top level cricket.
Broken-hearted Toy
Guest
Should they? Why?
really
Guest
Exactly only people named Marsh should be gifted spots into the national setup.
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
And then you write this piece and they go on to beat Tasmania in their next match. So maybe it won't turn out quite the disaster it initially looked. NSW beat SA by almost as much in their second match too. Certainly there is a big step up between playing under age matches and full List A one dayers against seasoned cricketers. But they need to play those matches against those players to improve.
davros
Guest
no , dribble
Clavers
Guest
Adding another team to the national competition is a good idea but the sensible way to do it is to bring in the ACT. Canberra has a compact population of 300,000 and excellent infrastructure. Besides the local talent, an ACT team would attract players who are prepared to move from their home states for a chance to play first-class cricket, and especially from NSW. Canberra-based teams have won both the NRL Premiership and Super Rugby. There is not reason why it couldn't be competitive in cricket too.
Matt from Armidale
Guest
Well there you go. Beaten Tasmania in a tight finish. All the disaster articles must have made the win all the sweeter. What priceless experience for these young blokes.. oh hang on, no. Let's call it 'very little meaningful development'. For all the criticism about imbalance, I think we're also forgetting that a lot of the players putting in big performances played over the winter and are fully match fit.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
I have the very obvious benefit of hindsight and I agree with the author that some senior heads in this team would have worked better but the upside of this project has been seen in just the third outing. Perhaps we should now dump WA out of the competition? Let's resist hysterical responses to change and rather suggest modification to improve.
Bearfax
Guest
Yes. So who's the pretty boys/girls eating humble pie now. CA XI defeats Tasmania. Hmm must have been an accident. Well done guys. This will give them the confidence they needed. In the other match NSW v WA, I'm impressed by Maddinson, Cowan and Henriquez today in NSW/WA match. Mind you Paris and M.Marsh bowled very well in tough conditions. Will be interesting to see how the black swan show ponies respond this evening against Starc, Abbott, Sandhu, O'Keefe and Lyon. Top batting side but an awesome bowling stable facing them. Just a point. I was a constant knocker of Cowan when he was in the test side. He's changed his style and is now a far more accomplished batsman. I wouldnt be surprised to see him in serious and rightful consideration for an opening test spot. He's beginning to remind me of Justin Langer. He's improved that much and would now be an excellent foil for Warner.
Andy Hill
Roar Pro
Doesn't seem like such a bad idea now that they have knocked over Tasmania. Let's see at the end of the tournament how they go.
davros
Guest
well yeah I guess Starc put a wrecking ball thru South oz ! Just wondering with this s..t dumbed down comp ie not even a speed gun to see what sort of pace starc or anyone else was generating ...if its not a postatge stamp ground with a lightning outfield ....you get a surface like blacktown ..just watched madinson absolutely lacing it thru the field along the deck but cant get a boundary ! How come they cant play at the SCG (Sydney Cricket Ground that is )
Don Freo
Guest
Tish! Boom!
Bearfax
Guest
CA XI all out 7-241. That's competitive. May be enough to win if their bowlers make some early breakthroughs. Come on CA XI
Peter
Roar Rookie
I reckon some people here have been rushing to judgement on the CA XI based on them being thrashed in only 2 matches, against some quality attacks.
Bearfax
Guest
That's no good Don. Cricket balls arent the size of beach balls you know.
Don Freo
Guest
We still have another WA boy. Hilton Carrtwright hits a big ball.