I’m sure others would agree that the Redbacks’ monumental chase of 350 against the Warriors during the week left you feeling somewhat surprised.
Western Australia have a pretty strong side on paper, and a highly potent bowling attack, however the South Australians easily hunted the large total down.
Things were at the other end of the spectrum on Thursday however. After holding the Blues to a gettable score of 266, the Redbacks flopped dramatically being routed for just 110.
And to me this highlighted deficiencies and lack of depth in their batting line-up.
They can thank both Travis Head and Callum Ferguson for guiding them home in game one against the Warriors; contributing 314 of the total between them. Super talented youngster Travis Head completed a phenomenal double century, while the reliable Ferguson finished unbeaten on 112 at almost a run-a-ball.
It was the opposite almost in the second contest though against New South Wales. Head was dismissed with the first ball of the innings failing to keep out a Mitchell Starc yorker which, to be honest, would have probably beaten most international batsmen too. Later on Ferguson fell after scoring a solitary run.
And it became evident that without hefty contributions from these two and even the experienced Tom Cooper, this South Australian side may struggle to post sizeable totals. And I think from it you could say the underlying problem is a lack of depth and quality.
Keeper Tim Ludeman is capable of striking balls to the boundary and scoring his runs quickly, while Alex Ross and Sam Raphael are still only relatively fresh and inexperienced to the domestic stage.
Let’s not ignore the fact however this was a star-studded Blues bowling attack charging in.
I just can’t help wonder where the runs will come from without the three star batsmen mentioned. Adam Zampa is a bowling all-rounder at best, and while he can blast balls to the boundary, I’m not convinced he is really a number seven.
So, where has all the batting gone?
It’s very important to point out how different and tougher it is for the South Australian side to post big totals without the late Phillip Hughes in their side. Hughes’ domestic form as we know, was quite brilliant before his unbelievably tragic passing.
The effect of this can’t be undermined in terms of an on-field impact, Hughes was well on the verge of another international call-up last November. It still feels surreal to think he’s not out there in this team, and won’t be again.
Imagine how much more dangerous this side could look had he still be with us.
Then there’s Mark Cosgrove. The tubby left-hander made the move back to his original side, yet was left out of selection for the Matador Cup team. There will be opportunities presented to him again sometime soon you would think, and perhaps his omission is designed to give young up and comers like Raphael and Ross a big opportunity.
Cosgrove has been piling on first class runs in the County ring, and if he was unable to add more value to the Redbacks it would go down as such a waste of ability – perhaps the theme of his career.
If the big three mentioned in Head the young captain, Ferguson and Cooper and regularly contribute big numbers, the Redbacks may just cause a bit of a stir for the rest of this tournament. They have already shown an ability to run down large totals, however so much rests on the shoulders of these guys, they are now very heavily relied upon.
dan ced
Guest
Yes, Cosgrove in, drop Ludes down the order since he's not scoring enough runs, and get rid of Tom.. the other spinner even though he's been ok.. two frontline spinners is overkill in today's ODD game, that way our batting isn't as thin. Cosgrove, Head, Ferguson, Cooper, Lehmann, Ross, Ludeman, Zampa, Mennie, Richardson, Worrall.
Dylan Matthews
Roar Guru
Should have named Cosgrove in the squad. Apparently has gotten extremely fit over Winter and has been seeing the ball like a beach ball. Perfect opener
davros
Guest
apparently he is still 90 + kegs...that does NOT fit the new redbacks superfit ethos ! I hope he keeps whittling em down ...they gonna need him !
Bearfax
Guest
If so, its about time. The guy is a potential test player being wasted in Lardsville. A fit Cosgrove is one of the best bats in Australia.
Don Freo
Guest
Should replace Raphael, surely.
E-Meter
Guest
Have you seen Cosgrove lately. He's an axe. Looking very fit.
ak
Roar Guru
Nowadays cricket discussions on this forum are not so vibrant or lively. Some of the Gurus are missing.
Bearfax
Guest
As has been noted Queensland will struggle while Khawaja and Lynn are unavailable.
Bluebag
Guest
Not today it wasn't!
Bearfax
Guest
Bit rough on them arent you Frank after just one match. The one day averages of Victoria's batsmen are among the best in the country Finch: 39.75 Maxwell: 38.34 Hanscomb: 37.28 White: 36.17 Wade: 33.48 Stoinis: 25.27 Law of averages suggest they will perform far better in future. Had an off day as did W.A. against NSW. But are you willing to suggest Bancroft, S & M Marsh and Voges will fail again together. Happens some times. Both teams will be back.
Frank Rossitano
Guest
Agreed Don. White batted like a hack yesterday, Stoinis is a batting robot without any delicacy or room to adapt to circumstances (nor any prolific history of runscoring), Finch and Maxwell are hit and miss. Wade and Handscomb are probably the key men but we'll see.
davros
Guest
Cossie gotta keep losing weight ...that is my guess he has been told hit an acceptable target or ....! Whoever presided over Klinger leaving has a lot to answer for ...then u have the Hughes tradgedy . Head Is reckless and impetuous ...rides his luck , when he comes off it 's all fantatstic of course .
Bearfax
Guest
Try again Don. He had two top performances 2012-13. He had two top games and one pretty decent game (63) 2013-14. He had one top game (91 not out) and two pretty decent games 71 and 54 in the 2014-15 season. He scored two of his centuries in 2012-13 and 2 centuries in 2013-14 and a 91 not out in 2014-15. Bancroft scored all of his centuries in the 2014-15 season. If his 2013-14 season is considered weak for a 21 year old what does it say for Bancroft at almost the same age averaging 22.5 for the season. Thing is I think both are outstanding talents Don, better than Harris, and both will be well in the frame for test selection in years to come. Personally I think they are about equal.. Only difference is Bancroft has been in form over the past year, Silk hasnt. One year does not make a test player, but both have great potential.
Don Freo
Guest
Oh, my bad. Silk has had 3 good games 3 seasons ago..not a good season. His last 2 seasons have been week. You haven't seen me pump up Bancroft's tyres yet. Whiteman, Harris and, of course the Marshes, are the better batsmen. And Banners is good.
Bearfax
Guest
Oh dear. Here we are espousing the virtues of one batman over another based on one good season (and a black swan insignia). A bit rude having a go at Silk because of not 2 or 3 but one poor season. In fact Silk and Bancroft almost started at the same time in first class cricket. Only difference was Silk played 3 first class matches at the end of the 2012-13 season when he averaged 57.8. The following year 2013-14, Silk in his first full season average 35.1. Bancroft on the other hand averaged only 22.5. It is only in the 2014-15 season that Silk failed averaging 26.6 while Bancroft had a bumper season. But the fact is both have had one lean season, Bancroft's leaner than Silks. Bancroft has played in fact more first class matches at 24 to Silks 21. Both have 4 centuries to their name, yet Silk has passed fifty 11 times to Bancroft's 10. Bancroft's advantage is a couple of huge centuries last year that seriously boosted his averages. But suggesting Silk is inferior after a couple of poor years is just not true. Both have had one poor season for about the same number of games.
Don Freo
Guest
My knock on Silk is that his average is on the basis of a good year 3 seasons back now. Last 2 years have been very weak. The fact that one of the best fielders in Australia has been left out of Tassie's ODD side indicates where he stands as a batsman at the moment. The short games were the only games he succeeded in last year.
Bearfax
Guest
Hey Don I never said that 'Batsman we shall not mention' isnt a fine first class cricketer. He performs well just like White. But I would never have White in a test team. As for Silk, Mark Taylor and more so Justin Langer come to mind. Both started their careers with good seasons, both floundered and in fact Langer struggle like Hayden until his later 20s before the fine batsman that he was came to the fore. Both went through lean periods and both were considered plodders early on. Even Bob Simpson, who started his first class cricket as a teen struggled until he was about Bancroft and Silk's age. To me any batsman aged in the low 20s with a first class average around the mid 30s is likely to be going places. Silk, Bancroft and Harris are within six months of each other in age around 23. Bancroft's first class average is 37.4, Silk 33.7, Harris 29.1. By the way Maddinson only a few months older averages 38.5, while Lynn about 18 months older averages 45.9. Head mind you is almost 2 years younger than Harris but averages 32. Just adding to the debate.
Don Freo
Guest
White was NAMED player of the tournament but he wasn't. Khawaja, Paris and Behrendorff were way better performers. Explain yesterday's batting by Vic. That was very soft.
Don Freo
Guest
Yes...but you're impressed when it's White but not...well...we know. Don't think we'll ever see magic from Silk with a bat. In the field, yes. With the bat, he is just a workman. A bit of a barnacle.
Andy Hill
Roar Pro
The Victorian line up has far more depth than SA or QLD. White was the player of the tournament for the past 2 years, Finch, Wade and Maxwell are ODI regulars, then add in Stoinis and Handscomb, and even Christian has a decent record. No way you can compare that to SA and QLD bating strength Don.