They say being the Australian men’s Test cricket captain is the second-most important position in the country, and just like being Prime Minister there’s always going to be criticism.
Captain Steve Smith has already copped his fair share in his short tenure at the top. The latest comes from former Test cricketer Rodney Hogg on SEN radio, who labelled Smith’s declaration on the fifth day against New Zealand “boring”.
LISTEN TO HOGG’S ASSESSMENT IN THE VIDEO ABOVE
“Steven Smith won’t come up with a high winning percentage as captain if he’s going to come up with these boring declarations,” Hogg said.
According to Hogg, the expectation from fans is entertainment, not just playing for statistics.
Despite the WACA pitch offering hardly any assistance to bowlers into the fifth day, Hogg thought leaving New Zealand with 321 runs to chase in 48 overs was ridiculous.
“That last day was set up after going through batsmen being on top and it was set up for some sort of result – you’ve got to give a bit to get a bit back,” he said.
Hogg added that he thought Australia’s attitude from the start of the fifth day was not aggressive enough to set up an earlier declaration.
“I’m not saying give Test matches away but Mitchell Marsh is picked in the side to be an aggressive batsman at number six. You could see by his attitude that he was sent out to play himself in.”
Australia, of course, had a 1-0 lead in the series and the counter-argument is that it was up to New Zealand to make the running in the game.
What do you think Roarers, are series results not enough, do sportsmen and women need to think about entertainment as well, or is Rodney Hogg being too harsh on Australia’s new captain?
Johnny Boy Jnr
Guest
Hoggy needs enjoy his twilight years with dignity. I mean this is just as ridiculous as Geoff Lawson criticising Glan McGrath's bowling
Burgs
Guest
Setting a realistic target on that road is the definition of stupidity
Burgs
Guest
Can't blame either Captain, the pitch was a disgraceful batsmens paradise
michael steel
Guest
I love you Hoggy.
Battler
Guest
Agree with most above. McCullum could have made more of an effort on day 4, NZ plodded along and seemed to have no interest in forcing a result. Not sure why Steve Smith should be asked to do them any favours with a generous declaration. Hogg should pull his head in. Oh, and the pitch was terrible as have most of those dished out by Australia in the past 18 months.
JWALSO
Guest
Pretty Sound logic, If either captain had conspired a way to lose the match they would have been castigated in the press. It was a forlorn hope that the last day would be exciting once the lead got past 280. The only excitement would have been a NZ collapse and that just didn't look like happening.
Lex
Guest
Smithy made the right call in declaring when he did. The Kiwi's are a side that could easily have treated this as a limited over score to reach - well within at just over six runs an over. As for entertainment, I fail to see how test cricket and many other sports are viewed as entertainment. Competition is not entertainment, it is one person team or the like out to beat the other - tension is involved, skill and prizemoney, employment is at stake too. That is what I go to see. Sport is not a singing, dancing or acting; with competition it means win , do not lose; draw if need be.
bryan
Guest
Both captains were on a hidding to nothing. Smithy might as well just batted through to prove a point about the pitch
the older
Guest
very good
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
I must admit that I'm happy it ended in a draw. I hate the idea of trying to manufacture some result like that. The only way for a result there was basically to have declarations in 3 of the 4 innings and the captain declaring the third innings closed to pretty much throw the match away. Smith did the right thing. Actually, I thought he could have just decided to have some batting practice and bat through the day. If it had been another back-to-back test after that I'd certainly think just keep batting. There's no chance of a result, so keep their bowlers in the field and give your bowlers a break. But with the 10 day break it didn't make a lot of difference. Sick of all these former cricketers who were never remotely as good as someone like Smith, just looking for airtime with their cynical, critical views. The only one to criticise in Perth is the curator who produced that pitch where the only real chance of a result was for one side to completely throw it away.
Franco at Carlton
Guest
Who is Rodney Hogg? Or was he the little runt, also ran from 35 years ago? Go back to your lounge chair, beer and chips Rodney.
Come on..
Guest
Rodney Hogg?? Never heard of her
JWALSO
Guest
If McCullum had declared behind then there would have been even more reason for Smith to set to set a 6 runs per over target but over 80 or 90 overs. The flat pitch and attacking batsmen argument is even more valid as you can absorb slow individual overs. He would have not set an attacking declaration of say 420 in 100 overs no matter what McCullum did. So McCullum had little choice to win the game but try and put pressure on Australia by gaining a lead. So the argument of him declaring behind is frankly ridiculous. Therefore Smith was defensive - That is what Rodney Hogg is calling out. The team is 1 nil up in a 3 test series and they defended that 1 nil lead. It was not entertaining as declarations go, nor was it an aggressive attempt at winning. Understandable, yes, exciting or enabling a result to be achieved - hardly.
Paul D
Roar Guru
Normally Hogg would have a fair point - however I think the pitch in this instance was never going to allow a result to transpire. Even if McCullum had declared earlier and backed his bowlers to knock Australia over cheaply, it wouldn't have worked due to the pitch holding up so well. Australia would have just batted for even longer. There is an argument to be made against boring declarations, however the context of this game and the pitch it was played on is not the right scenario for it.
Wayne
Roar Guru
Why risk losing? 6 an over with new balls every 20mins wasn't unreasonable
SP
Guest
oh rubbish. McCullum could have declared earlier if he'd wanted to make a game of it.
Billy
Guest
Win the series and move on. Hoggy also said that the Australian Cricket team is in the entertainment business....What a crock, all sport is entertaining . Look at the AFL and their actions to create a day game experience, it was an absolute joke. Just play the sport as it was intended and people will get involved!!
DCD
Guest
Bmac could have declared in the first place to set up a result
Sean
Guest
This is a tricky one. The counter arguments on both sides leaves Smith without much to criticise him on. It was a super pitch, New Zealand can score fast, Australia lead the series. He could have been a little more aggressive sure, but in all honesty, theres not much to complain about here. The curator needs to be sacked for his effort, especially with another run fest assured in Adeliade.
Bunratty c
Roar Rookie
"Hogg added that he thought Australia’s attitude from the start of the fifth day was not aggressive enough to set up an earlier declaration. " It sure seemed that way to me, with Aust playing like they were afraid to lose. Bring back Greatbatch spirit!