Many have been strongly critical of Cameron White this summer even though he has successfully executed his brief. What more can he do?
In another dumpster ODI series from Australia the maligned Victorian’s returns of 15 not out, 17 and three against England have drawn the ire of many corners – and it’s all been wholly unreasonable.
While so-called ‘purists’ may judge his performance on metrics, real experts know that representing Australia is no longer about data. It’s more about navigating the system’s bloc warfare of barons and patsies and how well you know Justin Langer.
(AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)
That’s why critics holding up White’s scores as some whacky body of evidence should be called out for naively believing he was picked for this series to play the role of a cricketer.
The fact is this: he was chosen to play against England purely to enact a set of politically charged instructions: firstly, don’t bowl; secondly, resist the urge to shovel bullshit when the selectors asserted he was a serious World Cup contender; and thirdly, be anyone as long as it wasn’t Glenn Maxwell.
White ticked every box smoothly, yet we brutally chastise him because he comes up short with the bat like it’s some pre-requisite for playing in Australia’s top six.
We all know its true. The veteran was selected to represent Australia purely because there was nobody else to pick in front of Maxwell. And maybe because he’d hit a few big scores in domestic cricket, but mainly to spite Maxwell.
With the nation’s entire cricketing resources stretched across various formats, commentary boxes and hair replacement studios, selectors were so desperate for anyone but the Big Show that they nearly broke the emergency glass and recruited a South African.
That’s why ultimately they staggered us all by opting for a bloke they swore they’d never pick again. Allegedly swore, anyway.
(AAP Image/Mal Fairclough)
So because they would rather play with ten men than select a ready-made matchwinner, selectors will applaud White and his series average of 17.5 as a raging factional success.
Sure, the numbers are underwhelming and conveniently disposable, but we laymen don’t see the peripheral stuff like his energy, professionalism and ability to be tolerated by Steve Smith.
It’s another example of why White deserves so much better from the public, most notably for his service to Australian cricket as a political football.
He could’ve switched his phone off long ago, but he decided to rescue selectors as they entered that critical phase of World Cup preparations where they ostracise potential selectees over personal differences.
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Instead of prioritising his sanity, he selflessly responded to their SOS to send Maxwell closer to an unfortunate career earning millions in T20. Just like the times they needed a spinner, a short-term captain and a scapegoat.
So while he has spent his international career as a pawn, a lab rat, a drop bear and a range of other belittling and animal-related entities, it’s time to appreciate how White has given himself wholly to executing the selectors’ ill-considered ideas.
He has repeatedly placed himself on the line for captain, coach and powerbrokers and their weird fantasies. What’s more, he has endured these repeated abuses with good grace. Sometimes lots of low scores, but always plenty of grace.
Let’s hope for his sake there’s someone else around at World Cup time they irrationally dislike.
John Erichsen
Roar Guru
Your comparison to Kim Hughes is interesting. Both Hughes and Clarke had a tough job made even tougher by the Australian Cricket administration of their day. In Hughes era, he was given the captaincy over returned WSC players, adding to an already volatile relationship with key WA stars, namely Rod Marsh and DK Lillee. Australian Cricket seemed keen to have their establishment player at the helm of the test side, after the two year WSC war was over. Clarke, prematurely named as test captain in waiting years before even cementing his test spot, was never able to manage players as well as he captained CA's heir apparent identification, but it didn't help him any. The test captaincy is said to be Australia's second most important job, so perhaps its a position to be earned by performances on the grander stages, rather than getting the nod the minute you leave the Cricket Academy. For the record, the test captaincy is a far more important role than that of our Prime Minister. That seems to be pretty obvious, given the clowns who either have or aspire to have the latter role on their CV.
marfu
Guest
Yes I found his comments rather ironic as he seemed to alienate his team into factions with his aloof captaincy style akin to Kim Hughes.
Graeme
Guest
He played below the standard required but the selectors did the right thing and gave him a go based on merit.
Big Daddy
Guest
Picking him at number 3 was obviously the right choice - if it were a 20 over match.
John Erichsen
Roar Guru
Apparently, Clarke has convenienty forgotten his role in finishing some careers. MJ Clarke- the Pontius Pilate of Australian Cricket.
cos1
Guest
At this stage, I think the best thing to get administrators, selectors and captains focusing on selecting the right people is to link their own jobs to the performance on the side. I don't think they should sack people en-masse. At this stage, a change has to be achieved by putting out a tough but fair ultimatum. Australia have won 2 games out of 13. That's Bangladesh territory. That should be totally unacceptable for an Australian team. But we just see shoulder shrugging. No one's jobs are on the line. So some people are still able to indulge in politics and vendettas while we go from mediocre to pathetic. I think they should say something like this to Smith, and probably to a few of the selectors - we have lost 11 out of 13. Lose 5 out of the next 10 and you are gone. You will be replaced, no negotiations. What would happen then? I think the captain will swallow his pride and pick the people who will help him keep his job - ie, pick players like Maxwell. He will be pleading with selectors to play the best players rather than fighting them to drop Finch because he fielded him at 3rd man when he captained him. And he will do everything in his power to motivate those players to be confident in their game and succeed. He will do everything in his power to pull the side together and fight for each other. The selectors will make winning matches the primary impetus guiding their decisions - theres a radical thought. And they wouldn't pick certain people on the criteria that they are not certain other people. Most importantly, they will try to get the best players to get along with each other, rather than the much harder task of helping those that get along with each other become the best players. There should be no guarantees that Smith will be our captain in the world cup. I don't say that because I don't want him to be captain - I do, despite his current failings. In fact, there should be no guarantees anywhere, after the pathetic showing of the last 12 months. Then, maybe then, they will go back to putting winning first. We have been far too comfortable with the staggering level of ODI mediocrity we have achieved over the last 12 months. That is not the Australian way. Sorry for the long rant.
cos1
Guest
Not sure if you heard Michael Clarke's commentary on the last ODI. When Mark Nicholas mentioned the 'coffee' Maxwell had with Smith, Clarke said 'I'll hold my tongue,' followed by the observation that he chose players on their ability to help him win rather than what he thought about their personality. I think you forgot to mention that Cameron White never, ever played funky shots in the nets.
Saurebh Gandle
Roar Guru
Cameron White was good selection it is just that he batted a spot higher which was buffling .At no.3 ad no.4 you need top class batsman equipped to deal with moving ball.
Doctor Rotcod
Guest
Maybe not knowing Justin Langer got him picked,a sort of double-bluff on the Australian cricket-supporting public
John Erichsen
Roar Guru
Dane, this would be very funny... if it weren't true.
1st&10
Guest
I always liked Bear, but he is no longer an international class player. The game has gone passed him
Perth Wicket
Roar Pro
This is gold, Dane: "With the nation’s entire cricketing resources stretched across various formats, commentary boxes and hair replacement studios" Well written!
Paul
Guest
Dane There were a few other roles White had to perform which he has done with aplomb. He had to drop catches that "he would have taken 99 times out of 100". He then had to put on his "relieved player face" when someone else got the same guy out a little later. He finally had to be the first guy to run to the bowler to rub the hair gel deeper into their scalps when the bowler took a wicket. These are all specialist tasks and White proved to be exceptional in each role
R2k
Guest
Cameron White's not the messiah, he's a very naughty boy!
Clear Release
Guest
very good stuff
marfu
Guest
Nailed it Dane. I hope the alleged selectors get to read this but I think even then they aren't smart enough to learn from what they have done.