Just a reminder to the Australian selectors and cricket media that there’s another very talented Aussie cricketer currently plying his trade in England.
A skillful batsman who’s made over 14,000 first class runs at an average of 40 (plus taken 52 wickets), has international experience and is younger than Shaun Marsh.
I’m talking of course about Mark Cosgrove.
Remember Cosgrove?
He used to be spoken about all the time as an international prospect – even if always with the same qualifier: ‘he’s too fat’.
To many – including me – he was a throwback to the 80’s and 90’s, when fat batsmen used to be everywhere; David Boon, Greg Ritchie, Mike Gattinga and Arjuna Ranatunga. That said, Rahkeem Cornwall gives me hope this era may return.
Cosgrove played three ODIs in 2006 (scoring 74 on debut) and occasionally seemed to close to the Test team once or twice, but you always knew he had to get on the paleo before reaching Test level and he never did. Over time, he drifted off the radar.
Even during Australia’s batting recession of the 2010s, when people like Rob Quiney and Alex Doolan got picked and so many chances were given to Shaun Marsh, Cosgrove was overlooked for the Test team despite consistent form.
Cosgrove eventually got the boot from Australian state cricket at the end of the 2015-16 season.
But to his credit – and presumably a desire to avoid finding a real job, grade cricketer style – he’s gutsed it out, plodding along in county cricket, scoring steadily for Glamorgan and then Leicestershire – and he seems in no hurry to retire.
Now, to be clear, I don’t think Cosgrove should be in the frame for international selection – that ship has sailed.
I wouldn’t mind seeing him back in Australian domestic cricket – surely the presence of veterans like Cosgrove raise the overall standard of play rather than diminish – but that’s up to him and the states.
What I do definitely think is that we should take a moment of remember, and appreciate, Cosgrove.
He’s much missed back here!
jeznez
Roar Guru
Nice one Stephen - although my immediate takeaway from your article is that you very cruelly left out Inzamam ul Haq
Paul
Roar Guru
I think there's a significant difference between a guy like Mike Hussey coming back to Shield for season or two and imparting his wisdom, when compared to the guys you've named who never quite made it at Test level, but are still being mentioned as possibles for spots in any of the 3 international sides. In Hussey's case, he's there to enjoy and help, knowing he's never going back into top flight cricket, but is still seen as a champion. In the other guys cases, they're still under pressure to perform, so their focus will be different.
Insult_2_Injury
Roar Rookie
It seems obvious to me there's a directive of sorts from CA to have as many available spots for up and comers as possible at Shield level and that's realistic as the Aussie's international ranking is low and the future needs depth to choose from. It is also noted that English counties are insular and have never cared about producing International players. Having said all that, the Vic's have benefited from Cameron White in the ranks as have Tassie with Bailey, as will WA with Smarsh.
Spanner
Roar Rookie
Cossie is a ripper lad but if he is going well in county cricket, it shows how weak the comp. is !
Dart
Guest
Does Cossie have dual citizenship? He has been playing there for as long as I can remember. With all the problems that England have been happening with openers, perhaps they could call him up. Imagine that. Day one of the Ashes and Cossie is belting Starc, Hazlewood, Cummins and Lyon all around Edgbaston. Hahaha, well it would be pretty funny.
U
Roar Rookie
What a waste! He could’ve been very useful over the last few years with our dearth of good batsmen. His success in England especially would’ve been helpful to Australia.
Pope Paul VII
Roar Rookie
Bring back The Big Ship.
Stephen Vagg
Roar Guru
Colin Milburn as well
Peter
Roar Rookie
A slab and some pies works for some.
Pope Paul VII
Roar Rookie
Good old Cossie.
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
I'm old enough to remember Colin Cowdrey. There were no "expert dietitians or others with worthless qualifications" checking his skin folds back then. Just as well.
VivGilchrist
Roar Rookie
I guess he could teach the young guys his stringent training regimen.
Peter
Roar Rookie
Good call. Talented batsman.
Stephen Vagg
Roar Guru
Absolutely. Alan Border helped Queensland win the Sheffield Shield finally in 1994-95, after he'd retired from international cricket. Veterans need to pull their weight - I get why Sth Australia dropped Ferguson, for instance - but if they're contributing, why not keep them. The most effective way to keep Australian cricket strong is to keep grade and Shield cricket strong, which means keeping good players.
Paul
Roar Guru
Stephan, you raise a really valid point about a dearth of older, experienced Test cricketers in Shield ranks. I'm positive the Tassie side benefitted from Ponting's presence after he gave away international cricket and the same would have to apply to NSW and the Waugh brothers. There's the odd player like George Bailey, but even now he's still being mentioned as an outsider for some form of international cricket. I look at the county scene and guys like Ian Bell and Sangakara ( even Mark Cosgrove), are still producing the goods. Their experience has to help the younger generation coming through.