Melbourne Stars coach David Saker is fuming after being overruled by Cricket Australia’s high-performance staff, who have ruled Scott Boland out of the BBL opener.
Boland was selected in the 14-man squad for the first Test in Perth next week against Pakistan and has been told to rest up even though he is unlikely to be in the final side.
Saker is far from impressed that Boland will not be playing when the Stars take on the Heat in Brisbane on Friday night, particularly when Test batters Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja have been allowed to play a BBL match before joining the Aussie squad in Perth.
“It’s so hard for Cricket Australia to get it right. But there should be more consistency with who can play and who can’t play and there’s got to be more transparency a long way out. It seems to me at times it’s done on the run instead of long-term planning,” Saker told NewsCorp.
“I want the best players in the whole of Australia playing this competition. I can’t see how Scotty Boland bowling four overs is going to have a huge effect on him. And he’s been playing enough cricket. Four overs is not going to kill him.
“I understand how hard it is for Cricket Australia to balance all that out. I just think it should be done a bit further out. It just seems to me that it’s done one case at a time. It should be done a long way out so everyone knows.”
After resting for a week since his return home from India, Aussie white-ball star Glenn Maxwell will captain the Stars in Thursday night’s Big Bash League opener against Brisbane at the Gabba.
The 35-year-old, who will again play for Royal Challengers Bangalore next year, hopes as many Australians as possible get IPL experience ahead of the T20 World Cup in June.
“The IPL will probably be the last tournament I ever play, as I will play the IPL until I can’t walk anymore,” Maxwell said at Melbourne Airport on Wednesday.
“I was talking about how good the IPL has been to me throughout my career; the people I’ve met, the coaches I have played under, the international players that you get to rub shoulders with, how beneficial to my whole career that tournament has been.
“You’re rubbing shoulders with AB (de Villiers) and Virat (Kohli) for two months, talking to them while watching other games.
“It’s just the greatest learning experience that any player could ask for.
“Hopefully a lot of our Australian players can get over to the IPL and get to work in slightly similar conditions to the West Indies, where it is a little bit drier, it will spin.”
Australia’s white-ball group remain on a high after last month’s stunning World Cup final victory over India.
After winning their first T20 World Cup in 2021, Australia were unable to back it up at home when they hosted last year’s edition.
But the men’s national side now have an opportunity to replicate England’s achievement by holding the 20-over and 50-over crowns at the same time.
“As soon as we won this World Cup, we all talked about the refocus towards the next one,” Maxwell said.
“I’m hoping it’s going be a really exciting summer for the BBL, with what is just around the corner.
“Hopefully a little bit more importance on putting your name up in the headlines for the right reasons and trying to push for those spots.”
with AAP
Rocky's Rules
Roar Rookie
I recommend that ALL players sit out the BBL :laughing: They're only playing this pretend cricket circus for the $$$ :thumbup:
Joshua S Hill
Roar Rookie
Saker isn't the coach of the Stars, he's the coach of the Renegades.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
We don't travel on Wednesdays, they are right out. Monday's and Friday's are no good as they're too close to the weekend, Tuesday is BBQ night and we definitely can't go that day. How's Thursday's? We can't do Thursday, if you can't do Thursday maybe we can't do it that night!
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
We now have a fascinating insight into the thinking of Australia's High Performance coaches. Don't bowl Green because he'll be in the first Test solely for his batting, and fielding. Marsh goes out. Don't play Boland at all because he'll be carrying the drinks, while Green gets promoted. Don't play Morris at all because it'll be better for him to avoid any effort and really good for his development to be around McDonald and Vettori.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
This coddling of players is getting ridiculous. Look at Green, not a ball bowled in 116 overs.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
STOP IT, l nearly fell off the commode :stoked:
Mr Murray
Roar Rookie
It makes perfect sense once you realise that the people making these decisions are the same people who fall for those scammers claiming to be the ATO who want to be paid in itunes gift cards
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Exactly Don. That’s the nauseating dilemma we face.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Do you reckon AI will ever be able to grasp the concept of cricket?
Chanon
Roar Rookie
AI technologies are being used to prevent injuries & aid in rehab.By analysing biomechanical & monitoring movements.Al algorithms Can identify patterns that may lead to injuries allowing individuals to adjust their exercise techniques. :laughing:
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
"Don't play any cricket because we want you fit to be able to play cricket." Form, nuance and touch doesn't matter.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Well, Green has not been allowed to bowl. Maybe he's playing. Saker is right. 4 overs before a test can only benefit him. The CA fitness staff can't possibly have ever played cricket.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
If Boland been told to rest prior to test match it only means he’s playing. Otherwise it doesn’t make any sense to rest a player that’s carrying the drinks.
Mr Murray
Roar Rookie
Bowling 4 overs a week out from a match hes not going to play in? What an outrageous suggestion. Green spent all day in the field yesterday against pakistan and didnt bowl a single ball as well. The crayon eaters managing these peoples workloads are so scared of people getting injured theyre willing to sacrifice any form they may build by playing the sport theyre actually paid to play.