Roar Rookie
Joined January 2024
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Money talks. It has seemed inevitable for a long time, but we may finally have the ‘nail in the coffin’ moment for Test cricket…
Sydney. SCG. The sixth of January. An enthralling New Years test drew to a close as Australia flexed their muscles on the final two…
“It’s not pretty, but it just might work.” Under a gritty and mesmerising captain and a steely, hard-nosed head coach, ‘Bazball’ has breathed new…
I think NZ are completely within their rights to not change a home series schedule. It comes across as disrespectful from SA to NZ, who are basically saying ‘this series isn’t worth it’.
Money talks - Understanding why South Africa are willing to burn a Test series for the SA20
Yeah I agree, I just think test cricket will be a myth for the younger generations coming through very soon, particularly in South Africa. As a purist fan, it is disappointing to see. Do the ICC have responsibility to assist? Of course they do. Did South Africa do any favours with their sponsorship deals? No they did not.
Money talks - Understanding why South Africa are willing to burn a Test series for the SA20
Shouldn’t we encourage a more ‘gentlemanly’ approach to Cricket, instead of selling out to billionaire franchises who don’t show the sport on TV unless you pay for it and make tickets extortionately priced? How does that grow the game for the younger generations? Not everyone has access to disposable incomes.
Money talks - Understanding why South Africa are willing to burn a Test series for the SA20
I guess so. I think the Windies, much like their counterparts at CSA, failed to set up a structure that guaranteed long-term success.
Money talks - Understanding why South Africa are willing to burn a Test series for the SA20
They fell behind due to poor financial decisions, and now are pointing the finger at major nations. https://apnews.com/report-on-south-african-cricket-body-alleges-corruption-e178b3c98f266f773025d4b6903c8c45
This article tells you all you need to know
Money talks - Understanding why South Africa are willing to burn a Test series for the SA20
Personally, getting skittled for under 200 twice and losing by 10 wickets inside three days is not anywhere near their best. Brathwaite and Da Silva having no runs between them and Alzarri Joseph taking one wicket in the match tells a story. There is young passion, agreed, but why would they keep in test cricket when the IPL comes knocking? I think that shows a lack of passion and desire to play international cricket.
Money talks - Understanding why South Africa are willing to burn a Test series for the SA20
I agree, I think they don’t have another choice, it’s just disappointing that it had to get to that point. New Zealand shouldn’t have to suffer from a player and fan perspective because South Africa went broke. I think it’s disrespectful to a great cricketing nation, and again, it is entirely on Cricket South Africa letting short-term money get in the way of sustainability and longevity of the game.
Money talks - Understanding why South Africa are willing to burn a Test series for the SA20
I agree that the main test nations have a part to play in this, but is it ultimately their fault they invested poorly in their sponsorships? They took extremely lucrative sponsorship deals for what? Money and money only. Not for their players, not to give back to their fans with reduced ticket pricing, it was to do with lining their own pockets.
Money talks - Understanding why South Africa are willing to burn a Test series for the SA20
Of course, I agree that Australia would do the same if they were placed in the same position. However, South Africa’s poor investment ultimately made them play the hand they never wanted to play. It seems that it was always about money, and never about growing the game. That’s absolutely fine if you choose that, but you have to question why they were left with no choice. I think most SA players would much rather be playing red-ball cricket.
Money talks - Understanding why South Africa are willing to burn a Test series for the SA20
I think what makes the big bash great is its emphasis on ‘homegrown’ talent. Josh Brown, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Spencer Johnson for example. The overseas players are not contracted over their international representation either. Unfortunately, the BCCI will keep pumping money into the IPL, and as they have a stronghold over the ICC, it’ll be around for a long while purely to the engagement they get in India. I agree that all other nations T20 leagues will eventually fall.
Money talks - Understanding why South Africa are willing to burn a Test series for the SA20
Bangladesh series was November-early December, will be February 4 by the time the South Africa series commences. So an 8 week gap. In my opinion, that’s a long time between drinks considering it’s summer.
Money talks - Understanding why South Africa are willing to burn a Test series for the SA20
I agree, South Africa have clearly prioritised the money, which is purely a business decision from them. However, they way in which they got to this point has to be questioned. Why should T20 cricket take priority over representing your country?
Money talks - Understanding why South Africa are willing to burn a Test series for the SA20
Outstanding gloveman, but has ‘brain-fades’. Remember the NZ test match (when they lost by one run) and Foakes tried to pull a ball for six and got caught on the boundary? being the only recognised batsman still not out, I feel like decisions like that will cost you more when batting is tricker in places like India. On the flip side, he has made test hundreds, so there’s definitely talent there. Bairstow as specialist batsmen should be picked with Foakes.
Bazball heads to India: Can England still swing away, or will the spinners strike back?
Agreed, Smith can do what he wants, the man is a freak of nature with the willow. I think in the same breath as Bancroft, Renshaw and Harris – has Green warranted another chance in the test side? Playing devil’s advocate here.
The final stand: How Steve Smith's shift to opener exposes the Australian cricket team's twilight era
Good point, we saw the real difference in the Ashes was Carey’s keeping compared to Bairstow’s. In my opinion, England don’t have good enough second and third spin options to stake a case with the ball on those decks. Not to mention keepers in India will be vital. I hope they pick Ben Foakes as a genuine keeping option.
Bazball heads to India: Can England still swing away, or will the spinners strike back?
I think he will get his chance soon enough, but yes, not the correct selection right now.
The final stand: How Steve Smith's shift to opener exposes the Australian cricket team's twilight era
Agreed, but doesn’t have the turn and bounce that Lyon naturally generates to such a successful degree.
The final stand: How Steve Smith's shift to opener exposes the Australian cricket team's twilight era
To be honest, I think the writing is on the wall for India. If you are producing players to face 60 balls at the absolute max, I don’t even see longevity in the ODIs, let alone the test match arena. To top all of it off, there are no major Cricket trophies in the cabinet. Tick Tock, BCCI.
The final stand: How Steve Smith's shift to opener exposes the Australian cricket team's twilight era
Agreed, this was more a comment on the English press, not the team itself.
Bazball heads to India: Can England still swing away, or will the spinners strike back?
I agree, but I fear many fans that have been used to having the best team for a while now will be quick to criticise a young bowler who doesn’t reach the heights of Lyon almost instantly.
The final stand: How Steve Smith's shift to opener exposes the Australian cricket team's twilight era
Stumped, run out, take your pick!
Bazball heads to India: Can England still swing away, or will the spinners strike back?
I agree, generational player for Australia. The only thing fans may worry about is who will replace him when he eventually departs. They have tried a few spinners (Murphy, Kuhnemann, Swepson), but no one seems anywhere near as effective with the red ball. I would throw Adam Zampa in the mix personally, but I assume selectors are too worried about too many ‘4-balls’ being bowled.
The final stand: How Steve Smith's shift to opener exposes the Australian cricket team's twilight era
I think that India are almost falling into the ‘private school’ mentality that England did all those years ago. Because they enjoyed short-term success through a certain talent pool, they stuck to their guns and now we can see they are failing to produce long-term test players. The IPL will have a lot to answer for when the Indian side become full of pinch hitters that would rather play a 2 day test match so they can play a T20 on the Friday night than win a 5-day thriller for their country.
The final stand: How Steve Smith's shift to opener exposes the Australian cricket team's twilight era
I agree that it could come off almost immediately, but based on the pitches Australia had against India when they went there, it seems likely Ashwin, Jadeja and even Axar will be turning it around corners. Haven’t been convinced with Crawley against the spinners he faced in the Ashes, or in the Big Bash this year for the Scorchers in his brief stint. Add that to Duckett and Brook’s first test tour to India and you can see why England fans are a bit hot under the collar.
Bazball heads to India: Can England still swing away, or will the spinners strike back?
If they are not broke (or very close), why would they prioritise domestic over international cricket? The domestic rebrand with an injection of IPL billionaire investment seems way more appealing when you’re in the red, as they need the cash to stay afloat. In contrast, Cricket Australia (CA) have made strategic investments to pay players appropriately and fund their domestic competitions well enough so they do not require any external funding via private equity. Yes, the ICC plays a part, but you have to appreciate the structure of CA in contrast to CSA.
I would encourage a read of this article, which highlights CSA’s early financial demise: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/south-african-cricket-when-sponsorship-goes-horribly-wrong-maritz/
Money talks - Understanding why South Africa are willing to burn a Test series for the SA20