Finally some news is out there within a week of him asking. The Ashes is out of the question for Brett as he decided to step down from Test cricket in an attempt to create some endurance for his career, but the writing is on the wall that the end of our pacemans career is close.
Binga is targetting the 2011 World Cup in the sub-continent to bow out of cricket. We all know he has an attraction to India in particular and he's a very popular bloke there. But he will be eager to be a member of our World Cup campaign. He last represented us in 2003, where he was brutal! He missed out in 2007 due to injury and there we saw Shaun Tait make his major impact on the big stage but Binga hopes to make 2011 the event to end on a high note, and it would be great to see him in our defense for a fourth title in a row!
We already know that our efforts will be heavily tested in our attempts to win our fifth title but to have Binga in our pace attack, it would make me very proud to see him represent the Green and Gold one last time. He has pace, accuracy, delivery variation and experience which makes him an intelligent bowler. He was outstanding for us in England last year in the ODIs and was a key contributor in the 2009 ICC Champions Trophy.
Some may be done with him, but I really want to see him have another go and for a World Cup I'd want to see us draw on as much experience as we can.
I also have a gut feeling that if we win the Ashes, this will possibly be the final time we Ricky Ponting as well at the elite level. That's my gut instinct and not based on any media speculation, but it is almost certain that this World Cup will mark the end of a sensational career for Binga.
What would he need to do? He stated in a Cricinfo source he needs a bit more time to get his body and fitness to a level he personally needs it to be at in order to move forward. He even eyed the England ODIs recently, but decided against it. So, perhaps The Remains ODIs against England and Sri-Lankan series prior to that towards the fall of the year?
He will need to as that is his only opportunity to get back in the side to make this dream a reality.
I think it will be a wise move to put him in the plans for the World Cup, if he puts in the performances before hand. But, as mentioned the performances will determine the likelihood and I hope to see Binga back with the Green & Gold in the not to distant future!
I'm all for it.
What are your thoughts on this? What do you think his chances are? It's very pleasing to hear from Binga again though and that he hasn't given up on his goals.
Binga needs to get back into the training gear and then get some match time in to grab the opportunity of playing in a World Cup as he starts to wrap up an epic career.
Copyright: Getty Images, Courtesy of Cricinfo.com
7 comments:
Hmm. Dunno. Let's be realistic... even if he is fit *before* the tournament there is a high risk that he gets injured in the first match. I would rather spare him the humiliation of bowing out like that, give the slot to a guy that carries the hopes for the future (whoever that might be at that time). This doesn't mean that he can't strike back like during 6:1 and the CT (and Champions League for NSW, too), where he was mindblowing. But it'll have been another 1.5 years since that...
Cheers,
Wes
Kind of agree with Wes.
As a pom, I am a huge fan and have massive respect for Brett Lee. But I feel it is a bit similar to the Flintoff situation in England.
It looks to me that there is this notion that both have the right to come back into their respective sides because of what they have achieved in the past.
And I can see why they might be entitled to think that.
But I can't see Strauss or, in particular Andy Flower putting Flintoff in the side for sentimental reasons, I think he would have to take county cricket by storm over the rest of the season. And I can't see that happening.
I'm obviously not as informed as you are about Aussie cricket Ian, but I'd be very surprised if Ricky and the selectors put Lee in ahead of performing blokes unless they are desperate or he is on fire in state cricket.
There is also the chance that it might undermine some of the younger guys that have been doing a decent job.
It's a shame for Brett Lee, but I'd be surprised if he gets his fairytale ending.
Seem to remember SA doing the same thing with an aging Allan Donald who was just returning from injury at a previous world cup and he was a shadow of his previous self.
With regard to Ricky Ponting, I agree that it will probably be his farewell appearance in test cricket if he regains the Ashes, and I suppose he might bow out completely after the world cup.
I clearly recall the first time I saw him. He impressed the hell out of me and nothing he has said or done since gave me reason to change my mind.
But get picked for next year? Won't happen.
Really depends on Tait, if he continues to go well then the need for Lee diminishes. As mentioned he is a risk as hes become very injury prone of late.
Thanks guys.
I found Binga's injury setbacks frustrating, to the point I thought he was unreliable and it became a bit embarrassing hearing him continually talk about his comebacks. But where there is great risk, can be great reward.
But like I said in the article, he needs to prove himself and that won't come from State level alone. He would need to be apart of our bowling units in any ODIs before hand, and with Ryan Harris out with knee surgery he could get the call-up.
Secondly, we lacked experience in our ODI attack. We knew this from the start. We didn't have Mitch, and Taito brought us that fire power. Binga has both but he needs match time!
It makes me think of Glenn McGrath. Glenn ended his career in a dream like way. A wicket with his final delivery in Test cricket, and the leading wicket-taker in the ICC World Cup 2007. Hwoever, before the World Cup there were questions about him in the side cause his ODI form had dwindled. But they gave him the chance and it paid off and secured a World Cup title for us.
Binga's injuries (like Sly said) are the biggest concern of all.
I'm open to it if he can prove himself.
Ian,
Looks like he was waiting for me to ask u...!!! ha ha....
I would love to see him in the WC and ending his illustrious career on a high. The man is pure class and I sincerly hope he will regain match fitness by playing a handful of List A and ODIs prior to the WC.
Come on Binga....u can do it...me and Ian are with u.... :)
Really good to hear from you again Baiju! I really hope so to mate! With you on this one.
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