Australia A won their first fixture on their tour of Zimbabwe, beating the Zimbabwe XI by 90 runs.
The batting total wasn’t monstrous, but there were demonstrations of two Green & Gold representatives standing up, while one young future representative top scored with a conservative innings to get his tour off to a successful start.
David Warner and Aaron Finch can be an explosive duo if they both come out firing, but for the first game it wasn’t to be. Aaron is certainly a definite future selection for the limited overs team. I look forward to seeing what he delivers for us this tour, especially come the games against South Africa A.
Nic Maddinson was our top scorer, hitting 6 boundaries and going along at a conservative rate of 77.77. I am certain the navigation plan between himself and Callum Ferguson (52), was to rotate the strike and ensure their partnership would give a foundation, ensuring a target of over 200 could be achieved, giving our bowlers a realistic target to defend. Anything close to 250 will always catch Zimbabwe in an uncertain mindset whether to attack or graft.
I also believe being pre-season the wicket was “spongy” and therefore not much pace would have been on offer to attack effectively.
In this case the Ferguson/ Maddinson partnership proved crucial to allow Tim Paine an opportunity to be unbeaten, adding 37* at a healthy strike-rate to ensure there was some form of momentum to take when departing the field and therefore not allowing the Zimbabwean’s to feel any as if they had any grip on the game.
Obviously these opinions are drawn looking at the map of how the game was laid out, but knowing both Tim and Fergal’s games relatively well I am certain this was a probable plan, as it’s a known fact that a bowling unit with Mitch Starc, Luke Butterworth, the all-rounder abilities of John Hastings and Mitch Marsh, along with State spinners Nathan Lyon and Steve O’Keefe, would collectively keep the Zimbabwean’s guessing.
It was a well balanced attack with pace, confidence (gathered from the recently concluded State season) and enthusiasm. It was a good job by the touring selector/s for game 1.
I was not surprised Nathan Lyon caused the damage. He has really become an invaluable contributor for the Redbacks and seeing him claim 4 wickets in the most economical and ideal way possible was a wonderful start for his tour. It has instantly heightened his opportunities! Although before this tour I could tell you I’d have Nathan in my side ahead of a few spin bowlers going along for this tour.
John Hastings (three wickets in one over) seemed to do an awesome job with his passive aggressive medium pacers, ultimately made out to be tough to face up to given his height. Two quick LBWs turned the game on the back of Nathan’s breakthroughs and their combined effort opened the door for Mitchell Starc and Luke Butterworth to wrap things up.
Tim Paine must have done a sharp tactical job from behind the stumps. Easy to say when you win, but he must have gotten something right, because the roles expected from the key wicket takers were met. Match this to the selection and the way the game mapped out and it was definitely a clinical win for Australia A.
Having not watched the game I cannot add anything further, other than congrats to the boys and I am really stoked to have seen three of our Green & Gold representatives get off to a solid start (Tim and Fergal wisely granted leadership roles) while the bowling unit and young Nic Maddinson have kicked off their African tour in a confident manner, contributing perfectly to the victory!
The next game is 30 June against South Africa A.
No time to mess around, its business on the playing field in quick turnaround time against a very worthy opponent.
The first win is on the board for Australia A in the tri-angular series.
Welcome to The Baggy Green Blogsite! Thanks for reading this article written by Ian. To comment on this article, click on the 'Comments' tag at the end of the article.
TWITTER
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@Dan_Stapo
29 June 2011
27 June 2011
Classic Moments From The Memory Pitch: Remembering Walsh and Ambrose, but not forgetting Tugga
I have always been enthralled by one contest in cricket:
The battle between a fast bowler on his perfect track to embed fear and doubt in the even the best of batsmen, whilst seeing how he (the batsman) counter-attacks that threat head on using all the skill a test cricketer requires!
I grew up admiring Australian batsmen (Steve Waugh, Michael Slater, Mark Waugh,Ricky Ponting and even Allan Border for the brief period left in his career when I began watching cricket) while being a young kid just flabbergasted by the raw pace of the tall West Indian pace bowlers in test cricket.
The two, when in contest, provided a beautiful nightmare for Aussie fans witnessing test cricket in its most epic of moments.
The greatest fast bowler vs batsman duel I can recall – besides Allan Donald versus Michael Atherton in 1994 – was the Frank Worrell series in 1995.
A man by the name of Curtley Ambrose and his partner in crime, Courtney Walsh, would rip apart the Baggy Greens in the third test on a killer surface in Trinidad, Port of Spain.
The two of them would collectively claim 15 of our teams 20 wickets in this match, Ambrose taking 9 of these, Courtney taking 6. It was bloody brutal, in close instances nearly literally!
This test is mostly known as the symbolic moment where one man stood up to Curtley Ambrose, ultimately showing the Windies' dominance was slowly on the downhill and the Baggy Greens were stepping up theirs.
Steve Waugh was the man to do it, but not before facing a brutal spell of bowling from Curtley in particular, who bowled some short pitched deliveries that had the fanatical Windies crowd in loud vocal support, while anyone supporting the Baggy Green legend would've been really glad to have been in their living room.
As the axe began to fall upon our batsmen, one particular over, being the 14th, saw Curtley deliver the trademark smack of intimidation upon an opponent. The cold glare!
No words delivered after a delivery with emotive rage but rather a look of anger, annoyance, a tactic of systematic disintegration!
Tugga was the man who somewhat mastered psychological warfare and his next move was one that many batsmen would have thought more than twice about. After facing up to another Ambrose special – a wild bouncer outside of off-stump which had Tugga weaving and losing his balance ever so lightly in his evasive attempt – Tugga endured another Ambrose glare, to which he calmly (in true "Ice man" style) replied something to the effect off, “F**k off and just bowl.”
Curtley was offended and probably in total shock. A man in no comparison to his stature (not just physically at this point in Tugga's career, but cricketing stature as well) would create a stand off against him, as a Windies giant. Now that was unheard of, but Steve Waugh was the man to do it!
Curtley towered over Tugga, who had his bat raised like a sword, and faced off against Curtley who went into crazy mode on the verge of lunging at Tugga after the utter blasphemy!
Richie Richardson, who I still mark as a true gentleman of the game, was quick to step in and pull his strike bowler away to avoid something that would have potentially belonged on the Rugby field! It was quite a frantic pull as well. Curtley walked back not at all amused.
Tugga stood his ground and would receive some bone crunching short balls from Curtley, but would go onto score 63 amongst our dismal team effort against two of the games most destructive pace bowlers....period! A truely defining encounter, testing Tugga's character.
Tugga went on to score 429 runs in that series and an average 107.25, with his memorable double century in the final test played in Antigua. Three half-centuries also came with his heroic efforts in the middle. I will also never forget Brian Lara also making another one of his many impacts where he scored 308 runs in the series at an average of 44.00.
The point is that this was a testament to Tugga's will power and collective skills at the elite level, which marked him as a true test batsman.
More so it was done against a duo that I was so sad to see the end of in 2000/01.
The Ambrose/ Walsh partnership was a fast bowling trend within West Indian cricket that followed the legendary brilliance of the masters; Joel Garner, Michael Holding, Colin Croft and Andy Roberts. We also had Wesley Hall (well before their time, notably a key member of the furst drawn test against Ritchie Benauds Australian team) and then Malcolm Marshall during the rise of Ambrose, Walsh and Ian Bishop.
WHAT ABOUT THE STATISTICS?
Walsh and Ambrose collectively claimed 421 wickets during their partnership with the new red ball! 421 wickets, how insane is that!
Together they had 924 wickets when their careers ended in close time.
Interestingly both of them claimed 22 five wickets hauls, along with three 10 wicket hauls in a match. How is that stat? Quite remarkable.
Curtley ended his wonderful career with 405 wickets at an average of 20.99.
Courtney Walsh was a workhorse, bowling 30 019 deliveries in his career and was often the bloke to run up a hill or against the wind, allowing Curtley all the assistance he needed to dominate. A silent grafter on the field.
From these 30 019 deliveries he picked up 519 wickets and an average of 24.44.
Legends! They truly are and to have seen two of the best shape up against some of our greatest batsmen during our ascendancy of dominance was an utter joy to have witnessed.
The Windies are still looking for those extreme pacemen to return and I guess we are looking for our batsmen to dig deep and deliver the fight Tugga put up, similar to that of Justin Langer.
They have Andre Russell at the moment who is looking to cememt his name in the line-up in ODIs and funny enough he has the height and haircut of Curtley. He will need to develop the stamina though as he easily loses his pace after a handful of overs. Maybe he should swim in the ocean as a few of the Windies greats of 70s and 80s did?
Pace is not distant though with Fidel Edwards and Kemar Roach.
This height was a definite trademark of the Windies greats, but not a significant factor in modern day speedsters. For example, Brett Lee, Dale Steyn and Mitchell Johnson aren't ridiculously tall blokes but they can clock it nicely. Even Waqar Younis and Wasim Akram, another epic duo, weren't too tall but they were a spectacle!
However for the Windies, tall, lanky and bold were key components of their men of chaos!
Walsh I will always remember as the bloke who could go on and on without fail.
His pace was so special to see as he could endure the physical demands of his Skippers, while maintaining a pace that made damn sure a batsman had to concentrate for an extended period of time, as Steve Waugh so regularly did in any series.
Curtley, besides the amusing barage of no-balls incident, you would have to remember for his spell of 7 wickets for 1 run against us at the WACA!
I picked up the DVD of Australia's glorius summers and relive this spell many times, eyes wide open, looking at his brilliance to get the ball to wildly snap up at a batsmen from just back of a length and totally cramp their space, often leading to a cowardly edge to the slips. Yes, there were always many, many blokes in the slip and gully regions.
But during that spell Curtley bowled as he ripped apart our batsmen in the 1st innings, another man did his job.
That man is Ian Bishop, who played a crucial, sometimes forgotten, role to support the deadly duo of Ambrose and Walsh.
In the 2nd innings Ian took 6 wickets, claiming his career best figures of 6/40. The stress fracturers would continue to burden his career until it all became too much, but the way he came back and still showed his quality was admirable. He took 161 wickets in his career at an average of 24.27 with six 5 wicket hauls.
I guess even Curtley had his own brilliance when his lightning pace left him and that was by crafting his experience and intelligence to use the seam and his wrist action to keep getting wickets! Unfortunately as the Windies batsmen began to fail on a more frequent basis, it made his job harder and soon it was too much to ask the Windies greats of Walsh and Ambrose to keep delivering the fear of pace.
Having recently spent some time working through all my cricketing memorabilia I found I still have my Curtley Ambrose poster, which was stacked with my first poster ever which was of Brian Charles Lara. I was given it in 1994.
Unfortunately some of the special items I had (like Glenn McGrath's signature with a personal message of encouragement) have just been carlessly and regrettably lost over years of boxing up things.
I will definitely be sharing some of these items with you in a post sometime soon. Even surpised myself at some of the things I have collected over just short of 20 odd years.
So, now that I have shared my fond memories of the greatest seam bowling duo I ever witnessed in action, as well as the way Steve Waugh (one of the most inspirational blokes within my frame of reference) stood up to them in numerous battles in the middle, here's the video for you to enjoy!
Rob, who I chatted with briefly during my days with Sylvester at PlanetCricket, has compiled the greatest collection of cricket footage on Youtube!
Having lost much footage over the years cause my VHS tapes have gone bust, these uploads are truly remarkable.
Without further to do, click on the link below, let the video load and enjoy....while trying to imagine being Tugga! What a legend he was.
A special thanks, as always, to this legendary group of cricketers for the entertainment and inspirational memories they gave us. I hope we never lose these progressions within the game to create giants of the game.
VIDEO LINK to Curtley Ambrose versus Steve Waugh during the 3rd Test of the Frank Worrell series in 1995.
Curtley Ambrose and Courtney Walsh, destructive brothers in arms!
Steve Waugh vs Curtley Ambrose.
Welcome to The Baggy Green Blogsite!
Thanks for reading this article written by Ian.
To comment on this article, click on the 'Comments' tag at the end of the article.
TWITTER@BaggyGreenBlog
@Ianbaggygreen
@Dan_Stapo
The battle between a fast bowler on his perfect track to embed fear and doubt in the even the best of batsmen, whilst seeing how he (the batsman) counter-attacks that threat head on using all the skill a test cricketer requires!
I grew up admiring Australian batsmen (Steve Waugh, Michael Slater, Mark Waugh,Ricky Ponting and even Allan Border for the brief period left in his career when I began watching cricket) while being a young kid just flabbergasted by the raw pace of the tall West Indian pace bowlers in test cricket.
The two, when in contest, provided a beautiful nightmare for Aussie fans witnessing test cricket in its most epic of moments.
The greatest fast bowler vs batsman duel I can recall – besides Allan Donald versus Michael Atherton in 1994 – was the Frank Worrell series in 1995.
A man by the name of Curtley Ambrose and his partner in crime, Courtney Walsh, would rip apart the Baggy Greens in the third test on a killer surface in Trinidad, Port of Spain.
The two of them would collectively claim 15 of our teams 20 wickets in this match, Ambrose taking 9 of these, Courtney taking 6. It was bloody brutal, in close instances nearly literally!
This test is mostly known as the symbolic moment where one man stood up to Curtley Ambrose, ultimately showing the Windies' dominance was slowly on the downhill and the Baggy Greens were stepping up theirs.
Steve Waugh was the man to do it, but not before facing a brutal spell of bowling from Curtley in particular, who bowled some short pitched deliveries that had the fanatical Windies crowd in loud vocal support, while anyone supporting the Baggy Green legend would've been really glad to have been in their living room.
As the axe began to fall upon our batsmen, one particular over, being the 14th, saw Curtley deliver the trademark smack of intimidation upon an opponent. The cold glare!
No words delivered after a delivery with emotive rage but rather a look of anger, annoyance, a tactic of systematic disintegration!
Tugga was the man who somewhat mastered psychological warfare and his next move was one that many batsmen would have thought more than twice about. After facing up to another Ambrose special – a wild bouncer outside of off-stump which had Tugga weaving and losing his balance ever so lightly in his evasive attempt – Tugga endured another Ambrose glare, to which he calmly (in true "Ice man" style) replied something to the effect off, “F**k off and just bowl.”
Curtley was offended and probably in total shock. A man in no comparison to his stature (not just physically at this point in Tugga's career, but cricketing stature as well) would create a stand off against him, as a Windies giant. Now that was unheard of, but Steve Waugh was the man to do it!
Curtley towered over Tugga, who had his bat raised like a sword, and faced off against Curtley who went into crazy mode on the verge of lunging at Tugga after the utter blasphemy!
Richie Richardson, who I still mark as a true gentleman of the game, was quick to step in and pull his strike bowler away to avoid something that would have potentially belonged on the Rugby field! It was quite a frantic pull as well. Curtley walked back not at all amused.
Tugga stood his ground and would receive some bone crunching short balls from Curtley, but would go onto score 63 amongst our dismal team effort against two of the games most destructive pace bowlers....period! A truely defining encounter, testing Tugga's character.
Tugga went on to score 429 runs in that series and an average 107.25, with his memorable double century in the final test played in Antigua. Three half-centuries also came with his heroic efforts in the middle. I will also never forget Brian Lara also making another one of his many impacts where he scored 308 runs in the series at an average of 44.00.
The point is that this was a testament to Tugga's will power and collective skills at the elite level, which marked him as a true test batsman.
More so it was done against a duo that I was so sad to see the end of in 2000/01.
The Ambrose/ Walsh partnership was a fast bowling trend within West Indian cricket that followed the legendary brilliance of the masters; Joel Garner, Michael Holding, Colin Croft and Andy Roberts. We also had Wesley Hall (well before their time, notably a key member of the furst drawn test against Ritchie Benauds Australian team) and then Malcolm Marshall during the rise of Ambrose, Walsh and Ian Bishop.
WHAT ABOUT THE STATISTICS?
Walsh and Ambrose collectively claimed 421 wickets during their partnership with the new red ball! 421 wickets, how insane is that!
Together they had 924 wickets when their careers ended in close time.
Interestingly both of them claimed 22 five wickets hauls, along with three 10 wicket hauls in a match. How is that stat? Quite remarkable.
Curtley ended his wonderful career with 405 wickets at an average of 20.99.
Courtney Walsh was a workhorse, bowling 30 019 deliveries in his career and was often the bloke to run up a hill or against the wind, allowing Curtley all the assistance he needed to dominate. A silent grafter on the field.
From these 30 019 deliveries he picked up 519 wickets and an average of 24.44.
Legends! They truly are and to have seen two of the best shape up against some of our greatest batsmen during our ascendancy of dominance was an utter joy to have witnessed.
The Windies are still looking for those extreme pacemen to return and I guess we are looking for our batsmen to dig deep and deliver the fight Tugga put up, similar to that of Justin Langer.
They have Andre Russell at the moment who is looking to cememt his name in the line-up in ODIs and funny enough he has the height and haircut of Curtley. He will need to develop the stamina though as he easily loses his pace after a handful of overs. Maybe he should swim in the ocean as a few of the Windies greats of 70s and 80s did?
Pace is not distant though with Fidel Edwards and Kemar Roach.
This height was a definite trademark of the Windies greats, but not a significant factor in modern day speedsters. For example, Brett Lee, Dale Steyn and Mitchell Johnson aren't ridiculously tall blokes but they can clock it nicely. Even Waqar Younis and Wasim Akram, another epic duo, weren't too tall but they were a spectacle!
However for the Windies, tall, lanky and bold were key components of their men of chaos!
Walsh I will always remember as the bloke who could go on and on without fail.
His pace was so special to see as he could endure the physical demands of his Skippers, while maintaining a pace that made damn sure a batsman had to concentrate for an extended period of time, as Steve Waugh so regularly did in any series.
Curtley, besides the amusing barage of no-balls incident, you would have to remember for his spell of 7 wickets for 1 run against us at the WACA!
I picked up the DVD of Australia's glorius summers and relive this spell many times, eyes wide open, looking at his brilliance to get the ball to wildly snap up at a batsmen from just back of a length and totally cramp their space, often leading to a cowardly edge to the slips. Yes, there were always many, many blokes in the slip and gully regions.
But during that spell Curtley bowled as he ripped apart our batsmen in the 1st innings, another man did his job.
That man is Ian Bishop, who played a crucial, sometimes forgotten, role to support the deadly duo of Ambrose and Walsh.
In the 2nd innings Ian took 6 wickets, claiming his career best figures of 6/40. The stress fracturers would continue to burden his career until it all became too much, but the way he came back and still showed his quality was admirable. He took 161 wickets in his career at an average of 24.27 with six 5 wicket hauls.
I guess even Curtley had his own brilliance when his lightning pace left him and that was by crafting his experience and intelligence to use the seam and his wrist action to keep getting wickets! Unfortunately as the Windies batsmen began to fail on a more frequent basis, it made his job harder and soon it was too much to ask the Windies greats of Walsh and Ambrose to keep delivering the fear of pace.
Having recently spent some time working through all my cricketing memorabilia I found I still have my Curtley Ambrose poster, which was stacked with my first poster ever which was of Brian Charles Lara. I was given it in 1994.
Unfortunately some of the special items I had (like Glenn McGrath's signature with a personal message of encouragement) have just been carlessly and regrettably lost over years of boxing up things.
I will definitely be sharing some of these items with you in a post sometime soon. Even surpised myself at some of the things I have collected over just short of 20 odd years.
So, now that I have shared my fond memories of the greatest seam bowling duo I ever witnessed in action, as well as the way Steve Waugh (one of the most inspirational blokes within my frame of reference) stood up to them in numerous battles in the middle, here's the video for you to enjoy!
Rob, who I chatted with briefly during my days with Sylvester at PlanetCricket, has compiled the greatest collection of cricket footage on Youtube!
Having lost much footage over the years cause my VHS tapes have gone bust, these uploads are truly remarkable.
Without further to do, click on the link below, let the video load and enjoy....while trying to imagine being Tugga! What a legend he was.
A special thanks, as always, to this legendary group of cricketers for the entertainment and inspirational memories they gave us. I hope we never lose these progressions within the game to create giants of the game.
VIDEO LINK to Curtley Ambrose versus Steve Waugh during the 3rd Test of the Frank Worrell series in 1995.
Curtley Ambrose and Courtney Walsh, destructive brothers in arms!
Steve Waugh vs Curtley Ambrose.
Welcome to The Baggy Green Blogsite!
Thanks for reading this article written by Ian.
To comment on this article, click on the 'Comments' tag at the end of the article.
TWITTER@BaggyGreenBlog
@Ianbaggygreen
@Dan_Stapo
24 June 2011
Let's talk about the Windies
My apologies for the lack of articles over the last two weeks.
In all honesty I have been a bit upset with the state of affairs in the Australian cricket camp and have felt anything but inspired to write about the on-going matter.
When I saw Simon Katich was the player featured for June in Cricket Australia’s 2011 calendar I had a bit of a laugh. I was then told Jonathan Trott was featured on the ECBs calendar.
Coincidentally he ran Katto out for 0 in Katto’s last Ashes innings.
I don’t care about the Big Bash League and I don’t care what Cricket Australia’s plans are at this point in time. All I care about is the guys representing Australia A in the upcoming tour against Zimbabwe play their hearts out to try and put their pride for a chance at representing the Baggy Green first!
Peter Siddle has been given the chance to step in for James Faulkner, while Johnny Hastings will join the One day team, indicating Sids is still not in the immediate plans for an ODI return, although I think he is capable. I am just stoked he will have a chance to show his ferocity with the ball in hand to make a statement ahead of the Sri-Lankan tour.
With some more variation and extra experience I still believe he will be a regular fighter for Australia.
So, until a time where I am ambitious again and mighty pumped for the upcoming contests for our team, don’t expect anything drastic, unless the NSP recalls Katto and declares publicly, that while their jobs may be challenging (like most of ours are), they have been inconsistent and apologise to us for totally stuffing things around, not just for the players but many of us as well.
As Mickey Arthur (I’m not a big fan) stated, Australia’s priorities are wrong. How right he is.
Now that that has been cleared up, how about the Windies?
As you may know if you follow me on Twitter, I am a huge supporter of West Indian cricket and I have been enjoying the ride of frustrating inconsistency since 1999, so this current period of Australian cricket is something I’m used to. I am just taking it badly because it is my team in the questionable state of affairs.
There has been a lot said about Chris Gayle. In all honesty, even though the Windies have endless political problems driven by the top dogs ensuring they are the dominant name callers within the Caribbean cricket scene, Chris does have a tendency to have an “I am greater than the game” attitude. You can’t deny though he is a wonderful character and a very exciting cricketer at any form of the game, particularly test cricket…which is where his mixed emotions lie.
He is one of those players suffering an identity crisis with the pride of the game and his desire to represent the maroon cap versus the lucrative appeal of hit and giggle cricket which compliments his brutal batting and larger than life ego.
I hope he can resolve his issues with the Windies Cricket Board soon, because it is true that the team (and the supporters) could do with Chris, preferably not sporting an afro with a retro 70s dress code. But things have to be looked beyond him.
I do like to look at the positives in their cricket and there are plenty of them!
Let’s start with the batting; Adrian Barath, Lendl Simmonds, Darren Bravo, Marlon Samuels, Brendan Nash (one of Queensland's products) and veterans Shiv Chanderpaul and Ramnaresh Sarwan.
A mixture of youth and experience, the youth perhaps seeming more attractive at this stage for selection.
Chanderpaul hasn't really delivered his class for some time, while Sarwan has a tendency to consistently deliver inconsistent performances in all forms of the game. Both of them can be calculative batsmen, particularly test cricket, but in recent times their experience has only been a justification to their placements in the side, but it can't be denied they are still required at this point in time. Still two tests to go, you can't rule them out.
Brendan Nash hasn't had a solid innings for some time now. A bit of a scraper (and a bloke who was a substitute fielder for Baggy Green a few years back) with the bat, he's struggled for a while to graft hard and deliver a good innings or a noticeable contribution. He can bat brilliantly on his day and is tailored to test cricket, so as a former Australian State cricketer and a highly capable batsman, I hope he turns his fortune around soon and gets stuck in with the run getting, as I hope to see from Sarwan & Shiv.
I also hope Dwayne Bravo can become a more cemented all-rounder for our team.
The positives lie with Barath, Simmonds, Bravo and potentially Marlon Samuels who finally returned to cricket after some “foul play”. Recent debutants also emerged with little success but atleast they have been identified.
Barath is a young man who we should remember for his century against us during the summer of 2009, where he took on our bowlers with an attacking display of, at times, relatively unorthodox shots. Our bowling unit was solid at the time and he held his own. Injury has set him back a bit, but literally just a bit as he is young and if anything the break would have enhanced his hunger to return. He scored a half-century in the 1st innings of the first test and I can see him becoming a confident opening batsman. As a short bloke in stature it is quite amusing seeing him take on a seam attack with the new red ball.
Simmonds made a massive impact in the ODIs recently past, but is still looking to make his Test career come alive. Partnering a guy like Barath they produce a partnership that lacks experience, but the ability to avoid complacency is a positive with their natural games. The issue may be patience is a concern, but with time perhaps they will compliment each other where one plays the aggressor, the other the defender? Both are still looking to become regulars, which will take time and plenty challenging situations.
Lastly, Darren Bravo just looks classy when he's at the crease. Not only does he look like Brian Charles Lara, but his batting technique draws comparisons in many ways as well to The Prince. Wristy shot execution, powerful pulls shots, cheeky late cuts and an expressive display of cover drives, yeah, I see a lot of similarities. But there's also an X factor about him. It's that unknown scenario where you sense a player has something epic to offer but it may take time.
Darren has a definite issue with defending or playing freely on the leg side, which is evident given how prone he is to LBW decisions and being bowled around the legs. Spin has proven to be a challenge for him but, in general, Windies players aren't experts at playing spin. As Sir Vivian Richards would say, “just move those feet and hit it!”
He will need more time, but I hope they keep him as a regular and don't let him fall victim to inconsistent selection based on immediate results expected. Yes, he does have that X factor and if you know a thing or two about the game you can't deny there is a burning ambition within this guy to become something epic for Windies cricket and reignite that strength in their batting department, but it will take time. If he can sort out those leg side issues and become more assertive against spin bowling....watch out!
Then there’s Carlton Baugh. Not only is his surname lacking one letter to match one of the greatest surnames in cricketing history, but he is a mighty sharp wicket-keeper!
The Windies have lacked this and while isn’t your common and sought after Keeper-Batsman, he can hold his own with the gloves and deliver that Healy like duty with the bat. He’ll graft if he has to or go after it – sometimes carelessly – to do his job as a lower order batsman.
During the ODIs against India he’s on the money when sensing a stumping opportunity and the speed at which he manages to retrieve a ball from out of leg stump to move inward to whip the bails off is impressive. It’s about time the Windies had a solid glovesman to take guard!
The bowling department is shaping up and there was even a stand off between two express seamers for a final spot in the 1st Test versus India. This has been a long time!
Fidel Edwards returned after his IPL stint to take over new ball duty from Kemar Roach, who is still very fresh in his career. Both can blitz in some daunting bouncers and instead of giving verbal warfare at their opponent, they simply glare at their opponent, like a Windies bowler from a brighter era would do.
Kemar Roach many of us Australian supporters will know as that guy who brought down Punter with the pull shot back in the summer of 2009. He is also a young man developing a definite knack of express bowling. If he lost the gold chain he may lose a kilo or two and be able to charge in even faster.
They have Ravi Rampaul who bowled a superb spell of bowling during India's first innings of the 1st test. If there was one bloke Ben Hilfenhaus could take a pointer or two from an attacking perspective, he should watch this guy, as well as Praveen Kumar of India. Hilfy has far better experience but I see a lot of similarities between him and Rampaul.
You need that guy who holds things down, allowing the key wicket takers to get stuck in there while that pressure builder gets wickets as well. Hilfy has his chance again for Australia A to prove he still has this ability.
The bloke in the waiting list will be Andre Russell who kicked some serious ass for the Windies in the 4th ODI with the bat, blasting 92 runs in truly entertaining style.
He also delivered a decent innings in the final ODI, but importantly he bowled really well whilst sporting as Courtley Ambrose type haircut.
As far as I am concerned, they got a decent group of seam bowlers to work from. Jerome Taylor is also in the working as well, but is still finding his feet to return.
The one area they are developing a very young and talented spinner is within the abilities of Divendra Bishoo. Why is he learning so quickly?
I will tell you. It's because THE SELECTORS HAVE STUCK WITH HIM!
He has a bad game and gets a bit of a beating, but he grafts and keeps learning from his mistakes. He took the odd beating against India, but the wickets he took were off beautifully flighted deliveries spinning ever so slightly away from the right handed batsmen. It was a joy to watch him and I think if the Windies stick with him, he could have a similar impact like Graeme Swann has had (more say a season back) for England.
Australia need to learn from this process of patience and nurturing a bowlers confidence.
They also have Anthony Martin who has debuted late but he is a tidy, uncomplicated spin bowler, who in contrast may not spin it a lot, but he is ambitious, animated and so determined not to lose the battle. I look forward to his progress as he has already earned a man-of-the-match award.
Lastly there's Darren Sammy, the Skipper. Given the Captaincy under questionable circumstances – also based on his own performance – he has delivered with the bat in limited overs and taken wickets as well. He may not be epic with the ball in hand but his medium pacers can prove to be testing on a batsman's confidence and when he sends down that slower ball he can trick even the best of the best.
People focus too much on his bowling attributes at times, when in fact I think he has done a hell of a good job as a leader, possibly better than that of Chris. Darren is a team player to the core and when he performs well it reflects in his overall confidence. He just needs a team to start winning and having the self belief to win and not lose key moments.
One moment of his Captaincy I have enjoyed was during the collapse that inveitably let to defeat in the final innings of the 1st Test against India, he came out against Harbhajan Singh.
Instead of coming out with the attitude of, “It's over”, he instead had the attitude of, “What's this crap? I'm not going to let this bloke tie me down as my teams chances slip away”. So what did he do? He just blasted Harbhajan for three back to back sixes, the final two being bloody huge shots!
Ah, it was awesome to witness and Darren casually carried on. Not responsible, but definitely a mark of attempted domination on the situation.
The Windies are still finding their way, but I have no doubt – and I mean that – they will find strength with this group. The talent is there but it's how it is nurtured amongst the experienced. This is where our cricket is failing terribly! Hate to draw comparisons but it is frighteningly true, while not as low.
So, my best wishes to the Winides in the remaining tests. They let this 1st Test slip away and they should have won it but their batsmen keep failing game after game. It is time for them to assert patience and then just apply their skills with confidence as they learn how to control their emotions and synergy as a team. The next two tests will push them as it took them 2 years (and a bit) to end their losing drought in test cricket against Pakistan.
But they can only do their best, which is what I hope to see.
One thing we have all learnt – as the Windies have learnt now – is the following:
Don't drop Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Virendar Sehwag, VVS Laxman or MS Dhoni in single figures.
You will be punished!
Darren Bravo is fast becoming a personal favourite of mine. With 4 half-centuries in 10 innings and averaging just over 40. This was just after his final dismissal in the last innings of the 1st test. A definite weakness Ian Bishop and Tony Cozier have pointed out is that he is vulnerable against a line around leg stump. He was bowled around the legs to a ball shaping in perfectly, a line that he shouldn't have left.
© Associated Press
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In all honesty I have been a bit upset with the state of affairs in the Australian cricket camp and have felt anything but inspired to write about the on-going matter.
When I saw Simon Katich was the player featured for June in Cricket Australia’s 2011 calendar I had a bit of a laugh. I was then told Jonathan Trott was featured on the ECBs calendar.
Coincidentally he ran Katto out for 0 in Katto’s last Ashes innings.
I don’t care about the Big Bash League and I don’t care what Cricket Australia’s plans are at this point in time. All I care about is the guys representing Australia A in the upcoming tour against Zimbabwe play their hearts out to try and put their pride for a chance at representing the Baggy Green first!
Peter Siddle has been given the chance to step in for James Faulkner, while Johnny Hastings will join the One day team, indicating Sids is still not in the immediate plans for an ODI return, although I think he is capable. I am just stoked he will have a chance to show his ferocity with the ball in hand to make a statement ahead of the Sri-Lankan tour.
With some more variation and extra experience I still believe he will be a regular fighter for Australia.
So, until a time where I am ambitious again and mighty pumped for the upcoming contests for our team, don’t expect anything drastic, unless the NSP recalls Katto and declares publicly, that while their jobs may be challenging (like most of ours are), they have been inconsistent and apologise to us for totally stuffing things around, not just for the players but many of us as well.
As Mickey Arthur (I’m not a big fan) stated, Australia’s priorities are wrong. How right he is.
Now that that has been cleared up, how about the Windies?
As you may know if you follow me on Twitter, I am a huge supporter of West Indian cricket and I have been enjoying the ride of frustrating inconsistency since 1999, so this current period of Australian cricket is something I’m used to. I am just taking it badly because it is my team in the questionable state of affairs.
There has been a lot said about Chris Gayle. In all honesty, even though the Windies have endless political problems driven by the top dogs ensuring they are the dominant name callers within the Caribbean cricket scene, Chris does have a tendency to have an “I am greater than the game” attitude. You can’t deny though he is a wonderful character and a very exciting cricketer at any form of the game, particularly test cricket…which is where his mixed emotions lie.
He is one of those players suffering an identity crisis with the pride of the game and his desire to represent the maroon cap versus the lucrative appeal of hit and giggle cricket which compliments his brutal batting and larger than life ego.
I hope he can resolve his issues with the Windies Cricket Board soon, because it is true that the team (and the supporters) could do with Chris, preferably not sporting an afro with a retro 70s dress code. But things have to be looked beyond him.
I do like to look at the positives in their cricket and there are plenty of them!
Let’s start with the batting; Adrian Barath, Lendl Simmonds, Darren Bravo, Marlon Samuels, Brendan Nash (one of Queensland's products) and veterans Shiv Chanderpaul and Ramnaresh Sarwan.
A mixture of youth and experience, the youth perhaps seeming more attractive at this stage for selection.
Chanderpaul hasn't really delivered his class for some time, while Sarwan has a tendency to consistently deliver inconsistent performances in all forms of the game. Both of them can be calculative batsmen, particularly test cricket, but in recent times their experience has only been a justification to their placements in the side, but it can't be denied they are still required at this point in time. Still two tests to go, you can't rule them out.
Brendan Nash hasn't had a solid innings for some time now. A bit of a scraper (and a bloke who was a substitute fielder for Baggy Green a few years back) with the bat, he's struggled for a while to graft hard and deliver a good innings or a noticeable contribution. He can bat brilliantly on his day and is tailored to test cricket, so as a former Australian State cricketer and a highly capable batsman, I hope he turns his fortune around soon and gets stuck in with the run getting, as I hope to see from Sarwan & Shiv.
I also hope Dwayne Bravo can become a more cemented all-rounder for our team.
The positives lie with Barath, Simmonds, Bravo and potentially Marlon Samuels who finally returned to cricket after some “foul play”. Recent debutants also emerged with little success but atleast they have been identified.
Barath is a young man who we should remember for his century against us during the summer of 2009, where he took on our bowlers with an attacking display of, at times, relatively unorthodox shots. Our bowling unit was solid at the time and he held his own. Injury has set him back a bit, but literally just a bit as he is young and if anything the break would have enhanced his hunger to return. He scored a half-century in the 1st innings of the first test and I can see him becoming a confident opening batsman. As a short bloke in stature it is quite amusing seeing him take on a seam attack with the new red ball.
Simmonds made a massive impact in the ODIs recently past, but is still looking to make his Test career come alive. Partnering a guy like Barath they produce a partnership that lacks experience, but the ability to avoid complacency is a positive with their natural games. The issue may be patience is a concern, but with time perhaps they will compliment each other where one plays the aggressor, the other the defender? Both are still looking to become regulars, which will take time and plenty challenging situations.
Lastly, Darren Bravo just looks classy when he's at the crease. Not only does he look like Brian Charles Lara, but his batting technique draws comparisons in many ways as well to The Prince. Wristy shot execution, powerful pulls shots, cheeky late cuts and an expressive display of cover drives, yeah, I see a lot of similarities. But there's also an X factor about him. It's that unknown scenario where you sense a player has something epic to offer but it may take time.
Darren has a definite issue with defending or playing freely on the leg side, which is evident given how prone he is to LBW decisions and being bowled around the legs. Spin has proven to be a challenge for him but, in general, Windies players aren't experts at playing spin. As Sir Vivian Richards would say, “just move those feet and hit it!”
He will need more time, but I hope they keep him as a regular and don't let him fall victim to inconsistent selection based on immediate results expected. Yes, he does have that X factor and if you know a thing or two about the game you can't deny there is a burning ambition within this guy to become something epic for Windies cricket and reignite that strength in their batting department, but it will take time. If he can sort out those leg side issues and become more assertive against spin bowling....watch out!
Then there’s Carlton Baugh. Not only is his surname lacking one letter to match one of the greatest surnames in cricketing history, but he is a mighty sharp wicket-keeper!
The Windies have lacked this and while isn’t your common and sought after Keeper-Batsman, he can hold his own with the gloves and deliver that Healy like duty with the bat. He’ll graft if he has to or go after it – sometimes carelessly – to do his job as a lower order batsman.
During the ODIs against India he’s on the money when sensing a stumping opportunity and the speed at which he manages to retrieve a ball from out of leg stump to move inward to whip the bails off is impressive. It’s about time the Windies had a solid glovesman to take guard!
The bowling department is shaping up and there was even a stand off between two express seamers for a final spot in the 1st Test versus India. This has been a long time!
Fidel Edwards returned after his IPL stint to take over new ball duty from Kemar Roach, who is still very fresh in his career. Both can blitz in some daunting bouncers and instead of giving verbal warfare at their opponent, they simply glare at their opponent, like a Windies bowler from a brighter era would do.
Kemar Roach many of us Australian supporters will know as that guy who brought down Punter with the pull shot back in the summer of 2009. He is also a young man developing a definite knack of express bowling. If he lost the gold chain he may lose a kilo or two and be able to charge in even faster.
They have Ravi Rampaul who bowled a superb spell of bowling during India's first innings of the 1st test. If there was one bloke Ben Hilfenhaus could take a pointer or two from an attacking perspective, he should watch this guy, as well as Praveen Kumar of India. Hilfy has far better experience but I see a lot of similarities between him and Rampaul.
You need that guy who holds things down, allowing the key wicket takers to get stuck in there while that pressure builder gets wickets as well. Hilfy has his chance again for Australia A to prove he still has this ability.
The bloke in the waiting list will be Andre Russell who kicked some serious ass for the Windies in the 4th ODI with the bat, blasting 92 runs in truly entertaining style.
He also delivered a decent innings in the final ODI, but importantly he bowled really well whilst sporting as Courtley Ambrose type haircut.
As far as I am concerned, they got a decent group of seam bowlers to work from. Jerome Taylor is also in the working as well, but is still finding his feet to return.
The one area they are developing a very young and talented spinner is within the abilities of Divendra Bishoo. Why is he learning so quickly?
I will tell you. It's because THE SELECTORS HAVE STUCK WITH HIM!
He has a bad game and gets a bit of a beating, but he grafts and keeps learning from his mistakes. He took the odd beating against India, but the wickets he took were off beautifully flighted deliveries spinning ever so slightly away from the right handed batsmen. It was a joy to watch him and I think if the Windies stick with him, he could have a similar impact like Graeme Swann has had (more say a season back) for England.
Australia need to learn from this process of patience and nurturing a bowlers confidence.
They also have Anthony Martin who has debuted late but he is a tidy, uncomplicated spin bowler, who in contrast may not spin it a lot, but he is ambitious, animated and so determined not to lose the battle. I look forward to his progress as he has already earned a man-of-the-match award.
Lastly there's Darren Sammy, the Skipper. Given the Captaincy under questionable circumstances – also based on his own performance – he has delivered with the bat in limited overs and taken wickets as well. He may not be epic with the ball in hand but his medium pacers can prove to be testing on a batsman's confidence and when he sends down that slower ball he can trick even the best of the best.
People focus too much on his bowling attributes at times, when in fact I think he has done a hell of a good job as a leader, possibly better than that of Chris. Darren is a team player to the core and when he performs well it reflects in his overall confidence. He just needs a team to start winning and having the self belief to win and not lose key moments.
One moment of his Captaincy I have enjoyed was during the collapse that inveitably let to defeat in the final innings of the 1st Test against India, he came out against Harbhajan Singh.
Instead of coming out with the attitude of, “It's over”, he instead had the attitude of, “What's this crap? I'm not going to let this bloke tie me down as my teams chances slip away”. So what did he do? He just blasted Harbhajan for three back to back sixes, the final two being bloody huge shots!
Ah, it was awesome to witness and Darren casually carried on. Not responsible, but definitely a mark of attempted domination on the situation.
The Windies are still finding their way, but I have no doubt – and I mean that – they will find strength with this group. The talent is there but it's how it is nurtured amongst the experienced. This is where our cricket is failing terribly! Hate to draw comparisons but it is frighteningly true, while not as low.
So, my best wishes to the Winides in the remaining tests. They let this 1st Test slip away and they should have won it but their batsmen keep failing game after game. It is time for them to assert patience and then just apply their skills with confidence as they learn how to control their emotions and synergy as a team. The next two tests will push them as it took them 2 years (and a bit) to end their losing drought in test cricket against Pakistan.
But they can only do their best, which is what I hope to see.
One thing we have all learnt – as the Windies have learnt now – is the following:
Don't drop Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Virendar Sehwag, VVS Laxman or MS Dhoni in single figures.
You will be punished!
Darren Bravo is fast becoming a personal favourite of mine. With 4 half-centuries in 10 innings and averaging just over 40. This was just after his final dismissal in the last innings of the 1st test. A definite weakness Ian Bishop and Tony Cozier have pointed out is that he is vulnerable against a line around leg stump. He was bowled around the legs to a ball shaping in perfectly, a line that he shouldn't have left.
© Associated Press
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10 June 2011
I’m supporting team Katich on this matter
Simon Katich is a bloke I’d have alongside me on the battlefield any day, let alone the cricket field.
Furthermore, it is a liberating feeling hearing an Australian cricketer finally speak the damn truth about the pathetic, public relations rubbish we have been fed by both the National Selection Panel (NSP) and Cricket Australia with their policies and lack of transparency with the shuffle of players in both Test and ODI cricket.
The Baggy Green Blog is about supporting Australian cricket as a whole, but when a player is hard done by on an issue I have questioned for a long time as a loyal supporter, I will support that player 100%!
Katto did something that required courage. For that word to be worthy to one’s character they need to show it in a challenging environment.
He did it on the sport field for us, but this is a serious testament, in my opinion, to his character.
Read the Katich case here: Link at Cricinfo.com with interview
If you are going to come to the Baggy Green Blog and have your say about how he did it was unprofessional and all that junk, sod off.
For three years we have dealt with inconsistencies. I want to support a team of guys who know they belong there, who have worked hard and have earned their spot and most importantly I want to know who the hell the players are I am supporting. By that I mean it’s important to know they are playing for the pride of the Baggy Green and that we know their stories as cricketers.
We have had spinners come and go, certain players getting endless lifelines, not to mention this never ending bullshit that younger players must be streamlined.
Test cricket is a highly skilled form of the game. If you don’t have the goods both mentally and technically concerned, you will fail!
Katto’s story is one of both those aspects and to drop him on age with the Ashes still two years away is total stupidity and ignorance on a selection platform.
I love the Ashes, I live for it, but I put Australian cricket first. Sri-Lanka and South Africa are currently higher ranked than Australia and are going to be tough contest. England has NOTHING to do with the upcoming clashes.
We needed Katto’s expertise alongside Shane Watson, who is our most valuable player.
Their duo works and even though Katto’s contract wasn’t renewed and although he could (and should) still play for us, the reality is it is unlikely as it was clearly stated that no renewal was to make way for a younger, new opening prospect to partner Shane Watson.
Go figure. Given Katto’s consistency and commitment to our team, yeah, I’d be pissed off if I was him.
Never mind how hard he has worked to improve his injury on the Achilles which is a very difficult injury to overcome. Isn’t that an indication he was determined to return for us?
A cheap shot by the NSP!
Of course this ordeal isn’t complete without Shane Warne throwing in his verdict, which was that if Katich goes, what about the rest of age?
He didn’t state anyone but it was pretty obvious who he was referring too.
I see his point, but the fact is Katto was performing, more so than some of our younger players.
The reasoning isn’t sufficient and Katto was clear that this isn’t financially related, but rather performance related, which I believe; “It's just that I know I've earned the right to play for Australia through my performance and to have that taken away for a reason I don't agree with is blatantly wrong."
I also see Katto had his New South Wales Blues shirt on at the announcement he made.
Being involved in Australian cricket for over a decade, you have to say Katto has been thrown into the crapper on this issue and fully deserved better treatment on the matter.
This is pure corporate mentality though.
I don’t agree with Shane Warne for one second with bringing in young players to test level without proven performances in at least Sheffield or limited overs cricket at International level.
I have my examples to back this and we all know Warnie hasn’t been shy is questioning Michael Hussey in particular, so as far as I’m concerned Warnie’s opinion on this matter is fifty fifty.
He has a point on the other players around Katto’s age, but at the same time it’s not valid on a basis of questioning performance if a player still delivers the goods.
Age means buggar all in test cricket if a guy around 34 or 35 is performing.
If age and a new opening partnership for the Ashes are the reasons the NSP has for sacking Katto’s contract, the same could be said for the top order with Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey. Don’t get me wrong, I support Huss and Punter just as I am doing so for Katto, but there is some serious contradictions if the case is purely aimed at Katto, right?
Wasn’t it the laughed at “Dad’s Army” that won the 2006/07 Ashes 5-0? Warne was there.
Bottom line, this is the truth! So what’s with this crap about youth must be injected…yes, by all means do so in ODI cricket and push for better competitiveness at State level, but not in Test cricket.
I have really thought hard about this current situation.
Apart from having a good laugh at James Sutherland’s really hearty C.E.O type comments (which makes me think of the Andrew Hilditch contradictions), I think it’s great when the underdog questions the bigger picture.
The same scenario would be you going up to your Boss in front of your colleagues, who are brown nosing to keep their pay check glorified, and bringing out the unfair dismissal of your job and the lack of integrity and ethics displayed via top management or the human resources department.
You probably wouldn’t go through with it. If you could, that’s courage, which is what Katto did, in a very clean and professional manner with factual substance.
They have hit a nerve with Katto and dammit it’s awesome to have someone tell it like it is.
For too long they (The NSP) have gotten away with it, but let’s have a look at the comments laid out by our C.E.O of Cricket Australia.
"I am not necessarily saying Simon has entirely called them into question in that fashion but Cricket Australia stands by them in terms of their integrity and the process they go through."
I’m sure Simon has called them into question because they have done a poor job. And now the inconsistencies and, I quote one of my Twitter followers, “I think it's great that they're (the players) speaking their minds & exposing the hypocrisy present.”
Hypocrisy is one thing, but it’s more so blatant inconsistencies and contradictions that have forced a player who grafted during the dominant era to put his Baggy Green back on, to come forward and state things.
"I'm sure the door's not entirely closed on him. I sincerely wish him the very best and encourage to put lots of runs on the board to prove the selectors wrong."
"That's sport, isn't it? Everyone's under review all of the time."
We have dropped from number 1 to 5. We have lost two Ashes series.
Sure, 2009s loss was due to some tactical errors and just losing key moments.
Of course, the 11 players who go out there need to win, but if there’s off-field politics (selection issues) and players who are not full of confidence within their selection (Michael Beer, Xavier Doherty, Phillip Hughes) then there will be a lack of synergy.
So, selection is related to sport and performance. If everyone is under review, why do we have the selection panel still in place? Why is Hilditch still there? They have FAILED!
They have failed a player, who did what Sutherland said by scoring a record pile of runs for NSW in the Sheffield Shield a few years back to mark his return to the elite level.
Why must he do it again? Sutherland should have reworded this daft statement as Katto wasn’t dropped on form, but lost his contract on age!
"I reject any criticism of the selectors, in terms of their individual integrity, the collective integrity and the integrity of the process that they go through to decide who the best team is, the best players are, the best squad is for Australian cricket."
"It's not an easy job but they are the people that Cricket Australia vests the responsibility in to do so."
Yes, it is a very hard job. But how has that job been done? They have made their PART-TIME jobs harder. They’ve been inconsistent, with no solid long term prospects and absolutely no definite clarity on their overall intentions. I think these issues go right into State cricket, which Darren Berry recently slammed.
For Darren Berry’s views, take a read here, this bloke is one of the many coaching or organisational characters we need in the system! Although he does look at the players and how lucrative deals at State level lowers competitive work ethic, thus contributing to lower quality cricket.
"The simple answer is yes, Simon could have expressed his views more privately. But he chose to do that in the manner that he did," Sutherland said.
He had a right, which Sutherland accepts. But if Katto hadn’t done this, we would not have been aware of it and Cricket Australia and the NSP would have gotten away with their antics once again.
Now they have been cornered and privacy means nothing. Transparency is the solution and the public are aware! What marketing gimmick will resolve it?
Not too long ago I linked an article to some comments made by Stuart Clark.
He has insisted that the whole structure needs to be looked at. Furthermore, the selectors should be held accountable for their decisions as the players are for their performances.
The two are directly related and the NSP have underperformed and for this reason, why should we stand for it? Why should the players stand for it?
The NSP never get questioned and always get support from Cricket Australia, even when their performances do require questioning.
I add a quote from a Cricinfo.com source;
Both Katich and his former Australian team-mate Stuart Clark were adamant about the need to implement a system whereby the selectors were employed full-time and made to be as accountable for their decisions as the players are for their performances.
In just one of many memorable lines, Katich summed up the incongruity of $2 million-earning players being judged by part-time selectors on $40,000 a year by saying "when you talk about money you get the best in the business for paying. If you pay peanuts you get monkeys".
Furthering Clark’s opinion;
"I think it's a joke that they're part-time. You're dealing with $2 million salaries and a guy that works part-time getting $40,000 a year, it's laughable,
"(Full-time) would make them more accountable. At the moment they have got some sort of accountability, but when was the last time you saw a selector sacked for a poor selection? I can't seem to remember one.
"Selection's a tough ask, you've got to balance a lot of different issues and a lot of different perspectives. Whether this is right I'm not sure, but let's just hope the selection process gets better because of this.
"He's arguably Australia's best batsman over the past three years, so for him not to be selected can only mean that they've just said 'you're too old and we want to go down a youth path' and any other job in the country that'd probably end up in court somewhere.
"A four-minute conversation is probably not enough for someone that's been part of the organisation for 12 years. How long is right I don't know, but surely Simon deserves something more than that."
Our players are treated like royalty with their payment, but clearly the treatment they get as professional sportsmen in a development and selection guidance environment is poor enough for someone to come out and state something that is nothing new.
It is an issue that has been apparent for a long time, and for that reason – which has affected players as well – I back Katto and believe his argument is valid and related to the love of the game, his pride in representing the Baggy Green and a genuine care for his job as an opening batsman.
How this is addressed? Cricket Australia said no punishment would be handed out, damn right about that! Good answer Mr Sutherland.
I also think this situation Katto has exposed goes alot deeper than his personal situation, in fact I think even he is aware of that. His situation has been the instrument though to sound this whole fiasco.
What I really hope is that these part-time selectors will be thrown overboard, especially Greg Chappell who is always going on about "young talent" and we all know what happened in India during his reign.
I would love to see a return of the old army, like we have with Justin Langer and Craig McDermott, to all areas of Australian cricket.
Even Michael Slater – a member of the “old army” - slammed the selectors when speaking to the Daily Telegraph;
"I think he has been appallingly hung ... If his replacement (Phil Hughes) came in scoring hundreds and was red hot, then I can understand an injury stopping someone in their mid-30s. But that clearly hasn't happened.
"The system that is being reviewed at the moment around the country, what are they reviewing?
The first thing they should be reviewing is the selectors and the selection process and I'd start with the chairman of selectors."
I hope the public is fully aware of ordeal and that it is no longer just the supporters being clueless gits on selection matters, but rather our views be seen as a genuine concern that is felt by some of our most respected cricketers, who we support and want to see thrive at the elite to win games for us.
If the politics are off-balance and the system is shaky, why support it?
I have always stated that you don’t support the system you were born into it, but rather support the system because you believe in it.
It is something I stand strongly by and this retaliation by Katto justifies that statement.
Sure, the whole thing of this is just a game and why should we give a shit because the players get fat cat salaries anyway, may come into this but I believe this incident with Simon Katich has simply brought about awareness with the issue that has been infesting itself deeper into the worries of Australian cricket.
The NSP’s antics have actually made me, as a supporter, lose a bit of enthusiasm with our cricket. Perhaps one example may be that I sympathise with a player who gets sacked after 1 test match, only because they shouldn’t have been there to begin with or because the NSP doesn’t know what the heck they are doing.
Or it’s because they – the NSP - listen to Shane Warne’s public rants like it’s a gospel e.g. Michael Beer at the WACA.
It was also amusing when Katto mentioned the 17 man Ashes Squad announcement.
I never wanted to comment on that on the Baggy Green Blog as it would have been a negative input regarding our side heading into the Ashes, which we were all nervous about. It’s kind of a laugh looking back at it now with the series concluded.
Cricket is important to us, it has a major role in our personal lives away from work and family matters, and even then it is indirectly related on those grounds.
The quality of the game and the belief Dan I hold at the Baggy Green Blog is directly related to this matter and that is, the game must be put first and “long live cricket” for the supporters and players!
If the players are dissatisfied and the system is unstable, we should question it and folks, the three year old argument some of us have been expressing regarding the NSP – starting with Brad Hodge and the spinner dilemmas - has finally been made public by a solid performer for Australian cricket.
Let us hope that a time of change will happen now and that the transition stage revolves back towards the selection panel and the organisational hierarchy.
We have some intense cricket coming up where we could have done with Katto on the tour to open with Shane Watson, as Michael Clarke embarks on his first series as official Captain in August.
A younger team may be the way to go in limited overs cricket, but I’m convinced a young team with very little combined experience will be eaten alive in the upcoming contests.
Therefore, we need a team blending youth and experience for the next 6-12 months in test cricket.
It is time for Cricket Australia to facilitate cricket again, to stop being a marketing machine and to do what is best for the game…and not compete with the IPL.
Nurture the younger players with the guidance of experienced players, while having some enthusiastic retired players (of a recent era) in coaching or managerial roles and sack the marketing gurus’ influence on our team.
Good on ya Simon Katich. You’ve got the supporters of the Baggy Green backing you!
I just never thought Australian cricket could sink so low due to so many fickle matters.
Katto telling it like it is before the media. This incident could prove to be a massive moment in Australian cricket for the changes to be made.
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Furthermore, it is a liberating feeling hearing an Australian cricketer finally speak the damn truth about the pathetic, public relations rubbish we have been fed by both the National Selection Panel (NSP) and Cricket Australia with their policies and lack of transparency with the shuffle of players in both Test and ODI cricket.
The Baggy Green Blog is about supporting Australian cricket as a whole, but when a player is hard done by on an issue I have questioned for a long time as a loyal supporter, I will support that player 100%!
Katto did something that required courage. For that word to be worthy to one’s character they need to show it in a challenging environment.
He did it on the sport field for us, but this is a serious testament, in my opinion, to his character.
Read the Katich case here: Link at Cricinfo.com with interview
If you are going to come to the Baggy Green Blog and have your say about how he did it was unprofessional and all that junk, sod off.
For three years we have dealt with inconsistencies. I want to support a team of guys who know they belong there, who have worked hard and have earned their spot and most importantly I want to know who the hell the players are I am supporting. By that I mean it’s important to know they are playing for the pride of the Baggy Green and that we know their stories as cricketers.
We have had spinners come and go, certain players getting endless lifelines, not to mention this never ending bullshit that younger players must be streamlined.
Test cricket is a highly skilled form of the game. If you don’t have the goods both mentally and technically concerned, you will fail!
Katto’s story is one of both those aspects and to drop him on age with the Ashes still two years away is total stupidity and ignorance on a selection platform.
I love the Ashes, I live for it, but I put Australian cricket first. Sri-Lanka and South Africa are currently higher ranked than Australia and are going to be tough contest. England has NOTHING to do with the upcoming clashes.
We needed Katto’s expertise alongside Shane Watson, who is our most valuable player.
Their duo works and even though Katto’s contract wasn’t renewed and although he could (and should) still play for us, the reality is it is unlikely as it was clearly stated that no renewal was to make way for a younger, new opening prospect to partner Shane Watson.
Go figure. Given Katto’s consistency and commitment to our team, yeah, I’d be pissed off if I was him.
Never mind how hard he has worked to improve his injury on the Achilles which is a very difficult injury to overcome. Isn’t that an indication he was determined to return for us?
A cheap shot by the NSP!
Of course this ordeal isn’t complete without Shane Warne throwing in his verdict, which was that if Katich goes, what about the rest of age?
He didn’t state anyone but it was pretty obvious who he was referring too.
I see his point, but the fact is Katto was performing, more so than some of our younger players.
The reasoning isn’t sufficient and Katto was clear that this isn’t financially related, but rather performance related, which I believe; “It's just that I know I've earned the right to play for Australia through my performance and to have that taken away for a reason I don't agree with is blatantly wrong."
I also see Katto had his New South Wales Blues shirt on at the announcement he made.
Being involved in Australian cricket for over a decade, you have to say Katto has been thrown into the crapper on this issue and fully deserved better treatment on the matter.
This is pure corporate mentality though.
I don’t agree with Shane Warne for one second with bringing in young players to test level without proven performances in at least Sheffield or limited overs cricket at International level.
I have my examples to back this and we all know Warnie hasn’t been shy is questioning Michael Hussey in particular, so as far as I’m concerned Warnie’s opinion on this matter is fifty fifty.
He has a point on the other players around Katto’s age, but at the same time it’s not valid on a basis of questioning performance if a player still delivers the goods.
Age means buggar all in test cricket if a guy around 34 or 35 is performing.
If age and a new opening partnership for the Ashes are the reasons the NSP has for sacking Katto’s contract, the same could be said for the top order with Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey. Don’t get me wrong, I support Huss and Punter just as I am doing so for Katto, but there is some serious contradictions if the case is purely aimed at Katto, right?
Wasn’t it the laughed at “Dad’s Army” that won the 2006/07 Ashes 5-0? Warne was there.
Bottom line, this is the truth! So what’s with this crap about youth must be injected…yes, by all means do so in ODI cricket and push for better competitiveness at State level, but not in Test cricket.
I have really thought hard about this current situation.
Apart from having a good laugh at James Sutherland’s really hearty C.E.O type comments (which makes me think of the Andrew Hilditch contradictions), I think it’s great when the underdog questions the bigger picture.
The same scenario would be you going up to your Boss in front of your colleagues, who are brown nosing to keep their pay check glorified, and bringing out the unfair dismissal of your job and the lack of integrity and ethics displayed via top management or the human resources department.
You probably wouldn’t go through with it. If you could, that’s courage, which is what Katto did, in a very clean and professional manner with factual substance.
They have hit a nerve with Katto and dammit it’s awesome to have someone tell it like it is.
For too long they (The NSP) have gotten away with it, but let’s have a look at the comments laid out by our C.E.O of Cricket Australia.
"I am not necessarily saying Simon has entirely called them into question in that fashion but Cricket Australia stands by them in terms of their integrity and the process they go through."
I’m sure Simon has called them into question because they have done a poor job. And now the inconsistencies and, I quote one of my Twitter followers, “I think it's great that they're (the players) speaking their minds & exposing the hypocrisy present.”
Hypocrisy is one thing, but it’s more so blatant inconsistencies and contradictions that have forced a player who grafted during the dominant era to put his Baggy Green back on, to come forward and state things.
"I'm sure the door's not entirely closed on him. I sincerely wish him the very best and encourage to put lots of runs on the board to prove the selectors wrong."
"That's sport, isn't it? Everyone's under review all of the time."
We have dropped from number 1 to 5. We have lost two Ashes series.
Sure, 2009s loss was due to some tactical errors and just losing key moments.
Of course, the 11 players who go out there need to win, but if there’s off-field politics (selection issues) and players who are not full of confidence within their selection (Michael Beer, Xavier Doherty, Phillip Hughes) then there will be a lack of synergy.
So, selection is related to sport and performance. If everyone is under review, why do we have the selection panel still in place? Why is Hilditch still there? They have FAILED!
They have failed a player, who did what Sutherland said by scoring a record pile of runs for NSW in the Sheffield Shield a few years back to mark his return to the elite level.
Why must he do it again? Sutherland should have reworded this daft statement as Katto wasn’t dropped on form, but lost his contract on age!
"I reject any criticism of the selectors, in terms of their individual integrity, the collective integrity and the integrity of the process that they go through to decide who the best team is, the best players are, the best squad is for Australian cricket."
"It's not an easy job but they are the people that Cricket Australia vests the responsibility in to do so."
Yes, it is a very hard job. But how has that job been done? They have made their PART-TIME jobs harder. They’ve been inconsistent, with no solid long term prospects and absolutely no definite clarity on their overall intentions. I think these issues go right into State cricket, which Darren Berry recently slammed.
For Darren Berry’s views, take a read here, this bloke is one of the many coaching or organisational characters we need in the system! Although he does look at the players and how lucrative deals at State level lowers competitive work ethic, thus contributing to lower quality cricket.
"The simple answer is yes, Simon could have expressed his views more privately. But he chose to do that in the manner that he did," Sutherland said.
He had a right, which Sutherland accepts. But if Katto hadn’t done this, we would not have been aware of it and Cricket Australia and the NSP would have gotten away with their antics once again.
Now they have been cornered and privacy means nothing. Transparency is the solution and the public are aware! What marketing gimmick will resolve it?
Not too long ago I linked an article to some comments made by Stuart Clark.
He has insisted that the whole structure needs to be looked at. Furthermore, the selectors should be held accountable for their decisions as the players are for their performances.
The two are directly related and the NSP have underperformed and for this reason, why should we stand for it? Why should the players stand for it?
The NSP never get questioned and always get support from Cricket Australia, even when their performances do require questioning.
I add a quote from a Cricinfo.com source;
Both Katich and his former Australian team-mate Stuart Clark were adamant about the need to implement a system whereby the selectors were employed full-time and made to be as accountable for their decisions as the players are for their performances.
In just one of many memorable lines, Katich summed up the incongruity of $2 million-earning players being judged by part-time selectors on $40,000 a year by saying "when you talk about money you get the best in the business for paying. If you pay peanuts you get monkeys".
Furthering Clark’s opinion;
"I think it's a joke that they're part-time. You're dealing with $2 million salaries and a guy that works part-time getting $40,000 a year, it's laughable,
"(Full-time) would make them more accountable. At the moment they have got some sort of accountability, but when was the last time you saw a selector sacked for a poor selection? I can't seem to remember one.
"Selection's a tough ask, you've got to balance a lot of different issues and a lot of different perspectives. Whether this is right I'm not sure, but let's just hope the selection process gets better because of this.
"He's arguably Australia's best batsman over the past three years, so for him not to be selected can only mean that they've just said 'you're too old and we want to go down a youth path' and any other job in the country that'd probably end up in court somewhere.
"A four-minute conversation is probably not enough for someone that's been part of the organisation for 12 years. How long is right I don't know, but surely Simon deserves something more than that."
Our players are treated like royalty with their payment, but clearly the treatment they get as professional sportsmen in a development and selection guidance environment is poor enough for someone to come out and state something that is nothing new.
It is an issue that has been apparent for a long time, and for that reason – which has affected players as well – I back Katto and believe his argument is valid and related to the love of the game, his pride in representing the Baggy Green and a genuine care for his job as an opening batsman.
How this is addressed? Cricket Australia said no punishment would be handed out, damn right about that! Good answer Mr Sutherland.
I also think this situation Katto has exposed goes alot deeper than his personal situation, in fact I think even he is aware of that. His situation has been the instrument though to sound this whole fiasco.
What I really hope is that these part-time selectors will be thrown overboard, especially Greg Chappell who is always going on about "young talent" and we all know what happened in India during his reign.
I would love to see a return of the old army, like we have with Justin Langer and Craig McDermott, to all areas of Australian cricket.
Even Michael Slater – a member of the “old army” - slammed the selectors when speaking to the Daily Telegraph;
"I think he has been appallingly hung ... If his replacement (Phil Hughes) came in scoring hundreds and was red hot, then I can understand an injury stopping someone in their mid-30s. But that clearly hasn't happened.
"The system that is being reviewed at the moment around the country, what are they reviewing?
The first thing they should be reviewing is the selectors and the selection process and I'd start with the chairman of selectors."
I hope the public is fully aware of ordeal and that it is no longer just the supporters being clueless gits on selection matters, but rather our views be seen as a genuine concern that is felt by some of our most respected cricketers, who we support and want to see thrive at the elite to win games for us.
If the politics are off-balance and the system is shaky, why support it?
I have always stated that you don’t support the system you were born into it, but rather support the system because you believe in it.
It is something I stand strongly by and this retaliation by Katto justifies that statement.
Sure, the whole thing of this is just a game and why should we give a shit because the players get fat cat salaries anyway, may come into this but I believe this incident with Simon Katich has simply brought about awareness with the issue that has been infesting itself deeper into the worries of Australian cricket.
The NSP’s antics have actually made me, as a supporter, lose a bit of enthusiasm with our cricket. Perhaps one example may be that I sympathise with a player who gets sacked after 1 test match, only because they shouldn’t have been there to begin with or because the NSP doesn’t know what the heck they are doing.
Or it’s because they – the NSP - listen to Shane Warne’s public rants like it’s a gospel e.g. Michael Beer at the WACA.
It was also amusing when Katto mentioned the 17 man Ashes Squad announcement.
I never wanted to comment on that on the Baggy Green Blog as it would have been a negative input regarding our side heading into the Ashes, which we were all nervous about. It’s kind of a laugh looking back at it now with the series concluded.
Cricket is important to us, it has a major role in our personal lives away from work and family matters, and even then it is indirectly related on those grounds.
The quality of the game and the belief Dan I hold at the Baggy Green Blog is directly related to this matter and that is, the game must be put first and “long live cricket” for the supporters and players!
If the players are dissatisfied and the system is unstable, we should question it and folks, the three year old argument some of us have been expressing regarding the NSP – starting with Brad Hodge and the spinner dilemmas - has finally been made public by a solid performer for Australian cricket.
Let us hope that a time of change will happen now and that the transition stage revolves back towards the selection panel and the organisational hierarchy.
We have some intense cricket coming up where we could have done with Katto on the tour to open with Shane Watson, as Michael Clarke embarks on his first series as official Captain in August.
A younger team may be the way to go in limited overs cricket, but I’m convinced a young team with very little combined experience will be eaten alive in the upcoming contests.
Therefore, we need a team blending youth and experience for the next 6-12 months in test cricket.
It is time for Cricket Australia to facilitate cricket again, to stop being a marketing machine and to do what is best for the game…and not compete with the IPL.
Nurture the younger players with the guidance of experienced players, while having some enthusiastic retired players (of a recent era) in coaching or managerial roles and sack the marketing gurus’ influence on our team.
Good on ya Simon Katich. You’ve got the supporters of the Baggy Green backing you!
I just never thought Australian cricket could sink so low due to so many fickle matters.
Katto telling it like it is before the media. This incident could prove to be a massive moment in Australian cricket for the changes to be made.
© Getty Images
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07 June 2011
CA Contracted Players 2011/12: Katich not on the renewal list
CRICKET AUSTRALIA Contracted Players list on Blog will be updated.
*Note: Just because a player is granted a contract via Cricket Australia, it does not guarantee them a place in the Squad within any format, nor do they get a selection preference. Therefore, don't get your knickers in a knot when I discuss Phillip Hughes and Usman Khawaja as opening batsmen prospects.
Doug Bollinger - NSW
Michael Clarke - NSW
Patrick Cummins - NSW
Xavier Doherty - TAS
Callum Ferguson - SA
Brad Haddin - NSW
Ryan Harris - QLD
John Hastings - VIC
Nathan Hauritz - NSW
Ben Hilfenhaus - TAS
Phillip Hughes - NSW
David Hussey - VIC
Michael Hussey - WA
Mitchell Johnson - WA
Usman Khawaja - NSW
Jason Krejza - TAS
Brett Lee - NSW
Shaun Marsh - WA
Tim Paine – TAS
James Pattinson - VIC
Ricky Ponting - TAS
Peter Siddle - VIC
Steven Smith - NSW
Shane Watson - NSW
Cameron White - VIC
NSW – 10
VIC – 5
SA – 1
QLD – 1
WA – 3
TAS - 5
First of all this list hints a bold move by the NSP, that must be said.
Secondly, the writing on the wall is clear that our transition phase is still in the initial stages as this is a drastically different list of contracted players in comparison to that of recent seasons, despite most of the players still being active.
Lastly, this indicates we will be seeing a team take on Sri-Lanka and South Africa unlike any we have become somewhat used to in recent times.
One shock is regarding Simon Katich as the major change.
This could come as a result of two things;
The first being Katto’s achillies injury is a very serious form of injury that can end any athletes’ sporting days. Perhaps with the intensity of International cricket and the demands of test cricket, the NSP felt Katto was at risk?
The other reason is that Katto achieved something great and that was the way he returned to represent the Baggy Green. Not much more was needed to be done to prove himself and the time has come to create a different opening partnership in test cricket.
He had some down time and experienced the feeling of being dropped after a hard grafting effort to be a regular since his inception in 2001. He then went back to New South Wales and did what many others have done e.g. Ricky Ponting, Matthew Hayden, Steve Waugh.
That was to pile on the runs, bat for long periods of time, challenge himself even when the odds were against him and it ended up resulting in a record season in Sheffield cricket, passing that of Michael Bevan. He demolished every sides bowling attack within Australia and was rewarded with a comeback for the 2008 West Indian Tour.
It was inspiring and he just continued with control and consistency at the top of the order, partnering Phil Jacques, Matthew Hayden, Phillip Hughes and Shane Watson.
Alongside Watto (who obviously retained his contract) they formed a formidable duo at the top of the order. I grew fond of their partnership with the way Watto would attack and Katto would play the conservative, ever-cautious role with his “crab-like” shuffle. Then when he hit the 50 odd mark, the strike-rate would sprout and he’d be cruising along in the 70s/80s at about anything beyond 70.00.
I am personally upset his contact wasn’t renewed but it’s not all doom and gloom as it was due sometime soon that the contract wouldn’t be renewed and that Katto’s career was winding down, hence why he never pushed his case for limited overs upon his return.
He gave it his best chance and no one can say he didn’t make us proud. The only thing I am upset about is that he wasn’t a part of a winning Ashes side for the last two campaigns.
He certainly will have reason to feel screwed over, which I am sure he did initially, but when you read into the NSPs reasoning without any emotional clouds looming over judgement, this comment does make genuine sense from our master mind selector Andrew Hilditch;
"So it was a big decision, obviously really hard on Simon, but in our view the opening partnership is critical, it takes time to get a good opening partnership and we think now the time is right to make sure we have the right opening partnership come the Ashes.
"He was really devastated as you can imagine, and they're not easy phone calls to make, he was really upset."
Speculation aside, a MASSIVE well done Katto!
Whether we see you represent the Baggy Green again, the upcoming months will tell, but irrespective you made us proud and batted bloody well. Your batting technique against the new ball always drew in my attention as to how you would combat the various bowling teams.
Your career is a testament as to how hard one had to work to achieve and maintain a Baggy Green call-up during the golden days of Australian cricket!
Thank you, mate.
Simon Katich Test Stats: Career profile at Cricinfo.com
Matches: 56
Runs: 4188 in 99 innings
Avg: 45.03
50s: 25
100s: 10
H/S: 157
Simon Katich Test Stats upon his return in 2008 (the return just stands tall):
Matches: 33
Runs: 2928
Avg: 50.48
50s: 17
100s: 8
H/S: 157
Katto on his way to his century during his return to Test cricket versus the Windies in 2008.
© AFP
Katto isn't necessarily done. But it won't stop supporters from wondering who is set to form a duo with Shane Watson up top of the order.
Katto with his Test Player of the Year award in 2010.
© Getty Images
This wasn’t intended to be a Simon Katich tribute, but he deserves it!
Now, getting back to the contract list!
I believe a contract is issued to a player upon recognition of their achievements at State Level or a convincing and glaringly obvious skill to survive at the elite level upon their debut or initial International career span.
At the same time, amongst seeing a bunch of new blooded players tossed CA Contracts, I also don’t want to see a waste of opportunity as we saw in the Brad Hodge case.
The NSP must get their crap in order this time around but with a return of players from the dominant era falling into coaching staff roles, I am optimistic about the future. So, I will back the NSP for their bold moves to hand out these contracts, however as a supporter I’m entitled to my concerns.
THE TOP ORDER QUESTION:
There’s a void at the top alongside Shane Watson.
In test cricket there’s the youth of Phillip Hughes, emerging talent and versatility Usman Khawaja offers, but this is dependent on where our veteran maestro Ricky Ponting will fall into the batting line-up for test level. It is likely we will see Hughes return up top, but his challenge is no different than his initial debut pressures as Phil was put under the pump in both the 2009 and 2010/11 Ashes series.
It will be interesting to see whether it’s an aggressive/aggressive duo (Watto/Hughes) or an aggressive/conservative duo (Watto/Khawaja) as we saw in the Watson/Katich duo.
I still think Phil Jacques or Michael Klinger possess the skills to partner Watson at test level. Reality is these contracted players ARE NOT fixed selections.
Other players, with more experience or a better temperament, are also far from out of the selection circle.
If there's one thing our batsmen need to assert into their game plan it is to show more patience. This is something Justin Langer was spectacular at, so I hope he can drill it into our batsmens mindsets. Punter, Huss and Pup have so much experience to understand this. Natural game or not, that impatience is something England fed off us during the Ashes.
if you have watched any of England's recent batting performances against Sri-Lanka, you will see their patience is a massive key to their strong hold up top of the order.
I shouldn't give credit to the old enemy, but I always give credit where it's due.
HOLDING ON:
David Hussey has held onto his contract which one can only assume will be for limited overs cricket, as is the situation for Cam White. Both started their seasons off with immediate promise only for their careers to have not been to bright as of recent months, especially Cam White who was finally making his opportunities count at the top of the order in limited overs. They have renewed contracts and fortunate opportunity, as does Ben Hilfenhaus, however it is fair to say Ben’s only below par outing was the Ashes. Apart from that he has contributed valuably and his steps to getting back wicket taking ability with the new ball begins with an Australia A tour, where a lot of potentials will be in healthy competition. Hilfy will be involved in both forms of the game come this tour.
NO LONGER CONTRACTED:
Shaun Tait, Marcus North, Andrew McDonald and Clint McKay were not re-issued a contract and James Hopes probably lost out to John Hastings. Catfish has been in pretty solid form in T20 cricket but he was always one of those players who just did his job and got on with things with a very bland interest being generated from the general outlook from selection. I think he has a bit more to offer, but Hasto has his career gap now.
David Hussey also got ahead of Adam Voges most likely, which is a tough one to debate cause Adam Voges was relatively effective for us in his last few appearances for the Green & Gold. He is currently on County duty, but I do think there was some additional value in Voges that the NSP never grasped.
THE SPIN TRIO:
The spin trio in contest all have fresh contracts, with Nathan Hauritz, Jason Krejza and Xavier Doherty lined up. Some may say Hauritz is in-line given his unfortunate injury set back, while Xavier has been a solid campaigner in his few ODI appearances. Krazy is the guy who will be tested and whether we see him in Tests or ODI, time will tell. We saw Xavier and Michael Beer tested during the Ashes, with Jason the only one to not have been given the return call for the Baggy Greens. Is that his calling?
Personally, I’d be leaving the ODI duties to Xavier first up, with Ritz in the running, although Nathan Lyons is pushing his case, with Steven O’Keefe maybe not out of sight for a debut.
Have faith as the spin stocks take time to emerge but atleast we options in bloom.
Reality is the NSP must handle them better and stop chopping and changing. Enough is enough, not only is it a slap in the face to the hopeful players but to the supporters as well.
We are always guessing, who is next for us to place our support and hopes in?
Still not sure what Steven Smith is set to specialise in?
THE SPEEDSTERS:
Brett Lee is still contracted which must mean he has given a guarantee he will be sticking around for the next year to see out his ODI duties and chase that 400 wicket mark.
Pattinson – debuted against Bangladesh - has been given a contract which may have come at the expense of Clint McKay, while Patrick Cummins also steps in with very little to boost his case, however fact of the matter is these young guns fall under the scope of emerging talent. Patrick is very young and admitted to genuine shock being called up by the NSP, followed by Skipper Michael Clarke. He’s acknowledged the road ahead is one many other bowlers with ample experience are upon as well, but as all know the obvious is that they have to start somewhere. Hope the NSPs judgement is right on this one for Patrick’s sake.
Trent Copeland – Young Bradman Player of the Year – has been overlooked so he must make an impact for the Australia A tour, as I’m convinced this bloke has something epic lined up in the future!
Otherwise what about Peter George? Debuts against the Black Caps, shadows on a tour and isn’t given a contract. Mitchell Starc showed great promise in his ODI debut, even though he was booted out as a result of injury.
It does make you hope that these new recruits are given fair opportunity as a number of players offered contracts are still in many regards trying to build credibility at the elite level.
Contracts have never given a guarantee that a player will represent Australia in any form of the game, but I believe it should serve as a foundation as far as selection and prospective develop is concerned.
That is why I often scratch my head at the NSPs motives, but there is logic in this, but for some of us maybe too many areas of question?
I’m pleased to see our regulars such as Ryan Harris, Tim Paine, Brad Haddin, Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle and Michael Hussey still being highly considered.
Three forms of the game, a new Captain, an exciting chapter about to being in Australian cricket and a very intense schedule of competition ahead…there’s a lot to be excited about!
No doubt there’s concern, but there’s opportunity for this list to develop into a strategic manoeuvre and I would rather be positive about that than all bleak.
Our guys need the support, so to all the 25 contracted players, a big congratulations and I hope you will all give it 100% to make us proud, in both the great times and the challenging times.
Australia As tour isn’t too far off and fret not Baggy Green fanatics, the Sri-Lankan tour gets closer every day!
Welcome to The Baggy Green Blogsite! Thanks for reading this article written by Ian.
To comment on this article, click on the 'Comments' tag at the end of the article.
TWITTER
@BaggyGreenBlog
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*Note: Just because a player is granted a contract via Cricket Australia, it does not guarantee them a place in the Squad within any format, nor do they get a selection preference. Therefore, don't get your knickers in a knot when I discuss Phillip Hughes and Usman Khawaja as opening batsmen prospects.
Doug Bollinger - NSW
Michael Clarke - NSW
Patrick Cummins - NSW
Xavier Doherty - TAS
Callum Ferguson - SA
Brad Haddin - NSW
Ryan Harris - QLD
John Hastings - VIC
Nathan Hauritz - NSW
Ben Hilfenhaus - TAS
Phillip Hughes - NSW
David Hussey - VIC
Michael Hussey - WA
Mitchell Johnson - WA
Usman Khawaja - NSW
Jason Krejza - TAS
Brett Lee - NSW
Shaun Marsh - WA
Tim Paine – TAS
James Pattinson - VIC
Ricky Ponting - TAS
Peter Siddle - VIC
Steven Smith - NSW
Shane Watson - NSW
Cameron White - VIC
NSW – 10
VIC – 5
SA – 1
QLD – 1
WA – 3
TAS - 5
First of all this list hints a bold move by the NSP, that must be said.
Secondly, the writing on the wall is clear that our transition phase is still in the initial stages as this is a drastically different list of contracted players in comparison to that of recent seasons, despite most of the players still being active.
Lastly, this indicates we will be seeing a team take on Sri-Lanka and South Africa unlike any we have become somewhat used to in recent times.
One shock is regarding Simon Katich as the major change.
This could come as a result of two things;
The first being Katto’s achillies injury is a very serious form of injury that can end any athletes’ sporting days. Perhaps with the intensity of International cricket and the demands of test cricket, the NSP felt Katto was at risk?
The other reason is that Katto achieved something great and that was the way he returned to represent the Baggy Green. Not much more was needed to be done to prove himself and the time has come to create a different opening partnership in test cricket.
He had some down time and experienced the feeling of being dropped after a hard grafting effort to be a regular since his inception in 2001. He then went back to New South Wales and did what many others have done e.g. Ricky Ponting, Matthew Hayden, Steve Waugh.
That was to pile on the runs, bat for long periods of time, challenge himself even when the odds were against him and it ended up resulting in a record season in Sheffield cricket, passing that of Michael Bevan. He demolished every sides bowling attack within Australia and was rewarded with a comeback for the 2008 West Indian Tour.
It was inspiring and he just continued with control and consistency at the top of the order, partnering Phil Jacques, Matthew Hayden, Phillip Hughes and Shane Watson.
Alongside Watto (who obviously retained his contract) they formed a formidable duo at the top of the order. I grew fond of their partnership with the way Watto would attack and Katto would play the conservative, ever-cautious role with his “crab-like” shuffle. Then when he hit the 50 odd mark, the strike-rate would sprout and he’d be cruising along in the 70s/80s at about anything beyond 70.00.
I am personally upset his contact wasn’t renewed but it’s not all doom and gloom as it was due sometime soon that the contract wouldn’t be renewed and that Katto’s career was winding down, hence why he never pushed his case for limited overs upon his return.
He gave it his best chance and no one can say he didn’t make us proud. The only thing I am upset about is that he wasn’t a part of a winning Ashes side for the last two campaigns.
He certainly will have reason to feel screwed over, which I am sure he did initially, but when you read into the NSPs reasoning without any emotional clouds looming over judgement, this comment does make genuine sense from our master mind selector Andrew Hilditch;
"So it was a big decision, obviously really hard on Simon, but in our view the opening partnership is critical, it takes time to get a good opening partnership and we think now the time is right to make sure we have the right opening partnership come the Ashes.
"He was really devastated as you can imagine, and they're not easy phone calls to make, he was really upset."
Speculation aside, a MASSIVE well done Katto!
Whether we see you represent the Baggy Green again, the upcoming months will tell, but irrespective you made us proud and batted bloody well. Your batting technique against the new ball always drew in my attention as to how you would combat the various bowling teams.
Your career is a testament as to how hard one had to work to achieve and maintain a Baggy Green call-up during the golden days of Australian cricket!
Thank you, mate.
Simon Katich Test Stats: Career profile at Cricinfo.com
Matches: 56
Runs: 4188 in 99 innings
Avg: 45.03
50s: 25
100s: 10
H/S: 157
Simon Katich Test Stats upon his return in 2008 (the return just stands tall):
Matches: 33
Runs: 2928
Avg: 50.48
50s: 17
100s: 8
H/S: 157
Katto on his way to his century during his return to Test cricket versus the Windies in 2008.
© AFP
Katto isn't necessarily done. But it won't stop supporters from wondering who is set to form a duo with Shane Watson up top of the order.
Katto with his Test Player of the Year award in 2010.
© Getty Images
This wasn’t intended to be a Simon Katich tribute, but he deserves it!
Now, getting back to the contract list!
I believe a contract is issued to a player upon recognition of their achievements at State Level or a convincing and glaringly obvious skill to survive at the elite level upon their debut or initial International career span.
At the same time, amongst seeing a bunch of new blooded players tossed CA Contracts, I also don’t want to see a waste of opportunity as we saw in the Brad Hodge case.
The NSP must get their crap in order this time around but with a return of players from the dominant era falling into coaching staff roles, I am optimistic about the future. So, I will back the NSP for their bold moves to hand out these contracts, however as a supporter I’m entitled to my concerns.
THE TOP ORDER QUESTION:
There’s a void at the top alongside Shane Watson.
In test cricket there’s the youth of Phillip Hughes, emerging talent and versatility Usman Khawaja offers, but this is dependent on where our veteran maestro Ricky Ponting will fall into the batting line-up for test level. It is likely we will see Hughes return up top, but his challenge is no different than his initial debut pressures as Phil was put under the pump in both the 2009 and 2010/11 Ashes series.
It will be interesting to see whether it’s an aggressive/aggressive duo (Watto/Hughes) or an aggressive/conservative duo (Watto/Khawaja) as we saw in the Watson/Katich duo.
I still think Phil Jacques or Michael Klinger possess the skills to partner Watson at test level. Reality is these contracted players ARE NOT fixed selections.
Other players, with more experience or a better temperament, are also far from out of the selection circle.
If there's one thing our batsmen need to assert into their game plan it is to show more patience. This is something Justin Langer was spectacular at, so I hope he can drill it into our batsmens mindsets. Punter, Huss and Pup have so much experience to understand this. Natural game or not, that impatience is something England fed off us during the Ashes.
if you have watched any of England's recent batting performances against Sri-Lanka, you will see their patience is a massive key to their strong hold up top of the order.
I shouldn't give credit to the old enemy, but I always give credit where it's due.
HOLDING ON:
David Hussey has held onto his contract which one can only assume will be for limited overs cricket, as is the situation for Cam White. Both started their seasons off with immediate promise only for their careers to have not been to bright as of recent months, especially Cam White who was finally making his opportunities count at the top of the order in limited overs. They have renewed contracts and fortunate opportunity, as does Ben Hilfenhaus, however it is fair to say Ben’s only below par outing was the Ashes. Apart from that he has contributed valuably and his steps to getting back wicket taking ability with the new ball begins with an Australia A tour, where a lot of potentials will be in healthy competition. Hilfy will be involved in both forms of the game come this tour.
NO LONGER CONTRACTED:
Shaun Tait, Marcus North, Andrew McDonald and Clint McKay were not re-issued a contract and James Hopes probably lost out to John Hastings. Catfish has been in pretty solid form in T20 cricket but he was always one of those players who just did his job and got on with things with a very bland interest being generated from the general outlook from selection. I think he has a bit more to offer, but Hasto has his career gap now.
David Hussey also got ahead of Adam Voges most likely, which is a tough one to debate cause Adam Voges was relatively effective for us in his last few appearances for the Green & Gold. He is currently on County duty, but I do think there was some additional value in Voges that the NSP never grasped.
THE SPIN TRIO:
The spin trio in contest all have fresh contracts, with Nathan Hauritz, Jason Krejza and Xavier Doherty lined up. Some may say Hauritz is in-line given his unfortunate injury set back, while Xavier has been a solid campaigner in his few ODI appearances. Krazy is the guy who will be tested and whether we see him in Tests or ODI, time will tell. We saw Xavier and Michael Beer tested during the Ashes, with Jason the only one to not have been given the return call for the Baggy Greens. Is that his calling?
Personally, I’d be leaving the ODI duties to Xavier first up, with Ritz in the running, although Nathan Lyons is pushing his case, with Steven O’Keefe maybe not out of sight for a debut.
Have faith as the spin stocks take time to emerge but atleast we options in bloom.
Reality is the NSP must handle them better and stop chopping and changing. Enough is enough, not only is it a slap in the face to the hopeful players but to the supporters as well.
We are always guessing, who is next for us to place our support and hopes in?
Still not sure what Steven Smith is set to specialise in?
THE SPEEDSTERS:
Brett Lee is still contracted which must mean he has given a guarantee he will be sticking around for the next year to see out his ODI duties and chase that 400 wicket mark.
Pattinson – debuted against Bangladesh - has been given a contract which may have come at the expense of Clint McKay, while Patrick Cummins also steps in with very little to boost his case, however fact of the matter is these young guns fall under the scope of emerging talent. Patrick is very young and admitted to genuine shock being called up by the NSP, followed by Skipper Michael Clarke. He’s acknowledged the road ahead is one many other bowlers with ample experience are upon as well, but as all know the obvious is that they have to start somewhere. Hope the NSPs judgement is right on this one for Patrick’s sake.
Trent Copeland – Young Bradman Player of the Year – has been overlooked so he must make an impact for the Australia A tour, as I’m convinced this bloke has something epic lined up in the future!
Otherwise what about Peter George? Debuts against the Black Caps, shadows on a tour and isn’t given a contract. Mitchell Starc showed great promise in his ODI debut, even though he was booted out as a result of injury.
It does make you hope that these new recruits are given fair opportunity as a number of players offered contracts are still in many regards trying to build credibility at the elite level.
Contracts have never given a guarantee that a player will represent Australia in any form of the game, but I believe it should serve as a foundation as far as selection and prospective develop is concerned.
That is why I often scratch my head at the NSPs motives, but there is logic in this, but for some of us maybe too many areas of question?
I’m pleased to see our regulars such as Ryan Harris, Tim Paine, Brad Haddin, Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle and Michael Hussey still being highly considered.
Three forms of the game, a new Captain, an exciting chapter about to being in Australian cricket and a very intense schedule of competition ahead…there’s a lot to be excited about!
No doubt there’s concern, but there’s opportunity for this list to develop into a strategic manoeuvre and I would rather be positive about that than all bleak.
Our guys need the support, so to all the 25 contracted players, a big congratulations and I hope you will all give it 100% to make us proud, in both the great times and the challenging times.
Australia As tour isn’t too far off and fret not Baggy Green fanatics, the Sri-Lankan tour gets closer every day!
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