Showing posts with label Glenn Maxwell. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Glenn Maxwell. Show all posts

24 July 2013

David Warner showcases a return for Australia A


Australia A versus South Africa A at LC de Villiers Oval, Pretoria.


Australia A 1st innings: 5/399 (89.4 ov)

 
After an average perform in Zimbabwe, Australia A hit back hard down in South Africa to give Australia's younger players a boost in the wake of a thumping for our national team at Lord's and serious yet justifiable questions surrounding our talent pools. 


David Warner has finally come back out of his shell as he slammed 193 runs against a good South African A bowling attack. He hit 29 fours and a six during his innings, falling 7 runs short of a double ton. Sixty-three percent of his runs came from boundaries.

Support was provided from debut first-class centurion Glenn Maxwell. Maxwell has struck 103* runs and has been joined at the crease by Tim Paine. 


Maxwell h
it just 13 fours in his innings, which reflects how hard he must have worked with his running between the wickets. It indicates a steady, patient innings from a man being associated far too closely with Twenty20 cricket. Fifty percent of his innings has come from boundaries, a perfect balance.

The partnership between Warner and Maxwell brought 204 runs after the side was 4-195. 

Skipper Aaron Finch has needed to up his first-class game for a while and now is the time the supporters need these guys to really man up and play with unquestionable tenacity and hunger for Australia. We need them to sweat blood and tears, to strive for success and ambition towards First-class
cricket in order to ensure they all want to compete for the Baggy Green cap - the tradition.

Finch scored 51 runs facing against the new ball. There was a top order collapse early on (we all know about these) but it was refreshing to see a strong recovery. Shaun Marsh (5) and Alex Doolan (6) unfortunately didn't get on the board. 

For some reason the Warner/ Maxwell partnership brought back a memory for me of the Steve Waugh/ Greg Blewett 309 run partnership at the Wanderers back in 1997. That is what that team steadily worked towards. Sticking with a squad, allowing them to go through the trials and tribulations and graft for a winning formula. Eventually when the team was in doubt a duo would emerge from somewhere. 

This
scenario will raise questions about Warner being sent away from England. It was a decision I wasn't over the moon about and I couldn't see the logic at the time, but in doing so he has struck a brutal century and after being out of form (no denying it) for a while this was what was needed. This boost may have not come in England just yet. He drove himself to it, the good and the bad. 

Great to see something positive with on field performances and all I can hope is that this will be a ripple effect of sorts as the boys gear up to take on Sussex tomorrow in a tour match before the third Test. 

Hoping for a great game for the side as they search for
the survival instinct, especially Nathan Lyon and Jackson Bird who may come into consideration for Old Trafford.

As incredible as it is how things went from a fight for hope after the first Test to a horrifying concern of our future prospects following the second Test, fortune could turn around yet again for us. This side of ours (Australia and Australia A) doesn't boast any comparison to the past, but each guy is capable of something at the elite level. Maybe Warner has sent something over to England all the way from South Africa?


David Warner image is
© Getty Images

 
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05 March 2013

Where has it gone wrong for The Baggy Greens?


It's hard to not feel gutted as a supporter having witnessed the innings defeat against India, in Hyderabad.
The loss puts them 2-0 up in the series and it's been concerning as to how things played out in what will be regarded as a walk over for the opposition.

I have never felt the need to bad mouth the team or resort to overly critical analysis. If anything I find it far more important to support the boys as much as possible during these tougher situations.
However, it is only right to look at a few points of concern that lead into this game and what was witnessed in a game where our batsmen put up little fight.

Where has it gone wrong for The Baggy Greens in the Border-Gavaskar series thus far?

It would seem the selectors got it wrong, notably on two points.
Firstly, dropping Nathan Lyon was a step backwards and secondly, debuting Glenn Maxwell to play alongside Moises Henriques was a costly mistake. The rest was not about the selectors but rather our batsmen.

It was a big mistake to drop Nathan Lyon and bring in Xavier Doherty. In fact, it may have been okay to bring Doherty in but not at the expense of Lyon. It is simply another step back and we may very while find another spinners confidence has been damaged.

Jason Krejza grabbed an 8 wicket haul against India in 2008 on his debut. Despite going for plenty of runs he managed to get us wickets, something Shane Warne states he'd rather see than simply having spinners be economical and not claim wickets, vital wickets at that.

The thing is that after a poor Test against the Proteas at the WACA, he was axed and it was the end of the road for Jason as a medium-to-long term spin bowler. Krejza is now regarded as a State spinner at best.
We have also had a showcase of spinners given the debut at quick expense or given a mixed run; Bryce McGain, Beau Casson, Dan Cullen, Michael Beer (injured) and Nathan Hauritz, who did a good enough job.
Then there's been the part-time spin trial of Marcus North, Steven Smith and Cameron White.

We don't want to add Nathan Lyon to that list.

He's had one Test in India and can't be to blame. Yes, during the summer his lack of effectiveness was costly against the Proteas but it's still early days and I didn't see the need to drop him after the 1st Test.
If anything it would have been far more logical to play him and Doherty together. Another Test in the subcontinent could have only been good for his development. It was a step back as India moved forward.

The effort to improve our spin bowling doesn't rest so much with the technical dynamics of things but rather the management of the bowlers in Australia and the purpose as to why we select a spinner post-Warne. It's a topic best left to the professionals to debate and find a solution for.

Debuting Maxwell as a part-time spinner was another blunder. Not so much based on Glenn himself, but the fact we had two all-rounders and one spin bowler, having seen India's effectiveness with three spin bowlers.

Remember the Cameron White experiment? It was an absolute failure and as hard as Cameron White tried as the part-time spinner, but given the massive task of serious leg spin bowling contributions, it was all odds against him. Not his fault, but rather a selection blunder.

Maxwell managed 4 wickets for the match, one more than Doherty but it wasn't the point. Maxwell didn't give a significant contribution with the bat and as it was for Cameron White, the selectors simply asked way too much of him. It wasn't fair on his part, but I guess it will go down as experience in his books for development. It was also too difficult to debut him at the expense of Moises Henriques, even if Doherty and Lyon played as the two spinners in the starting XI.

Based on Henriques' performance in the 1st Test it would be hard to have dropped him to play Maxwell unless it was purely to have a third spin option, but what's done is done. The selectors should not try that move again as the previous incident in 2008 with Cameron White should have been a warning sign.

Having not learnt anything after the 1st Test in terms of using the spinners, the fast bowlers had too much work to do and the intensity proved to be way too much. Their pace could not be maintained and there wasn't regularly a serious pose of threat. India's batting was also brilliant in terms of how they paced things to get set. Excellent to say the least.

This is also not to put weight of blame on the shoulders of the spinners. It wasn't the case. The biggest problem is that the batsmen simply didn't get enough runs and our bowlers were exposed, especially the weaknesses of the bowling unit.

Experience is lacking in this side. I must say that although it is too hard to even predict if it would have made a difference had Mitchell Johnson been in the side, but it is that extra player with experience in the subcontinent that Michael Clarke could use. The issue still lay with the poor batting in the 1st innings which gave India a licence to attack once the lead was in place. Our bowlers were exposed.

The batsmen will know all too well about the problems but how they address over the next few days - which Michael Clarke has declared as "no rest" - will not be an easy task.

Clarke can't keep being the go-to-guy and the time has come for him to move up the order.
It's been needed for a long time and it's well known that your best batsman should not be batting at number 5. It seems the time is now to give Clarkey the push. Sure, his prolific run has been splendid at number 5 but the team needs the move and Clarke is that kind of a guy to do what is best for the side.

This still won't solve the issues of panic and thoughtless application to tackle the spin and build an innings. We've seen starts from the batsmen but they don't go on, with the exception of Clarke who continues to be amazing to watch. Even when he's made a good score, Clarke has been short on batting partners and has criticised himself when getting out. He's seen some bigger scores go sailing on by, seen how India have cashed in, and his lack of support from his batting mates directly influences this. David Warner, Ed Cowan, Shane Watson and Matt Wade can all handle these conditions, I hope they have the self-belief as well because Clarke needs it. We need it.

The weakest link, Phillip Hughes, should be given another go - dropping not always the answer - but his lack of handling spin is a massive, massive worry, which may result in him being dropped for the next Test. Usman Khawaja not an instant remedy and no evidence is there that he will miraculously be able to keep the Indian bowlers at bay. There is a chance though he will be trialled and tested.

Simply dropping guys is not a solution to the problems we face. Team unity is needed and if after a period of assessment, the majority of our batsmen have been able to improve while a few others get left behind, then it is time to resort to dropping. Hughes is an excellent batsman but the mental strength just seems to go when he puts on the white gear.

Reality is that the last two Tests have to be won in order to keep the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in our possession.

Based on this, and my continued belief that our batsmen are good enough to collectively put better runs on the board, I will continue to support the boys as we look ahead to the 3rd Test.
They need the support as much as ever and while I am upset and can understand many supporters are livid at the performances thus far, the series is not lost and any chances of improvement now with the build up to the Ashes must be taken.

On a final note to instil some kind of positivity, keep in mind we thumped India 4-0 in Australia during the summer of 2011/12.

This is Test cricket in India and they will always be tough to beat and the nature of the contest is harsh in their conditions. The same as it was for them against us during the home series. 
We have a team lacking experience in the sub-continent and the experience of Michael Clarke has proven to be invaluable. It shows the importance of it and this is a huge but mean learning curve.

Sadly, patience for application against a tricky spin setup - not extraordinary - has lacked.
It will indeed take serious focus and determination to turn things around for the guys. Michael Clarke is a man who shows serious responsibility. If he says they will not rest, they won't.
However, it's going to be hard work so best wishes to the boys as they prepare for another big clash with the series at stake.

Spare a thought for my mates who have traveled to India for this series. A bit bleak a result. India is good for traveling though I believe, so no shortage of ways to uplift oneself, especially with Waving The Flag.

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18 August 2012

The Australian World T20 Squad

The Australian World T20 squad was reasonably easy enough to pick even before the official announcement. The only inclusion that was surprising is that of Glenn Maxwell, as I did assume Steven Smith would once again be selected as a specialist fielder. Maxwell's inclusion is also surprising mostly because he is uncapped at international level and the only indication, which I must state is positive, is that he had a good season for Victoria and has played well in the Friends Life T20 tournament in England, for Hampshire, to put himself on the map.

Brad Hogg's inclusion adds some fun to the mix but it must be said that he has zero shortage in terms of energy. Performance wise he can still take wickets and having him in the side for sub-continent conditions will prove to be important. Xavier Doherty had a forgettable tour to England but on tracks that will better suit spin bowlers - even in a more aggressive form of cricket - he should have a better opportunity.

I was a bit disappointed there was no room for guys like Aaron Finch and Mitchell Marsh and Phillip Hughes as they could have nestled into the team as well suited players for the Twenty20 format.
Hughes is currently redeeming his form and has scored 402 runs at 100.50 in 8 matches for Worcestershire in the Friends Life T20 tournament.

An exciting inclusion that has been based on performance, as it should be, is that of Cameron White.
White has finally regained his confidence and connected with his natural instinct which seemed to get lost when the tags such as "responsibility" and "patience" came into his role during a short lived stint at number three for the Australian ODI squad.

The 2012 World Cup - where he batted in the mid to lower order - was the nail in coffin and it was clear that there was a lack of certainty in White's approach. Without confidence and self-belief comes a lack of trust in ones natural game and technique. It has taken him a while but he's finally come right and I would like to believe White is back to his best for big performances in Twenty20 cricket. He has managed 228 runs at 57.00 for Northamptonshire following an excellent IPL campaign.

The balance in the squad is alright. The key will be how the strategy is delivered in the batting line-up. The power hitting rests in Shane Watson, David Warner, Michael Hussey (see video below), Cameron White and David Hussey. There is aggression within the likes of Matthew Wade and Glenn Maxwell, which certainly gives enough indication on paper that we have a threatening batting line-up, but far too often the group has fired collectively, making it a dull display.

All of these names stack up for a batting line-up that could take on any bowling unit but the input of spin bowling will hassle a few players like David Hussey and Matthew Wade who have had their struggles. It's important to acknowledge though that these guys can also change a match in one over if their approach to attack pays off.

The bowling is where we'll be tested and for this reason it is essential that our batsmen stack up the runs with any given opportunity and with the depth on offer there is no reason why they shouldn't. About time our bowlers had some suppport with runs to defend.

Ben Hilfenhaus and Clint McKay are the experienced campaigners, but there is the risk that McKay may not be fit for the series due to a hamstring injury which has ruled him out of our upcoming UAE limited overs tour.

Mitchell Starc is no push over in Twenty20 cricket and if he just gets his line right I am certain he can provide valuable support to his bowling partners. His ability to swing the ball, along with that of Hilfenhaus, will be of utmost importance should he handle new ball duties.

As enthusiastic as I am about his development, Patrick Cummins may be a bowler to keep an eye on for the future but injury seems to be an apparent concern. His raw pace is an X-factor for a squad that is now without Brett Lee. We need a bowler who can deliver express pace without the likes of Shaun Tait, Doug Bollinger and Mitchell Johnson. Patrick would be an obvious inclusion if we're looking for a pace option.

The all-rounders do help to add variation to the bowling options that captain George Bailey will have on offer. Dan Christian has found his way back into the side and his hat-trick is still fresh in my mind. He's certainly not my pick as a death bowler of choice - the IPL further proved this - but he can mix it up with both the bat and ball to add a valuable dynamic to any side. Fortunately, there's also David Hussey who can send down overs of spin bowling in really quick succession, while Glenn Maxwell can also throw his arm over.

All in all, there is depth in this side and sufficient variation on offer, which helps tremedously in a form of the game where a lack of variation and too much predictability can be a nail in the coffin!

I am not overly confident about our chances in taking the title this year (we were runners-up last tournament) but it would be foolish to dismiss our chance altogether. The lack of expectation also comes from the obvious fact we have not had any type of consistency in Twenty20 cricket and our ranking isn't exactly one for the punters to gamble on.

However, a side with names like Warner, Watson, the Hussey brothers and White, any side that takes on the green and gold boys will be well aware that they will have no chance to drop the intensity, which does get the better of our boys sometimes.

Irrespective, it's a new event and a fresh squad and the rehearsal is just a week away.

Australian ICC World T20 Squad:
David Warner, Shane Watson, Matthew Wade (wk), David Hussey, Michael Hussey, George Bailey (captain), Cameron White, Daniel Christian, Glenn Maxwell, Brad Hogg, Xavier Doherty, Clint McKay, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Ben Hilfenhaus.

Need a trip down memory lane from the one of the most epic moments in Australian T20 history?





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16 July 2012

Limited overs squads announced for UAE Tour


Less than a week after posting an article looking at the dynamics of our limited overs squad, the National Selection Panel announced the ODI and T20 squads for the UAE tour in August. They've addressed serious matters of urgency following the horrid UK tour and I am pleased with the balance we have the in side which was evidently a concern.

Without further to do, here's the squads.

ODI squad:
David Warner, Matthew Wade (wk), Michael Clarke (captain), George Bailey, Callum Ferguson, Michael Hussey, David Hussey, Daniel Christian, Steven Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Johnson, Xavier Doherty, James Pattinson, Clint McKay, Mitchell Starc.
T20 squad:
David Warner, Shane Watson, Matthew Wade (wk), David Hussey, Michael Hussey, George Bailey (captain), Cameron White, Daniel Christian, Glenn Maxwell, Brad Hogg, Xavier Doherty, Clint McKay, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Ben Hilfenhaus.

The big news is the return of Callum Ferguson. The Baggy Green Blog has become a supportive domain for Fergal and it is with great relief that the selectors have recalled one of our best suited players who has experience at the elite level and has the ability to emulate Michael Hussey's middle order brilliance in limited overs cricket.

He rotates the strike well and gets on with the job, showing innovation within his approach during the death overs of an innings. After his Ryobi campaign last season for the Redbacks he deserves it. At long last.


It is great to see Michael Hussey's name back in the limited overs side as well. May limit Fergal's appearances but always good to see Huss' name in any side.

Daniel Christian has been called into the limited overs side again. A big reason behind this is because Shane Watson will be rested for the ODI matches - along with Ben Hilfenhaus - and Dan is one of our better all-rounders in the system.

Joining the all-rounders department is Glenn Maxwell. I am sure you caught a fair bit of him in the Big Bash League. He scored me some good points in the Fox Sports Fantasy League as well. He can certainly contribute where the side needs him and I am really pleased to see him get selected for our T20 side.

His ODI call-up? In all honesty I did not see him getting into the limited overs side but he is a damn good hitter of the ball and certainly struck me as a bloke who'd find his way into the international setup. If anything I thought maybe Cameron White would have been given an opportunity again in ODI cricket but the selectors have opted for Maxwell in both squads. All the best to the young man! May his role be clear from day 1, unlike poor young Steven Smith.

After the last article I posted, which was a look at the ODI team balance, I am really glad to know that David Warner and Matt Wade will be given another chance to open the batting. I strongly believe in their duo for the shorter format of the game and with Shane Watson being rested this is the ideal chance to give it another test.

The bowling units? With the retirement of Brett Lee (hard to believe it) the bowling unit will be as follows for the ODIs -
Mitchell Johnson, Xavier Doherty, James Pattinson, Clint McKay, Mitchell Starc. Dan Christian, Steven Smith, Glenn Maxwell and David Hussey can also contribute to the bowling. All in all the options are well stacked and it will simply be a case of having the right men for the job out on the park.

As mentioned, for the Twenty20 side both Shane Watson and Ben Hilfenhaus have been included but will not take part in the ODI series due to player rotation. Patty Cummins, Brad Hogg and Cameron White are the other three players who will only play in the T20 leg of the UAE Tour.

Brad Hogg! I am a big supporter of the man and his enthusiasm is contagious. Hope he stacks up some Paki wickets. Hoggy is also strongly in the mix for the ICC World T20.

Regarding Cameron White,  the Australian Cricketers Association made it clear in a Tweet:
's T20 form lead him to his Australian recall. Deccan: 479 runs @ 43.54, HS 78. Northants: 228 runs @ 57.00, HS 62*

No need to question Cameron's form and deserved recall. I hope he can regain a place in our limited overs squad down the road as well. He seems to have recaptured his natural game after seeming lost for quite some time as to how he should go about his game (attack or defend) and time will tell of the adjustment upon returning to International cricket.

It is a step in the right direction and this side immediately appears to be a more competitive team. There is a far better balance in terms of temperament, ability, form and experience with the batting, while the bowling offers good variety in offering.

A big aspect of this tour will be the batting department. The UAE tracks are often tough to graft on and definitely provoke a demand for concentration and focus in extreme conditions. For this reason I think the selection of Mike Hussey and Callum Ferguson is ideal. Concentration hasn't appeared to be our strong point in limited overs cricket.

If our batsmen can also perform collectively - usual story - and should the dynamics pay off with selection I really, really hope for our bowlers sake that they pile on the runs. Our bowlers can only defend so many below par totals before they lose their confidence and get the label of "average".

With the extreme heat in the UAE, the more runs on the board to defend, the better it will be for them and I am sure our batsmen would return the favour in hoping to chase down some low totals.

Your thoughts?

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