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Around the Wicket - Volume VII
OK, I’m back again, for another brain bending edition of Around the Wicket, and there is plenty happening in the world of cricket right now, so let’s get stuck in.Firstly, the Warne fairytale. While cricket romantics would be salivating at the mere thought of the Great One returning from the wilderness to destroy the Poms one more time in 2009 – it’s not going to happen, and nor should it. Warnie is finished at the top level, and while you know he’s not going to let his country down if he’s recalled, the best thing to do is pick a young bloke, otherwise we face the same scenario, just 12 months delayed. Picking Warne for Ashes 09 is the soft (and dare I say it, English) option, and will only delay the inevitable. Move on, and let Warnie enjoy retirement.
Secondly, MacGill. He’s just wasted 2 tests. It’s great that he got to 200, which I suspect was his only reason to keep playing (plus a free trip to the Caribbean) but it would have been more profitable for Australian cricket had Beau Casson played the first two tests instead of MacGill. I reckon if the selectors knew MacGill was going to retire during or after this series, they wouldn’t have picked him to tour. Maybe Stuey knew that too.
Good luck to Beau Casson for the 3rd test, but I’m not sure he’s the right option. Mind you, he wears a light blue cap, so the bottle green one was just a matter of time.
It seems my pre series prediction of the Windies showing no fight has been proven wrong. They’ve been great as far as character and applying themselves goes, but they lack the talent just now. However, the seeds are being sown, and I won’t be surprised when they climb back up the world cricket rankings over the next 5 years. Chris Gayle is a big loss for the Windies this series – as I reckon the Aussies fear the thought of him getting going.
Mitchell Johnson needs to show a bit very soon. He’s not living up to his potential yet, and with Bollinger and his Queensland team mate Noffke right behind him just waiting for a chance, he will desperately want to perform in the 3rd test. I think he’ll get the third test, but if he doesn’t perform in that one, I think we might see a change before the tour of India in October.
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I do not think your reasoning that the fact Beau wears a blue cap that he will be picked. He was brought on tour on the expectation that Stuart Magill would be playing the whole test series. The fact that Magilla has decided to call it a day mid series has left the tour selectors no other spin option but to put Beau in. If you look at all the other spin options that were left home cannot either make there respective state teams (Bayley, Cullen and Hauritz)or were considered to be too old (McGain
Obviously Casson will play the 3rd test as there is no other spinner over there. He was taken on tour for the experience. Long-term, I don't think Casson is the right option. Guess we'll find out over the next 18 months. I hope he's given every chance - but I just don't think he has "it". Also - here's a question. Which left arm wrist spinner has taken the most test wickets for Australia? The answer is Michael Bevan. Traditionally, they don't do well at test level.
Good reply Dave. The problem is that the young bowlers are not getting opportunity to perform at state level. Further the fact our test players claim they play too much cricket means that tours are now shortened. The first class matches that used to be used to blood players and give them experience have been culled.
Hopefully in the next 18 months will lift. Lets face it we were lucky to have a Shane Warne and a Glenn McGrath leading our attack for so long.
I think you're right about shortened tours. For instance - the 1993 Ashes tour was 95 days long. The 2009 Ashes tour is 62 days long. Obviously, the tour matches are the ones that make way. It's happening here too, I reckon every state used to play a touring side, now there's only 2 state matches... it doesn't help. Lucky our state comp is the strongest in the world.
The first series I took an interest in was 1970/1 tour by the Englishman. They arrived a month before the first test and played four state matches before the test. As you have said now they are lucky to play one or two matches. I recognise that society has changed and we need things straight away however the tours were something special and now have been shortened for the media and the players. Even our domestic competition has lost its standard due to test players no longer playing frequently.