As long as those in charge remain ignorant to just how bad we have become, then we are going to remain *smile*. They are seriously deluded
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Cricket
- Thread starter mb64
- Start date
Tigers of Old said:
I can see your point, and always better to go a year early than one late. Just a bit different when you are talking about one of the greats of the game.
I don't necessarily agree with Hilditch with regards to selections, but I can see where he is coming from. Talent-wise I reckon our side was at least on par with the poms, they flogged us with discipline. They are a well-drilled unit, we are a bunch of egos thrown together who are let to do their own thing.
Big Cat Lover said:
Been a champ but Punter isn't all that great atm. Deserves a better finish but not everyone gets the fairytale particularly when a team is struggling badly.
I'd certainly like to see him go of his own volition.
mb64 said:
No but it would be better if he is smart enough to recognise his time is up.
I still remember when Border was eventually pushed out.
It's always ugly when champion players don't or won't retire gracefully but life moves on from tough decisions regardless.
Tigers of Old said:
Hilditch = delusional. It's also strange how so many blamed Merv for all of the selection woes but now he's gone the selectors are still a rabble. Maybe it wasn't Merv
. Maybe it's Cox or Boony or Andy?I may be reading between the lines a bit but when Johnson was "rested/droppped" for the 2nd test Ponting told reporters to ask Hilditch as to why. Now that Haddins been dropped Neilson said to ask Hildtich as to why. Seems the boys arent too happy with Hilditch etc?
tigertim said:Hilditch = delusional. It's also strange how so many blamed Merv for all of the selection woes but now he's gone the selectors are still a rabble. Maybe it wasn't Merv
Maybe we just don't have the talent.
Just a thought, I wonder how much our development of potential world class cricketers has been affected by the selectors obsesion with finding an allrounder a few years back. In recent years with our great team it was the only thing we didnt really have however we had outstanding specialists in there own fields, I just wonder if theres many up and comers who need to do a Steve Waugh and give a way the bowling and spend all there time becoming a better batsman or vice versa? .
CC TIGER said:
Good point. Genuine all-rounders are few and far between. Did the great WI sides have a genuine all-rounder?
England showed if you have 3 quality paceman and a quality spinner and you can get the 20 wickets required.
Plenty are bagging White for not bowling himself enough for the VICS when he has recognised he will never be more than a part-time spinner. He's improved his batting no end, hopefully he can get runs for the Vics at 3-4 and get the 6 spot in the test team. He's a much better option than Smith, although both may be ruined by the 20-20/one-day type batting that permeates their make-up. Although when you can make a million in a little over a month what's the incentive to dedicate yourself to test cricket?
Interesting article on who could well be our next test skipper..
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/the-ashes/tim-paine-has-quickly-come-of-age/story-fn67w6pa-1225984303280
THE future of Australian cricket is a 26-year-old Tasmanian nicknamed "Kid".
It has emerged that a key component of Australia's planning is slotting Tim Paine into the Australian XI at the expense of keeper Brad Haddin.
By the time 36-year-old Ricky Ponting stands down as Test captain, the selectors want Paine to be ready, willing and able to lead his country.
The Tasmanian was impressive in the four Tests he played last year when standing in for the injured Haddin. Even former Test skipper Steve Waugh noted his maturity and composure under pressure.
"It's nice to have people of that quality throwing your name in for such an honour," Paine said.
"I suppose they've shown they think I have some leadership qualities and I guess the sooner I start working on them ... I'll be in a better place for the exposure I'm getting now.
"It's nice to be getting a bit of a foot in the door. Obviously a lot of people aren't as fortunate and I'm very grateful for the opportunities."
Paine's selection as captain of the Prime Minister's XI to play England at Canberra tomorrow is stage one of his elevation.
Being vice-captain of Australia's T20 side, under Cameron White, at Adelaide Oval on Wednesday and the MCG on Friday night are stages two and three. Paine is seen as such a complete player his selection will be assured one of the knocks against Michael Clarke now.
"It's all happened very quickly," he said. "I definitely wasn't expecting the vice-captaincy of the Twenty20 side.
"Whitey has a got a reputation as a good captain and very good leader of the game, so I'm looking forward to learning off him and helping him.
"It's a shock because Brad had a very good Ashes series. Reading the papers today, I think they've made it pretty clear he's still the No.1 keeper in all forms.
"I think they're just taking this opportunity to take a look at some young guys, I suppose, with an eye to the future."
Waugh said yesterday: "I've heard good things about him. No doubt, he's a potential leader."
Haddin will be Australia's gloveman in the one-dayers against England, and at next month's World Cup, but his future beyond that is clouded.
While he was one of the few Australian players to emerge from the Ashes with his reputation enhanced, his age, 33, will count against him as Australia builds for the future.
If Ponting calls it a day sooner than expected, Clarke will get the job in Sri Lanka with Paine expected to be his deputy. Long-term, Paine will become the main man.
"It is an exciting side that could well be a snapshot of an Australian outfit in years to come," selection chairman Andrew Hilditch said of the PM's XI.
"Tim Paine has shown he is capable of playing at the highest level but we want to test his fitness after surgery on his broken finger."
On Hilditch. What a ridiculous things to come out & say after his country has been thrashed. He needed to toe the party line.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/the-ashes/tim-paine-has-quickly-come-of-age/story-fn67w6pa-1225984303280
THE future of Australian cricket is a 26-year-old Tasmanian nicknamed "Kid".
It has emerged that a key component of Australia's planning is slotting Tim Paine into the Australian XI at the expense of keeper Brad Haddin.
By the time 36-year-old Ricky Ponting stands down as Test captain, the selectors want Paine to be ready, willing and able to lead his country.
The Tasmanian was impressive in the four Tests he played last year when standing in for the injured Haddin. Even former Test skipper Steve Waugh noted his maturity and composure under pressure.
"It's nice to have people of that quality throwing your name in for such an honour," Paine said.
"I suppose they've shown they think I have some leadership qualities and I guess the sooner I start working on them ... I'll be in a better place for the exposure I'm getting now.
"It's nice to be getting a bit of a foot in the door. Obviously a lot of people aren't as fortunate and I'm very grateful for the opportunities."
Paine's selection as captain of the Prime Minister's XI to play England at Canberra tomorrow is stage one of his elevation.
Being vice-captain of Australia's T20 side, under Cameron White, at Adelaide Oval on Wednesday and the MCG on Friday night are stages two and three. Paine is seen as such a complete player his selection will be assured one of the knocks against Michael Clarke now.
"It's all happened very quickly," he said. "I definitely wasn't expecting the vice-captaincy of the Twenty20 side.
"Whitey has a got a reputation as a good captain and very good leader of the game, so I'm looking forward to learning off him and helping him.
"It's a shock because Brad had a very good Ashes series. Reading the papers today, I think they've made it pretty clear he's still the No.1 keeper in all forms.
"I think they're just taking this opportunity to take a look at some young guys, I suppose, with an eye to the future."
Waugh said yesterday: "I've heard good things about him. No doubt, he's a potential leader."
Haddin will be Australia's gloveman in the one-dayers against England, and at next month's World Cup, but his future beyond that is clouded.
While he was one of the few Australian players to emerge from the Ashes with his reputation enhanced, his age, 33, will count against him as Australia builds for the future.
If Ponting calls it a day sooner than expected, Clarke will get the job in Sri Lanka with Paine expected to be his deputy. Long-term, Paine will become the main man.
"It is an exciting side that could well be a snapshot of an Australian outfit in years to come," selection chairman Andrew Hilditch said of the PM's XI.
"Tim Paine has shown he is capable of playing at the highest level but we want to test his fitness after surgery on his broken finger."
On Hilditch. What a ridiculous things to come out & say after his country has been thrashed. He needed to toe the party line.
mb64 said:
Maybe but not convinced though I guess he's still good enough to rack up a few against fellow cellar dwellars.
Shame he didn't make any when it actually counted.