Cricket

[jb03]

Hilditch should avoid interviews in the current anti Hilditch climate. Comes across as a knob and makes it worse.

Agree Leysy. I think Haigh was more trying to point out that Sunderland was taking on the small issues and avoiding the major ones.

I do get a sense of Clarke and Hughes being the cool kids of the side, first the breakfast, then off to dinner together durring the test. That stuff is fine when you are winning but when things are going so bad, it just looks awful.

I don't think anyone's image has suffered more over the summer then Micheal Clarke.

Agree with that. Haigh was pointing out that Sutherland was more interested in what many would see as a trivial issue while avoiding more serious ones. Haigh gave Mike McKenna a fair old whack.

 

[Leysy Days]

Fair enough. However, the point Haigh makes is that in the list of things we got wrong this summer (eg going to India, not enough 1st class cricket, stuffing around our spinners, condoning Ponting's embarrassing behaviour in Melbourne) attending a charity brekky would be a long way down the list.

By the way, Gus Gilmour and Dougie were very disappointed to hear about them out drinking during a test...

Agree Leysy. I think Haigh was more trying to point out that Sunderland was taking on the small issues and avoiding the major ones.

I do get a sense of Clarke and Hughes being the cool kids of the side, first the breakfast, then off to dinner together durring the test. That stuff is fine when you are winning but when things are going so bad, it just looks awful.

I don't think anyone's image has suffered more over the summer then Micheal Clarke.

Fair call on him using Clarke/Hughes as somewhat of a scapegoat & whilst on its own it makes very little difference. But as per phantoms post re:collingwood it does underline the vast discrepancy in dedication between the two sides.

England left no stone unturned for well over a year gearing up towards the Ashes. The improvement in a host of their experienced players in the past 12 months time hasnt come about by luck but hard work. Are Australian cricketers as single-minded towards improving themselves as Test cricketers. Navy would say Clarke/Hughes have given a couple of examples that we're not.

On the article, the McKenna dig is one of the most poignant & one navy agress with the most. It shows exactly where CA's priorities lie.

 

[Jumpin Jimmy Jess]

Paine was always going to be picked. The bowlers almost picked themselves due to injuries to others. The batting is the same old same old. Pity they couldn't take an exciting kid with them.

Hope the Bangas don't roll us again! :-\

 

[Leysy Days]

Hilditch should avoid interviews in the current anti Hilditch climate. Comes across as a knob and makes it worse.

Completely agree with that. Being a selector is a thankless task. Especially when guiding a team that isnt winning. You only have to look on PRE on a Thursday night when our footy team comes out.

Everyone will have an opinion on selection. The Vics think Hodge is stiff. Tasmanian media are lambasting them over the treatment of Doherty. SA cant believe Christian & Ferguson were left out. We've already seen an article on here from the WA media re: Shaun Marsh.

If all those guys were picked the respective states would then get stuck in over the players who were left out in there place. The selectors are an east target when the team is being belted.

The things that can & this is where navy believes Hilditch faults lay - is communication. Hilditch has said so many wrong things in the wrong way in the media there are too many for navy to mention. Yesterday was another doozy re: Hauritz performances in India. Unbelievable that a chairman of selectors can come out with that. The other area of communication is to the players. There are a heap of reports of players getting differing feedback when picked & then when dropped getting told nothing at all as to why & what they need to do to get back. Players confidence needs to be nursed when this happens. Only have to look at Dimma on how to go about it.

Hilditch simply doesnt have the inbuilt people management skills for the role.

 

[IanG]

Hilditch simply doesnt have the inbuilt people management skills for the role.

No he doesn't but its more than that. It goes beyond the WC side it goes to the selection panel not being able to see where the side is at and making decisions appropriately and strategically. It goes to them not being strong enough to stand up to Ponting and Clarke and maybe even CA so far as the golden boys are concerned or even make any tough decisions really. It goes to them not being able to properly assess a players technique or at least not selecting on the basis of whether the technique can stand up to the rigors of international cricket.

I've said it before Hilditch is now a cancer on the game in Australia.

 

[mb64]

No he doesn't but its more than that. It goes beyond the WC side it goes to the selection panel not being able to see where the side is at and making decisions appropriately and strategically. It goes to them not being strong enough to stand up to Ponting and Clarke and maybe even CA so far as the golden boys are concerned or even make any tough decisions really. It goes to them not being able to properly assess a players technique or at least not selecting on the basis of whether the technique can stand up to the rigors of international cricket.

I've said it before Hilditch is now a cancer on the game in Australia.

Agree

 

[Scoop]

Fair call on him using Clarke/Hughes as somewhat of a scapegoat & whilst on its own it makes very little difference. But as per phantoms post re:collingwood it does underline the vast discrepancy in dedication between the two sides.

England left no stone unturned for well over a year gearing up towards the Ashes. The improvement in a host of their experienced players in the past 12 months time hasnt come about by luck but hard work. Are Australian cricketers as single-minded towards improving themselves as Test cricketers. Navy would say Clarke/Hughes have given a couple of examples that we're not.

On the article, the McKenna dig is one of the most poignant & one navy agress with the most. It shows exactly where CA's priorities lie.

Englands Ashes series has shown me how much planning and preparation play a role in sport. Navy's right, the English had a 18 month plan to win back the Ashes. Every series, selection and game was a lead up to the Ashes. It's a credit to Andy Flower and the ECB.

That would be a great sports book, to follow England for the past 18 months and tell the story.

Mike McKenna has been thrust front and centre and rightly so. It's a classic example how the hunt for revenue for the sport has crippled the quality of the sport.

It will be very intresting to see what Ric Charlesworth uncovers. But for me, we need to tip out Neilsen & Hilditch and get fresh blood. The other part of that is that we need to embrace the possiblity that a non Aussie may coach the team.

 

[jb03]

Englands Ashes series has shown me how much planning and preparation play a role in sport. Navy's right, the English had a 18 month plan to win back the Ashes. Every series, selection and game was a lead up to the Ashes. It's a credit to Andy Flower and the ECB.

That would be a great sports book, to follow England for the past 18 months and tell the story.

Mike McKenna has been thrust front and centre and rightly so. It's a classic example how the hunt for revenue for the sport has crippled the quality of the sport.

It will be very intresting to see what Ric Charlesworth uncovers. But for me, we need to tip out Neilsen & Hilditch and get fresh blood. The other part of that is that we need to embrace the possiblity that a non Aussie may coach the team.

Despite some criticism, Neilson has escaped fairly lightly IMO. As someone said, re-appointing him was CA's Essendon/Knights moment.

 

[mb64]

Despite some criticism, Neilson has escaped fairly lightly IMO. As someone said, re-appointing him was CA's Essendon/Knights moment.

And further staggering he was given another 3 years on the back of some average results.

 

[Leysy Days]

Despite some criticism, Neilson has escaped fairly lightly IMO. As someone said, re-appointing him was CA's Essendon/Knights moment.

Players certainly havent improved under his coaching - in every aspect of the game. In regards to his contract it was ridiculous to re-contract him just before the Ashes & world cup which are the moments of truth for his developmet. Though CA should have plenty of money to chop him if they deem him they can do better (which they no doubt can).

 

[Scoop]

Word has it that Mike Hussey has ripped the hamstring so bad it needs suregey.

No way he gets up for the world cup. Surely Brad Hodge is the replacement. Although Hilditch & Co will spring some crazy call and decide that Haddin will bat at 4 and Paine will open so therefore we need a third keeper and that will be Shaun Marsh.

 

[Leysy Days]

Had surgery yesterday navy thinks scoop. Will be a struggle timewise to come up in 6-8 weeks.

Not sure Hodge should be the definate replacement.
No point taking him if he isnt batting in the first 3. We already have Watson, Haddin, Paine & Clarke who open in one-day cricket whilst Ponting will be at 3.

Middle order doesnt suit him & it shouldnt be overlooked he really struggles in the field these days.

If they take him to open it pushes Haddin down to 6 or 7. Not sure about that.

Marsh has been drafted into the one-day squad as Husseys replacement so that gives a fair lead, Ferguson would also be under consideration navy would think. Hodge alongside them if his multitude of smart arse comments about his non-selection hasnt put a line through his name.

 

[mb64]

Had surgery yesterday navy thinks scoop. Will be a struggle timewise to come up in 6-8 weeks.

Not sure Hodge should be the definate replacement.
No point taking him if he isnt batting in the first 3. We already have Watson, Haddin, Paine & Clarke who open in one-day cricket whilst Ponting will be at 3.

Middle order doesnt suit him & it shouldnt be overlooked he really struggles in the field these days.

If they take him to open it pushes Haddin down to 6 or 7. Not sure about that.

Marsh has been drafted into the one-day squad as Husseys replacement so that gives a fair lead, Ferguson would also be under consideration navy would think. Hodge alongside them if his multitude of smart arse comments about his non-selection hasnt put a line through his name.

l think even Finch would be ahead of Hodge,after Marsh & Ferguson.

 

[Leysy Days]

l think even Finch would be ahead of Hodge,after Marsh & Ferguson.

Cant agree with that MB.

If navy can put his Tasmanian hat on - if they are looking for a middle order player someone like George Bailey should be a mile ahead of Finch in navy's view. Not sure why he doesnt seem to get mentioned alongside other candidates for the shorter forms.

He's consistently scored a heap of runs at a very good clip for the best one-day team in the country. Probably the best fieldsman in the land as well which we badly need improvement in.

 

[Scoop]

Cant agree with that MB.

If navy can put his Tasmanian hat on - if they are looking for a middle order player someone like George Bailey should be a mile ahead of Finch in navy's view. Not sure why he doesnt seem to get mentioned alongside other candidates for the shorter forms.

He's consistently scored a heap of runs at a very good clip for the best one-day team in the country. Probably the best fieldsman in the land as well which we badly need improvement in.

Isn't that two hats?

But I agree on Bailey, he shold be in the mix.

Don't think Finch is too far off though Navy.

 

[Leysy Days]

Now now Scoop, best leave the comedy to MB.

Yeah Finch is really starting to come of age. Certainly wouldnt put national selection in one-day cricket in the future beyond him.

FWIW since Finch consistently made the Vic oneday team at the start of last year here are the respective records -

Finch 673 runs @ 42 - s/r 85.

Bailey 792 runs @ 53 - s/r 85.

Solid work at en excellent strike rate by both.

 

[jb03]

Now now Scoop, best leave the comedy to MB.

Yeah Finch is really starting to come of age. Certainly wouldnt put national selection in one-day cricket in the future beyond him.

FWIW since Finch consistently made the Vic oneday team at the start of last year here are the respective records -

Finch 673 runs @ 42 - s/r 85.

Bailey 792 runs @ 53 - s/r 85.

Solid work at en excellent strike rate by both.

Finch's elevation to the T20 team ahead of Bailey gives us a fair lead as to the selectors ranking of those two.

I told you the Vics get a charmed run at selection in the shorter forms of the game (though I think Finch deserves his rise through the ranks-was the Vics best again last night, but Marsh was also impressive).

 

[Brodders17]

FWIW since Finch consistently made the Vic oneday team at the start of last year here are the respective records -

Finch 673 runs @ 42 - s/r 85.

Bailey 792 runs @ 53 - s/r 85.

Solid work at en excellent strike rate by both.

whats hodges record over the same time?

ask navy why he thinks hodge can only bat top 3 please.

 

[Leysy Days]

Time to continue with our succesful Big Bash on the punt.

Navy believes SA & Tas are the best two teams in this years comp.

Tas travel to NSW tonight & should be too strong. Think it will take a big Warner innings for NSW to have much chance.

Back of Tas @ $1.95.

 

[MB78]

Not sure Hodge should be the definate replacement.
No point taking him if he isnt batting in the first 3. We already have Watson, Haddin, Paine & Clarke who open in one-day cricket whilst Ponting will be at 3.

Watson and Hodge opening the batting would be the best thing we could do as they are the best 2 bats. Clarke is not an opening batsman, he does not hit enough 4's to cause any damage.
Haddin/Paine to bat at 7 would be good for our team as they are good strikers of the ball.

If Paine and Haddin both play in the same team will our coach/captain make the right call and keep Paine?