Matthew Hayden-- Harbhajan Singh: Vivacious!

With much of the sports season behind us it’s time to reflect on cricket…or in the general case launch a scathing attack on Cricket Australia, who have admonished the sorority theme of the pacemaking Indian team that is a dropout bunch of admaking opportunists, whom Academicians have to fervently retain names as teams change as per sugar sweet budget regimes and pastoral non-federal nonchalance.As a cricketing nation we have fallen from invincibility to mediocrity. Andrew Simons is playing in Hyderabad and Dhoni seems to learn English accents better as Smita Thakrey ceaselessly supports Bal Thakrey’s laming frivolousness. I know another Smita (no not patil…….:) )

Check orkut for follow ups and You will certainly understand SEM better each day.SEO too.Hey its not ranting, I am giving social media the turn to assimilate sociology.

Then we complain about the lack of competitiveness playing the West Indies and Pakistan. Maybe we should stop complaining and just be glad we’re winning for a change.Personally like many people specifically girls who have no interest in Cricket (not the noise making animal kingdom one) abhore Bradman breakheart Sachin Tendulkar, and the t-shirt stripping body lingua of ex-captain Saurav Ganguly.In those matters I find lawbreaking Shane Warne’s lipbalm smothering swivel ball throws.(never mind the disgusting yellow caps: hoax?)

The truth is Australia is not as great a cricketing nation as we once were. That is to be expected after the exodus of legendary players, Mathew Hayden, Shane Warne, Adam Gilchrist and Glen McGrath who contributed to Australia to wining 16 consecutive test matches.And they are being given open arm welcome in Kolkata nowadays.Is it ?Please leave comments on the blog for clarity.(not charity)

It is not exactly a policy i agree with:the political turmoil on cricket. Cricket Australia should select players who are best suited in their roles, regardless of age. Instead older more experienced players like Jacques, Clark and McGill were overlooked for selection because they were ‘too old’. McGill would have been the logical replacement for Warne but was often selected reluctantly or overlooked all together until he retired. Clark who served Australia so well after being groomed as the next McGrath was over looked this summer and likely never to play for Australia in another test. Phil Jacques who scored 171 for NSW last week should have been recalled instead of Watson for the Ashes (not that Watson hasn’t been doing a good job) or replaced Katich at the SCG this summer when he was injured. Just imagine the bowling attack with Lee and Clark with the new ball. Clark is always consistent with line and length and Lee scary has hell with his speed then Johnson as the first change bowler, in back swing throws.

The building for the future policy, however is not without its merit. In England Ben Hilfenhaus really established himself as Australia’s premier swing bowler. In Australia we saw the emergence of Doug Bollinger and Hauritz cement his position as Australia’s Spinner. But Cricket Australia has been inconsistent with it selection.

We have also come to expect nothing less than perfection, a very high expectation for inexperienced youngster. As soon as a player doesn’t get a high score or a bunch of wicket in consecutive games we’re calling for them to be dropped.Can you imagine the calling for Shane Warne or McGrath to be dropped because they’ve had a few desiccated spells. This sink or swim approach is not conducive to developing young players. Experienced players like Hussey can put it behind them but younger players don’t have the same mental toughness. For example Phillip Hughes has the method and ability to make it as an international opening batsmen but mentally he can’t deal with the pressure of having to act upon every time he steps on to the pitch. If Cricket Australia is adamant on this building for the future then they should give these kids a go and take the axe away from above their heads. As with all professional athletes they respond better when they are confident.

Lately Harbhajan Singh has been getting the itch to bite at the ball, seems like he is hardly aware of the fact that actions speak louder than voice, and hence his crappy degenerating performance at the Nagpur match where Sachin Tendulkar (the one who was granted a car by Shoe-maa-ker?)that must have led some more fuel spilling automobiles in Mumbai to drown it better; made a century in scorching heat of Nagpur.(chota plateau)

Seems like the Bengali community will be pleased to see youthful new faces on  the Indian team, as players  will be in their 20’s and full of potential.If they haven’t played for Australia already they probably will in a few years. With much of the cricket season behind us it’s time to reflect on the year that was…or in my case launch a scathing attack on Cricket Australia. As a cricketing nation we have fallen from invincibility to mediocrity. We lost to all the nations that matter; losing to India, South Africa at home and losing the Ashes AGAIN. Then we complain about the lack of competitiveness playing the West Indies and Pakistan. Maybe we should stop complaining and just be glad we’re winning for a change. The truth is Australia is not as great a cricketing nation as we once were. That is to be expected after the exodus of legendary players, Mathew Hayden, Shane Warne, Adam Gilchrist and Glen McGrath who contributed to Australia to wining 16 consecutive test matches.

Since their departure cricket Australia has adopted a ‘building for the future’ policy. In theory, selecting skilled youngsters to fill the void left by cricketing greats. It is not exactly a policy i agree with. Cricket Australia should select players who are best suited in their roles, regardless of age. Instead older more experienced players like Jacques, Clark and McGill were overlooked for selection because they were ‘too old’. McGill would have been the logical replacement for Warne but was often selected reluctantly or overlooked all together until he retired. Clark who served Australia so well after being groomed as the next McGrath was over looked this summer and likely never to play for Australia in another test. Phil Jacques who scored 171 for NSW last week should have been recalled instead of Watson for the Ashes (not that Watson hasn’t been doing a good job) or replaced Katich at the SCG this summer when he was injured. Just imagine the bowling attack with Lee and Clark with the new ball. Clark is always consistent with line and length and Lee scary has hell with his speed then Johnson as the first change bowler. Then Hauritz and Lee with the old ball for spin and reverse swing.

The building for the future policy, however is not without its merit. In England Ben Hilfenhaus really established himself as Australia’s premier swing bowler. In Australia we saw the emergence of Doug Bollinger and Hauritz cement his position as Australia’s Spinner. But Cricket Australia has been inconsistent with it selection. Graham Manou who played during the Ashes is 30, two years younger than Haddin whom he is suppose step in for when Haddin retired or Ryan Harris who despite being very skilled is 30 and only just starting his international career. If your going to over look great players such has Nathan Bracken in the one dayers and cite ‘building for the future’ atleast choose players who are in their 20’s, like Henriques or Steve smith.

We have also come to expect nothing less than perfection, a very high expectation for inexperienced youngster. As soon as a player doesn’t get a high score or a bunch of wicket in consecutive games we’re calling for them to be dropped. Hughes, North, Ferguson, Siddle, Hauritz and Hussey have all faced such criticism this summer. Can you imagine the calling for Shane Warne or McGrath to be dropped because they’ve had a few dry spells. This sink or swim approach is not conducive to developing young players. Experienced players like Hussey can put it behind them but younger players don’t have the same mental toughness. For example Phillip Hughes has the technique and ability to make it as an international opening batsmen but mentally he can’t deal with the pressure of having to perform every time he steps on to the pitch. Hughes and North didn’t make it much easier for themselves with blistering debuts, only increasing the weight of expectation. If Cricket Australia is adamant on this building for the future then they should give these kids a go and take the axe away from above their heads. As with all professional athletes they respond better when they are confident. We should trust in their ability and let them find themselves on the pitch without expecting them to be Mathew Hayden or Glen McGrath.

So Cricket Australia, either select the player that is performing the best or be consistent in selecting young blood for the future and staying with them. Since i have alot of free time i have compiled two squads for you. The first squad including a test and one day team is selected on who i believe should be playing for Australia because they are the best suited for the job regardless of age (and injury), selecting experience over youth. All those selected have represented Australia at some point. The second squad i have selected is based on the ‘building for the future’ policy. Most of these players will be in their 20’s and full of potential. If they haven’t played for Australia already they probably will in a few years.