*Official* Cricket Web 'A' in Top End Series

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Clapham's a sign of the absolute lack of quality OD seamers around at present.

So Nick, list a better OD option who isn't in Pakistan or in the 'A' team right now.

 

[Neil Pickup]

A distinct lack of a genuine pinch-hitter in there...

Davo!

 

[vic_orthdox]

I'd chuck Smith and Jasotharan's names in there as dubious selections, considering the seasons they've come off. Especially when Jaso wasn't picked after either of his two 1000 run season, yet when he averages <20 for the year he gets picked, despite going as badly for the U/19s. And would Smith have been selected if he weren't captain?

With all due respect to the two players involved.

 

[ash chaulk]

I'd chuck Smith and Jasotharan's names in there as dubious selections, considering the seasons they've come off. Especially when Jaso wasn't picked after either of his two 1000 run season, yet when he averages <20 for the year he gets picked, despite going as badly for the U/19s. And would Smith have been selected if he weren't captain?

With all due respect to the two players involved.

smiths been on A tours before and i think he has run into form of late in the CC thats my guess.

 

[vic_orthdox]

Matthew Elliott used to go well in County Cricket too...

 

[ash chaulk]

Matthew Elliott used to go well in County Cricket too...

yeah but whos that

 

[chaminda_00]

I'd chuck Smith and Jasotharan's names in there as dubious selections, considering the seasons they've come off. Especially when Jaso wasn't picked after either of his two 1000 run season, yet when he averages <20 for the year he gets picked, despite going as badly for the U/19s. And would Smith have been selected if he weren't captain?

With all due respect to the two players involved.

Smith may have had a lean season, but i think you'll find he was still the 5th best opening batsmen in FC cricket last season. We could have picked the tired and tested with Pete and Simon as the opening batsmen. But you have to test out your depth and give them a chance to show they can perform at a higher level. And yes he was selected in the squad by majority before being given the vice captaincy.

Jasotharan again might have had a learn season in FC, but he was very good for most of the time in One Day Cricket. When you look at other keepers around CW, most haven't been scoring heavy in the Dev League. Don had his second bad season in a row, was slighty better then last season, but isn't doing enough to be pushing for selection. Megan, Jamee, Burkey and Darren all in and out of the their respectivity FC and OD sides.

On face value some selections might be surprising, but its more of sign of where the depth is in CW cricket. If you don't give these guys a chance, you will never improve the depth. Also it should be noted we have players like Gavern and Richards in the squad so captaincy was never an issue in Smith selection, he was picked as batsmen and the vice captaincy came after.

 

[NZTailender]

Gundry, Dravid and Luff over Currie, Fitzy and Young.. and, well... Clapham

Great players but IMO that'd be like giving Elliott and Blewett a spot for Australia A over the likes of Cosgrove and Jaques (which didn't happen in the top end series).

Edit: should probably read other peoples replies before posting.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

I'd chuck Smith and Jasotharan's names in there as dubious selections, considering the seasons they've come off. Especially when Jaso wasn't picked after either of his two 1000 run season, yet when he averages <20 for the year he gets picked, despite going as badly for the U/19s. And would Smith have been selected if he weren't captain?

With all due respect to the two players involved.

Simple answers.

Smith: We were picking youth for the most part and there aren't many other young batsmen worthy of selection. His FC average is >35.

Jasotharan: He was superb for the most part before last season and was overlooked due to attitude problems. He deserved to be picked then on cricketing merit. He struggled last season, but has been solid at U-19 level and still has a pretty impressive career record for a CW wicketkeeper. The likes of Burke may be a better 'keeper, but not a better batsman. Jasotharan is an above average wicketkeeper and offers more with the bat.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Smith may have had a lean season, but i think you'll find he was still the 5th best opening batsmen in FC cricket last season. We could have picked the tired and tested with Pete and Simon as the opening batsmen. But you have to test out your depth and give them a chance to show they can perform at a higher level. And yes he was selected in the squad by majority before being given the vice captaincy.

Jasotharan again might have had a learn season in FC, but he was very good for most of the time in One Day Cricket. When you look at other keepers around CW, most haven't been scoring heavy in the Dev League. Don had his second bad season in a row, was slighty better then last season, but isn't doing enough to be pushing for selection. Megan, Jamee, Burkey and Darren all in and out of the their respectivity FC and OD sides.

On face value some selections might be surprising, but its more of sign of where the depth is in CW cricket. If you don't give these guys a chance, you will never improve the depth. Also it should be noted we have players like Gavern and Richards in the squad so captaincy was never an issue in Smith selection, he was picked as batsmen and the vice captaincy came after.

Solid post. Worth noting how long and how much discussion went into choosing this squad. I'd guess there were over 50 emails easily discussing this squad, so trust that a lot of thought and debate went into it.

 

[vic_orthdox]

Fair enough reasoning with most of those. However, I was under the impression that Jasotharan's keeping was of the worst standard in the competition (2nd hand information).

Still, I don't see a justification for Stedman and Demeza to play until their suspensions are served. See Stuart MacGill being suspended in grade cricket in Sydney for a precedent.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Fair enough reasoning with most of those. However, I was under the impression that Jasotharan's keeping was of the worst standard in the competition (2nd hand information).

No worse than Moerk's.

Still, I don't see a justification for Stedman and Demeza to play until their suspensions are served. See Stuart MacGill being suspended in grade cricket in Sydney for a precedent.

I won't comment on this in full just yet.

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

Great players but IMO that'd be like giving Elliott and Blewett a spot for Australia A over the likes of Cosgrove and Jaques (which didn't happen in the top end series).

Edit: should probably read other peoples replies before posting.

Meh I don't think that's much of an analogy. I'm pretty sure Young and Fitzy are late 20's in age, not 37 or 38.

I won't comment on this in full just yet.

Could they serve their sentences on this tour?

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Meh I don't think that's much of an analogy. I'm pretty sure Young and Fitzy are late 20's in age, not 37 or 38.

In a system where the average age is probably 20, late 20s is pretty ancient.

Could they serve their sentences on this tour?

No, because the point of them being banned for games during the Dev League season is that those games are more immediately relevant. They bear implications not only for the individual, but for the teams. Serving such bans on an 'A' tour is hardly a punishment of the same level.

 

[chaminda_00]

Simon, 28, and Pete 27 Ages

There non selection is not to do with how old they are, it was about giving inexperience guys a chance at higher level and building greater depth to choose national teams from. Having a greater pool of players to choose from can only help the development of the national team.

 

[vic_orthdox]

No, because the point of them being banned for games during the Dev League season is that those games are more immediately relevant. They bear implications not only for the individual, but for the teams. Serving such bans on an 'A' tour is hardly a punishment of the same level.

Disagree. The punishment should be designed to punish the individual, not the teams. If you're taking into account how they may have let their team-mates down when handing down the sentence, then you've been too lenient in the first place.

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

In a system where the average age is probably 20, late 20s is pretty ancient.

Yeah I realise the average age, but that doesn't really make the comparison right for mine. If they wanted, Young and Fitzsimmons could play another ten seasons and be around the age that Blewett and Elliot. Even if everyone's between 17 and 22 in CW, that surely doesn't mean 29 year olds won't get picked because they're "old"?

No, because the point of them being banned for games during the Dev League season is that those games are more immediately relevant. They bear implications not only for the individual, but for the teams. Serving such bans on an 'A' tour is hardly a punishment of the same level.

Yeah fair enough.

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

So Nick, list a better OD option who isn't in Pakistan or in the 'A' team right now.

Su?

I'm not trying to be argumentative here, he just popped into my head as I scrolled up.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Yeah I realise the average age, but that doesn't really make the comparison right for mine. If they wanted, Young and Fitzsimmons could play another ten seasons and be around the age that Blewett and Elliot. Even if everyone's between 17 and 22 in CW, that surely doesn't mean 29 year olds won't get picked because they're "old"?

I was defending the analogy. And "old" in this case refers to tried players. We know how good Fitzsimmons and Young are, and that's why they're our number 3 and 4 openers. They're playing high level cricket in England and Australia, so we can blood "youth", meaning less experienced players.

Old = experienced.
Young = inexperienced.

Apply it to the analogy and it makes sense.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Su?

I'm not trying to be argumentative here, he just popped into my head as I scrolled up.

Someone active, preferably.