*Official* Big Bash League 14 - 2024/25

[Starfighter]

I think he is talented but atm he's being treated negligently. Smoke is being blown up his skirt by calling him Rooster or next big thing. He's falling for the hype and I suppose while he's getting the $$ he'll consider that approval of his methods. But how long can he continue failing until he starts getting cut and find out that selectors wanted runs and not a just a circus all along? I hope he paid attention to Will Sutherland last night and realise there's enough time to right an innings and accelerate coming home. Whereas now he just goes big from ball one. In that regard he reminds me a little of Brad Haddin when he first started playing and I remember him being roasted by O'Donnell that he doesn't show the respect state bowling deserves. Haddin wised up but I wonder if JFM is getting similar advice?

Reckon there's a threat of the same thing happening to Konstas, albeit at test rather than domestic level.

 

[Starfighter]

That's no way to talk about the 2004 Australian GT Performance Car Championship champion. Yeah, that actually happened.




Although that being said, I have heard it suggested from people who would have firsthand knowledge that his car was less than completely legal throughout the season, the restrictions required on the turbo on his Subaru were practically ignored in the name of keeping a well funded driver and team in the series. 2nd in the championship (Paul Stokell) was/is a vastly more talented racer, but in a much slower car

For a bit more context, the championship was under the umbrella of the former Procar tour alongside Nations Cup (which ended up morphing into the Australian GT championship) and the V8 Utes. But when the guy who owned and ran Procar went bust, the championships they were promoting basically ended up being run by various competitors of said championships basically to keep the show on the road

I feel like this says something about Australian motorsport

 

[GoodAreasShane]

I feel like this says something about Australian motorsport

Sadly you are not wrong, although I would say it's more a worldwide problem than an exclusively Australian one

 

[the big bambino]

Reckon there's a threat of the same thing happening to Konstas, albeit at test rather than domestic level.

The thing that gives me hope for Konstas is that he has shown he can play normally and successfully. Therefore he has demonstrated more flexibility this one season than JFM ever has. I think Konstas' razzle dazzle fitted a circumstance against a great bowler on wicked decks. I really hope he goes to and plays against SL where hopefully the circumstances encourages him to play a conventional game.

 

[social]

punter is a really good analyst so it makes me exceptionally annoyed that he’s advocating for connolly in the test squad “because he’s in bbl form with the bat”

alright then put max bryant in then ffs

Punter is also a big fan of JFM

He’s also the guy who said that his father would have told him to try another sport if he was only averaging 30 so not a lot of consistency

 

[social]

JFM has definitely been badly advised

He’ll counter with “look at my IPL contract” but the fact is that he should be dropped by both the Renegades & South Australia

Think his SA deal is up this year and he doesn’t actually deserve another one

 

[TheJediBrah]

Punter is also a big fan of JFM

He’s also the guy who said that his father would have told him to try another sport if he was only averaging 30 so not a lot of consistency

Disagree, JFM isn't only averaging 30. He's averaging like 18. So Punter technically not being inconsistent

 

[Burgey]

punter is a really good analyst so it makes me exceptionally annoyed that he’s advocating for connolly in the test squad “because he’s in bbl form with the bat”

alright then put max bryant in then ffs

Aside for him making runs atm, albeit in another format, Connolly passes every eye test when you line him up against blokes who just bosh it like Bryant and McJerk.

 

[Shady Slim]

Aside for him making runs atm, albeit in another format, Connolly passes every eye test when you line him up against blokes who just bosh it like Bryant and McJerk.

the thing is though those guys shouldn’t be barometers given they kind of suck lol

i just don’t like the notion that you can really shoulder to the grindstone nail it in the shield for years and get looked over in favour of extreme plodders, and then others have all the talking heads calling for their inclusion in a test squad because they’re doing solidly in the big bash

 

[Burgey]

I think Connolly has been a PONI for a few years tbh. I don't disagree with your sentiment overall though.

 

[Spark]

The big tell that they really, really want to pick Connolly was back in the UK limited overs tour when they actively forced him into the team as a spin-bowling all-rounder. Made absolutely no sense on any rationale other than "we just want to get this guy in the team one way or another".

 

[TheJediBrah]

I think Connolly has been a PONI for a few years tbh. I don't disagree with your sentiment overall though.

Same. I agree with Shady's anti merit whinging, but also agree with Connolly being picked

 

[Nintendo]

the thing is though those guys shouldn’t be barometers given they kind of suck lol

i just don’t like the notion that you can really shoulder to the grindstone nail it in the shield for years and get looked over in favour of extreme plodders, and then others have all the talking heads calling for their inclusion in a test squad because they’re doing solidly in the big bash

IDM collony in the test squad. He's averaged 60 in his 3 shield games so far including a 90 on debut in the final for WA. Who would have even gone if it wasn't him anyway? Mcsweeney is clearly the first choice backup, and I prefer connoly to the corpse of maxwell or handscomb. Davies could have gone instead if he haden't had a horrible season across format's but he's clearly not really in contention atm.

 

[Burgey]

Yeah, I reckon they'd have had an eye on Davies for a reserve spot on this otur given he's regarded generally as a decent player of spin. But he's been terribad this season. Tim Ward level second season syndrome.

 

[Chubb]

Don’t see how picking Connolly is different to England picking Bethell and that went pretty well all things considered.

 

[Spark]

Don’t see how picking Connolly is different to England picking Bethell and that went pretty well all things considered.

It's very similar but I can't see us batting him at #3.