The Campsfield Times
A Matter of Respect: An interview with "the devil"
By Gringo El Spatcho
The CWLand squad for the Chairman's Trophy final was announced today. For the most part, it was what was expected. Pickup would captain, Fuller would move back into the middle order, Gough would take the shiny white new ball. What wasn't expected, however, was one of the biggest kicks in the teeth in recent Dev League history. CW Black captain Dan Smith, who made his CWXI debut in the last match of the group stage, was snubbed, in favor of CW Green opening batsman Nick Scott.
"Yeah look I'm pretty gutted. You'd think after what has happened I'd get more than one innings grace."
Smith has made it known in recent times that his position in 50 over cricket is facing the new ball. While it's true that he's batted as low as 6 for CW Black over the last few seasons, this has been more for team benefit than anything else. And with the ODI incumbents above him, who can blame him.
"Yeah, I've batted in the middle at Black for a while now. Since I've taken on the captaincy we've had some massive openers. In my first season we had the 4 best openers in the competition in Markus, Chaulk, Stedman and Cloete, so of course I was going to bat pretty low.
In any case, I think I showed in Australia that my best position in 50 over cricket is up the top. I don't think there's any questioning that."
Smith was called into the ODI squad expecting to be able to show his talent by replacing injured opener, and CW Black team-mate, James Stedman. Instead he was shown the ultimate disrespect. Forced to bat @ 6, a position he's had no success in, he duly failed to get going.
"Yeah look, I didn't play too well, we all know it. But let's face it, neither did Fuller in his promotion. All the selectors did by playing me so low and promoting Fuller was create unnecessary unrest in the camp."
What do you think of the decision to not only drop you, but allow Scott to open the batting? Do you think it's a fair decision?
"**** no I don't, it's a ridiculously unfair decision as far as I'm concerned. I'm sure most of Dev League would agree with me as well. I was given one game, out of position and under immense pressure before being scrapped. Then they have the nerve to allow Scott to open, whilst snubbing me for the same position. I'm absolutely livid.
Scott's a good cricketer and I have nothing against the guy, but I'm sure even he would acknowledge how unfair this call is on me. It's not like I've not performed there for CW 'A' either. If I remember correctly, I made 99 opening the batting for CW 'A' a few weeks ago.
It's a dog act, no question, and from my point of view, the selectors can shove their side up their ass. I don't care if this rant costs me a test position, because everyone knows it's a joke of a decision. I suppose them snubbing me for the rest of my career would just show the cliquey nature and personal biases of the panel"
Well he's certainly taking it well. I actively encourage you, the reader, to write in your thoughts on the matter. It's certainly one of the bigger calls in CWBCC recent history and will be the talk of the town for weeks to come.
