Rhino Richards

My thought was on the fact that Martin and Walsh (in the latter part of his career) were not subject to fierce competition for their position in the team. And a result they were able to build quite a substantial ordinary batting record over a long period of time while they bowled. Maybe that sort of cricketer is fading out of the game. I would have thought for some years in the Australian team that evey tail ender is a potential batsman and are expected to put a price on their wickets. As a result "tailenders" like Lillee, McGrath, Warne, Gillespie, Siddle, Johnson and McDermott all improved as batsman over the course of their career. Many Test tailenders would be very capable state grade level batsman. Martin would be a scratchy tailender at state grade level. It is surprising that the NZ system could not improve his batting over time. I also get surprised that any player can get to Test, ODI level and be either deemed or suspect for throwing. I know the rules are more lenient but there were a number of SAfrican and Sri Lankan spinners up to 5 years ago that were under question.

I guess in countries like NZ you can forge a reasonably long career if you are above capable in one skill but lamentable with the other. FWIW, I always thought Dilip Doshi, Jim Higgs, Bruce Reed and Mike Whitney (yeah I know he blocked a draw) were incredibly poor batsman. Courtney Walsh was similarly poor over a long stretch.

I thought I read in recent reports that Harris is out for a while, so Siddle is not challenged on that front. If Cummins is fit (and I mean fit I would give Starc a rest). Unless Siddle can develop a consistent lethal ball that leaves the right hander he will struggle if Pattinson, Starc and Cummins continue to blossom. When someone is snicking the cordon so often over such a long period of time even Blind Freddie will have an opinion. And T_U, Warner has had one innings at the top level. Blanket comments about his Test capability reflect more on you than the target.

Agree and well summised Bob. I think memphis completely misread the tea leaves on this matter.

Oops now 5/99. Ryder plays another amateur hour shot. Its abysmal efforts like this almost lose you the Test. Now Vettori in...Kiwis always rely on him.

Not if the Kiwis bat in such a cavalier manner. We handed the first session to them on a plate with some awful bowling and they politely handed it back to us at 4/94. I cant believe Taylor's dumb shot before the break.

No I didnt. I acknowledged it and agree its not good enough.......

That is not in question. Its the reasons put forward for why Can you give me examples where Victoria's anti youth policy has crucified it. They promote Cameron White at a youing age to Shield level and gave him the captaincy at 21! They uncovered Peter Siddle at young age in Gippsland in his early 20s. They have promoted James Pattison. Thats not true. MacDonald, White, Pattinson, Siddle, McGain, Hussey have all represented their country at various times I want the Test team to play its best players...period. I could not give a stuff where they came from. And I am not interested in parochial gratuities

Victoria had Matthew Elliott who had set himself up for a fine Test career only to self implode through no ones fault but his own. The issue of the NSW players making Test teams is the fact that NSW produces the best players through a vibrant metro and country set up. Australia's Test history is littered with the evidence that a strong NSW breeds a strong Test team. I just want the best Test team period. I dont care where they come from. There is nothing more small minded than the ignorant State based parochialism when its comes to the National team interest.

Very good Frankie.

Good update. JCB Every pick past 40 is risky. Hope the Club chose correctly. Does it??? Big body...ready to go...at pick 54 why not? Good assessment Bob.

Your earlier comment on Green was ujngracious and unnecessary. It was more about you than your interest in the captaincy.

Then why post in this thread? For whatever faults he may have, he is a 200+ game, 10 year player at the Club that should deserve appropriate respect.

Agree Bing 181. BP plays his cards close. Its as easy as picking Tatts numbers knowing what BP will do with picks 36,52 and 54.

And what sort of operating profit (excluding one off extraordinary items) are we making? The fact is that MFC are spending $15 million more that it did some years ago just to compete and we still dont have a significant sustainable profit nor accumulated cash/capital should be an obvious indicator how the competitive bar in the AFL has risen and that after repaying the debt, While we may be getting increased revenues we are subject to greater spending on facilities, non playing staff, player fitness and players. MFC is operating hand to mouth just to break even. And the competitive bar wont be getting lower.....

I also love Test Cricket. Great finish as expected. Well done Postman Pat. But I cannot work out why this is only a 2 Test series. Honestly Australia should be playing 3 to 5 Test Series against South Africa, India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, WI and England. It should reserve the 2 Test friendlies to countries like NZ, Bangladesh.

Agree Bob. Cummins looks one out of the bag and has lived up to the very strong comments made about him at more junior levels. On the other hand, Harris's phyiscal frailties and Johnson and Siddle's lack of consistent firepower does not augur well for them. i think we will see other young quick prospects get a go this summer like Hazlewood and Starc. Whether its Paine or Wade, Haddin should be feeling the heat well and truly. Mind you if he were to play a pivotal role in the final day at the Wanderers then he gets a possible reprieve. Paine must be cursing his luck with the finger injury. He was close to a call up before the SA tour in my opinion. Haddin's efforts on tour have brought him closer to the cap But Mathew Wade has definitely timed his form beautifully. It would appear that keeping is the one area we appear reasonably stocked in.

Poor shot at Newton. What was his offence? Did not make it at AFL level. Had a go at AFL but not good enough. Shame on the bloke. Yet you entertain the thought of giving another chance to player who walked out on the Club and has been indifferent at fulfilling his obligations. Like Nasher I would be surprised if we rookied him. I am surprised he nominated for the draft.

Exactly. Off season fluff.

But you havent said anything of substance other make illusions of something important. And if you are worried about this affecting the Club i am not sure why you even started a thread about it.

Or at least being that candid and honest about it. I mean really. Indeed. Why?

Agree with both statements. Good news indeed. There is no place for Fev at either MFC or Casey in 2012.....or anywhere else so it seems.

Beautifully written Franky. Well done. I have just been informed that a close work colleague of mine (who I would call a friend) has just been diagnosed with breast cancer and now goes into the horrible process of doctor check up, operation and possibly chemo. I can only imagine the inner turmoil she is suffering and only admire her strength at this time. I think the same things could be said about 2 Sheds. I dont know him but I enjoyed his posts and admired his strenght of character in dealing with his battle. I can only hope that science can crack this scourge called cancer. It takes away so much that we value that all other issues are just irrelevant. RIP 2 Sheds.

I think the new Chairman of Selectors John Inverarity needs to have a number of discussions with Ponting leading to an agreed departure at the CA's basis. He needs to be told hook or by crook, you have until the SYD test at most if your form holds. Either SYD is your last Test. If getting dropped is not the end then someone please tell Ben Hilfenhaus that. He is finished at Test level. The McGrath analogy is not a good one. I am not sure being dropped 5 times in 9 tests measures my point. Mitch Johnson has been around for 4 years and nearly 50(?) Tests. We know quite a bit about Mitch. And if he cannot sort out his appalling inconsistency and all too infrequent high points at Shield level for a sustained period, he is finished. The same with Hughes. If he cannot demonstrate an ability to properly address chinks in his technique then he is finished at Test level. Unless Siddle can develop a consistent killer delivery to survive at the top level then he is just honest fodder at Test level and will only appear if there are injuries. All three have been on scene for four years or so. We know what we get from them. What we have seen to date is not good enough. They could well change and improve but I would want extra evidence to suggest that is the case. And they would want to change as cricketers. Some could change but I think a couple could go the way of Hilf and be a handy Shield bowler. For example, I have felt for Ponting and Clarke as captains when your apparent strike bowler serves the sub standard rubbish that he does.

Nuggets, the World Cup I think was indeed a turning point in confidence that really flowered in 1989. Yes Ch 9 did not show the final live. Curse them!