Now, I have already confessed that I was somewhat confused when a bloke who in 8 years had only managed to earn the nickname of X managed to become our first choice spinner. And yes, his first class bowling average shocked me (think the sort of shock a first time gentleman traveller has when the young lady in a dingy Bangkok bar that has been speaking to him for a while turns out to have a little extra downstairs than originally envisaged when push comes to shove, so to speak).
But I wasn’t prepared for the surprise that awaited me today. First the wheels were off, now the wig is off as well. Yes that’s right, Doug Bollinger has been dropped.
Despite Doug the Rug being our best bowler over the past year, despite him take 47 wickets at 22 in his last 10 Tests, despite him being named in the recent ICC Test team of the year, we have decided that we would rather use Peter Siddle in Brisbane tomorrow. The reason given seems to be that he hasn’t had enough time to prove himself since his recent stomach injury in India; not that he is unfit, just that he hasn’t played enough. He has only played a club game and a 4 day first class game. Sound reasonable? Perhaps....
Until of course, we remember that Simon Katich returned home from India not with a muscle strain but with a broken finger. He played one club game and the same 4 day first class game that Dougy played in. Simon also injured his shoulder in that State game and couldn’t open in the second innings. Says he is fine now though.
Verdict: Ready for Ashes
What about Michael Clarke? He played in the 4 day first class game before the one that saw Simon and Doug return and scored a hundred but in the process destroyed his back. He missed the next first class game totally and was so bad that he didn’t train on Monday of this week. In the next two days he had some throw downs and two hour long net sessions.
Verdict: Ready for Ashes
Poor old Dougy. Things seemed to be going so well for him. I, not for the first time, blame Ricky. I think he has wig envy.
Defying all modern medical explanations, the pressures of the Australian captaincy caused Ricky Ponting’s hair to re-grow
********************
Some quick final thoughts before I go to bed early tonight to dream of batting statistics.
1. Justin Langer is, remains, and always will be, mad
Justin today casually mentioned that he still sleeps with his baggy green, 3 years after retiring. Funny little Justin, he seemed to think that the newsworthy item was that he still did it post retirement. Most sensible observers would probably contend that the fact he did it at all was the more interesting item. At least Nasser Hussain appears to have maintained a cool head in his commentary years. When asked if English players did the same he replied
"No, we've got a life to be honest”
Fair call
We will all get frustrated. Ricky will ignore us, keep doing it and keep getting out. Maddeningly, he will keep trudging off with a confused look as though aging eyes and reflexes have never caused a professional sportsman to slightly alter his game.
Wig envy I say.
3. North won’t last the series
Look, he just won’t OK. Too many well documented cheap dismissals, interspersed with the odd hundred. We panic drop our best bowler, we panic drop a reasonable spinner for The Bowler Formally Known As Xavier so we have no trouble tossing Marcus out on his ear at the first sign of trouble. My pick for the future, Usman Khawaja, will be batting at number 6 by the 4th Test
4. Kevin Pietersen will star in a remake of an Errol Flynn film immediately after the series completes
Movember may be a very good cause but gee wizz it produces some dodgy facial hair.
Kevin Pietersen took a moment out from training to marvel at the wonders of the passing horseless carriage
Good luck to all tomorrow. May cricket be the winner
No comments:
Post a Comment