Shaun Marsh selection in the South African squad once again goes to show that it's who you are mates with more than form that is one of the biggest deciding factors in the selection of squads. Marsh's form in first class cricket since being dropped from the Test side, does in no shape or form warrant a recall to the Test team, in fact there should have been pressure on him to retain his spot in the WA team instead.
Blokes like Stuart MacGill and Brad Hodge who for whatever reason didn't fit in with the rest of the team either found it very hard to get into the team or very easy to be kicked off the team, or both.
I knew that Marsh was going to be selected the moment I heard the Channel 9 commentary team continually crap on about what a great player he is, lead of course by Mark Taylor who of course played a heap of cricket with Shaun's Old Man.
You can bank on it as much as you can bank on James Brayshaw saying the following when Davey Warner gets out playing a stupid shot "that's the way he plays, you've got to take the bad with the good!"
Not since I won a free cheeseburger as part of a McDonald‘s Monopoly competition, have I won an award that matches the prestige of the Allan Border Medal.
Can I firstly say, the journey to get here has been difficult and had its fair share of heartache.
To begin, there was Mark Taylor‘s speech to sit through, then Greg Chappell‘s, not to mention Mark Nicholas‘ awkward and occasionally insulting interviewing.
It‘s been painful and at times I‘ve just wanted it to be over.
If anything would make you quit cricket, it‘s this event.
No wonder it isn‘t shown live. I‘m here and I‘ve been watching the tennis on my phone the whole time. Actually, does anyone has a charger?
It also seems weird that it‘s being held in a venue a year 10 dinner dance committee would have rejected.
The good news is that with this award, it‘s now almost over but not before I thank a few people.
To begin I‘d like to thank the English Cricket Team.
Never has the term ‘English Cricket Team‘ been such false advertising.
You‘re not a team, can barely play cricket and many of you aren‘t English.
I‘d also like to thank the Barmy Army for their constant motivation. Where‘s your singing now?
Enjoy returning to your dank little island.
To Mickey Arthur, I‘d like to say thank you for getting yourself sacked. Nothing helped the team more than this.
Lastly, I‘d like to thank Kevin Pietersen. Your constant backing away showed that we had you guys done and dusted. Enjoy retirement mate.
Winning this award is a memory that will stay with me for minutes. I‘m truly touched.
The all important T20 side...
G Bailey (captain), A Finch, D Christian, N Coulter-Nile, B Cutting, J Faulkner, J Hazelwood, M Henriques, G Maxwell, J Muirhead, C Lynn, M Starc, M Wade, C White.
Shaun Marsh selection in the South African squad once again goes to show that it's who you are mates with more than form that is one of the biggest deciding factors in the selection of squads. Marsh's form in first class cricket since being dropped from the Test side, does in no shape or form warrant a recall to the Test team, in fact there should have been pressure on him to retain his spot in the WA team instead.
Blokes like Stuart MacGill and Brad Hodge who for whatever reason didn't fit in with the rest of the team either found it very hard to get into the team or very easy to be kicked off the team, or both.
I knew that Marsh was going to be selected the moment I heard the Channel 9 commentary team continually crap on about what a great player he is, lead of course by Mark Taylor who of course played a heap of cricket with Shaun's Old Man.
You can bank on it as much as you can bank on James Brayshaw saying the following when Davey Warner gets out playing a stupid shot "that's the way he plays, you've got to take the bad with the good!"
Yeh the commentary in the one dayers has been grooming us all for his selection. Brayshaw said the other night "He's the most naturally gifted batsman I think I've seen"
Freaking spare me. I can think of eight right now that look better than him. Now 14.
Do people really believe that Ch9 commentators are in on a conspiracy to "groom" the public for Test selection?
It's no conspiracy, it's just part of Aussie cricket culture.
It's a boys club. And if you're in the club, you'll get as many chances as you need, as well as vocal support from ex players.
But if you're not in the club... Then go hang out with Brad hodge
Shaun Marsh selection in the South African squad once again goes to show that it's who you are mates with more than form that is one of the biggest deciding factors in the selection of squads. Marsh's form in first class cricket since being dropped from the Test side, does in no shape or form warrant a recall to the Test team, in fact there should have been pressure on him to retain his spot in the WA team instead.
Blokes like Stuart MacGill and Brad Hodge who for whatever reason didn't fit in with the rest of the team either found it very hard to get into the team or very easy to be kicked off the team, or both.
I knew that Marsh was going to be selected the moment I heard the Channel 9 commentary team continually crap on about what a great player he is, lead of course by Mark Taylor who of course played a heap of cricket with Shaun's Old Man.
You can bank on it as much as you can bank on James Brayshaw saying the following when Davey Warner gets out playing a stupid shot "that's the way he plays, you've got to take the bad with the good!"
Spot on. Didn't realise that he averaged 25 in the last two seasons. I suppose this means that Mitch marsh will be a chance soon - Though he is progressing nicely.
Good to see the Australian T20 leg spinner was afforded an entire '1' over for the Stars tonight. Also he was the seventh bowler used. Personally I don't like it when club cricket teams pick players on potential over those who have proved themselves, let alone our national team plucking a guy from virtually nowhere to represent Australia. I know it is only 20/20 mickey mouse cricket but surely there are better options than James Muirhead.
I didn't see the over but it must have been a good one - it only went for 4.
Hopefully Shaun Marsh looks you all look like a bunch of nuffies in the same way Mitch Johnson did.
Or he could play like Bailey, Maxwell, Quiney etc and make us all look like genuises lol.
Didnt he average 3.4 against the Saffers last series?
My main concern is he makes runs in the shorter form due to there usually only being 1 slip in and he just nudges runs around the field until he gets settled. The Saffers wont give him that luxury and I fear he will keep nicking them to slip. Hope im wrong and he proves us to all be fools but judging by his ordinary shield form im not filled with any confidence
Hopefully Shaun Marsh looks you all look like a bunch of nuffies in the same way Mitch Johnson did.
Or he could play like Bailey, Maxwell, Quiney etc and make us all look like genuises lol.
Didnt he average 3.4 against the Saffers last series?
My main concern is he makes runs in the shorter form due to there usually only being 1 slip in and he just nudges runs around the field until he gets settled. The Saffers wont give him that luxury and I fear he will keep nicking them to slip. Hope im wrong and he proves us to all be fools but judging by his ordinary shield form im not filled with any confidence
doesn't get forward far enough for test cricket. plays dinky little cross bat prods and flicks which work beautifully in one day cricket.
which is exactly what the last bloke got dumped for.
Doubt it. I think he has just been reminded quite forcefully that for him it's not about sheer weight of runs, it's about technical issues. Which they obviously don't regard as rectified.