12-31-2018, 01:20 AM
(This post was last modified: 12-31-2018, 01:25 AM by crashlander.)
[3] The Sheffield Shield:
We HAD the best domestic cricket setup in the world. But it is not getting the support it should.
(a) test Players almost never play shield games any more.
(b) with the number of talented guys in the 20:20 circuit, the number of guys coming back to the Shield is dropping off. Guys are lured by the megabucks.
Many players are being picked on potential instead of shield performances. We can afford maybe one, but we can't afford as many as we have.
© The BBL is nice entertainment, but it is not helping the technique of our bats or bowlers. In fact, our bowlers use a number of tricks in shorter formats that they simply appear to forget about in test cricket. Slower balls anyone?
[4] Drop In Pitches:
One of the main reasons for our recent cricketing demise is our inability to handle our own pitches. Other countries appear to modify their pitches to suit their side, but it has been years since we have been able to achieve that. Bouncy pitches are now a rarity and it isn't helping.
(a) Each state used to produce pitches that were quite predictable. WA and Qld produced pitches where it bounced and was fast. It was a major advantage, especially for the first two tests. Adelaide bounced well enough, but it was a batsman's strip. Sydney was the pitch for spinners.
Now each pitch is quite similar: low, slow, somewhat two paced and they don't break up much. These pitches don't help us and certainly keep our spin bowlers from developing.
The Kiwis have made an art of producing pitches that favour their attack and their results show they are on the right track.
(b) With our pitches we don't see a lot of the moving ball. Our bats play spin poorly, and don't handle the swinging ball that well. If we don't improve and soon, the Poms are going to slaughter us!
We HAD the best domestic cricket setup in the world. But it is not getting the support it should.
(a) test Players almost never play shield games any more.
(b) with the number of talented guys in the 20:20 circuit, the number of guys coming back to the Shield is dropping off. Guys are lured by the megabucks.
Many players are being picked on potential instead of shield performances. We can afford maybe one, but we can't afford as many as we have.
© The BBL is nice entertainment, but it is not helping the technique of our bats or bowlers. In fact, our bowlers use a number of tricks in shorter formats that they simply appear to forget about in test cricket. Slower balls anyone?
[4] Drop In Pitches:
One of the main reasons for our recent cricketing demise is our inability to handle our own pitches. Other countries appear to modify their pitches to suit their side, but it has been years since we have been able to achieve that. Bouncy pitches are now a rarity and it isn't helping.
(a) Each state used to produce pitches that were quite predictable. WA and Qld produced pitches where it bounced and was fast. It was a major advantage, especially for the first two tests. Adelaide bounced well enough, but it was a batsman's strip. Sydney was the pitch for spinners.
Now each pitch is quite similar: low, slow, somewhat two paced and they don't break up much. These pitches don't help us and certainly keep our spin bowlers from developing.
The Kiwis have made an art of producing pitches that favour their attack and their results show they are on the right track.
(b) With our pitches we don't see a lot of the moving ball. Our bats play spin poorly, and don't handle the swinging ball that well. If we don't improve and soon, the Poms are going to slaughter us!
Live Long and Prosper!