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04.02.13

Where is Australian Cricket at? Part 2

Published by Shane Warne

…..Part 2

Thankyou for your feedback from part 1

I know not everyone agreed with me, which is cool.  The reason for me writing these articles is to hopefully create debate and discussion.

So, I asked myself the question…“ Is the Australian cricket family happy?” 

The answer is:  NO; no-one is happy.  The fans, players, broadcasters, sponsors, CA etcetera.

So I went to the Cricket Australia website and looked at their mission statement and it read…

“The strategy has five pillars that are critical to achieve the vision to be Australia's favourite sport:”


1. Put fans first;
2. Produce the best teams, players and officials in the world;
3. Increase participation substantially and inspire the next generation of players and fans;
4. Provide world-class leadership and management and unify Australian Cricket;
5. Grow investment in the game.


The above mission statement sounds wonderful and is great, but in my opinion it hasn’t been delivered and results at the end of the day are what count, along with the future of the game. When we were number 1 there weren’t mission statements flying around, but we got the selection process right and the best 11 were selected for every game.  Example:  Glenn McGrath didn’t want to be rotated or rested, he wanted to play every game, and we all did.

It’s simple, select your best 11 for each form of the game, not the same 11 but your best available team at all times.

So saying that, my teams would be as follows:


20/20 team
(Watson will be fit when the next 20/20 is played.)

1. Finch
2. Warner
3. Marsh S
4. Watson
5. Maxwell
6. Wade (C)
7. Faulkner
8. Coulter-Nile
9. Starc
10. McKay
11. Doherty


12. Beer
13. Cutting
14. Henriques or M Marsh when fit.
15. M Johnson


1-day team
(Watson comes back in when fit for whatever batsman is not performing)

1. Finch
2. Warner
3. Marsh S
4. Clarke (C)
5. Bailey
6. Wade
7. Maxwell (Floater)
8. Faulkner
9. Coulter-Nile
10. Starc
11. McKay


12. Hauritz
13. Henriques
14. Marsh M
15. M Johnson

 

Test team
(My squad of 18 players.  Watson will be fit when the next test is played)

1. Warner
2. Watson
3. Marsh S
4. Clarke (C)
5. Ferguson
6. Wade
7. Faulkner
8. Coulter-Nile
9. Siddle
10. Pattinson
11. Lyon


12. Hughes P
13. Maxwell
14. Starc
15. Khawaja
16. Harris R
17. Henriques
18. Jackson Bird

This is the sqad of players that I think can help us get back to Number 1 in the world. 

1-day cricket

We have changed the rules/ laws too many times in this form of the game, everyone is confused.  It is time to de-regulate 1 day cricket.  No restrictions with the field, none, place the fielders anywhere you want, this will create so many options and the attacking captains and teams will win.  The only law should be that no bowler can bowl more than 10 overs.

20/20

Increase the max per bowler to 5 overs not 4, so 4 bowlers can bowl 5 overs and each ground should be as big as possible.

Last thought for this article; no matter what form of the game is being played, the pitch must be a contest between bat and ball.

Still lots to talk through, like grass roots cricket, state of spin bowling, cricket academy and domestic cricket.   Part 3 and 4 later this week…

Hope you enjoyed Part 2!

Keep spinning

Shane

Twitter:   @warne888

Add Comment

Comments

March 6th, 2013 at 3:03am
Robbie Garden
Cubanwookie's manifesto

Interesting thoughts/side. This series is lost, so it's time to start preparing for the Ashes, so I'd go Warner(capable of destroying the opposition in one game out of the series and hasn't done it so far, so he is due and the Poms would love it if he wasn't there), push Hughes up to opener(that's his spot, he probably won't score runs in India, but is capable of taking the poms apart on their pitches, against their bowling), Clarke(best bat, should be at 3), Khawaja(deserves a decent chance to show what he can do at this level rather than 1 or 2 games at a time), Burns(massive potential, hundred in shield final is usually a good sign), Ferguson(looks like shield is too easy, loses concentration, needs the extra challenge of test cricket), Hartley(catches win matches, if the batsmen are good enough you don't need to rely on the keeper to score big runs and he is still pretty handy with the bat), Johnson(not real smart, but under the right guidance can be very effective at getting wickets, and can bat), Pattinson(second man picked after Clarke), Harris(No.1 bowler before injury, won Ryobi cup for Qld, and should come straight back into the team if fit enough, Starc(again, massive potential; tall, quick, left-handed, can move the ball both ways), Lyon(needs more time to develop, but don't forget he's only played about 10 shield games and got good batsmen out in 1st test). Next guys in the pecking order should be Copeland(Kumar and Philander have shown if you can move the ball you don't need to be fast to be effective, and he's got a $hitload of wickets at domestic level), Bird and Cummins, when fit, put pressure on the other bowlers. Forget Cowan(got nothing), Watson(ODI/T20 Specialist, one of the best around at that level, but no point selecting for tests if he can't bowl), Maxwell(T20 specialist, no point getting wickets when the opposition is already 200 ahead), Doherty(ODI specialist), Siddle(if he was half as good as the media/so-called experts say he is, we would have won the Adelaide test against South Africa.
February 18th, 2013 at 7:45pm
balaji rajagopalan
As an indian cricket supporter, what I see is that aussies are huring not being number 1, all I have to say you guys dominated throughout the 90s and beginning of 2000's it is refreshing to have aussies not dominate the world cricket like they did, give others a chance will you :).
February 18th, 2013 at 6:20pm
Simon Clements
It looks to me as if you've picked the teams on ability, but national selectors need to back that up with form. According to players when interviewed, they are better informed now than they have ever been. That probably includes stuff they don't want to hear.
I totally agree with your proposed changes to ODI and T20. Just keep it simple.
February 12th, 2013 at 4:23pm
Adrian Meredith
Warne, mate, you may well be completely correct that Shaun Marsh, Nathan Coulter-Nile and Callum Ferguson are going to bring Australian cricket to the pinnacle of the world. But can you explain why? I mean Shaun Marsh did well in his first 3 tests, sure, but his fall from grace was so almighty that you can't just put him straight back without an explanation. The guy is doing better in ODIs and T20s again, but he is still failing badly in FC cricket - averaging less than 10 this season. So why do you think he will do well in the test team? Nathan Coulter-Nile is doing reasonably well, but, as I said, is well and truly behind Alistair McDermott in terms of results, both this season and overall, in all forms of the game, not to mention the likes of Starc, Johnson, Pattinson and Bird who are actually in the side. So why do you think that he is better than they are? What do you base your hunch on? And Callum Ferguson has been an ODI specialist for a significant period of time now, so why do you think that he is going to do well in tests? I'd love to hear your explanation on these 3 selections, especially since you put Nathan Coulter-Nile in all 3 formats. And why did you axe George Bailey from the T20 team, when he has been very successful, one of our best players. You may well be right but it'd be nice to hear an explanation for this. Thanks.
February 11th, 2013 at 10:15pm
Mark Richards
Adrian, perhaps you need a lie down, stating a few simple points just may not need to be as DEEP as you may wish for! Warne plays with and against these guys and knows their ability and mentalities far more than you or I could ever know. He would know if they were up to standard or not!
Shaun Marsh is an amazing talent and someone who should be on radar a lot sooner than
past ideas of waiting till he gets to 30 odd before getting the nod again. The fact is our bowlin stock is deep but our batting is not, guys like Clarke only has a few years left also, this is a huge door that will open, for who?? Bailey maybe, but who else?? You sound like you think your the expert???
For someone such as yourself stating that you would put McDermott ahead of Siddle, Bird, MJ, hilfy, pattinson says you have no idea and your just shooting and swinging from your keyboard!
February 10th, 2013 at 9:16pm
Adrian Meredith
Not sure why you think that either Shaun Marsh or Callum Ferguson are test quality. Do you know something that nobody else does? And why Coulter-Nile for that matter? Your T20 and ODI sides look solid but basically look like what are being picked already - other than Coulter-Nile of course. Not sure what this ground breaking thing you are saying is. An entire blog to say that you disagree with the rotation policy? Trying to say your own XIs? For the record, I'd put Bailey in the test team and put Alistair McDermott in there too. About as ground breaking as your other post, which was very similar to what I wrote - and was relevant 2 1/2 years ago. Good job saying absolutely nothing. LOL.
February 7th, 2013 at 3:54pm
Fast Bowler
Pwned by Tommy G...


http://www.workingdog.com/whatsnew.php
February 6th, 2013 at 2:47am
Abeer Azad
As a t20 captain Baily has not play any innings that help Australia to win a match.A captain needs to be tough and He should have the power to win a match single handedly.But Baily does not got anything.He can be good ODI cricketer because it suit him.So making Wade captain is really good idea.He is very useful at top of the order that we saw against India in Australia about a year ago.But unfortunately Australia is not using him.
February 5th, 2013 at 8:45pm
Mark Richards
IMO we should consider ourselves very lucky that you are sharing your views, as the weight of your views have far more push than what any points made in this comment section could ever wish to have! The fact remains that every person interested in cricket have slightly different starting 11 in each form, however the comments regarding the selectors are spot on!
What the current format of selection is creating is nothing but nervous players all worried about their spot and simply cannot relax and perform as they all can. It is healthy to have so many players pushing for a spot and yeh it is a time for us to re-build, but do that at domestic level not in our starting 11-12.
I totally agree with you on Shaun Marsh, the kid can flat out play and once he relaxes or gets a more mature head giving him the confidence to just relax and play, then he has the potential to be one of our all time greats.
Regarding the bowlers???? This rotation thing is a must ATM due to how many simply are breaking down. They are breaking down due to 2 much sport scientist BS!!
I noticed comments about D Hussey?? Really the guys is 2 old unfortunately! And I will finish by saying this.
The selection process was not always right Warney!
BRAD HODGE GOT A SHOT BUT WAY 2 LATE AND IS SIMPLY THE SELECTORS MASSIVE MISSED OPPORTUNITY AND MISTAKE, CLARKEY SAID iT HIMSELF THAT HE'S A BETTER BAT THAN HIM!!
Thanks off my horse now!!! Good times Richo
February 5th, 2013 at 7:14pm
Peter Langston
So far, all I've gleaned from Parts 1 and 2, I could have heard down the pub. You were a great bowler Shane and revered by all of us - that's obvious by the slavish agreement in most of these comments - but most of what you've said is simplistic and ill-conceived. Your status is all that gives it gravitas. Australia has a direction and its working. Its not perfect but the vast majority of the direction Argus gave us works. Taking cricket back to your playing days does nothing for the game in the future. Isn't it about time you put your knowledge and skills of bowling to use in developing Australia's next stock of slow bowlers? Stick to what you're good at Shane.
February 5th, 2013 at 9:36am
Paul Mac
Couldn't agree more Shane. As a Scotsmen i'm praying Australia can do a job on England this year! I don't think CA seemingly not knowing their best team, and what's more the players not knowing if they are part of the best team is the way to go. Excellence in sport is about repetition, and so a team also needs repetition to become a cohesive, slick and well oiled machine. This stop start selection does nobody any favours as nobody truly knows where they stand. Yes changes will be necessary for injury and to blood new talent, but CA need to commit and say you're a first pick and you're not, instead of giving everyone a game and blaming the 'workload' which is vey much in vogue these days but is ultimatley laughable. Representing your country is the pinnacle and this rotation policy just cheapens it. I only wish my boss would rotate me due to my workload! Plus for all this rotation the injuries are still the same and always will be. England at the moment are following a similar ridiculous strategy and it's getting them nowhere either! Play the hand you have, is what i say!!
February 5th, 2013 at 12:35am
Deeksha Ramdev
Mr Warne,
I think you're absolutely right. Spot on about one-day cricket; PowerPlay overs and fielding restrictions are pointless and they take away from the game.

Agree with most of the squad selections, especially Marsh at 3 in all formats. Shaun Marsh is one of Australia's most talented batsmen and I think it's a shame to let all that potential go to seed.

But with the kind of bench strength that Australia has, not sure if the rotation policy is really a bad thing. (Still, leaving Starc out of the Boxing Day was a crime.)

And if the Mitchells Starc and Johnson (I think he bowled really well against the Windies, despite not taking a wicket) maintain this kind of form, and together with the inclusion of Pattinson, Warner and Watson back in the squads soon (hopefully at the expense of Finch and Khawaja) I think England will be kissing the Ashes goodbye.
February 4th, 2013 at 10:12pm
Geoff Pratchett
Australian Cricket is damaged by the very people denying there are problems, change is needed to regain #1 status...more importantly, we need the respect of other countries again.
Watson is the key in all 3 sides, would persevere with, Warner, Hughes, Bird, Starc, Khawaja in tests...Bird & Siddle need more workload. Personally, the stellar season Michael Clarke enjoyed, should have inspired other batsmen. When I watch/ed the Waughs, Jones's, Pontings, Clarkes, Borders, McGraths, Warnes, Gilchrists, I see/saw class, never self preservation [although there must have been some tough times]...name one of todays cricketers that would get you in the gates on their ability alone?...Dean Jones got us to the cricket often, as did Warne, O'Donnell, Gilchrist, Richards [both], Lillee..and so on....look forward to part 3 & 4
February 4th, 2013 at 9:09pm
Fiery Paceman Porto
Shane
Good to see you are trying to improve Oz cricket. Couple of things:
1. CA has had mission statements and strategies well documented for at least 10 years, including when you are playing and when the team was #1. You are implying that worrying about these things is waste of time and focus in the wrong area, but that hasn't changed, so not sure of your logic on that one.

2. How substantially different are these teams? They aren't from what has been picked already, and your teams would be in the same predicament with a few injuries.

The game has changed a lot in the last 10 years, stop dreaming about the good old days, it ain't gonna happen, too many forms, too many games, injuries aren't going to stop, more money on offer. Its fine to be critical of it all but give us a better insight, please.
February 4th, 2013 at 8:46pm
Fred Boycott
Keep up the good work Shane.
Giving bowlers 5 overs in 20/20 will really build their stamina up.

I'm sure you have picked good players, but the fact that few in England have even heard of half of 'em says it all.

The Ashes are safe in England for another 10 years.



February 4th, 2013 at 8:17pm
Sheetosh Pokharel
I am not sure about your selections. I find counter-nile and marsh everywhere and no hilfenhaus in test squad. no bailey in ODIs and no cummins. I think it would have been better if u included 18 players for all the formats as Aus are in the process of rebuilding and in this time you cant have settled players like in your time
February 4th, 2013 at 3:28pm
Alec Benson
Not sure about the unhealthy obsession with Shaun Marsh and Nathan Coulter-Nile. I can't quite believe Jackson Bird is so far down the Test pecking order either. And Callum Ferguson over Phil Hughes is just ridiculous, Hughes has both the record and temperament on his side. That said, the T20 side looks good, but I think experimentation in that form is necessary for improvement across the board.
February 4th, 2013 at 2:59pm
Richard Gill
No Pat Cummins? He wont be injured forever.
February 4th, 2013 at 2:36pm
Ganesh Hule
Well said
good squad selected
All eyes on ind aus series
It will be tough series for both the teams
February 4th, 2013 at 2:09pm
Daniel O'Donnell
I generally agree with what you have said above, Your team selections do surprise me. Whilst I think Watson has the ability as a test cricketer, I think India needs to his re birthing as a test batsmen. I would find it hard to fathom Watson's selection in the Ashes tour as a batsmen if he failed in India. With that said, Not too many replacements. For me Ferguson is at best a state level player who is inconstant, 2-3 years ago, sure Ferguson all the way, but not now. Alex Doolan has potential, however I do note that you are picking your 'Best" side from the available players at the moment and therefore potential perhaps does not qualify. I do look forward to your comments on the spin bowling stocks... I have my own opinion on it, so I am interested to see how our thinking compares.
February 4th, 2013 at 1:47pm
cricket fan of from Perth
Hi Shane

You've totally forgotten David Hussey. Why is him forgotten all the time...such a talented player ! Please reconsider him !
February 4th, 2013 at 1:27pm
Danielle Henry
ACB mission statement seems to be running in reverse order of importance...Also if they want to produce best teams and players in the world - they need to suck it up and get you "Warney"on the "Board of Selectors" or better still but maybe too far removed from the action "Board of Directors" - Australian Cricket will forever have a massive gap of ignorance for not recogonising your invaluable knowledge.
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