View Full Version : South Australia's batting line-up
wagstaff
8 Dec 2001, 16:36
Had a rare opportunity to look at SA's less well-known batsmen (i.e. not Blewett and Lehmann), and they looked terrible! They seemed completely unable to handle not only Brett Lee's bowling but Stuart Clark's as well. Players like Vaughn, Davies and Johnson have been around for a while but they didn't show it today; they looked district standard at best.
Kane McGoodwin
8 Dec 2001, 17:43
It didn't seem that long ago when SA had one of the better batting line-ups in the country, but struggled for quality bowlers. How the wheel has turned. I think the concerning thing is that the batsmen (excluding Boof & Blewey) have been struggling for a few years now, but the same players seem to be recycled through with limited success. I think Davies & Higgins could turn out OK. Probably time to blood some youth - there are big wraps on Cameron Borgas (only 18), so why not give him a chance, as he couldn't be any worse than Vaughan & Co. Time to look to the future.
Originally posted by Kane McGoodwin
It didn't seem that long ago when SA had one of the better batting line-ups in the country, but struggled for quality bowlers. How the wheel has turned. I think the concerning thing is that the batsmen (excluding Boof & Blewey) have been struggling for a few years now, but the same players seem to be recycled through with limited success. I think Davies & Higgins could turn out OK. Probably time to blood some youth - there are big wraps on Cameron Borgas (only 18), so why not give him a chance, as he couldn't be any worse than Vaughan & Co. Time to look to the future.
SA had a great, but old, batting line up.
In the last few years Siddons, Hookes, Webber, Nobes, and Scuderi have departed, with only Fitzgerald (a WA import) stepping up semi-consistently since, although his form even last season was average.
Nielsen's departure, replaced by Manou, has also been a negative in batting terms (irrespective of 'keeping ability).
Davies has looked the goods at times, and Young shows a bit coming in at 7-8 (now if only he could get a few wickets...)
The recruitment of Darren Dempsey showed at least a willingness by SA to look outisde of the state. Was this move initiated by Dempsey, or did SA officials make a consicous effort to import an interstater?
If importing is an option, SA could look at guys like Campbell (WA), Richards (NSW), Rummans (NSW), Perren (Qld), Peake (Vic), who all have ability but have struggled to make/cement a position in their respective state sides.
At times it's a legitimate plan to import, if there is a significant generation gap. If your outgoing quality players are 32-33 and the next level of prospects are all 18-21, it MAY mean that yes there has been a lack of foresight and planning applied to building a solid future, BUT it still won't get fixedovernight unless quality is brought in from outside.
It's cyclical too, strengths and weaknesses come and go, and strengths in all facets don't always gel at the same time. In a way, I suupose it can be equated to Hawthorn's midfield and spine. I'm not saying this WILL happen, but what's to say that by the time the Hawks have assembled a classy midfield, their spine will be too old or injury-prone or that all the spine back-ups will have been traded because of the supposed depth in that area?
South Australia are really struggling at the moment, but as KG said, look to the future.
There are some real bright spots in SA cricket. They won the under 17 championships last year, which produced one of the most talents Australian under 17 sides seen.
Mark Cosgrove is a genuine talent, number 3 batsmen, played in the Australia under 19 side last year, while still only 16. And is a handy bowler as well. Will most probably be captain of the Aus u/19's next year, in what will be his 3rd season in the team.
Callum Ferguson is an opening bat, who was captain of last years Australian under 17 team, and has been picked in the training squad for the Aus u/19 team this year.
Cameron Borgas has already played a couple of games for South Australia, and is a part of this years Australian under 19 team.
So there is quite a bit of batting talent coming through, so the future is looking pretty good for South Australia (and Australia), as long as these players develop to their full potential, which is definetaly very great potential.
The good thing is that the three aforementioined players are all batsmen, because its generally easier to pick who will be the future bats than to pick future bowlers (as bowlers are more prone to injury and wavering of form).
kretchy
10 Dec 2001, 06:58
As well as the three mentioned above (Borgas, Cosgrove and Ferguson) there is another young player Plant who is currently at the Under 19 Championships he has made 160 one game and another game carried his bat through the innings for 60 odd.