View Full Version : Is Paul Rofe Australia's worst batsman?
wagstaff
19 Oct 2002, 22:32
I'd be inclined to say yes after seeing his very brief innings in today's one-dayer against Victoria.
Put simply, he had an appalling 'defence' that would have put Devon Malcolm and Phil Tufnell to shame. While facing the less then lethal medium-pace of Shane Harwood, Rofe didn't seem capable of putting up any genuine sort of defence, hard to do admittedly when you're feet are shuffling towards square leg.
It would be scary to see how he would react if he were to face a genuinely pacy bowler. Might be reminisicent of Nantie Hayward's efforts against Brett Lee in Adelaide last summer.
It wasn't pretty,was it. :D
Remember in domestic one-day matches, each team has twelve players, one who doesn't bat. Ergo, Mark Harrity must be worse.
wagstaff
19 Oct 2002, 22:48
Originally posted by DaveW
Remember in domestic one-day matches, each team has twelve players, one who doesn't bat. Ergo, Mark Harrity must be worse.
Good point, but it would be hard to imagine Harrity being worse then Rofe. All Harwood had to do was get it on the stumps as Rofe literally had no defence. Considering South Australia still had several overs left in their innings, it was a fairly gutless effort.
Maybe I'm being a bit harsh on Rofe though. A few of his middle-order teammates weren't much better today (Mark Higgs got selected in an Australian one-day squad?).
I think Mark Higgs was sent overseas for Super 8s or some half-arsed series, not the real stuff. Just another player aimed at filling the all-rounder's slot based on potential, rather than what he's actually achieved. His domestic one-day record is quite good.
The SA tail starts with the keeper Manou. He'd bat at 11 for most other states.
Originally posted by wagstaff
Maybe I'm being a bit harsh on Rofe though. A few of his middle-order teammates weren't much better today (Mark Higgs got selected in an Australian one-day squad?).
Yes... as a replacement for Shane Warne! (when Higgs is a batting all-rounder) Won't happen again though, don't get the same favouritism when you don't play for NSW.
Adelaide Hawk
20 Oct 2002, 08:38
Originally posted by wagstaff
Considering South Australia still had several overs left in their innings, it was a fairly gutless effort.
One thing I won't stand for is people labelling 1st class cricketers as "gutless". I can handle people criticising inadequate batting techniques or poor bowling tactics, but these guys are not gutless.
Originally posted by Darky
I think Mark Higgs was sent overseas for Super 8s or some half-arsed series, not the real stuff. Just another player aimed at filling the all-rounder's slot based on potential, rather than what he's actually achieved. His domestic one-day record is quite good.
The SA tail starts with the keeper Manou. He'd bat at 11 for most other states.
Actually it was the ICC Knock Out (aka "mini World Cup"). Australia only played one match (knocked out by India) and Higgs didn't play.
http://www-aus.cricket.org/link_to_database/ARCHIVE/2000-01/OD_TOURNEYS/ICCKO/SQUADS/ICCKO_OCT2000_AUS-SQUAD.html
Santos L Helper
20 Oct 2002, 15:32
Originally posted by wagstaff
I'd be inclined to say yes after seeing his very brief innings in today's one-dayer against Victoria.
Put simply, he had an appalling 'defence' that would have put Devon Malcolm and Phil Tufnell to shame. While facing the less then lethal medium-pace of Shane Harwood, Rofe didn't seem capable of putting up any genuine sort of defence, hard to do admittedly when you're feet are shuffling towards square leg.
It would be scary to see how he would react if he were to face a genuinely pacy bowler. Might be reminisicent of Nantie Hayward's efforts against Brett Lee in Adelaide last summer.
I'm sure that Rofe could play that hack (Lee) with absolute ease.
wagstaff
20 Oct 2002, 17:56
Originally posted by Santos L Helper
I'm sure that Rofe could play that hack (Lee) with absolute ease.
Probably, as Lee wasn't even able to get Hayward out in that over last summer when one ball on the stumps would've sufficed.