Official Cameron White Thread

[Bentleigh]

Vic skipper's big step up is White on time
January 13, 2007

SOMETIMES, the most memorable performances in sport are not determined by the quality of the contest, but by who is watching and when it takes place. It was only a Twenty20 match, but with two and a half million viewers tuned in, Tuesday night's cameo by Cameron White in Sydney might just have been the moment he announced himself to the Australian cricketing public.

He was nervous and it showed. He'd been apprehensive all day, and he took half a dozen balls to adjust to the frenetic pace his big-name teammates had set. But once he got his first big shot away, the stage was his.

This is one of the key things about the 23-year-old version of Cameron White compared with the youngster who was promoted possibly ahead of his time — he is now an ox of a young man, and his power-hitting is the match of anyone. No longer does he need to panic if he gets tied down by good bowling because in a few deliveries, he can blast a game open.

All this comes as no surprise to those who've followed his progress this season. His form for Victoria has been excellent in all forms of the game, and the timing of his return to Australian ranks couldn't have been better. With Shane Watson injured, Damien Martyn gone and Brad Hogg seemingly no longer an automatic selection, it will surprise if White doesn't make the No. 6 or No. 7 position his own leading into the World Cup.

Of course, White has been touted as one of our brightest prospects for years. He was selected for state cricket at 17, and the captaincy at 19, before making a handful of appearances early last season in the coloured clothes of the national team.

That little initiation didn't do him any favours. Opportunities were scarce, and debate was soon rife about whether he was good enough in either major discipline to be representing his country. For those in the White corner, including your columnist, there was one stock answer — Cameron would find a way.

I was coach of Dandenong in Premier Cricket when White came down as a 16-year-old from Bairnsdale. He was extremely mature for one so young. Almost immediately, we promoted him to the firsts, and on debut, against St Kilda at the Junction Oval, he top-scored and hit one of the opposition's experienced pace bowlers over the sightscreen for six.

His bowling always had been an integral part of his game at junior level but hadn't yet been given its head. He was sent to the cricket academy for two weeks the following winter for fine-tuning, and by November he'd done enough for Dandenong to be promoted to the state team.

One of the criticisms of White's quick elevation has been that his figures don't stack up well against other leading lights. His 40s and 50s weren't overwhelming evidence of his talent, while others were making hundreds. All that has changed, and the turning point undoubtedly has been the time he spent at Somerset last winter.

It's been very much about opportunity: he scored eight centuries as well as taking over the captaincy, and upon his return sought promotion up the Bushrangers' batting order in both one-day and four-day games. Big scores have followed — 150 not out in front of Ricky Ponting just before the Ashes series, and 124 not out in a one-day game against NSW before Christmas, plus other impressive innings along the way.

His bowling is a work in progress, and no stone will be unturned to get it right. Two winters ago, he spent months fiddling with a new action he hoped would give him more turn. A few weeks into the next season, he abandoned the experiment as an uncomfortable failure. He'll work it out.

Captaincy has been a feature of White's cricket from the start. He captained Victorian under-age teams, and led Australia to under-19 World Cup glory. Former New Zealand batsman Mark Greatbatch coached the young Kiwis at that tournament, and at a dinner in Melbourne soon afterwards was singing White's praises to David Hookes. Twelve months later, Hookes installed White as state one-day skipper.

White is an interesting mix as a leader. He has an excellent feel for the game and its tactics and has natural attacking instincts. He leads from the front and is one of those fortunate people who invariably seems to be a winner.

He's also a hard marker, whether assessing his own game or that of others. It's a trait that at times has made him appear intolerant, and when things go wrong he can have the look of a captain who's disappointed with the stock he's been given. Not surprisingly, last season's Pura Cup final, when Queensland made 900, was one such occasion. But he'll learn.

Cameron White's timing is perfect. In the coming months he should cement his spot in Australia's best World Cup XI as a powerful middle-order batsman who bowls a few overs and fields brilliantly.

Beyond that, Test cricket and leadership opportunities beckon.

At just 23, he is a terrific package.

http://www.theage.com.au/news/crick...1168105178872.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1

 

[Bentleigh]

White got tonked the other night, but to be fair he ran into Pietersen in good form. Most spinners are going to stuggle in that situation.

Pietersen has averaged 55 the last 2 years, the best stats in the world outside Hussey. His ODI record of 57 @ 95. Pietersen was comming out of the Ashes in top form.

No shame in getting belted.

The boy will only inprove.

 

[mbuck]

White got tonked the other night, but to be fair he ran into Pietersen in good form. Most spinners are going to stuggle in that situation.

Pietersen has averaged 55 the last 2 years, the best stats in the world outside Hussey. His ODI record of 57 @ 95. Pietersen was comming out of the Ashes in top form.

No shame in getting belted.

The boy will only inprove.

he got tonked because he is a very very average bowler and a great batsman, the sooner you get over the fact the sooner we can take you seriously...

 

[Adelaide Hawk]

I cannot believe the people who still think White can bowl. He is simply not up to it. It is time for White to throw the bowling in the bin and just concentrate on making 100s. It's the only way he will enjoy a long 1st class career. If he is being picked on all-round abilities, pretty soon the selectors will look for someone else because his "bowling" is garbage. If White couldn't bat, he'd be tossing them down in a B Grade district match somewhere.

White reminds me a little of Ian Chappell. For years Chappell thought himself to be a pretty good leg spinner, and he was handy. Certainly a better bowler than White because he could actually loop and spin the ball. But in all honesty, his bowling was crap at Test level. Once he got a few spankings and gave the bowling away, he became one of the best Test batsmen in the world. Take note, White.

 

[Coin_Toss]

It's unfair to judge him on a few ODIs. He's a good batsman and fieldsman. He hasn't bowled up to a high standard but he can contribute and he will surprise a few batsmen. If he gets going with the bat, he's a weapon at No.7, that he can hit the ball so hard and clean similar to that of Adam Gilchrist in Test cricket, he can also bat high up the order and be a rock through an innings - Versatility is a pivotal aspect of his game.

 

[just maybe]

It's unfair to judge him on a few ODIs. He's a good batsman and fieldsman. He hasn't bowled up to a high standard but he can contribute and he will surprise a few batsmen. If he gets going with the bat, he's a weapon at No.7, that he can hit the ball so hard and clean similar to that of Adam Gilchrist in Test cricket, he can also bat high up the order and be a rock through an innings - Versatility is a pivotal aspect of his game.

Then why does he have such rubbish domestic statistics?

 

[Squizza]

Then why does he have such rubbish domestic statistics?

Because he's just come good with the bat in the last year. Have a look at his stats when playing for Somerset, he batted at 3/4 for them. Then have a look at his stats for Victoria this season, he's batting the majority of the season at 4, or at 5 behind Hodge and Hussey.

 

[just maybe]

Because he's just come good with the bat in the last year. Have a look at his stats when playing for Somerset, he batted at 3/4 for them. Then have a look at his stats for Victoria this season, he's batting the majority of the season at 4, or at 5 behind Hodge and Hussey.

So in other words, he's a one-season wonder only so-far, like many Australian domestic players have been, and we shouldn't read into it too much yet, but wait to see how he performs over several seasons?

 

[Squizza]

So in other words, he's a one-season wonder only so-far, like many Australian domestic players have been, and we shouldn't read into it too much yet, but wait to see how he performs over several seasons?

A bit like Mark Cosgrove really...

 

[AsianWithAFro]

what a legend there are so many players frm vic that should bene played 2 years ago and one of them is Dave Hussey.

 

[just maybe]

A bit like Mark Cosgrove really...

Yes, apart from the fact that Cosgrove has performed at a higher level for more seasons - he was already averaging around 40 before his massive season last season.

White was averaging less than 30.

Big difference.

Having said that, Cosgrove's performances this season don't demand international selection. Consistency is the key.

 

[larrikin]

what a legend there are so many players frm vic that should bene played 2 years ago and one of them is Dave Hussey.

Wasn't he almost dropped from the Victorian side last summer?

 

[just maybe]

Here's White's chance.

10 good overs to show us what he's worth in one-dayers. Average attack, good platform.

Never a better opportunity.

Go Whitey.

 

[Squizza]

Here's White's chance.

10 good overs to show us what he's worth in one-dayers. Average attack, good platform.

Never a better opportunity.

Go Whitey.

In other words, I hope Whitey fails.

 

[just maybe]

In other words, I hope Whitey fails.

What about 'Go Whitey' says 'I Hope White fails'?

 

[Squizza]

What about 'Go Whitey' says 'I Hope White fails'?

Nothing. Every single other post about him does.

 

[just maybe]

Nothing. Every single other post about him does.

Just because I don't believe he should be there doesn't mean I want him to fail.

Having said that, he should have been out there. Absolutely plumb.

 

[ManWithNoName]

Just because I don't believe he should be there doesn't mean I want him to fail.

Having said that, he should have been out there. Absolutely plumb.

You don't want him to fail? Laughable. You want him to fail because he's getting a game ahead of your precious Cosgrove.

 

[just maybe]

Cosgrove doesn't deserve a game right now, but he is a better bat than White. If White fails, Cosgrove won't get in the side.

Awesome striking there by White.

 

[Rocky Rambo]

Awesome striking there by White.

That must have hurt

 

[Squizza]

"The Tiger Woods of cricket"

 

[Rocky Rambo]

Just look at those tennis shots

 

[Squizza]

Is this a good enough performance just maybe?

 

[Rocky Rambo]

Is this a good enough performance just maybe?

No, definitely not. Just slogging everything by playing tennis shots. Just showing us that he's got not technique...

 

[just maybe]

Is this a good enough performance just maybe?

Great fun to watch, but if you seriously think he looked like anything other than a tailender, you're kidding me.

He was out plumb early, and his head was all oer the shop on a lot of shots.