4 axed for 3rd test

[King Elvis]

I don't know why I bothered to be honest Kingy. I already know your irrational dislike for Clarke dominates your viewing of every situation. Of course Clarke puts himself in front of the team in your eyes, hell, you don't even need strong reasoning to believe it. But those standards don't apply to others for you. That's fine, I just wish you'd admit your criticisms are fairly baseless and you just irrationally dislike the fellow.
...stabbed in...the back? Right.

Forget Clarke, you're talking about Hussey, one of the most universally loved and respected cricketers in Australian history, a passionate team mate who always put the team first.

To label him selfish because he wanted to go out on his own terms - I think that's very unfair, and I think it's a very long bow to dry to try and paint Clarke in a comparatively better light.


And yea, obviously I don't like Clarke. I didn't always dislike him, and I've tried to warm to him in recent times, but I struggle to. There are just, IMO, too many stories and examples of behavior I'm not a fan of - granted some of it is rumor.

If he has moved himself to #3, he wins a bit of respect back for that.

 

[Tyberious Funk]

If Mike Hussey lets them know a couple of tests out what his plans are and then they drop him immediately, that's being stabbed in the back. But, as he said, he wanted to be certain of his plans before he made any announcement. Any way you wish to cut it, Hussey had the form and the standing in the game to go out on his own terms.

Well I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree. As far as I'm concerned, no player is above the team - not even Mike Hussey. Giving a proven performer some leeway during a form drought is one thing. But a retiring player is completely different. They've basically made it publicly known that they won't be part of the team's future. I was even hesitant about Ponting having his farewell Test. I'm not saying Hussey should have been dropped, had he announced his retirement early (or Ponting, for that matter). But I don't think either of them should have been guaranteed their place on the basis of past achievements.

 

[TassieEagle]

Well I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree. As far as I'm concerned, no player is above the team - not even Mike Hussey. Giving a proven performer some leeway during a form drought is one thing. But a retiring player is completely different. They've basically made it publicly known that they won't be part of the team's future. I was even hesitant about Ponting having his farewell Test. I'm not saying Hussey should have been dropped, had he announced his retirement early (or Ponting, for that matter). But I don't think either of them should have been guaranteed their place on the basis of past achievements.

Everyone is gonna retire at some point. Guys like Mike Hussey and Ponting deserve a farwell Summer if they so desire unless there are dire circumstances with form. Not everything is about preparing for the future, sometimes you gotta play for the now.

 

[Father Jack]

It's not like anyone was bashing the door down for Hussey's spot anyway, the selectors even had to cast about to find a stop-gap in the top order to protect Hughes, that's how light on we were/are. Not like when Healy got pushed, for example.

 

[Phone]

It's not like anyone was bashing the door down for Hussey's spot anyway.

you are aware that doesn't seem to help your argument right? Having no idea how on earth to replace Hussey would have increased the pressure to drop Hussey if he had announced his retirement pre the SA series, and Hussey had gone on to perform like Ponting did in that series.

 

[Father Jack]

you are aware that doesn't seem to help your argument right? Having no idea how on earth to replace Hussey would have increased the pressure to drop Hussey if he had announced his retirement pre the SA series, and Hussey had gone on to perform like Ponting did in that series.

There was no pressure on him to voluntarily remove himself from the team, which is what he would have been doing if he announced his retirement early, so why bother doing it? He could easily justify his spot.

 

[Phone]

There was no pressure on him to voluntarily remove himself from the team, which is what he would have been doing if he announced his retirement early, so why bother doing it? He could easily justify his spot.

Exactly! You're trying to read too much into this by going on about backstabbing. It was a reasonable and understandable move by Hussey to look after himself, as it would have been the team/selectors to drop a player with literally no future, if said player was in a form slump. He wasn't afraid of being backstabbed. He was afraid of a bad form patch which would have made future selection near on untenable. It's really no big deal.

 

[Mateyman]

If any of Clarke's mates had been involved I bet they would have deferred any suspensions until an easier kill became available.

Yeah, nah. Our next "easy" assignment is either:
India at home 2014/15
WI away, 2015
Bang away 2015.
Seems unlikely they would have deferred suspensions for 2 years

 

[Cooldude]

Still think the normal Hussey would've relished one more crack at the Ashes, I just don't buy that he suddenly wants to retire, something did smell fishy even at the time

Wouldn't say he's selfish, but if his working environment was ideal, I don't he would've given it away at the time he did. It feels more like something else made him think twice about playing on rather than he himself thinking he's had enough

 

[King Elvis]

I think when Ponting went, so did his enthusiasm.

http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=8626515
Ponting defends Watson.

 

[Black Diamond]

Yeah, nah. Our next "easy" assignment is either:
India at home 2014/15
WI away, 2015
Bang away 2015.
Seems unlikely they would have deferred suspensions for 2 years

I meant until easier players to punish became available. Pattinson, Watson, Khawaja and Watson are all very easy for Clarke to make an example of. Wade, Hughes and Warner would be less so.

 

[Wicked Lester]

I think when Ponting went, so did his enthusiasm.

I suspect this might be closer to the mark that many people realise.

I would not suggest Hussey's actions were selfish. I do however think they might have been a little naiive and unaware that a bigger picture was at play.

It seems to me the selectors would dearly love to have had at least one of Hussey or Ponting in the team over the next 12 months. Now, let's consider for a moment that Hussey had declared at the start of the summer that the Sri Lankan series would be his last. I wonder if, knowing that, some additional steps might have been taken to ensure Ponting could be eased through ther summer and beyond. For example, Ponting was regularly at the crease at 2/30 odd against South Africa. Had he batted at 5 or 6, with Clarke moving up to 4 and Hussey at 5 or 6, well, who knows? It's a hypothetical of course and we'll never know. Ponting's time might have been up regardless of where he batted. Then again, moving down to 5 or 6 may eased the situation significantly. If anyone had ever earned a spell down the order it was him though possibly it was been offered and refused. Legends of the game are often reluctant to recognise their mortality.

What I'm trying to say is a Hussey or a Ponting would be invaluable right now and over the next 12 months. Had team management been aware of Hussy's intentions they may have played the Ponting situation differently. Then again, the clincher for Huss may have been not having Ponting's calming influence in the dressing room.

Chicken..........egg...........

 

[western royboy]

This isn't getting any better, with every comment just seems to confirm that there are factions within the team culture. CA need to let the tour finish without further comments and then get in and review the whole tour and chain of command from top to bottom. Mind you will still have a ways to go. Watson quite rightly got home to be present for the birth of his son, it will be interesting to see whether he goes back for the test next Friday. Clarke has said that's his best case scenario so we will see how it plays out.

 

[Torz]

I meant until easier players to punish became available. Pattinson, Watson, Khawaja and Watson are all very easy for Clarke to make an example of. Wade, Hughes and Warner would be less so.

Watson is twice as easy.

 

[djrossie16]

Watson's chances of returning to India in time for the fourth Test in Delhi rose after his wife Lee gave birth to a baby boy, Will, on Thursday. Watson flew home from Chandigarh on Monday in the hope of being present for the birth after being told by his wife the baby was likely to be born earlier than expected.


http://www.espncricinfo.com/india-v-australia-2013/content/current/story/625003.html

Wasn't aware of this so in other words he didn't really take his "bat and ball and go home". He's been attacked pretty good by many commentators I think a few should adjust their position.

 

[smasha]

I still think Watto is second to Pup in cricketing ability.

Hopefully he comes out ,apologises and we can move on.

We will know where Watson's heart lies if he snubs the test team ,then we see him in the IPL lol.

 

[damochandler]

he was always going to come home. journos jumping to collusions again

 

[MrKK]

I don't think his press statements really helped the situation, suggesting he was considering his Test future. Can't blame the journos for running with that angle.

 

[mediumsizered]

I don't think his press statements really helped the situation, suggesting he was considering his Test future. Can't blame the journos for running with that angle.

Most of this came from Watson's father. Subsequent interview's with Watson have been less specific.

 

[The_Reaper]

I think when Ponting went, so did his enthusiasm.

http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=8626515
Ponting defends Watson.

"He's obviously made a blue here - I don't like to refer to it as homework because it wasn't homework - not getting his tasks done that were given to him by the coach.

Nail hammer head

 

[Ill Chicken]

At least Clarke has crutch to fall on this test.

 

[beatnik]

IMO your on the right track to the G, but the wrong Richmond Tram.


It smacks of Unhappy Players and has done for over a year. and getting worse.

IMO we've had poor captains, since Steve Waugh. Gilly was OK, but all downhill since him.

Selfcentred players have reigned since, & IMO are now trying to make the Aussie culture into something it isn't, because it suits the current captain who is up himself.
Bling boy is wrecking the joint & doesn't realise what he's doing.

Best batsmen doesn't mean best captain.


Punter felt ashamed to wear the dirt of battle on his jumper, & now the pretty boy has been given the mantle to wreck the Australian test culture all by himself.

Waugh wanted to keep his old Baggy Green, grime & dirt, wrinkled & tattered as a badge of Honour.

Ponting wanted clean shirts.

Michael (look at me) Clarke wants pretty girls, silverware, royal prince alberts, flashy cars, & big boats, & for everyone to fall into his 'line' & do as he does.

They seem to have coerced all Cricket Australia into this bling culture as the way of our land.

Not since Melbourne sacked they're Spiritual Leader way back in the 60's has such a dismal & stupid mistake been made by people in power.

Australian cricket it seems, is to fall as did the Windies & the Romans.

you lost me at tram

 

[beatnik]

Being a model, a lawyer,or even a cricketer are also honest livings. None of them are breaking the law, and have a right to make money by doing what they do best. The drug-dealer is a different story.

But, I don't understand why you mention how much money they are paid. Why does it matter? Would it be okay for these cricketers to act up if they were amateurs? Either their behaviour is right or wrong, and what they get paid has nothing to do with it.

I have never got the hangup people have with sportspeople's wages. Playing sport is legal, and it isn't taxpayers' money they are recieving (except Olympians). If a club or sponsors are prepared to pay a player a certain amount, no matter how obscene, how is that the sportsperson's fault? If you don't want sportspeople to get paid too much, then don't go to games and pay admission. If someone pays to see a performance and gets one, then they can't complain. And if you don't pay and don't go to see someone perform, you can't complain either. You chose to pay.

If people are idiot enough to overpay you, you smile and take it. Don't tell me that if your boss starting paying you more, for no increase in your productivity, you wouldn't gladly accept it. I smell hypocrisy!

But, oh, I forgot, you are an honest, but low-paid worker. I forgot that you are better than sportspeople, models, lawyers and everyone else. How dare we not all recognize your greatness sooner. I mean, the warehouse workers are the true heroes of society, and the country would shut down tomorrow if you didn't do your job.

thanks for the diatribe champ though sadly it missed the point so badly that I really wonder if you read any of the thread or whether your hair-trigger got the better of you - I didn't mention money in relation to sportspeople or complain about their earnings...not sure where you pulled that from???

for what its worth, I am happy for sporting stars to earn as much as they are able, i just don't want to hear them whinge about their #firstworldproblems or spit the dummy as they are called out over their churlish behaviour

clearly you've never been in a position to be 'overpaid' (as you put it) because if you had, you'd understand that there are always strings attached - the more you earn, the more you have to give up (e.g. extended work travel, weekend/holiday work, 24/7 on-call, difficult Board members etc etc)

if you ever reach that point in your career, you will learn that when you accept the big salary, you also accept the responsibility that goes with it - I hope our next vice-captain learns that life lesson

as for the post you responded to, it was simply me stating that I see no reason to denigrate someone simply because they are a manual labourer rather than an executive...

...personally i think people who lose sight of that are douchebags and thankfully you came along at just the right moment to prove the point

 

[Sharks On A Plane]

 

[dan warna]

None of these other fewking pie tossers can take a wicket, even with their home work done.
It helps your bowling skillz.

I would love to have seen what hughes thought he brought to the team though....a generous smile and a laugh around the dressing room as he finds new ways to sacrifice his wicket?