Bazball 2024

[PP34]

This is the impression I get with Brook.

Was there on Saturday arvo when Brook and Crawley were batting. They were doing it easy, in fact Crawley looked fantastic (although he was beaten several times outside off early in his innings).

Then Brook plays that awful shot. Why, just why did he even need to do it?

Crash Craddock reported that Brook has said that he doesn't believe in team meetings. He's their VC for god's sake. What example is that for the rest of the side? 'Well Harry doesn't want them so we don't need them'?

He reeks of a bit of a figjam to me.

I also read this morning that McCullum got rid of some of the coaching staff earlier this year including their fielding coach.

They have rept what they've sowed. Arrogant tossers the lot of them

Yeah there is a massive level of arrogance to the whole thing.

And it rubs off on their game plan.

There’s never been anything wrong with playing attacking cricket. But acting like you invented it and like it has to be that irrespective of situation is just next level arrogance.

The great Aussie team with Hayden etc attacked from the get go. But they also knew when the game didn’t call for it.

I also think modern cricket and the lack of exposure everywhere is hurting lots of test cricketers. Combine that with the English arrogance around Bazball and you get some comical cricketing decisions from talented players.

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

The states used to put out genuinely strong teams for warm up matches. This was a state player's one chance to test themselves against international cricketers.

Also a chance to press their claims for Aus selection.

As a kid I remember Sleep and May bowling SA to victory on Day 4 vs New Zealand in front of a healthy crowd. Another year I was able to run on the field after play and got Malcolm Marshall's autograph.

Then the states started putting out half strength teams, prioritising Shield cricket. Matches got treated as training sessions rather than proper matches. More state players get to play for Australia now across the 3 formats so it's not such a novelty. Also most state players have played with/against international players in the various T20 competitions.

A bit like State of Origin, those games have had their time.

Not sure their future. Should the minnow nations be invited to play a test match in the lead up at a neutral venue?

Eg us play Ireland at Headingly in a one off test prior to the next Ashes (...or maybe Irish conditions are close enough to what we'll face so play there)

England play Afghanistan at Bellerive when they come out here

 

[swingdog]

The states used to put out genuinely strong teams for warm up matches. This was a state player's one chance to test themselves against international cricketers.

Also a chance to press their claims for Aus selection.

As a kid I remember Sleep and May bowling SA to victory on Day 4 vs New Zealand in front of a healthy crowd. Another year I was able to run on the field after play and got Malcolm Marshall's autograph.

Then the states started putting out half strength teams, prioritising Shield cricket. Matches got treated as training sessions rather than proper matches. More state players get to play for Australia now across the 3 formats so it's not such a novelty. Also most state players have played with/against international players in the various T20 competitions.

A bit like State of Origin, those games have had their time.

Not sure their future. Should the minnow nations be invited to play a test match in the lead up at a neutral venue?

Eg us play Ireland at Headingly in a one off test prior to the next Ashes (...or maybe Irish conditions are close enough to what we'll face so play there)

England play Afghanistan at Bellerive when they come out here

I think it's been raised before but maybe state teams could get Shield points from games against touring sides?

 

[swingdog]

Barney Ronay from the Guardian is good on this in the latest Grade Cricketer podcast:



From 56.10