Fall and Fall of Big Bash

[Cleavy]

‘Extremely grim’: Bombshell report exposes cricket’s de-facto ban on Pakistani players

‘Extremely grim’: Cricket’s brewing ‘s***storm’ exposed in bombshell boycott report

www.foxsports.com.au

a sign of things to come if we go down the privatisation route...?

 

[ioppolo]

‘Extremely grim’: Bombshell report exposes cricket’s de-facto ban on Pakistani players

‘Extremely grim’: Cricket’s brewing ‘s***storm’ exposed in bombshell boycott report

www.foxsports.com.au

a sign of things to come if we go down the privatisation route...?

Imagine Rizwan and Babar not coming back!!!!

In all seriousness though that's farked. There's a huge Pakistani contingent in England.

 

[4Seasons]

Yet a lot of people still trot out the mindless - cant get a baggy green unless you are from NSW.

And others still think its funny, and sadly others think it is true.

I guess facts have never gotten in the way of a good story.

People use the internet to like farm, to feel good about themselves.
Thats why people speak garbage, then some insecure sod repeats it, and it then just keeps getting repeated.

 

[eddiesmith]

Yet a lot of people still trot out the mindless - cant get a baggy green unless you are from NSW.

And others still think its funny, and sadly others think it is true.

I guess facts have never gotten in the way of a good story.

It’s funny that anyone is actually offended by it.

But Sam Konstas is the perfect example of the lesser requirements for NSW players to get a game. Would anyone from another state with such a short and not that great first class record have been gifted a baggy green that easily?

 

[cats_09]

It’s funny that anyone is actually offended by it.

But Sam Konstas is the perfect example of the lesser requirements for NSW players to get a game. Would anyone from another state with such a short and not that great first class record have been gifted a baggy green that easily?

Cooper Connolly

 

[big_e]

It’s funny that anyone is actually offended by it.

But Sam Konstas is the perfect example of the lesser requirements for NSW players to get a game. Would anyone from another state with such a short and not that great first class record have been gifted a baggy green that easily?

Nathan Lyon, Cooper Connolly, Marnus Labuschagne and Ashton Agar all spring to mind.

 

[JackOutback]

Cooper Connolly

To be fair, Cooper won a Big Bash final at 18 and was the BBL player of the tournament in 2024-25.

 

[eddiesmith]

Cooper Connolly

Nathan Lyon, Cooper Connolly, Marnus Labuschagne and Ashton Agar all spring to mind.

Spinner, spinner, spinner and Marnus is the only batsman and had played 3 times as many first class matches.

 

[Phone]

australia has spent the last 14 years gifting test debuts to guys with mid FC records and one good recent FC season, with Jake Weatherald the latest to join that list. australia has also spent the last 14 years (longer, really) dropping batters after a loss or disappointing draw, regardless of the actual wisdom of doing that, because you need to look tough.

so the problem last season was that the series was 1-1 after 3 tests, and the 3rd test was a disappointing draw due to the massive 2nd innings collapse. so someone had to get dropped, and it was nathan mcsweeney. the problem was, they didn't even have one of those mid guys to gift a cap to, which was why mcsweeney got picked in the first place. so in the absence of that, konstas got lucky.

however, the initial test selection of matt renshaw and the initial addition of will pucovski to the test squad in 2019 very much follows the same path as the konstas selection, and those two players did not play for NSW. konstas had a few less games under the belt (although pucovski had less than 10 FC games when picked in the squad in 2019 against Sri Lanka) but its the same thing of: disappointing test results + need to drop some people regardless of who we have to bring into the team + oh this youngster did something impressive, let's take a punt on them.

in pucovski's case, they ended up not picking him after that 2019-2020 call-up. they picked Joe Burns, also not from NSW, who they then didn't pick in the Ashes 6 months later. they should have just picked pucovski, although it did set the scene for the next 24 months of insane decisions regarding opening batters (MATT WADE TEST OPENER), none of which related to NSW batters until Usman finally forced them into picking him as opener

 

[cullinan]

It’s funny that anyone is actually offended by it.

But Sam Konstas is the perfect example of the lesser requirements for NSW players to get a game. Would anyone from another state with such a short and not that great first class record have been gifted a baggy green that easily?

Its like the joke that is funny a few times but after a few thousand times hearing it, it more points to the stupiditiy of the people who actually still think its funny. Sadder still is that many people saying think its true!! I dont think people get offended by it though.

eddiesmith - I imagine your comment about Sam Konstas is in jest. Surely you don't think the selection had anything to do with the whole NSW thing do you?

In answering your question - yes they would. Cooper Connolly gifted a baggy green aftyer a few FC games without a wicklet but plays as a spinner batting at 8.

Atleast Konstas was scoring centuries in Shield.

 

[cullinan]

To be fair, Cooper won a Big Bash final at 18 and was the BBL player of the tournament in 2024-25.

Thats a great criteria for Baggy Green selection.

 

[Tugga27]

Thats a great criteria for Baggy Green selection.

The trouble these days is, if you want to reward a young player for Shield stats, you wouldn't pick anyone.

 

[cullinan]

The trouble these days is, if you want to reward a young player for Shield stats, you wouldn't pick anyone.

Thats a aweird statement. Whats your criteria in terms of age? Under 30 if we are talking Test Team?

 

[Tugga27]

Thats a aweird statement. Whats your criteria in terms of age? Under 30 if we are talking Test Team?

What's weird about it?

Thought it was pretty self explanatory.

They obviously wanted to look at some younger talent due to the age of the Aussie sides in all formats.

If you're just going on Shield stats, you wouldn't pick anyone.

 

[cullinan]

Bowlers under 30 years of age who have more than 20 wickets across last 2 shield season. Some pretty good stats there.

 

[cullinan]

Batters under 30 who have scored more than 300 runs over last two shield seasons and average over 35. Yep 35 seems low but everything I read on here is that the pitches are almost impossible to bat on. Regradless there are still 7 averaging 40 plus which when you look at the bowing averages above means you are going well.

 

[cullinan]

What's weird about it?

Thought it was pretty self explanatory.

They obviously wanted to look at some younger talent due to the age of the Aussie sides in all formats.

If you're just going on Shield stats, you wouldn't pick anyone.

You say there is no one young in Shield cricket with good stats - what do you class as good stats? Bowlinjg average under ??. Batting average above ??

 

[Tugga27]

You say there is no one young in Shield cricket with good stats - what do you class as good stats? Bowlinjg average under ??. Batting average above ??

If you look at this year's Shield stats, most if not all of the top ten run scorers and wicket takers are in their late twenties.

I was talking about players in their teens or early twenties.

 

[cullinan]

The batting top 5 for under 30's has 2 * 22 Y/O and 2 * 26 Y/O. Not overly old when we are talking about test cricket. A few promising starts in my list.

Of the bowlers, only Straker from Qld fits your age criteria as being early 20's or teenager at 20 years old. There is no one else under 25.

When you posted originally, I didnt know you are only talking about teenagers or early 20 years olds. That changes things - the pool is very slim - there arent many playing and when talking about players in the early 20's, its hard to knock the door down if you have played limited games.

Konstats was averaging 50 plus when picked after about 10 first class games. If we are taking crazy selections for a baggy green, the Connolly selection is more outrageous than Konstas.

I'd still rather pick someone with FC form than someone who had a good BBL season when talking test selection.

 

[JackOutback]

Thats a great criteria for Baggy Green selection.

He's mostly only played T20 for Australia. There was one Test in Sri Lanka where he was picked as a spinner, which was a weird call, but they wanted lots of spinners without losing too much batting. Issue is, he's only played a handful of red ball games, but as you can will notice in the table you put up, he averages over 50 at first class level in recent times and 46 overall. Couple that with his stellar junior career and it's obvious why Australia are into him. But if they want him to play Test cricket one day, they need to let him play more Shield cricket.

 

[cullinan]

I think he will make a great batter in red ball cricket. However his white ball committments may mean he doesnt get to play enough Shield cricket as you alluded too.

 

[Tugga27]

The batting top 5 for under 30's has 2 * 22 Y/O and 2 * 26 Y/O. Not overly old when we are talking about test cricket. A few promising starts in my list.

Of the bowlers, only Straker from Qld fits your age criteria as being early 20's or teenager at 20 years old. There is no one else under 25.

When you posted originally, I didnt know you are only talking about teenagers or early 20 years olds. That changes things - the pool is very slim - there arent many playing and when talking about players in the early 20's, its hard to knock the door down if you have played limited games.

Konstats was averaging 50 plus when picked after about 10 first class games. If we are taking crazy selections for a baggy green, the Connolly selection is more outrageous than Konstas.

I'd still rather pick someone with FC form than someone who had a good BBL season when talking test selection.

I'm talking about the top 10 bats and bowlers for this seasons Shield.

Who are the youngsters who are knocking the door down?

 

[cullinan]

I'm talking about the top 10 bats and bowlers for this seasons Shield.

Who are the youngsters who are knocking the door down?

I dont think you read my post? I didnt say anyone was knocking the door down. I said when I posted earlier about there being some pretty decent stats from guys under 30 and posted those tables, I wasnt aware you only meant blokes who were teenagers or in their early 20's.

Your whole argument was about stats so I posted the stats. We were referencing a different demographic.

Which Top 10 do you mean? Leading run scorers or the best average? Leading wicket takers or the best average?

Batting. One young guy (23 or under) makes the Top 10 by average. Will Salzmann with 384 runs @ 42.83. Not bad, but not as good as Konstas when he was selected. Jack Edwards is too old for your criteria however at 25 he is still reasonably young in cricketing terms and has 414 runs at 51.75

If you want to do Top 10 by runs, then just the one 23 and under and that is Sam Konstas with 526 @ 32.87.

Bowling. A few 23 and unders in the Top 10 for average but its distorted due to a lack of games. Handy start to Jem Ryan in 2 games with 8 wicket @ 16. Sam Elliot not quite in your youngster category but a pretty handy 28 wickets @ 14.57. He may not be one we see as Test class, but he can't do much than what he is dishing up this year in terms of stats.

From a total wickets viewpoint, no bowlers 23 or under. Of the slightly older ones you have Sam Elliot (see above), Mitch Perry (25 @ 21.08) and Fergus O'Neil (24 @ 21.58). No wonder Victoria are on top.

I'm not suggesting any of these are knocking the door down and should be in the test team, just purely referencing stats to show that there are a few decent young guys out there.

Selection is about much more than stats.

 

[Tugga27]

I dont think you read my post? I didnt say anyone was knocking the door down. I said when I posted earlier about there being some pretty decent stats from guys under 30 and posted those tables, I wasnt aware you only meant blokes who were teenagers or in their early 20's.

Your whole argument was about stats so I posted the stats. We were referencing a different demographic.

Which Top 10 do you mean? Leading run scorers or the best average? Leading wicket takers or the best average?

Batting. One young guy (23 or under) makes the Top 10 by average. Will Salzmann with 384 runs @ 42.83. Not bad, but not as good as Konstas when he was selected. Jack Edwards is too old for your criteria however at 25 he is still reasonably young in cricketing terms and has 414 runs at 51.75

If you want to do Top 10 by runs, then just the one 23 and under and that is Sam Konstas with 526 @ 32.87.

Bowling. A few 23 and unders in the Top 10 for average but its distorted due to a lack of games. Handy start to Jem Ryan in 2 games with 8 wicket @ 16. Sam Elliot not quite in your youngster category but a pretty handy 28 wickets @ 14.57. He may not be one we see as Test class, but he can't do much than what he is dishing up this year in terms of stats.

From a total wickets viewpoint, no bowlers 23 or under. Of the slightly older ones you have Sam Elliot (see above), Mitch Perry (25 @ 21.08) and Fergus O'Neil (24 @ 21.58). No wonder Victoria are on top.

I'm not suggesting any of these are knocking the door down and should be in the test team, just purely referencing stats to show that there are a few decent young guys out there.

Selection is about much more than stats.

I dont think you read my post? I didnt say anyone was knocking the door down. I said when I posted earlier about there being some pretty decent stats from guys under 30 and posted those tables, I wasnt aware you only meant blokes who were teenagers or in their early 20's.

Your whole argument was about stats so I posted the stats. We were referencing a different demographic.

Which Top 10 do you mean? Leading run scorers or the best average? Leading wicket takers or the best average?

Batting. One young guy (23 or under) makes the Top 10 by average. Will Salzmann with 384 runs @ 42.83. Not bad, but not as good as Konstas when he was selected. Jack Edwards is too old for your criteria however at 25 he is still reasonably young in cricketing terms and has 414 runs at 51.75

If you want to do Top 10 by runs, then just the one 23 and under and that is Sam Konstas with 526 @ 32.87.

Bowling. A few 23 and unders in the Top 10 for average but its distorted due to a lack of games. Handy start to Jem Ryan in 2 games with 8 wicket @ 16. Sam Elliot not quite in your youngster category but a pretty handy 28 wickets @ 14.57. He may not be one we see as Test class, but he can't do much than what he is dishing up this year in terms of stats.

From a total wickets viewpoint, no bowlers 23 or under. Of the slightly older ones you have Sam Elliot (see above), Mitch Perry (25 @ 21.08) and Fergus O'Neil (24 @ 21.58). No wonder Victoria are on top.

I'm not suggesting any of these are knocking the door down and should be in the test team, just purely referencing stats to show that there are a few decent young guys out there.

Selection is about much more than stats.

Fair enough, our wires got crossed.

But I was talking about the leading run getters and wicket takers this year.

Almost all of them are in their late twenties, early thirties.
Anyway, we move on.

 

[Westend]

CA priority is the IPL

its a f**king disgrace