Quote:
Originally Posted by Immenso
Like the rant, but don't agree with all of it. I don't think you can complain about lack of focus on FC cricket and then also complain about Tim Mac holding up a spot. He is a good FC batsman. I also think CdG is a good FC batting all rounder, better so far in his career than he has been at the short forms. From what I have seen of him, while he plays aggressive, it is orthodox aggressive and suited to 6 in FC cricket.
I do think Steang or whoever is in charge is missing out in the longer term succession planning though, and O'Donnell being kept around squad as 13th man while missing entire Prov A tournament and now first 2 matches if U19 tournament strikes me as extremely poor planning and coordination. I hated the Mustard selection for that FC match v Canterbury. Also I seem to rate Bartlett much higher than Strang/Hopkins. But tbh I'm not fussed if he is missing t20.
They have kept playing out of form batsmen on wrong side of 30; Vincent and Young. Will be interesting when Plunket returns ...
Also Auckland always so much depth and exports to other provinces, can't complain about that. Just like M Horne, Wiseman, Richardson going to Otago back in the 90s, Neesham getting a head start by going to Otago when still far too raw to get in Auckland team, is a good thing
|
Can understand what you mean about Tim Mac, but I mean he's 34 years old, averaging in the 30's this season and not exactly looking to the future for that. Couple with the fact that even at club cricket when he does play, he looks looks past it. Now obviosuly he has ben a great servant and has bene rewarded for his best form when he made the Black Caps, but fwith Andre Adams, Hopkins (who just keeps playing) and Mills, and then throw in the likes of Bates etc you have a core experienced group to lead the likes of the Craig Cachopas, etc. Disagree with the notion that Neesham is far too raw to get into the Auckland team
Colin is a destructive bat, and to an extent you are right, a number 6 is a genuine spot for him, but an average of 16 this summer thus far is hardly something to hawk about but theres alot of cricket to be played. I think my point is that Colin is an example of the skill set of the type favoured player going around the scene these days.
I like you, am a Dean Bartlett fan, genuine swinger of the ball and continues to work on his gam and take his talent alot more seriously, considering a fe years back he sorta put cricket on the backseat for his social life ala Michael Bates early on. As a friend of Dean, I personally think he deserves that spot for his performances as well this season, especially in the longer form.
Fully agree with your assessment on bad planning, but hey, as someone who knows that setup to an extent in and out, and various others who are in it or left it, I mean I still see it happen when Anaru is available for us in club cricket, yet they would have him be 13th man, because he is a contracted player they would be essentially losing money on not playing him.