Mark Waugh complains of Queensland 'bias'

[Mister Wright]

Originally Posted by howardj

Couldn't agree more - he is so honest. Least he doesn't mind offending the odd person. Unlike most other former players who dribble out the same platitudes - summer after summer - with no insight or criticism. Lest they dare criticise the Aussies, and risk being excluded from the brotherhood. Furthermore, it's hard to argue with his three examples. Whether it's 'bias' though, is another question.

Just because you're in love with Mark Waugh does not mean that what he has to say makes sense.

[Richard]

Originally Posted by age_master

lol have a look at brett lee and tell me he should not be in the team? hes been bowling superbly of late

So he's been bowling better than anyone else available?

[Richard]

Originally Posted by Mister Wright

Mark Waugh should have a look at the records of the state teams over the last decade. Queensland have made the last 6 domestic first class finals and did win 4 of those in a row. Given that, they should have more candidates available for selection than other states due to their consistency.

Successful domestic side doesn't neccesarily = large number of intl candidates.
For one thing, the side with the most internationals (eg NSW) is likely to be less successful than might be expected due to lots of absences.

The unlukiest player IMO is Jimmy Maher.

Really, so by averaging 25.76 in 20 ODI innings you're unlucky to be dropped?

[Mister Wright]

Originally Posted by Richard

Successful domestic side doesn't neccesarily = large number of intl candidates.
For one thing, the side with the most internationals (eg NSW) is likely to be less successful than might be expected due to lots of absences.

Like I said, I'm not claiming that all 11-12 players from Queensland are good enough to play at International level, just 4 or 5.

Originally Posted by Richard

Really, so by averaging 25.76 in 20 ODI innings you're unlucky to be dropped?

If you look at his record in the top 3 it is very good. Maher has never consistently been selected for Australia, and therefore has never found any rythum on tour. He has had to bat down the order, and has done quite well on occasions, but in reality he is a top order batsman. Given a consistent go for Australia in the top order, I have no doubt that record will improve. He has been Australia's best domestic One Day batsman for the last 3-4 years, he deserves another go.

[Craig]

Originally Posted by Richard

Err - because Maher's a proven failure, Qlander or WAn, and Hussey has barely had a chance before now?

I think his point was that if it was a Queensland bias, Maher WOULD have been picked.

No?

[mavric41]

Originally Posted by Craig

I think his point was that if it was a Queensland bias, Maher WOULD have been picked.

No?

Thanks Craig. thats the point I was trying to get across.

[Richard]

Yeah, I understand that - but the point I was making was that, Qlander or wherever, surely his record is a sufficient deterrant to picking him, and a WAn with far less ODIs to his name was so much a better choice that even Qland bias couldn't sway it.
See?

[Richard]

Originally Posted by Mister Wright

Like I said, I'm not claiming that all 11-12 players from Queensland are good enough to play at International level, just 4 or 5.

Yeah - but that won't manifest itself in Queensland being successful, it'll come from Queenslanders having good averages.

If you look at his record in the top 3 it is very good. Maher has never consistently been selected for Australia, and therefore has never found any rythum on tour. He has had to bat down the order, and has done quite well on occasions, but in reality he is a top order batsman. Given a consistent go for Australia in the top order, I have no doubt that record will improve. He has been Australia's best domestic One Day batsman for the last 3-4 years, he deserves another go.

Hmm - I can understand about the never given a consistent run bit - but the batting-order...
Maher's an opener, and 11 out of his 20 ODI innings have come as an opener - plus 2 more at three. As an opener, he averages 14; at one, two and three combined he averages 19.54. Amazingly, at six he averages 125 (having been dismissed just once in 4 innings); and he's also batted twice at five and, stupidly, once at eight.
I too rate Maher highly at the domestic level - in Australia and England - but whether he's ODI class I'm not sure.