NZTailender
I can't believe I ate the whole thing
Thinking recently with the superb performances of Ryan Sidebottom, who made his debut and then was discarded for a few years only to come back and gun it, should some of the previously discarded players who are perhaps ignored because of their previous failings get another chance?
Certainly, the ideal focus for a team is getting a good young player with promise (say 22-27), giving him a cap and hoping he lives up to expectations and become a regular fixture in the side, peaking around the age of 30-32 and then becoming a experienced, reliable fixture in the line up until retirement.
However, in recent times we've seen the recall of former players like Ryan Sidebottom, Bismah-ul-Haq, Neil Mckenzie, Matthew Bell and (if I can go this far) Sourav Ganguly. Going back a few years as well, you can think of the likes of Justin Langer and Damien Martyn.
Obviously, Matthew Bell may not be a good example given his poor form between his century against Bangladesh and 60-odd last time out vs England, but I think Sidebottom certainly is a perfect example of someone initially not being up to test standard, to go back and improve his game, and come back a better product.
So should more discarded players be given a shot ahead of younger players? Names like Robert Key, Simon Katich, Matthew Nicholson and Aakash Chopra spring to mind.
Also would like to make a distinction here between people who are on the fringes of selection due to injury or the conditions of a surface (i.e. playing two spinners) and people who were given a run (or at least a chance) and then seemingly 'forgotten'.
Certainly, the ideal focus for a team is getting a good young player with promise (say 22-27), giving him a cap and hoping he lives up to expectations and become a regular fixture in the side, peaking around the age of 30-32 and then becoming a experienced, reliable fixture in the line up until retirement.
However, in recent times we've seen the recall of former players like Ryan Sidebottom, Bismah-ul-Haq, Neil Mckenzie, Matthew Bell and (if I can go this far) Sourav Ganguly. Going back a few years as well, you can think of the likes of Justin Langer and Damien Martyn.
Obviously, Matthew Bell may not be a good example given his poor form between his century against Bangladesh and 60-odd last time out vs England, but I think Sidebottom certainly is a perfect example of someone initially not being up to test standard, to go back and improve his game, and come back a better product.
So should more discarded players be given a shot ahead of younger players? Names like Robert Key, Simon Katich, Matthew Nicholson and Aakash Chopra spring to mind.
Also would like to make a distinction here between people who are on the fringes of selection due to injury or the conditions of a surface (i.e. playing two spinners) and people who were given a run (or at least a chance) and then seemingly 'forgotten'.