Bryce McGain - too old to play tests?

[Laurrz]

thoughts? should he be picked for the indian test series

i think he should be in the squad - but Casson hasn't done anything wrong.. just one game on debut

many have said that McGain's age means he can't play because he's not experienced enough and so we have no time for him as he is old

 

[sanga1337]

Too old. Australia should look for a long term option rather than using McGain who's going to retire soon anyway. Its a shame because even if he was only 2 years younger I think he would definitely be in the squad at least.

 

[Craig]

Hey if he is one of Australia's best spinners, and Australia need a spinner then why not? In terms of underdogs go, I'm hoping as hell he gets in. It would be the perfect example of how some good old fashioned hard work and some luck to go your way (like being picked for Victoria or to be given a bowl when he did) and anything is possible.

As for what some have said he would be a short term measure, maybe that is what Australia do need until the other options are looked at. And if he does hack it, then longevity would not be a problem as he hasn't been burnt by over 15-18 years of FC cricket. That is some outside the box thinking for you.

Besides I don't know if it is viable to to go to India and play just an all seam attack with Symonds and Clarke (or Katich if there is another injury) to play the spinners role. Mind you India's batsmen would like that (if they can cope with it in Perth then they can handle it in their own backyard).

 

[Craig]

Bah, I should add the poll option is not what I think, I just mis-read it and voted for the wrong option, I would go for 'yes'.

 

[Prince EWS]

going to retire soon anyway.

That assumption annoys me. It's not necessarily true. The demands of spin bowling aren't such that a 42 year old for example, as long as he kept himself fit, could not continue doing it. They typically retire earlier than that, generally because they have achieved as much as they think they can and have no desire to go on. Rare will you see a spinner retire because his body can't cope with the rigours. Yes, I know we just saw that happen with MacGill, but a lot of that was due to the fact that he didn't keep himself particularly fit after sustaining a knee injury and part of it was due to the repetitive strain on his wrist - let's not forget that he's bowled a lot more balls than McGain.

Bryce McGain has not been exposed to the body-wearing effects of First Class cricket for years and years. He hasn't achieved anywhere near what he could or what I assume he'd be happy with. He hasn't even played that much Grade cricket, instead taking seasons off at various times to peruse other things. There's not much to suggest he couldn't go on for another five years and develop his bowling even more as he went along. His age would only be a genuine barrier if you felt he was going to die in the next few years - his body (for spin bowling) as his desire will be that of a 25 year old.

And even ignoring all that - even if you thought he could only play for two years - that's two years of not only having a superior spin bowler in the Test team to Casson but two more years of First Class experience for Casson to develop his game at instead of attempting to take a step up he can't reach and destroying his confidence.

 

[Craig]

Or better then going back to Nathan Hauritz or Dan Cullen. Hell not even Cameron White (even then he is a batting all-rounder anyway).

 

[chaminda_00]

Considering the fact that apart for McGain, the next best spin bowler in Australia in Micheal Clarke. It shouldn't even be a question of whether he should be in Test squad.

Mind you after Brad Hogg and MacGill talked up how they will play Test Cricket for another 2-3 seasons. To only retire after one season or one series. I wouldn't be surprised if the selectors are weary of selecting McGain and then have to find a new spinner in another seasons time.

If they don't pick McGain, then tbh they are better of just picking a extra seamer. Rather then picking someone like Casson who is barely FC standard, let alone close to Test standard. Granted though he is closer to being FC standard then any other spinner in Australia bar McGain.

 

[Nate]

Nah, never rated McGain anyway. Pura Cup Final summing up what I think about him really.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

It's not directly addressing the question, but why does Australia need to pick a specialist spinner to tour India? It's not like specialist spinners typically have much success against Indian batsmen. Just because the conditions are good for spinners doesn't mean that spinners will do well.

 

[Mister Wright]

He's not too old, but if he should be picked is just another matter. I've of the opinion you pick your best side no matter what the conditions. It's test cricket FFS and if they're in the test squad they should be good enough on any surface. Would rather see someone like Noffke picked than Casson or McGain tbh (and not just because I'm a QLDer).

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Nah, never rated McGain anyway. Pura Cup Final summing up what I think about him really.

But you rate Aaron "43.17" Heal.

 

[Mister Wright]

It's not directly addressing the question, but why does Australia need to pick a specialist spinner to tour India? It's not like specialist spinners typically have much success against Indian batsmen. Just because the conditions are good for spinners doesn't mean that spinners will do well.

Agree wholeheartedly.

 

[weldone]

None ever is too old to play test cricket...Form and class should be the only criteria for selection, not age, never...It's a general statement, not talking about Macgain though.

 

[George.Hinton]

If McGain does get picked for Australia's next series,

he ill be making his debut against

Sehwag
Gambhir
Dravid
Tendulkar
Ganguly
Laxman

Not the easiest assignment for a debutante spinner

 

[Richard]

No-one's ever too old to play Test cricket - the only reason age ever factors in is because sometimes (more often than not indeed) players' performances take a downturn into the second half of their 30s.

With McGain you can't really even tell that, as he's barely played before the age of 35. Quite clearly, he's the best spinner in Australia at the moment, and even if Casson were to mop-up the West Indies tail today (or tomorrow) that won't change the fact he's mostly been woeful and should never have gone on the tour, never mind played this Test. Currently ranks alongside Nathan Hauritz, Daniel Cullen (only against Bangladesh so not real Test cricket), Brad Williams, Gavin Robertson, Simon Cook, Shaun Young, Peter McIntyre, Brendon Julian, Wayne Phillips (the younger one) and Greg Campbell in the "luckiest players to represent Australia in the last 19 years" stakes.

That he's the best spinner in Australia at the moment doesn't mean he should be playing, obviously, and personally I'd reckon Noffke a far better bet, even in India. But rare is the team that tours India without a specialist spinner, even if their options are poor.

 

[LongHopCassidy]

If you're good enough, you're young enough.

 

[Nate]

But you rate Aaron "43.17" Heal.

How many times have you seen him bowl? If you've looked at the comments on this site from people who have actually seen him bowl, either on TV or live, the general consensus is that he looks the goods. I haven't made my claims about him just on a whim Campso. I study Australian Cricket from a low-grade level a lot more than is healthy. Name a player I've been wrong about and I'll name you five I've picked out of relative obscurity.

Perhaps he's like a Xavier Marshall?

EDIT: And on McGain, I believe he had a really good and also slightly blessed season. But also his only one of any real quality. He is not, for mine, International Class and that is the only factor I have in considering him for Test Cricket atm.

 

[Prince EWS]

No-one's ever too old to play Test cricket - the only reason age ever factors in is because sometimes (more often than not indeed) players' performances take a downturn into the second half of their 30s.

With McGain you can't really even tell that, as he's barely played before the age of 35. Quite clearly, he's the best spinner in Australia at the moment, and even if Casson were to mop-up the West Indies tail today (or tomorrow) that won't change the fact he's mostly been woeful and should never have gone on the tour, never mind played this Test. Currently ranks alongside Nathan Hauritz, Daniel Cullen (only against Bangladesh so not real Test cricket), Brad Williams, Gavin Robertson, Simon Cook, Shaun Young, Peter McIntyre, Brendon Julian, Wayne Phillips (the younger one) and Greg Campbell in the "luckiest players to represent Australia in the last 19 years" stakes.

That he's the best spinner in Australia at the moment doesn't mean he should be playing, obviously, and personally I'd reckon Noffke a far better bet, even in India. But rare is the team that tours India without a specialist spinner, even if their options are poor.

I think it'd be wise to at least have a spinner in the squad, even if he wasn't selected on game day. No spin options at all would probably tempt into Indian groundsmen into producing Mumbai 2004/05-like surfaces. They could well do so anyway, but I think there'd go all out to ensure it if they had advanced knowledge that Australia had no specialist spin options at all.

 

[NUFAN]

That assumption annoys me. It's not necessarily true. The demands of spin bowling aren't such that a 42 year old for example, as long as he kept himself fit, could not continue doing it. They typically retire earlier than that, generally because they have achieved as much as they think they can and have no desire to go on. Rare will you see a spinner retire because his body can't cope with the rigours. Yes, I know we just saw that happen with MacGill, but a lot of that was due to the fact that he didn't keep himself particularly fit after sustaining a knee injury and part of it was due to the repetitive strain on his wrist - let's not forget that he's bowled a lot more balls than McGain.

Bryce McGain has not been exposed to the body-wearing effects of First Class cricket for years and years. He hasn't achieved anywhere near what he could or what I assume he'd be happy with. He hasn't even played that much Grade cricket, instead taking seasons off at various times to peruse other things. There's not much to suggest he couldn't go on for another five years and develop his bowling even more as he went along. His age would only be a genuine barrier if you felt he was going to die in the next few years - his body (for spin bowling) as his desire will be that of a 25 year old.

And even ignoring all that - even if you thought he could only play for two years - that's two years of not only having a superior spin bowler in the Test team to Casson but two more years of First Class experience for Casson to develop his game at instead of attempting to take a step up he can't reach and destroying his confidence.

Gun post.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

How many times have you seen him bowl? If you've looked at the comments on this site from people who have actually seen him bowl, either on TV or live, the general consensus is that he looks the goods. I haven't made my claims about him just on a whim Campso. I study Australian Cricket from a low-grade level a lot more than is healthy. Name a player I've been wrong about and I'll name you five I've picked out of relative obscurity.

Nah. I think you just fancy him.