superkingdave
Hall of Fame Member
From the content of the article i think the title of the thread should have been "Shaun Tait to go Greek (but the missus is having none of it)"
Considering the amount of injuries he has had by now, it is unrealistic to expect that Tait will have a long and uninterrupted International career for Australia like McGrath or Warne. And at 26 years, he may have only at the maximum 4-6 years of peak body condition. Hence he is perfectly right in choosing the mode which can satisfy his monetary requirements without taking a huge toll on his body or his chances of playing for his country, as the IPL is just 2 months long.Personally I can see where CA are coming from. They appear to be taking the long-term view and see his inclusion as the IPL as a potential setback to his future health, which to be honest would be more than likely with his past. Tait is looking purely at short term gains, yes it was a lot of money for him, and he has been left out of the Australian contract list, but understandably so after his recent probelms. He needs to remain injury free, play some proper cricket and get back in their thoughts, the door is certainly not shut on his international career should he show the right sttitiude to get back to where he was.
I'm not suggesting that Tait is at fault for wanting to chase the dollar, and perhaps if he would be thinking of shelving his Test ambitions for now, then this discussion should have taken place with the selection committee. If he still harvours ambitions of Test cricket in the none-too-distant future, then missing out on the IPL should be no great drama's, it makes sense for him to miss it.Considering the amount of injuries he has had by now, it is unrealistic to expect that Tait will have a long and uninterrupted International career for Australia like McGrath or Warne. And at 26 years, he may have only at the maximum 4-6 years of peak body condition. Hence he is perfectly right in choosing the mode which can satisfy his monetary requirements without taking a huge toll on his body or his chances of playing for his country, as the IPL is just 2 months long.
I can fully understand the reasons behind his omission from CA contract list, but had he been injury free as he claims at the beginning of the IPL, then he has a righteous grievance at being shortchanged by CA.
The only way it's defensible I reckon is if he's still in future plans (say, for the next contract round) and CA is looking after its investment. Then you could look at his missing out as more of a furlough than a rejection. If not, it's poor on CA the way they've treated him.25?
That's way too many.
I don't think there are even 10 players from each of the test nations deserving of a central contract.
I think Tait has a right to be a bit pissed off. There aren't 25 better players in Australia IMO, and there's nothing wrong with having someone like Tait for ODI's & T20.
I'm all for boards control over a player if they are contracted, but CA are taking the michael stopping Tait form playing in the IPL knowing they were omitting him from the next contract list.
Yeah, it's a bit different to what we all heard via the media summary. He sounds a lot more relaxed about it.I'm new to cricket - but ...
It seems a bit short-sighted to arch up a player for wanting to play in the shorter forms of the game. One-day and especially Twenty20 is a great way to get people who usually hate cricket getting involved in the game, whether it's attending,watching on TV or playing the game. I can relate to these people - I used to be one. The way I used to view cricket was a boring, long monotonous game where rarely anything exciting happened... it was on TV all day and you basically couldn't talk to your dad/brother/boyfriend while it was on.
Now that I work for a cricket association (irony?) and learning about the game a bit more I am starting to understand the appeal, especially with the shorter forms of the game and sometimes shield matches...
Taity was just saying what all cricket marketers are thinking/strategizing. The shorter forms of the game are what bring new fans to the game, esp females. Cricket is no longer boring and reserved for up-tight nuffs who wear bow-ties. Getting females and more young kids involved in the game will create cricketers/fans in the future. It's where the money is and possibly the future of the game, even if 'traditionalists' don't like it. (but this is prob a whole other topic!)
I'm not going to comment on what Taity (Corey will pay me out for calling him that) said, but...
Forget what the newspapers have been saying, form your own opinions by listening to the raw audio from the Shaun Tait all-in with the media last Friday afternoon, straight from our own recorder:
SACA - South Australian Cricket Association - Media - Shaun Tait speaks about Cricket Australia's contract list for next season
Listen to what he said in its original context and without the media beat-up
Discuss.
He was very relaxed prior to the all-in. Him and the Media Manager were giggling at the media people running around in the rain, and probably me who had to gather them all up.Yeah, it's a bit different to what we all heard via the media summary. He sounds a lot more relaxed about it.
So what happened? Did he answer a round of questions beforehand and then answer basically the same questions again once everyone arrives? Or was the all-in a brawl?He was very relaxed prior to the all-in. Him and the Media Manager were giggling at the media people running around in the rain, and probably me who had to gather them all up.
Was the biggest media gathering I've seen since I've been here. Shaun Tait is a HUGE story and the resultant beat-up was pretty expected.
Everyone who is about to do a presser/all-in whatever is briefed beforehand. Esp players. You go through all the possible questions that may be asked and think about responses to them.So what happened? Did he answer a round of questions beforehand and then answer basically the same questions again once everyone arrives? Or was the all-in a brawl?
Ahhh ok, now I understand. Actually my mate won one of those Nescafe Big Break things years ago and was on The Bert Newton Show. Reckons Bert was a bit of a prick as he was briefed on the questions beforehand, and then Bert asked totally different questions once the cameras were rolling.Everyone who is about to do a presser/all-in whatever is briefed beforehand. Esp players. You go through all the possible questions that may be asked and think about responses to them.
Good media practice really - think about Vidmar's outburst after Adelaide United lost a soccer match earlier this year. Even just 5-10 mins with someone beforehand gives them a chance to prepare/calm down etc.
I think he knew what to expect when he went out there, we have a great Media Manager. The media were pretty gentle on him to be honest - sucking up a bit really. He sells their papers
Yeah, that's my take on it. Obviously as he was contracted to CA they were within their rights legally-speaking to stop him playing this year's IPL, but to then give him the push after having done so seems not only bad man management but almost a little vindictive. Those who make the calls as to the allocations of the central contracts must've had a far inkling Tait wouldn't have been retained for the coming year.The only way it's defensible I reckon is if he's still in future plans (say, for the next contract round) and CA is looking after its investment. Then you could look at his missing out as more of a furlough than a rejection. If not, it's poor on CA the way they've treated him.
Ahhh ok, now I understand. Actually my mate won one of those Nescafe Big Break things years ago and was on The Bert Newton Show. Reckons Bert was a bit of a prick as he was briefed on the questions beforehand, and then Bert asked totally different questions once the cameras were rolling.
Came back with a name change as wellShuan Tait arrived home from England this week and spoke to Adelaide's media about half and hour ago...
Main topic of conversation was his CA contract and future in all forms of the game, makes for interesting listening
Listen to the unedited presser/all-in with Taity this morning at the SACA website.
SACA - South Australian Cricket Association - Home
I haven't been on for a while but at least I make up for it when I return hey?
Is Tait another bloke with an atypical personality who CA haven't been able to accomodate? Seems to be a very diffident sort of a fella, especially as six feet plus, excess of 200lb fire breathing quicks go.Interesting point about Bev's personality tho, sometimes I think the Australian team isn't perhaps the most accomodating to those players without the (stereo)typical Ocker identikit dispositions. MacGill always seemed an outsider as does/did Symonds now. 20 years ago Symonds would've fitted right in perhaps, but now he's unwilling or unable to adjust.