CA selection fallout continues

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The fallout from the recent round of CA central contracts continues, perhaps justified, perhaps not. I’m going to throw some fuel on the fire anyway.

I don’t think they’ve done such a bad job. Sure I might just be saying that cause they picked 40% of their players from the mighty Bluetongues… however, looking at the strength of the Bluetongues, this being a team that despite missing the likes of Lee, Bracken, Haddin, Jaques, Clark and Clarke still make the final of the Moomoo Cup, they should be all rights dominate the central contracts.

There are still a few issues I have with the selected squad – most notably having no backup for Brad Haddin. Clearly we’ll need a second gloveman to go on tour, unless they expect King Hussey to do that as well.

Regarding the selection of spinners – lets argue that they went into the selection meeting determined to pick two spinners – one for now and one for the future..

For the incumbent position the options would be Stuart MacGill and Bryce ‘the Viking’ McGain. Hmmm tough choice, perhaps a look at the numbers might help.

Bryce Stuart
1st Class Matches 17 181
1st Class Balls 3585 40751
1st Class Wickets 54 762
1st Class Average 34.75 30.37
1st Class Best 6/112 8/108
1st Class Economy 3.14 3.17
1st Class Strike Rate 66.3 53.1
Test Matches 0 42
Test Balls 0 10781
Test Wickets 0 203
Test Average 0 28.14
Test Best 0 8/108
Test Economy 0 3.17
Test StrikeRate 0 3.1

I suppose we should factor into these numbers that Macgilla’s home track does traditionally take spin while the MAFLG prefer to drop in pitches lest they hurt the aerial ping pongers.

So, a proven and rehabilitated test hero, or a 36 year old with ordinary numbers who lands it on the right spot.

As for a second spinner – if we’re looking for someone young then the options really are Beau Repair, Dan Cullen and Cullen Bailey. The two Cullen’s both had central contracts last year and deteriorated beyond recognition, this should prove a real kick up the bum to get them back into form.

If anything, Shane Watson should have been dumped for Dominic Cork.

7 thoughts on “CA selection fallout continues”

  1. Two Spinners, Two Openers and One keeper. That is not a balanced squad, before the Sri Lankan series there was 2 spinners in the 13.

    Plus, look what including young spinners in the contracts did last year, ruined both of them.

    And not to mention that Stuey has mentioned his knee is not rehabilitated.

  2. I think the problem is that it’s not a squad at all.

    If their intention is to pick all players they expect to use in the next 12 months and stick them on a retainer then they’ve clearly failed.

    If however their intention is to make more NSW millionares, well… carry on.

  3. Why didnt Dirk Nannes get a nod? and regrding the spinng dept, I heard Shane Warne is doing the scouting.

    Shouldn’t that favour the Vics?

    Personally, I want to see Moses Henriques playing sometime soon.

  4. ‘Henriques’ is my middle name.

    Shame I couldn’t score a central contract..

    Dirty Dirk’s another one that must have been close, I’m guessing the selectors watched NSW second innings of the Moomoo Cup Final pretty closely and picked based off that.

  5. LoL so your Moses Henriques the 1st?

    Do you speak portueguese? I saw him bowl on T.V. during your KFC competition in India. He was the pick of the bowlers. But I think hes trying to get in as a bowling allrounder.

  6. of course I speak portuguese.

    I’m also Mose Tuiali who plays no 8 for the Crusaders and All Blacks.

  7. Dirty Dirk is too important to be playing for Australia, Middlesex is his home now.