Tag Archives: bryce mcGain

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.

Moomoo Cup Final – Day 3

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Day 3 and the mighty NSW Bluetongues are pushing their lead past 100. My abscense from Moomoo cup final commentary has been noticed by Uncle J-Rod, and for that I can only apologise and make feeble excuses, such as I was away planning for a wedding.

Anyways, Day’s 1 and 2 have seen a pendulum of momentum ebbing and flowing like a see-saw.(take that feng shui Buchanan)..

The Blues failed to put on a monumental total in their first dig due to some excellent bowling from Side Siddle who looked menacing and Dirty Dirk Nannes who shaved especially for the final yet still had a main by the end of Day 1.

Jaques looked shaken early on but composed himself for a free flowing 50, albeit one that took 100 balls to get his eye in before it started to flow freely. Katto also looked good and will be dissapointed at having scooped one to mid-off off that leggie with the Zimmer frame. Haddin too was looking pretty comfortable and will be dissapointed to have fallen to a ripper from Siddle late in the day. Could have struck him outside the line, probably not but maybe.

We did manage a competitive score of 281 but after winning the toss and with the pitch already deteriorating a total of 400+ could have taken the game out of Mexican reach. Highlight for the Victorians would be Cameron White bowling his first maiden in Test Cricket – 3 overs, 1 maiden, 0/9.

The Vics had a real chance to impose a first lead, though some inspired fielding from Thornley broke up the openers just when things were starting to turn their way. Both form batsmen got starts and a first innings lead was looking like a real possibility, till Hodge left a ripper from Macgilla to be bowled.

Some will claim PM Hussey was a little unlucky, and I’d agree – any poor bastard who has to leave their native Perth to get a game of cricket cause the Warriors are so stacked with NSW and Zimbabwean rejects and ends up having to play for Mexican’s has it coming to them.

Once the tail was exposed Katto gave the ball to Binga and told him Dirty Dirk had been sweet talking Bingers. Don’t quite know why he bothered swinging it though, seemed the straight one took all the wickets.

The battle of Australia’s two best leggies will prove an interesting tussle, though I’m expecting Macgilla to take full advantage of the 5th day conditions.

There’s some low cloud around today that should suit the Mexican’s, don’t think anyone’s told Hughes about that though. He’s 42 off 32 and the see saw is pointing North of the border.

Here’s to a 400+ lead.