Man Cry

The Victorians are píssed off, as having their top players unavailable due to national service is a new problem for them. Now they’ll have to go without the services of Cameron White and David Hussey, who have a ODI on Friday and need their beauty sleep. There is no factual basis to reports that Cameron White Cried, again, at hearing the news, though it does sound likely.

Ryan Harris has been dropped from the national squad so will be available for Queensland, however they’ve replaced him with Mitchell Johnson so that’s probably worse for the New Texas Bulls, who’ll also be missing James Hopes.

CA have also denied requests for the players to be available of for the final, so NSW will be missing David Warner, Michael Clarke, Nathan Bracken, Brad Haddin and Nathan Hauritz.

This could well end up a good experience, as Michael Hussey is keen to explain IPL loyalties come before the state that bought you up, so depending on which IPL teams make the club championship any Australian side could be without their stars when the big bucks are on offer.

Victoria squad: Brad Hodge (capt), Aiden Blizzard, Rob Quiney, Aaron Finch, Andrew McDonald, Matthew Wade, Adam Crosthwaite (wk), Damien Wright, Shane Harwood, Jon Holland, Bryce McGain, Dirk Nannes.

Queensland squad: Chris Simpson (capt), Wade Townsend, Ryan Broad, Lee Carseldine, Nathan Reardon, Glen Batticciotto, Craig Philipson, Chris Hartley (wk), Ryan Harris, Nathan Rimmington, Ben Cutting, Alister McDermott, Ben Laughlin.

Left Arm Chinaman

Sure our spinning stocks look depleted, but replacing a genuine attacking off-spinner for Ashley fúcking Giles is beyond obscene. This Queensland reject can’t even get a start for his new state who already depleted with 5 players on National Service. To look at the spinning options available he’s unlikely to feature in a top 5 of those who are actually playing domestic cricket, many of whom can also bat. Anyway, looks like we’re stuck with the prick while the quicks take wickets from the other end, and at least he can help us draw matches with his defensive lines.

What really has me stumped though, is what the hell is wrong with Ponting that he just refuses to bowl Simon Katich? After giving him for a few overs early on in India and seeing how well he turned the ball he’s been pretty much completely ignored with the ball. Perhaps the aggression that Katto brings to the task of bowling that doens’t fit with Pontings ideals of a metrosexual bollywood singing bowler?

If fit, Katto’s bowling record should at the very least get him at few token overs. Let us compare him to our specialist spinner, Nathan Hauritz.

Katich has taken 87 1st class wickets to Hauritz’ 81, despite Hauritz having bowled 40% more deliveries. Katto averages 37.8 compared to Hauritz 47.2, roughly 20% less. His strike Rate is 62.5 compared to Hauritz 93.8, which is to say it takes Hauritz approximately 1/3 more deliveries to pick up a wicket than Katich.

Katich has bowled fewer balls in 4.5 times more matches, so it’d be a safe assumption that he bowls many fewer overs per match. In spite of this, Katto has three 5 wicket hauls to Hauritz none.

Best figures in a first class match? 7/130 for Katto, again shades the Queenslanders best figures of 4/95.

The hair is real

While there I came across an interesting story about Nathan Bracken learning to bowl spin to get himself back into the Baggy Green Test squad.

For mine the idea has a lot of merit. The selectors get wood when someone can bowl slow. Spinning the ball does not appear to be a necessity, nor is a decent record at shield level. As long as you claim to be a spinner you can get the baggy green for a test or two before getting dumped quicker than a knocked up Britney.

In recent memory we gave Beau Casson a test in the West Indies before dropping him and tearing up his central contract, Bryce McGain was a virtual selection before his shoulder imploded, Cameron White got 3 Tests as our very own answer to Ashley Giles (not that anyone ever asked that question), Jason Krezkya played a test and took 12 wickets to be dropped then picked up a training injury, and Nathan Hauritz also had a shot in Adelaide.

Bracken is tending towards the Funky Miller style of right-arm off breaks in the 90-95 kph range, and this makes a hell of a lot of sense. As the worlds’ top ranked one-day bowler he has the experience, temperament and man-hair that will help him become a success in the spinning role.

Also it’s refreshing to see a player who on paper really could be in the Baggy Green squad go and do something about it rather than just bítch to the media about non-selection. Brad Hodge if you’re reading this, give yourself an uppercut.

The final reason this is a good idea is that Ricky and the selectors are abnormally excited by any player who has a dual purpose. We’ve got Andrew Symonds as a specialist no 6 batsman who doesn’t score any runs/gun fielder, Shane Watson as a bowler/opening/no 7/catwalk diversion, Michael Hussey who bats 5/bowls impotent medium pace/couriers hats to fine leg, Simon Katich to open the batting/not bowl cause Ricky doesn’t give him the ball and Matthew Hayden to apply pressure to the top order/preach the gospel/píss off the 3rd world.

Curiously, Bracken claims his biggest obstacle in becoming a spinner is talking his captains into throwing him the ball on a short run-up. Here’s a brainwave, bowl well in the nets and prove yourself to them. Or even better, bowl the first ball normally then just fúck ‘em and bowl your spinners. If you’re half decent they’ll be on board in no time.