Selection ponderings
As the Ashes draw near, the first XIs of England and Australia are not clear yet. Specifically one place for both
teams.
First Australia
The batting is settled but for the 3rd seamer spot its a close call between Gillespie, Kasporwicz and underdog but fast gaining in ground because of poor form of Gillespie - Shaun Tait. I would hope Gillespie can gain back his form and play the first test match. Otherwise my feeling is the Australians will play it safe and opt for Kasporwicz and if Kasporwicz or Lee performs poorly in the first test, Tait may come in the second/third test. It would be too much of a risk to go for Tait in the opening test of the series.
The dilemna is amazing for the fact that not many were giving Lee a chance 2 months ago. I have always backed him to play because Australia needs a strike bowler to perform rather than a stock Kasporwicz kind of bowler to fill in the overs like in India.
For England
The remaining batting spot has a battle between Pieterson and Thorpe as indicated lucidly by the selectors some days back. Bell has been confirmed to play for now atleast. Thorpe is dependable, Thorpe is consistent. Yet he finds himself with a possibility of being omitted. This shows England players are in form more than any thing else. Its the first test and I put that argument again to play Thorpe despite a possible good showing by untested Pieterson in the remaining two one dayers because of it being the first test and risks in selection not the best thing to do at this point of time.
Coming to the West Indies
Its a question of who is available and not whom can we omit. West Indies cricket is doomed as they dont realise such tussles only mean the public - from whom the money comes (the real shareholders of a sport) lose interest. If they go, the sponsors go (Digicel is showing apprehensions already) and then there is no money to dispute any thing over!
Ambrose presents a very interesting view point. How can the players demand more money if they dont perform? Every one has been jumping the gun on blaming the WICB but it may be the player’s fault as well. For me, it doesn’t matter whose ault it is. It is like a company suffers if there is a trade dispute. In this case the company is the West Indies Cricket.
Tags: Australian Cricket, English Cricket.
