Noffke or Katich?
The main question going into the First Test against the West Indies is who will replace Michael Clarke. This is assuming he doesn't play which is a safe bet considering he arrives in the Caribbean a day or so before the Test. A name being thrown into the ring is Ashley Noffke.
Noffke topped both runs and wickets for Queensland last summer. He's an all rounder in the mould of Shane Watson except he doesn't get injured in a stiff breeze and is actually good . It would be an exciting and aggressive choice by the Australian selectors - an extra bowling option for the flat West Indian pitches and some extra batting starch to bolster the long tail. Plus he's a Queenslander. Nuff said!
However, Australian selectors have rarely been known for aggressive or exciting choices. Far more likely is they opt for Simon Katich, the middle order batsman who dropped his bundle during the 2005 Ashes when we needed a stout middle order to withstand the reverse swinging Duke ball. I figure the reasoning will be there's not enough New South Welshman in the side.
| Posted by JC on Thu 15 May |  5 comments |
Posted by cricketwithballs.com on 2008-05-15 15:20:14
No, sorry, I take a hard line on the old 'family' excuse as sported by these guys who are not only highly paid but given the rare honour of representing our great country.
I reckon it's downright RUDE to be picked and then site some lame excuse like a childbirth or family illness not to honour their commitment. These boys have an obligation to form the the best team we can field for that given match as far as I'm concerned.
Methinks the fame and glory affects these blokes in such a way they think they can become choosy as to which game they want to reprent Australia for.
Transport these players back to when being picked for Australia entailed 90days ship travel just to wear a baggy green.
Posted by virtualgaz on 2008-05-15 15:59:37
I think gaz was a bit hard there on Clarke - Lets not forget he turned down a lucrative offer from the IPL just to stay with members of his family whom I understand are critically ill.
Please don't put Clarke in the same league as that shameful Zaheer Khan. He sits out a 3 test match series against South Africa due to "injury" only to show up with full gusto a couple of days later to represent the "Bangalore Royal Challengers" in a T20 match. It pains me to see such players representing our national team.
Clarke has given sterling service to Australia for the past few years and I think it would be harsh to criticize him here...
Posted by Ajesh Nag on 2008-05-16 01:11:08
I know it sounds harsh and I have a lot of time for Pup but fair dinkum, he's taking a bit of a liberty I reckon - he's not even married to the woman! Day off for the funeral - no problem but people die all the time whereas only 399 baggy greens have ever been granted - only 50 of which have been granted in the last 27 years!
A couple of my mates reckon he's under the thumb of this model crumpet and that's why he wasn't allowed to go to the IPL...
Posted by virtualgaz on 2008-05-16 15:28:53
Posted by JC on 2008-05-16 16:00:40
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