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flipside
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for Sean Marcelo
Jun 2003
time: 05:33
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quote:
Originally posted by finbar
Yes, and I don't think it's helping the cause. I would argue that county cricket should be the nursery, with the academy the - as it were - finishing school. They obviously work hand-in-hand, but it's the week-to-week competition of county cricket that should be developing and practising the skills that are fine-tuned at the academy. And, perhaps more importantly, county cricket should be where they're developing their competitive edge.
Here, we have six state teams. Competition to get into the teams is fierce because the next step up is Test cricket. Ergo, competition between the teams is fierce, because they know they're on display for the Test selectors. Our academy works on honing skills. The competitive edge is developed playing state cricket.
The county system was the first "professional" cricket in the world. Unfortunately, the "job" factor has never been overcome. Players hung around for their superannuation in the form of their testimonial year. Certainly, some highly skilled players came through the system, but, it seems, almost by accident rather than design.
They've tinkered with the county system - creating two divisions - but they haven't addressed the real problem of too many teams allowing too many players who will never reach the higher level to drag down the overall quality. I can appreciate why the authorities haven't bitten the bullet and created a league of, say, eight teams - tradition. I'm all for tradition, but I think it's holding England back.
Along with, as Havak has pointed out a couple of times, the disappearance of cricket from schools.
Yes, but Hampshire produced the inimitable John Arlott, cricket's finest ever voice, IMHO. Be satisfied with that. |
I mainly agree with your analysis.
Cricket in schools is poor, John Arlott was great,county cricket does not prepare you for test cricket, too many players who will never will be hang around clogging up the county system waiting for a benefit because they cannot see a job after cricket, the Australian system means that each game means more and is supported by grade cricket.
I do, however, think that as the game as a whole at international level becomes divorced from domestic cricket that the competitive edge and skills will be learnt through international games.
The system in Australia produces better players obviously. I think that in time, however, that the English system will work to improve standards.
EDIT: In England. Sorry.
Last edited by flipside on 28-01-2004 at 07:57
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flipside
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for Sean Marcelo
Jun 2003
time: 05:33
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quote:
Originally posted by finbar
Ah yes. I've seen him a couple of times in various cooking-related shows on cable here. He made an appearance in one very interesting short series about the "chemistry" of cooking - literally, the science of what happens to food when it's cooked, and the various alternative methods that can be used. I remember they worked on debunking the traditional claim that adding salt to water brightened a vegetable's colour - the green of green beans, for example. |
Yep. Have you tried any of his ideas?
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finbar
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Castiglion Fiorentino, Italy
Jan 1970
time: 06:33
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quote:
Originally posted by flipside
the Australian system means that each game means more and is supported by grade cricket. |
Yes, the competition extends all the way down the ladder.
quote:
I do, however, think that as the game as a whole at international level becomes divorced from domestic cricket that the competitive edge and skills will be learnt through international games. |
I think that's the danger posed by the ever-increasing international workload. But the evidence is, I think, that neglecting the grassroots is the surest way to trouble. Look at the West Indies. They just assumed another Ambrose, Lara, Roberts, Marshall, et al, would appear. Unfortunately, they share a problem with England - the game is disappearing out of West Indian schools, too, replaced by a fascination with things like basketball. The current West Indian team is a classic example of trying to learn Test cricket on the job.
I think the ever-increasing international workload has also brought about an allied problem - the internationals are playing fewer and fewer domestic matches, thus the next generation, learning the ropes, are missing not only the challenge but also the vital after-play dressing room contact over a drink. I know the latter is of concern to the Australian players and the hierarchy.
quote:
The system in Australia produces better players obviously. I think that in time, however, that the English system will work to improve standards. |
Well, we pioneered a system. It came about through necessity after we hit rock bottom in the 80s. Lillee, the Chappells and Marsh all retired within a season or two of each other. Suddenly, the cupboard was bare. We're still producing batsmen, but, over the last decade, we've been spoiled by having McGrath - one of the best of his generation - and Warne, a once in a century bowler. Beyond them, as is being discovered, our bowling stocks are only average, with no one of great potential on the horizon.
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flipside
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for Sean Marcelo
Jun 2003
time: 05:33
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quote:
Originally posted by finbar
Could have been worse. You could have hit the "f" rather than the "r". |
Nah, we knew he had SH blood in his veins from the first mistake .
I can happily confirm that Finbar is a fair dinkum aussie though by what was the first word that came into his mind when the idea of having forwards was said.
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ravagon
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Australia
Sep 1999
time: 13:33
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Hmmm. I managed to miss the bit about Dallaglio being back in the saddle. It seems there are a few who wouldn't miss it if he weren't ...
quote:
"What sort of message does the appointment of Dallaglio to the captaincy of the English rugby union team, send to the kiddies?
"English sport has been littered with drug scandals from Linford Christie to Greg Rusedski very recently.
"With the authorities seemingly unwilling to respond in any meaningful way to the problem of drugs in sport, my heart sinks to find that behaviour such as Dallaglio's is effectively condoned. I am not an unforgiving man, but a line has to be drawn somewhere.
"Its simply not good enough for we Brits, especially when we have derided other nations, such as the Australians (Tune, Warne) for lesser evils, to have Lawrence, combative forward as he may be, to captain England."
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On the bright side though, being even older than his highness the-most-recently-retired King Jonno the somethingth, we can still trundle out the old theme.
Everybody now , ...
"Who-o-o do you thinnnk you are kidding Mr Hitler, ..."
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finbar
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Castiglion Fiorentino, Italy
Jan 1970
time: 06:33
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quote:
Originally posted by ravagon
Hmmm. I managed to miss the bit about Dallaglio being back in the saddle. It seems there are a few who wouldn't miss it if he weren't ... |
His dalliance - great word that, and the first three letters of his name - with white powder aside, it was his complete and utter ego - read stupidity - that actually sank him for the offence. With a dolt like that in charge of the England team, who needs Austin Healey around?
quote:
On the bright side though, being even older than his highness the-most-recently-retired King Jonno the somethingth, we can still trundle out the old theme.
Everybody now , ...
"Who-o-o do you thinnnk you are kidding Mr Hitler, ..." |
Well, Havak's ongoing absence speaks volumes, doesn't it. (The absence of a question mark obviously indicating the rhetorical)
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28-01-2004 07:45
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