When it rains it pours (I’ll get me coat)
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The worst Australian World Cup team ever - Stuart Broad, probably.
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Got to say it’s a poor looking side. Some out of form players from big bash (although when was Cameron Green in form?) while an in form Smith was omitted and a plethora of fast bowlers were unavailable/injured. Still it’s good for the Aussie soul to be humbled at cricket occasionally..
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I agree with Cam Green’s lack of form, but I kind of get his inclusion. 200cm can bat and bowl is a weapon in T20 games but his form means questions need to be asked.
In terms of fast bowlers, we tend to rotate Starc and Hazlewood, although Hazlewood seems to be the preferred pick between the 2. Why Starc wasn’t picked knowing the injury situation of Josh over the summer is a head scratcher.
The other fast bowlers picked, Ellis and Bartlett have been rotating between each other the last few years and Stoinis has been a regular for the 1 day and T20 team for 6-7 years. I don’t think it so much an issue with selection but more the team just played shite.
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He wanted a rest after backing up the Ashes with playing for the Sixers - cf Travis Head who sat out the Strikers to prioritise this. Fundamentally this trophy isn’t taken as seriously by the Aussies as others.
This is absolutely ridiculous! Pathetic beyond belief!
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Expected this. Not surprised.
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It’s not like the BCCI gives permission for Indian players to play in the Hundred.
This directly impacts viewing numbers and broadcast deals from a commercial perspective. Ethics wise it’s reprehensible as well but that’s a measure of how relations are between the two countries right now.
Does anyone even watch the 100? I can honestly say, I have never watched a match and don’t even know the rules beyond a bowler balls to a batsman…
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A very cynical perspective though - It’s very difficult for anyone to prove that the teams were instructed to not have Pakistani players. The performance of the Pakistan cricketers of late (And I am aware of their tendency to surprise) has really not been good. It’s only been 2 or 3 of their spinners who have been any good this world cup. Their batting is still stuck in the 2000’s. And out of the 3 spinners, One has a very dodgy action. The spinners won’t get nearly the same amount of purchase that they get in the subcontinent.
If team owners present this rationale and say that since this allows only 4 overseas slot for a squad (as opposed to an IPL which has 8 overseas players in a squad), We choose to go in for a Rashid Khan, Santner etc who they feel offer more value to the side. Who can argue against the decision?
It’s not like Pakistan cricketers have people like Prime Wasim, Prime Waqar etc who simply have to be selected.
And just checked, None of the teams (Whether owned by Indian Companies) have so far signed any Pakistani Players. All of them have 2 out of the 4 overseas slots already full.
And there are only 32 possible slots for overseas players across the league out of which 16 seem to have already been filled(None of them being Pakistani players). The competition for 16 spots has a lot of players and then there’s the availability issues as well (Pakistan might well be playing internationals when the Hundred is going on)
Just checked - Pakistan have tours of West Indies and later England when the hundred is going on. The players in consideration will mostly be a part of those tours. Pakistan Players might not even be available to take part in the competition.
Smacks of Lazy journalism
Porn!
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Does anyone know what song Swann is talking about?
Probably lives in Manchester as well
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McCullum is so fired.
Haha
Maybe not…
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Will Jacks being far and away England’s best player this tournament wasn’t on my bingo card.
India getting whacked at the Modi stadium in Gujarat. Love it.
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