Redbacks - my thoughts

[rod_rooster]

Further to the comments already made re: standard of District Cricket - there are also many other matters which need to be raised. Here goes from a number of players close to the side: 1. The 2 sided nature of the coach - saying one thing to the players and another to the selectors 2. The complete breakdown in communication between the selectors and the playing group and the massive breakdown with the senior playing group 3. As much as this is hard to state is our fearless captain becoming too big with his power amongst SA Cricket (ala the great David Hookes) and are our young players being led astray 4. What actually does Rod Marsh do? 5. The massive breakdown in communication between the administration and the playing group - were the admin group actually banned from the rooms last Wed night and how come the great Dizzy has to speak out via the Advertiser to get his points across? Why is no-one taking responsibility? 6. Who takes control of players like Cosgrove and Cullen - poor young Cosgrove - who is ensuring that he has a fitness person working with him as well as a nutritionist - if Cossie was an AFL player - would they allow this to happen with his weight - we all know the answer, so who is in charge of our playing group and who takes control and responsibility? We all know that District Cricket needs an overhaul - but there needs to be a huge overhaul and surely is has to start at the top. Why not review everything and start again - we are already at the worst end - the players are obviously fed up and annoyed and showing everyone with their efforts - time to change the guard completely.

Six months ago Cosgrove is in the Australian one-day side, why? Primarily the selectors thought here is the best young batting talent in teh country - probabaly hasn't performed like Jaques, Hodge et al but 6 months ago they tought he was the best up and comer....

he makes 2 x 50s in the side so the selectors know he can play at that level so if a spot opens up.........

Fast forward six months Voges gets picked for the Australain test squad, do you think he would have got picked ahead of Cosgrove if Cosgrove was 5 kg lighter as was making 120s instead of 20s???

Cosgrove is the bloke they want to pick, but the dumb pr!ck keeps eating and pissing it away...ATM....at 22 it is not too late son......

Great posts. I wish i had half the talent Cossie has. So frustrating watching him waste it the way he is. As has been said he is still just 22 o time is on his side but he wouldn't want to take too long.

[Adelaide Hawk]

Who takes responsibility for Cosgrove? Cosgrove does. He's not a child, he's a adult. If he can't see the benefits of healthy eating and fitness then he is wasting his time. Don't balme anyone else for this than Cosgrove.

I'm glad to hear the players are fed up, because I am fed up too .. with insipid, crappy performances. The players shouldn't be annoyed with anyone but THEMSELVES!!!! They're the ones out there with the bat or the ball in their hand.

I heard that the coaching staff have asked for players to be more responsible by not going out drinking to late hours, but some of the players don't have the self discipline to do this. Several players have been spotted out on the town at ridiculous times, and in various states of health.

Then out comes Boof, stating that it's not a problem, and he actually denies that players are doing this. Boof, are you serious? No wonder the team is undisciplined if the captain couldn't give a stuff as well.

I have had a gutful of contemporary sports people. They are very happy to accept handsome payment for playing sport, but not so quick at accepting responsibility for their actions. It's not the 1970s any more, where players were paid a pittance for playing. Time for players to start earning their money.

[MightyEagles]

I've posted this before, but I think that they should merge some clubs eg Woodville with West Torrens. Adelaide Uni with Adelaide and a couple others. Less teams meaning more compitition for spots in the teams. More pressure on the players in the teams.

[Aerie]

The Grade competition is the cricket equivalent to the SANFL. Clubs aren't just going to throw away history because the Redbacks batsman don't value their wicket. I do agree though that ideally there should be 10 or at the maximum 12 clubs (who all run a junior program). The weaker clubs (i.e. poor juniors, poor Grade performance, poor facilities) should be put on notice to either merge or be released to Turf cricket.

I think more 2nd XI needs to be played. This competition was structured a few years ago to be a meeting point between Grade and First Class cricket. The problem is that the majority of A Grade players are paying to play and work full time jobs making it difficult to justify putting all efforts into cricket and taking time off work. I think the Eastern states play more 2nd XI against each other because geographically they are closer, or at least they use to before the CA Cup was brought in.

Perhaps 2nd XI cricket could be programmed as three day fixtures on Friday's, Saturday's and Sunday's meaning players only miss one day of work. I would compact the competition so each team plays each other once (six matches in all) before Christmas before filtering back to their grade clubs to finish the season.

[Ruck Legend]

Here are my current thoughts

Elliot - probably past his best. Two great one-day hunderds in this summer however needs to lift in the four day game. Possibly only still in the side on name sack only
Daniel Harris - I like this guy. The more he plays the better he will get. Needs to stay in the side even ahead of Elliot.
C Borgas - Confidence is a big thing here. Could play very long innings but is also extremely slow with the run-rate. Perhaps the wrong Borgas is in the side.
Cosgrove - Plenty of talent but plenty of waistline. Has not taken the next big step. There is no way this guy should be at the fitness he is. Ban him again, but longer. He has to learn. Natural talent can only take you so far.
Fergusson - So much talent, but can not put consistent runs on the board. Should possibly go back to district cricket for a while. This should hopefully make him hungry.
Lehmann - What more can you say. Wish we had more of boof lehmann's in the batting line-up.
Deitz - Two years ago almost gone. Now probably the most reliable batsman behind boof in the side. It's great he can keep as well. Manuo will struggle to get back into the four day side.
Gillespie - Still one of the best bowlers in the country. Great economy rate. A real key to SA.
Cullen - Needs to take the next step. Now Warne is retiring, needs to step a cog otherwise other young bowlers around the country will jump him in the pecking order including his SA spinning twin.
Bailey - A real promosing talent. Will learn fast from Terry Jenner.
Tait - So fast and unstoppable on his day. Also very unpredictable but a match winner. Can turn a match so easily in a few overs.
Rofe - Mr.Relaible of the bowling attack. Never lets the side down. Once Tait is playing for Australia more, will play a lot more cricket for SA.
Manou - A great keeper but struggles with the bat. These days teams want their keepers to bat and keep, not just keep. Tamsin Lewis lives in Victoria, maybe Manou will move interstate.
Ryan Harris - So dominant at district level. Maybe it's time to play him in the four day game ahead of Fergusson.
Nathan Adcock - Will be on SA's list for ever but will only ever be a back-up batsman. Solid player.
Mark Cleary - I bet he wishes now he did move to Victoria. A super talent on his day, just can not find a spot in the 4 day line up.

SA have been so disappointing this summer especially in the four day game. They need to try other players like Ryan Harris, James Borgas or even perhaps Ben Hook (at least he is making runs).

[mal]

Here are my current thoughts

Elliot - probably past his best. Two great one-day hunderds in this summer however needs to lift in the four day game. Possibly only still in the side on name sack only
Daniel Harris - I like this guy. The more he plays the better he will get. Needs to stay in the side even ahead of Elliot.
C Borgas - Confidence is a big thing here. Could play very long innings but is also extremely slow with the run-rate. Perhaps the wrong Borgas is in the side.
Cosgrove - Plenty of talent but plenty of waistline. Has not taken the next big step. There is no way this guy should be at the fitness he is. Ban him again, but longer. He has to learn. Natural talent can only take you so far.
Fergusson - So much talent, but can not put consistent runs on the board. Should possibly go back to district cricket for a while. This should hopefully make him hungry.
Lehmann - What more can you say. Wish we had more of boof lehmann's in the batting line-up.
Deitz - Two years ago almost gone. Now probably the most reliable batsman behind boof in the side. It's great he can keep as well. Manuo will struggle to get back into the four day side.
Gillespie - Still one of the best bowlers in the country. Great economy rate. A real key to SA.
Cullen - Needs to take the next step. Now Warne is retiring, needs to step a cog otherwise other young bowlers around the country will jump him in the pecking order including his SA spinning twin.
Bailey - A real promosing talent. Will learn fast from Terry Jenner.
Tait - So fast and unstoppable on his day. Also very unpredictable but a match winner. Can turn a match so easily in a few overs.
Rofe - Mr.Relaible of the bowling attack. Never lets the side down. Once Tait is playing for Australia more, will play a lot more cricket for SA.
Manou - A great keeper but struggles with the bat. These days teams want their keepers to bat and keep, not just keep. Tamsin Lewis lives in Victoria, maybe Manou will move interstate.
Ryan Harris - So dominant at district level. Maybe it's time to play him in the four day game ahead of Fergusson.
Nathan Adcock - Will be on SA's list for ever but will only ever be a back-up batsman. Solid player.
Mark Cleary - I bet he wishes now he did move to Victoria. A super talent on his day, just can not find a spot in the 4 day line up.

SA have been so disappointing this summer especially in the four day game. They need to try other players like Ryan Harris, James Borgas or even perhaps Ben Hook (at least he is making runs).

I read this post a couple of times so I could disagree on something...but it didnt happen.
If you and me were state selectors we would pick the same side

[Dutchy]

Bump - Here we are 4 years later and nothing has changed

[smac]

Because the 13 Grade clubs vote on any change to structure of the competition. They are all looking out for themselves and one another.

Good luck changing it.

[mal]

Nothing changes boys
Perhaps there are some budding future cricketers in the Woodside area ?
Failing that there are 2 options

1. Hire the Central Districts recuiting officer , to entice high profile + successful recruits
2. 2 divisions of 8 clubs each with a relegation system

[2] Can be implemented with a time frame of 3 seasons to start 2013-2014
Each club has 3 years to prove how good they are and have time to recruit or produce talent
There are 13 clubs
Have a super season with the top 8 in first division the others relegated
Its bloody harsh to condemn the bottom 5 to a 2nd div, bit something has to be done
The 5 relegated teams will join up with 3 new entities from Hills or Country teams


Im guessing some people would like this
But Smac hazit in a nutshell, the 13 clubs dont wanna change[and u cant blame em]

[Booney]

Perhaps the Grade Clubs should just play T20 cricket as it appears as though thats all the rage and the only game worth ( $$$ ) winning?

[MightyEagles]

After the fairly good T20 comp and the first win in the new 45 over comp, have the state side imploded.

[Bulls forever]

All I keep reading is that it is the Grade Clubs fault. When will you people on this thread realise that the High Performance at SACA and Grade Clubs have no relationship. Never, ever if the history of SA cricket has these two areas been so far apart and your performance in Grade Cricket has no impact of what they do at SACA.
I quote the following examples.
Sayers - leading wicket taker for two years in a row in grade cricket, takes 7 for in ACB game which was last game of year - looses his rookie contract.
Kelly - last year, destroys Tassie in Futures league last game, we promote two (old) interestate recruits instead of Kelly.
Luderman - hasn't made a run in grade cricket since arriving in our fair state, bats 6 in futures league, makes a 60 odd and gets promoted into game last night as a batter.

I could go on, but it is about time you realise that they are plucked from Grade Cricket early, put into High Performance and that is where they must perform.

How can you not pick Smith or Moffat instead of Ludeman last night. I think this selection was worst than not picking Klinger first game last year.

AND THEY HAVE NO GRADE CRICKET OBSERVERS (sorry not counting Zesers & Ross).

PLUS - we compete well against other states generally in under age level, these selected players are then part of the High Performance program, which is controlled from within SACA, the players receive the majority of their coaching from this area, and we consistently fail to produce the players from underage cricket into the Redbacks program - who is at fault. Lets blame the club, that is the easy way, put the bloody blame where it belongs. These players play plenty of competitive cricket away from their grade clubs during a season, where we consistently get beaten in the future league, 6 x 3 day games for the year, which is about how much grade cricket they play. GRADE CRICKET IS NOT AS STRONG AS IT USED TO BE, BUT IT IS NOT THE PROBLEM.

How often do you hear of a player from NSW who happens to play a Grade game and we hear, oh yeah, he pealed offf a hundred yesterday for whoever, probably means they want to and need to play and that is fully supported by Cricket NSW, unlike here, where I sure SACA prefer them to have a day off.

RANT FINISHED.

[bloods08]

They imploded 15 years ago.

[whufc]

Heres a real out there idea.

Could we have a nine team comp and align each side with an SANFL club!

[The Cadet]

Adelaide Premier League

Southern Sharks- Sturt, Glenelg, Southern Districts

Central Adelaide Cobras- Adelaide,Adelaide Uni,

Northern Bombers- Port Adelaide, Northern Districts,

Western Flames- West Torrens, Woodville,

Eastern Reds - East Torrens, Kensington

Adelaide Warriors - Prospect,Tea Tree Gulley

[heater31]

AND THEY HAVE NO GRADE CRICKET OBSERVERS (sorry not counting Zesers & Ross).

If someone asked me who were the Sate Selectors I don't think I can name one.


Also heard a story on the weekend that a former State contracted player got a call from said selection panel asking him to be a sub fielder for the Redbacks this weekend because his grade club had the bye. IMO bit rich calling the bloke up out of the blue after cutting him into the wilderness 2 seasons ago........


High Performance has taken a good step in getting competitive trial games for the 17/19 sides against grade clubs. 1 club B grade side found themselves in a spot of bother the other week chasing 200 odd against the 17's after being 5 for stuff all

[Dutchy]

Bump - Here we are 4 years later and nothing has changed

5 Years on

[drifter]

I agree, our bowlers hold up there end of the deal, most of the time, not often we are chasing 500, What about if you played up until Christmas, and then split into two divisions, at the end of the season, the top 2 from Div 2 go up and the bottom 2 from Div 1 go down. Every win in Div 1 worth 10 points and every win in Div 2 worth 5. Any club who finishes in the bottom 3 on performance after 3 seasons drops out. That would shake up a few trees. Fair amount of time to perform and lift your standards

[Footy Smart]

dont get me started on University the most arrogant bunch of pri*ks I have ever come across on a cricket pitch

I am pretty sure they think just as highly of you heater.

Having played them on the weekend I would add 'social missfits' your description Heater..... Love it!

[MAY-Z]

Because the 13 Grade clubs vote on any change to structure of the competition. They are all looking out for themselves and one another.

Good luck changing it.

since this has been brought up again

everyone knows that the strength and depth of grade cricket is not good enough by a long stretch

surely the solution is relatively simple we get mergers withing the grade system...seeing that that seems very unlikely why doesnt the saca just go above the grade system?
the saca should create 6 clubs of its own with the player list set up by invitation only. these 6 clubs should be playing against each other throughout the seasn and to be eligible for state selection you must play for one of these six clubs.