SA Footy

i heard peter roebuck on the radio today & i thought he made an interesting point, which was with the advent of T20, most batsmen aren't playing (or learning) how to play defensively & are getting out because of this

for the record, his observations from todays shield matches would be


tas v wa 11/254

sa v vic 13/309

total 24/563 (average per wicket 23.45 & cosgrove is 90 not out )


i think peter roebuck makes a very valid point

With respect Bayman, you don't need to be a Rhodes Scholar to work that out. It's obvious, and some of us on this forum have been making that point for some time. It goes further than just technique, it's also temperamant, the ability to occupy the crease, keeping out the good ball, leaving the ball outside the off, hitting the poor ball for four.

You need to look no further than Clarke's 2 dismissals in this Test to give an example of what I'm talking about. Both balls should have been left, he played at both.

Adelaide Hawk wrote:It goes further than just technique, it's also temperamant, the ability to occupy the crease, keeping out the good ball, leaving the ball outside the off...

Value your wicket...a dying philosophy?

Spot on. Thats why watto has to stay opening. He is great at letting balls go, clarke tries to play at everything. The aussies are dumb cricketers, if you keep getting out in the slips how about letting some go. Hussey is another good leaver, just have to be patient. We are seeing too many sides at district and state level getting rolled before tea on the first day. Teeball is ruining technique.

Lucky KP doesn't play AFL ... he would have got 3 years for touching up* the umpire.

*edit* oops, looks like I'm a bit lost ...

Adelaide Hawk wrote:With respect Bayman, you don't need to be a Rhodes Scholar to work that out. It's obvious, and some of us on this forum have been making that point for some time. It goes further than just technique, it's also temperamant, the ability to occupy the crease, keeping out the good ball, leaving the ball outside the off, hitting the poor ball for four.

You need to look no further than Clarke's 2 dismissals in this Test to give an example of what I'm talking about. Both balls should have been left, he played at both.

No offence taken AH, i knew you'd be on to it

What we are currently seeing is only the tip of the iceberg. all current players grew up learning to play properly and have a sound defensive technique basis in general. What will happen in 10 years time when that crop of players come through having started with 20/20

Will that next gen be happy with making a 20 of 6 balls with 2x4's and 2x6's

it will be interesting esp in Test Cricket, I remember my old man wouldnt let me play Indoor Cricket as he thought it would wreck any technique I had