Tony Clifton wrote:I'd argue that the bigger problem is higher up, once players are into the Shield and 2nd XI squad.
The players seem to come into Shield ranks and go ok initially. Eg Nielsen made a ton early on, Dalton some early 50s and whacked Starc + the NSW attack around for a hundred run opening partnership. Etc. Once they've been in the team for a while though they seem to lose their way, stop improving, regress. Other teams learn a bit about them and target their weaknesses.
SA punches at or above their weight at U17 and U19 level (usually). Players come through our system with ability at least comparable with the other states.
However once they reach 23 or 24 years of age they are the same player they were at 18 or 19.
For example Ben Pengelley is still a talented ball striker who is a fraction loose technically and slightly questionable against the short ball. Exactly the same description that could have been leveled at him 3-4 seasons ago. Why has he not progressed? He is on contract and one of the more talented players coming through our local pathway. Who takes ownership over his improvement? It isn't grade cricket.
No one is the finished product at 18 or 19.
Excellent post, lots of great points made.
Pengelly not the only one, same was said of Jake Winter, could not play the short ball and good bowlers targeted that, applies to Harry Nielsen, Travis Head, etc too. Amazing full time cricketers dont work on these deficiencies!
I am not against mergers so to speak, or having relegation/promotion system, etc, but this is not the reason the Redbacks are crap. Only three years ago we were in Shield finals, one being a home final, were in One day finals regularly, and nobody was mentioning mergers then. It is an absolute cop out to blame Grade cricket as the reason. What has changed from couple of years ago?? Just an easy thing for people on the outside to say.