Cricket World Cup Squad...
.
Cricket is my game. I can't say that I have got teary-eyed over it, but definitely shiney-eyed and snotty-nosed. So, after another night of cricketing anxiety that has ended in disappointment I have to destroy some valuable bandwidth to air my grievances. I am not sure what has happened to SA, but some shoddy fielding attempts, some bowling that looked like it came from a fishing programme, some batting that belonged on the courts of the Australian Open and some questionable captaincy decisions has once again left me feeling that the team I know and love is mutating in front of my eyes into something unrecognisable. And then they announced the World Cup 15... The squad
Most of the team is perfect. Steyn (I spotted him way back in the local games and said he would go far), Morkel, and the new discovery Tsotsobe are brilliant for the attack bowling. I am delighted that Botha is there as the spin bowler and not Harris. My first question comes in with the inclusion of Tahir. This guy has just moved to SA. He has NEVER played for SA. How can they include him in the squad if he has never played for us? We have sooooo many talented cricketers here who are dying for the opportunity to represent SA. WE DON'T NEED TO IMPORT! This is making me a bit pee'd off. If we can pick our players from an international selection, then we might as well just make it the IPL and get on with it. So, not impressed with Tahir (even if he does bowl like a god). Then I have to admit that I am even less impressed with the inclusion of Wayne Parnell. For the last 2 games that we should have won against India but didn't one name really sticks out. Wayne Parnell. Now I know this guy was good. In the U21 SA squad, a while ago, he was a demon. But injury set him back, and somehow his form disappeared then too. He is too much of a cowboy to be a good batsman (no, really, we needed 2 runs to win off something like 7 overs and he had to try and whack the ball to who knows where and got caught. Seriously, he could have tapped it around and punished a bad ball when it came. Cowboys get shot, remember. That was the rule of the Wild West...)
As for the batsmen, I suppose I can't complain either. I heard that they are wanting to stick Ingram in at 7 which just sounds daft to me.
He is needing experience, but he is a top order batsman. I don't think that will be a good idea in the least. As for Jaques Kallis, all I can say is that I hope he is fit enough to play. We need that man. When he retires, SA will mourn the loss of such an amazing player.
I also have to announce my regret that Albie Morkel isn't on the squad in place of Parnell (Albie can really slog at the end if needed and his bowling, although also sporadic on occassion, is still fa more controlled. He also has a lot more experience and has a cooler head. And dare I say he is kinda gorgeous...). And I will really be missing Mark Boucher. He is, afterall, the world's best wicket keeper. And 33 is NOT OLD!
To all my non-American friends out there. Good luck with the Cricket World cup. May the best team win.
If you happen to turn on the tv and see SA playing India on Friday, that is where I live (although, I won't be at the grounds - tickets are already sold out. Boo hoo)
Cricket is my game. I can't say that I have got teary-eyed over it, but definitely shiney-eyed and snotty-nosed. So, after another night of cricketing anxiety that has ended in disappointment I have to destroy some valuable bandwidth to air my grievances. I am not sure what has happened to SA, but some shoddy fielding attempts, some bowling that looked like it came from a fishing programme, some batting that belonged on the courts of the Australian Open and some questionable captaincy decisions has once again left me feeling that the team I know and love is mutating in front of my eyes into something unrecognisable. And then they announced the World Cup 15... The squad
Most of the team is perfect. Steyn (I spotted him way back in the local games and said he would go far), Morkel, and the new discovery Tsotsobe are brilliant for the attack bowling. I am delighted that Botha is there as the spin bowler and not Harris. My first question comes in with the inclusion of Tahir. This guy has just moved to SA. He has NEVER played for SA. How can they include him in the squad if he has never played for us? We have sooooo many talented cricketers here who are dying for the opportunity to represent SA. WE DON'T NEED TO IMPORT! This is making me a bit pee'd off. If we can pick our players from an international selection, then we might as well just make it the IPL and get on with it. So, not impressed with Tahir (even if he does bowl like a god). Then I have to admit that I am even less impressed with the inclusion of Wayne Parnell. For the last 2 games that we should have won against India but didn't one name really sticks out. Wayne Parnell. Now I know this guy was good. In the U21 SA squad, a while ago, he was a demon. But injury set him back, and somehow his form disappeared then too. He is too much of a cowboy to be a good batsman (no, really, we needed 2 runs to win off something like 7 overs and he had to try and whack the ball to who knows where and got caught. Seriously, he could have tapped it around and punished a bad ball when it came. Cowboys get shot, remember. That was the rule of the Wild West...)
As for the batsmen, I suppose I can't complain either. I heard that they are wanting to stick Ingram in at 7 which just sounds daft to me.
He is needing experience, but he is a top order batsman. I don't think that will be a good idea in the least. As for Jaques Kallis, all I can say is that I hope he is fit enough to play. We need that man. When he retires, SA will mourn the loss of such an amazing player.
I also have to announce my regret that Albie Morkel isn't on the squad in place of Parnell (Albie can really slog at the end if needed and his bowling, although also sporadic on occassion, is still fa more controlled. He also has a lot more experience and has a cooler head. And dare I say he is kinda gorgeous...). And I will really be missing Mark Boucher. He is, afterall, the world's best wicket keeper. And 33 is NOT OLD!
To all my non-American friends out there. Good luck with the Cricket World cup. May the best team win.
If you happen to turn on the tv and see SA playing India on Friday, that is where I live (although, I won't be at the grounds - tickets are already sold out. Boo hoo)