I don't think that there's any doubt that Oz has a depth of cricketing talent that is the envy of many countries yet we struggle to win meaningless matches let alone a WC in this format
To put it bluntly, whatever we are doing simply isn't working and we are ranked where we should be
I believe that this WC should be a wake-up call and the time is right for a complete overhaul of our approach to this format
Without pointing fingers or making excuses (too late for either IMO), I believe that the following approach has merit
1. Appoint a selection panel to oversee this format with preference given to guys with experience in this format e.g. MHussey
2. Negotiate a schedule with other countries that allows for the playing of regular series that do not compete with the domestic schedule
Cant be that hard to do as each match only takes a few hours and a 3-game series could be completed in a week
As an example, during the Oz summer you could set aside 2 weeks from the domestic schedule (allowing for travel) for away series against either NZ or SA.
Both of these countries share similar seasons so there is no/little need for practice matches as everyone is playing regularly
3. Have (1) above select a core group of players to participate in these series from outside the test squad so as not to disrupt their preparation and complement them with others
Off the top of my head, that'd be:
Watto as captain - seemed to perform that role last night anyway
Finch
SMarsh
Lynn
Head
Maxwell
Faulkner
NCN
Hastings
Tye
Zampa
etc etc
Couldn't be that difficult to establish a core group of players gaining 20-30 matches of experience each year in all conditions and it would spare us from entering the next WC without having a clue as to what our best XI is
To put it bluntly, whatever we are doing simply isn't working and we are ranked where we should be
I believe that this WC should be a wake-up call and the time is right for a complete overhaul of our approach to this format
Without pointing fingers or making excuses (too late for either IMO), I believe that the following approach has merit
1. Appoint a selection panel to oversee this format with preference given to guys with experience in this format e.g. MHussey
2. Negotiate a schedule with other countries that allows for the playing of regular series that do not compete with the domestic schedule
Cant be that hard to do as each match only takes a few hours and a 3-game series could be completed in a week
As an example, during the Oz summer you could set aside 2 weeks from the domestic schedule (allowing for travel) for away series against either NZ or SA.
Both of these countries share similar seasons so there is no/little need for practice matches as everyone is playing regularly
3. Have (1) above select a core group of players to participate in these series from outside the test squad so as not to disrupt their preparation and complement them with others
Off the top of my head, that'd be:
Watto as captain - seemed to perform that role last night anyway
Finch
SMarsh
Lynn
Head
Maxwell
Faulkner
NCN
Hastings
Tye
Zampa
etc etc
Couldn't be that difficult to establish a core group of players gaining 20-30 matches of experience each year in all conditions and it would spare us from entering the next WC without having a clue as to what our best XI is
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