13/07/2019
Ok, what should we make of our team's performance at the ICC world cup 2019?
Clearly we made the semi final stage on the back of outstanding efforts from Aaron Finch, David Warner and Mitchell Stark, with support from Steve Smith and Alex Carey. Most people would say they went ok and were outplayed by an excellent and well balanced English side in the semi final.
Fair enough!
What concerns me still is the direction of Cricket Australia staff, starting with Pat Howard right through all levels of coaching positions.
I have the following concerns:
1. Our batters still display serious technical flaws which continue to be exposed at the top level, Finch's troubles with the swinging ball, Handscombe's bizzare stance & method and the inability of Maxwell and Stoinos to come to grips with building an innings is astounding.
Cricket Australia and CV put on many coaching forums and provide information for lower level coaches but they need to impress the need for basic technique!!
A great example of the value of a sound technique was shown in the performance of Alex Carey. What a delight it was to see an Australian batter play forward when the ball was full and back when it was short!!
I know Smith has his own way but when his eye begins to fail his results will wane very quickly, hopefully another few years left for him.He is a very rare example of a different method being successful, the rest of us need the basic!!
Langer, Ponting etc get off your bums and get to work please.
2. On a positive note, the team showed great sportsmanship throughout the WC and good to see our players interacting well with their opposition and umpires etc, well done Finchy!