Monday 1 December 2008

Smiles for some

The first day of summer... it's a long time since I've been able to say that. I think I've forgotten how to cope with hot weather, but I'd rather have it than the heated events of the last week in Mumbai.

As terrible as they were, they didn't disrupt the continuation of the Trans-Tasman Trophy series. Once again, the selections were interesting. Shane Watson doesn't approve of the "horses for courses" philosophy that saw him dropped - but surely it was the main reason he was in the team in Brisbane anyway?

I can only wonder what Nathan Hauritz thought, going from opening the batting for Randwick-Petersham because he couldn't make an almost second-string NSW XI, to playing for Australia, only to suffer a similar injury to the guy he was replacing. In the meantime, Beau Casson, on the other end of the conflicting messages from different selectors, has injured his hand and might have trouble playing for anyone.

As for the game itself, it was enjoyable. It was more a case of a NZ team below full strength looking not quite up to the task, than anything spectacular from the Australians. It was a good chance for several to put in solid performances, get over the last tour and prepare for the South Africans. Lee and Haddin in particular should have smiles significantly less clouded than the one in the sky tonight.

3 comments:

straight point said...

the game at least provided reasons to smile for both lee and haddin...they both were feeling the heat...

if only they can carry the form for SA series...it can be a series to watch...

Soulberry said...

Both teams - Australia and South Africa - are warmed up. The ensuing series should be competitive and close.

Jonathan said...

I hope it'll be close - the Aussies will have to play better.

The Champion's League has left a bit of a gap until it starts, although I notice that the Australian players don't seem to have been released to play for their states. There was a bit of talk about the 'Gabba pitch, but how about the NSW v Tasmania game at Hobart? Hughes has made it look like he's the only one who can bat on it! (He scored 93 and 108, in totals of 172 and 173, with replies of 127 and 1/7, so far.)