G
Gilchrist
Guest
League's most prodigious playmaker, Andrew Johns, is to represent NSW in cricket.
Johns, who occasionally plays for Newcastle's Merewether club in the lower grades, will represent the Blues in at least two 20-20 matches next summer.
Johns's selection was approved at a NSW Cricket Board meeting.
Johns will play for NSW against South Australia at Newcastle's No. 1 Sports Ground on Sunday, January 7, and against South Australia at Sydney's Telstra Stadium on Wednesday, January 10.
The move smacks of a publicity stunt, and Cricket NSW chief executive David Gilbert acknowledged as much.
"Having a figure with the immense popularity of Andrew Johns represent his state in these matches will trigger unprecedented interest," he said.
And the mutually beneficial publicity was not lost on Newcastle Knights chief executive Ken Conway either.
"As the game's No. 1 player, his appearances will be of significant promotional value to rugby league," he said.
But NSW captain Simon Katich said he would want Johns to play if NSW qualified for a home final.
Full article here.
WTF?
Johns, who occasionally plays for Newcastle's Merewether club in the lower grades, will represent the Blues in at least two 20-20 matches next summer.
Johns's selection was approved at a NSW Cricket Board meeting.
Johns will play for NSW against South Australia at Newcastle's No. 1 Sports Ground on Sunday, January 7, and against South Australia at Sydney's Telstra Stadium on Wednesday, January 10.
The move smacks of a publicity stunt, and Cricket NSW chief executive David Gilbert acknowledged as much.
"Having a figure with the immense popularity of Andrew Johns represent his state in these matches will trigger unprecedented interest," he said.
And the mutually beneficial publicity was not lost on Newcastle Knights chief executive Ken Conway either.
"As the game's No. 1 player, his appearances will be of significant promotional value to rugby league," he said.
But NSW captain Simon Katich said he would want Johns to play if NSW qualified for a home final.
Full article here.
WTF?
:. This could be good or a horrible move by the NSW Board.
Read this article on the Net today didnt look here before. Anyway should be funny, entertaining and just a joy to watch.
CA aren't happy with it- not that they have a say in state selection matters if he's registered with NSW cricket- and Slater believes it's devaluing the whole spectacle. I might be sounding too serious about this, but it's sorta true....
