What would you do with Australian cricket?

ChefMan21

Club Cricketer
Joined
Jan 23, 2005
Started a thread earlier in the Ashes Series forum but I'm happy to go with this one! Better spot anyway....

This is how I would structure it - at least for the moment. Processes will take far longer to plan.

Director of Cricket - Allan Border

National Development Manager - Rod Marsh

Selection Panel:
Chairman - Greg Chappell
John Benaud
Shane Warne
Stuart Law
Ashley Giles

National Talent Manager - Kiran More

Head Coach Centre of Excellence - Troy Cooley
Fielding Coach - Mike Young
Batting Coach - Dene Hills
Spinners Coach - Abdul Qadir and Saqlain Mushtaq (part time)
Fast Bowling Coach - Dennis Lillee and Wasim Akram (part time)

National Coach - Steve Rixon
Consultant/Assistant Coach - Bob Simpson
Team Manager - Darren Lehmann
Batting Coach - Justin Langer
Fast Bowling Coach - Dennis Lillee and Wasim Akram (part time)
Spin Bowling Coach - Abdul Qadir and Saqlain Mushtaq (part time)
Fielding Coach - Paul Collingwood
Fitness Coach - not sure. Would like to see some outside the box thinking here. Such as a Nordic Skiing coach or a triathlon coach given their levels of fitness.


I'd like Allan Border to set the direction for Australian Cricket. He is tough, uncompromising and has a good cricket brain. Just what we need.

Rod Marsh to serve as the National Development Manager. This role is to identify areas for the development of cricket, such as new local teams and areas, funding allocations, investment into academies and coaches etc etc.

Selection panel is varied in it's experience but quite strong I think. Chappell hasn't really seen anything he has implemented through, and as such I would keep him for the next 3 - 5 years. Benaud has been critical of the current bunch of selectors for a long time, and was part of the group that brought us Shane Warne and his peers. Judging by his comments about Hauritz, who he called "a bit pedestrian", it would seem he wants winners and quality not average players in the side. Get him in there! Warne and Law are both just retired from Australian cricket, and both have good cricket brains. Ashley Giles brings an outsiders perspective and was part of the group that reinvented England.

The National Talent Manager position is now Kiran More's, leaving Chappell to focus purely on the national side. Kiran More was one of the main characters who removed a lot of the old, politically attached players and the established players from the Indian side and reinvented them into the best side in world cricket. Such as Ganguly. He is just the guy we need to restructure Australian cricket. He's THE priority signing in my opinion. His role will be to work as the middle man between the selection panel, the Centre of Excellence and the State sides.

Selection of the side will be based on a vote system, with the selection panel, coach, captain and National Talent Manager all getting one vote each for a total of eight votes. To avoid ties, members will alternate with one member having two votes each game to use as and when needed. For example, it might be the coach who has two votes while the rest have one one game, then the next game it might be a member of the selection panel with two.

Coach is Steve Rixon. Often regarded as the best coach never to coach Australia, I think he is just the man for the job. He's experienced, old school and successful. Nielsen got picked over him, so him being appointed might just be a chance for him to exact cold, sweet revenge. I'd like him to be assisted by Bob Simpson who can act as a consultant as and when needed. That's two old school, highly respected and hugely successful coaches leading the way. There is still the modern influences from others, but it's back to basics here.

The rest is pretty self explanatory. Two part time spin and two part time quicks coaches - one to work with the leggies one for the offies; one for the lefties one for the righties. Three of them are foreign for more outside perspective. Lillee is supposedly the best fast bowling coach in the world, while Akram is meant to be no slouch either. Justin Langer to stay as batting coach until the next Ashes for some continuity, along with Young and Cooley who are regarded extremely highly in cricketing circles, strength and conditioning coach to be from outside of cricket, but with an emphasis on fitness. We may not be the most technically gifted team around but we will be the fittest team around. Kind of like South Africa in 1995 in the Rugby World Cup. Cooley and Langer might be controversial to fans, but if the cricketing minds that be think they are the best then you employ the best. Fans don't count in this case as it's not them who has being coached by them and as such their opinions don't matter. When the players and non players say the same thing you listen. Besides, coaches can only teach you so much. It's the players that have to execute it. Collingwood to be the full time national fielding coach with support from Young as needed. Lots of coaches. That's a problem for some but I think we have forgotten the basics. They need to be taught how to play cricket again. Hire the best and train the sh*t out of them. Just like Bob Simpson did.

I know there will be some conjecture about foreigners being part of the group, but I think that's a really narrow minded view to have in my opinion. Almost every successful team in the world employs not just locals but foreigners to do the job. Hire the best guys available. Some will also say that you lose patriotism having foreigners. That's crap. If the players for our national side have no heart or passion for this country and are using this as a free meal ticket then they shouldn't be playing. If the foreigners undermine us sack them and drag their names through the mud. Also they may not want to base themselves in Australia. Fine. You start with the best guys around, find out if they are interested and then move on when they aren't. Pretty simple huh? I planned for that anyway by having a second coach, larger selection panel and the like.

These names are only hypotheticals and I have no real say anyway... But that's what I want. Happy to discuss.
 

Papa_Smurf

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Whoa, someone's been giving this a lot of thought. Haven't read all of it properly yet, but I more or less agree. Just disagree with Warne - he'll be a much better coach than selector (*cough* Beer *cough*)
 
P

pcfan123

Guest
I would take all the Baggy greens of the current lot, burn them and present the ashes to England in an Urn to acknowledge the death of Australian cricket.
 

McLOVIN

Chairman of Selectors
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Aug 1, 2008
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Ask those guys to pull a "Brett Favre" and un-retire.

Relate them to Banglaland from old days. Except they are in a better situation and have the people and the money to do it. But we all knew this day would come. I thought it already had, just right before 07 wc. But be thankful it went well for 2 more years.

It's their fault for not keeping any youngsters around Haydo-Gilly-McGrath-Warne.
 

aus_maestro

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Jan 28, 2009
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Make chefman in charge, I doubt anyone else has thought about it as deep :D

I would take all the Baggy greens of the current lot, burn them and present the ashes to England in an Urn to acknowledge the death of Australian cricket.

"Best post contributor"
 

ChefMan21

Club Cricketer
Joined
Jan 23, 2005
Make chefman in charge, I doubt anyone else has thought about it as deep :D

LOL! No way! Whoever takes charge of this is already going to be stuck between a rock and a hard place. I think a lot of the Australian public are going to be very impatient with any changes. Not so much the true cricket fans such as us on here, because we understand how much work is required and how much time it will take. It's the others that will be the problem.
 

6ry4nj

International Coach
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Location
Brisbane
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Look, great work chefman, well thought out! BUT...

Just a couple of things I don't agree with.

1. It may be personal prejudice (I really don't like the guy) but I'd have Chappell as the first selector - after Hilditch naturally - to walk the plank. Why sack the others and promote him?

Chappell hasn't really seen anything he has implemented through, and as such I would keep him for the next 3 - 5 years.

The logic here has gone way over my head. At best he should be probationary panel member pending his next mistake.

2. Warne's a dreadful selector - any other former player would be better. (John) Benaud is another one I can't stomach - toxic influence on everything he touches - don't let him near it.

Whereas "Ashley Giles: Double Agent" - I like it a lot!!! :rolleyes

3. Bob Simpson is Hilditch's father-in-law. Bit of an "eminence grise"* I suspect. Keep an eye on that one!

4. Collingwood is going to be whipping your proverbials for some years to come. :p After that he might be looking for a job.

*Eminence grise: relatively faceless individual exerting undue levels of influence
 

ChefMan21

Club Cricketer
Joined
Jan 23, 2005
Look, great work chefman, well thought out! BUT...

Just a couple of things I don't agree with.

1. It may be personal prejudice (I really don't like the guy) but I'd have Chappell as the first selector - after Hilditch naturally - to walk the plank. Why sack the others and promote him?

The logic here has gone way over my head. At best he should be probationary panel member pending his next mistake.

2. Warne's a dreadful selector - any other former player would be better. (John) Benaud is another one I can't stomach - toxic influence on everything he touches - don't let him near it.

Whereas "Ashley Giles: Double Agent" - I like it a lot!!! :rolleyes

3. Bob Simpson is Hilditch's father-in-law. Bit of an "eminence grise"* I suspect. Keep an eye on that one!

4. Collingwood is going to be whipping your proverbials for some years to come. :p After that he might be looking for a job.

*Eminence grise: relatively faceless individual exerting undue levels of influence

1. I'd sack the others since they have been there for a long time, and look at the state we are in. I'd see what Chappell can do with a decent period of time, and Hilditch, Boon and co not breathing down his neck.

2. I'm a fan of both. What can I say. They both talk about the failings of the current selectors, and what they say about a number of players I agree with. Giles I'm sure is a professional first and foremost. Not a good look for him if he gets caught.

3. As I said earlier, if they can't or aren't suitable for the job, find the next best person.

4. I'd be lining him up now so that he joins us ASAP.
 

Left_Hander

Chairman of Selectors
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Apr 25, 2006
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One of the things that I would do is as a selector would be to go to every state game and scout young talent. Ear mark them for the future. The ones playing very well, promote them to the ODI squad. After they get some experience in the ODI squad (1 year, 20 games etc). Promote them into the Test squad providing their Sheffield Shield form is good.

Also I would define Steve Smith's role. When he debuted he batted at 8 was the specialist spinner. Now he's batting 6/7 (where he looks out of his depth at 6) and bowls occasional overs. He'll be ruined if he isn't playing the same role in every match.
 

aussie1st

Retired Administrator
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Location
Auckland
Was reading an article of foxsports saying how Paine will be eased into the Test side over Haddin and then take over as captain. So Haddin might be pushed soon enough. Of course if we change our selectors then this plan may change.

Anyway the changes I would make is new coaches (head coach, bowling), selectors and probably need to get rid of Sutherland if he plans on keeping any of the above.
 

War

Chairman of Selectors
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Feb 10, 2010
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Was reading an article of foxsports saying how Paine will be eased into the Test side over Haddin and then take over as captain. So Haddin might be pushed soon enough. Of course if we change our selectors then this plan may change.

Anyway the changes I would make is new coaches (head coach, bowling), selectors and probably need to get rid of Sutherland if he plans on keeping any of the above.

:lol Only this current crop of brainless selectors could seriously consider doing something this. :facepalm

Its really appalling the CA hasn't sacked them or all of them haven't resigned already. IDIOTSSSSS!!

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AUS need good tactical selectors going forward. Just like how AUS post 86/87 Ashes defeated with a crop of poor players, benefited from having a smart tactical skipper with real smart cricket brain like Allan Border. AUS need a selection panel like that who will get decision right @ least 90% of the time (since they wont always please fans).

When i think around AUS blokes like Border, Taylor & Warne (although at times their commentary in the Ashes has been cringeworthy), Bobby Simpson, hell even veteran respected writers like Jim Maxwell & Mike Coward would be worth a shout.

Cant be picking people like Hilditch, Hohns who have average test careers who have questionable cricket brains.


But fair ideas Chefman. Dont think AUS need the foreign help from guys like Kiran Moore (who is that??), Akram (with guys like Fleming, Gillespie, Kasper all in commentary boxes around the world), Giles, Collingwood (who will still be playing cricket for ENG in T20s & ODIs). Maybe they could use some outside help with coaching spin from the ground up however, since Warne cant do everything.

Also at this stage i'm not to into this whole planning long term for the 2013 Ashes. Cricket for AUS doesn't revolve around that series, although its the biggest rivalvry. For the majority of the 2000s & 1990s when the Ashes was a dud serious S Africa & India have been AUS biggest competition & AUS never planned 2 years in advanced for those series.

Fact is AUS need to take it one series at a time & bring in new players slowly. Starting with the SRI & SA tour & 2011/12 home series vs IND.

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One of the things that I would do is as a selector would be to go to every state game and scout young talent. Ear mark them for the future. The ones playing very well, promote them to the ODI squad. After they get some experience in the ODI squad (1 year, 20 games etc). Promote them into the Test squad providing their Sheffield Shield form is good.

Also I would define Steve Smith's role. When he debuted he batted at 8 was the specialist spinner. Now he's batting 6/7 (where he looks out of his depth at 6) and bowls occasional overs. He'll be ruined if he isn't playing the same role in every match.

The situation with Smith is very simple. Is he ATS on the level of Sakib al-hasan & Vettori as test standard spin bowling all-rounders?.

Then answer is clearly no based on his exploits in test he has played. Thus he should not play another test for AUS unitl he reaches that level (a level i highly doubt he will ever reach by the way).
 

6ry4nj

International Coach
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The situation with Smith is very simple. Is he ATS on the level of Sakib al-hasan & Vettori as test standard spin bowling all-rounders?.

Then answer is clearly no based on his exploits in test he has played. Thus he should not play another test for AUS unitl he reaches that level (a level i highly doubt he will ever reach by the way).

I'm only disagreeing slightly. Smith is unlikely to ever be good enough to bat at 6 or 7 (just talking about Tests). But if he got ahead of Hauritz as a bowler he could make the team at number 8 as a specialist spinner who bats a bit (a la Swann).
 

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