Shane Watson’s dissatisfaction was plain at the conclusion of a thrillingly tied ODI series against a resurgent West Indies

Daniel Brettig26-Mar-2012Shane Watson’s dissatisfaction was plain at the conclusion of a thrillingly tied ODI series against a resurgent West Indies. Australia won the fifth match to level the ledger at 2-2, having fallen behind after winning the first. They had done so despite holding strong positions in every game since, each time having to cope with Caribbean rearguards that bloomed into stirring counter-attacks.Watson’s first full series as captain, in the absence of the recovering Michael Clarke, contained plenty of lessons for a fledgling leader, not least the fact that in the West Indies a match can change course quickly if one team ceases to be as attentive to its rhythms as the other.For this reason Watson said he had learned many worthwhile things, but remained frustrated at his side’s inability to close out the series when it had the chance. It was not a display befitting the world’s top-ranked team, however inexperienced.”There’s disappointment, there’s no doubt, to tie the series,” Watson said. “Especially when we were in a number of those games at a stage where we should’ve really buried the West Indies, it’s very disappointing. But it’s a big learning curve for us, we have to get better at those stages, because that’s where we’re really going to grow as a team.”After the last game we sat down and talked about exactly the plans we were going to have, we didn’t execute them exactly how we wanted to, but at least we’ve got some good plans and we understand the ways we’re going to go about it.”Kieron Pollard and Darren Sammy posed particular problems in the latter halves of most innings, their bold hitting and deft placement giving many of the Australians the air of a tired commuter who has just learned upon leaving the office that their bus or train home has been either delayed or cancelled for the day.”We’ve had them in trouble throughout the whole series and they just seem to find a way to fight back, whether it’s Kieron Pollard or Darren Sammy today,” Watson said. “There’s no doubt we’re not executing our skills exactly right, but it’s some pretty impressive batting as well. The way Darren batted, I’ve never seen him bat like that, and to be able to do it under pressure was very impressive.”We’re at a stage where we look like we’re cruising okay and then things change quite quickly, and it’s happened since I’ve come back into this Australian team over the last 10 games or so – it’s certainly something we need to work on.”When he weighed up the series against others he had played since his international debut in 2003, Watson said the team collective had learned as much as any other, for most came to the West Indies with little or no experience of the islands, the grounds and their heady atmosphere.”It’s a bit different [from other series] because I know it’s been a bit of a learning curve for all of us,” Watson said. “There’s been a bit of a turnover in players, and we are really are continuing to try to find the balance we need to put complete games of one day cricket together.”For me it’s been a huge learning curve, one as a captain but definitely also for what we’re trying to set-up, leading into the Champions Trophy next year in England, and leading into the World Cup. So I think it is an exciting time because we’re all learning.”There’s quite a few [lessons], probably the plans to try to pull the run rate back on smaller grounds has been the biggest challenge for me, giving the bowlers a few plans to go to when the batsmen are on the attack.”As for the series’ value as a psychological marker ahead of the Tests, Watson was sceptical, noting how the West Indian team would now be stripped of many of its most accomplished performers due to the financial lure of the IPL.”Their side’s going to change a bit with a few of their better players or bigger strikers and [Sunil ]Narine as well going to the IPL, so they’re going to lose a few,” Watson said. “We’re going to add a few as well with Michael Clarke and Ricky and Peter Siddle, so there’s going to be a bit of a change-over with that. So I don’t think psychologically it’ll play much part.”

Mike Powell scored his first century in the County Championship for three years as Kent took control against Northamptonshire

13-Apr-2012
ScorecardMichael Powell scored his first century in the County Championship for three years as Kent took control on the second day of their match against Northamptonshire.In just his second game since his move from Glamorgan, Powell piled on an unbeaten 128 off 227 balls, including 19 fours, as Kent were bowled out for 368. Jack Brooks was by far the most effective bowler in taking 5 for 98 before Northants struggled in reply to close on 50 for 4, 186 runs behind the visitors.Kent began the day on 127 for 3, just five runs behind their opponents, with West Indies batsman Brendan Nash resuming on 40 and nightwatchman Mark Davies on 2 yet neither would see out the first over. But Davies was to depart to the third ball of the day when he pushed Brooks out to cover, only for David Willey to hit direct hit at the bowler’s end.Nash, who also failed to add to his overnight total, followed him in the final ball of the first over when Brooks took out his middle and leg stumps. Darren Stevens made just 8 before he was pinned lbw by Chaminda Vaas.Powell, however, was to reach a half-century off 77 balls and he went on to complete his 26th first-class ton – and his first since July 2009, for Glamorgan against Essex – off his 173rd delivery.Former England wicketkeeper Geraint Jones then patiently went past 50 off 135 deliveries before he departed on 53 when bowled by Willey to end a crucial partnership of 165 with Powell. In the fifth over of the evening, Brooks bowled James Tredwell (10) before Matt Coles (17) was stumped off James Middlebrook. Charlie Shreck then presented Brooks with the fourth five-wicket haul of his career when he allowed a straight delivery to clatter into his stumps.In reply, Northants were to lose opener Stephen Peters for a single in the fourth over when he edged Shreck to Tredwell at second slip. Rob Newton then fell victim to Coles when he was superbly caught by a diving Jones before the same bowler trapped Kyle Coetzer lbw four balls later.To compound the problems Alex Wakely threw his wicket away by chipping Shreck to Kent captain Rob Key at mid-on, leaving his team in a desperate position going into the third day.

The participation of Pakistani cricketers in the IPL is entirely dependent on the resumption of Indo-Pakistan cricket ties, according to the IPL chairman Rajiv Shukla

Sharda Ugra09-Apr-2012The participation of Pakistan cricketers in the IPL is dependent on the resumption of India-Pakistan cricket ties, according to the IPL chairman and BCCI vice-president Rajiv Shukla. He was speaking to Geo News channel on Sunday, the day Pakistan president Asif Ali Zardari and Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh held talks in New Delhi.”No one is against Pakistan or Pakistani players in India, or else we would not have allowed Pakistani commentators or umpires in IPL 5,” Shukla said. “Everything is tied to the resumption of bilateral cricket ties between the two countries. Once that happens, I think everything will happen automatically. The IPL functions under the BCCI and when bilateral relations resume between the two boards, the IPL will also not be a problem for Pakistani players.”Cricket relations between India and Pakistan are deadlocked at the moment, with the BCCI generally shifting the onus of resuming bilateral ties to the government. However, several reports following the meeting between the countries’ political leaders suggest that progress in cricketing relations depends on the two boards. The said that an “almost certain” November visit by the Indian prime minister to Pakistan would be the barometer of ties between the two countries.Pakistan cricketers took part in the first IPL in 2008. However, the terrorist attack in Mumbai in November that year suspended bilateral cricket ties between the two countries and also, without any official announcement, the involvement of Pakistan’s cricketers in the IPL. Shukla said the two boards were in touch over the issue and that new PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf had “made all the right moves to get the ball rolling”. “But until something definite happens it would not be proper for me to comment on when we can resume playing cricket again,” Shukla said.The major obstacles to the resumption of bilateral ties, Shukla said, was India’s hectic international calendar and the security situation in Pakistan – the country has not hosted a Test team following the March 2009 attack on the Sri Lanka team bus in Lahore. “The hectic international schedule of the Indian team is an issue and we have to see and find a slot for even the Pakistan team to tour India. Secondly, and more importantly, the PCB needs to do something and convince other cricket nations at the level of the International Cricket Council that it is safe and secure to play in Pakistan … they need to do more and get the support of leading nations like Australia, England and South Africa.”Following Pakistan’s tour to India in 2007, it is India’s turn to tour Pakistan but Shukla made it clear that a series on neutral territory – where Pakistan have hosted four of their ‘home’ series since the Lahore attack – is not an option for the moment. “We feel that it is no use if both countries play at a neutral venue. It serves no purpose. If we play, it must be in each other’s countries. We have no problems touring Pakistan but first the PCB needs to win the confidence of the ICC and member boards.”The ICC’s Future Tours Programme has several periods marked out for series between India and Pakistan, but doesn’t mention any details – a tentative number of games and which formats.The PCB has also been pushing for the inclusion of teams from Pakistan in the Champions League T20, where the previous winner received $2.5m. “Obviously we want our team to be there and play like other teams are,” Subhan Ahmed, the PCB’s chief operating officer, told ESPNcricinfo. “The decision to invite us is something that is in their [the organisers – India, Australia and South Africa] hands. We can’t force them. We had widely raised this issue on various forums but I believe the only difficultly we are facing is the bilateral ties with India and everything is connected with it.””Once the bilateral ties between Pakistan and India are revived, all these issues will automatically be resolved. So our priority is to revive Indo-Pak cricket.” The inaugural Champions League T20 was to be held in 2008 but was cancelled due to the Mumbai attacks.Commenting on the possible involvement of Pakistan’s Twenty20 champions, Sialkot Stallions, in the 2012 edition of the Champions League, Shukla said, “If we [are talking] about the Champions League, then just wait and see for a few months. I don’t think we should be pessimistic about Indo-Pak bilateral relations, remain optimistic … Pakistani players have special talents and everyone likes to see them play. But we need to be patient and wait for good things to happen.”

Stuart Law, the outgoing Bangladesh coach, has said that the future of Bangladesh cricket is bright with young players such as Nasir Hossain in the national team and exciting talent waiting in the wings

Mohammad Isam04-May-2012Stuart Law, the outgoing Bangladesh coach, has said the future of Bangladesh cricket is bright with young players such as Nasir Hossain in the national team and exciting talent waiting in the wings. However, he pointed out that the youngsters would need to be handled properly.Law, who resigned recently after being in-charge of the Bangladesh team for nine months, was particularly pleased with Anamul Haque, the top-order batsman who was part of the Asia Cup squad but didn’t make his international debut. “Young [Anamul Haque] Bijoy is a quality player,” he said, “Especially during the BPL, he looked like he was born to perform.”The 19-year-old Khulna batsman has scored heavily in domestic cricket this season, topping the first-class batting charts with 816 runs, apart from five centuries in all formats. Anamul’s form won him a place in the Asia Cup squad in March but he couldn’t find a place in the eleven. During one of those days, something that Anamul said stuck with Law.”The one thing he said to me which I will never forget. We were sitting in the dugout during one of the Asia Cup matches and I asked him, ‘Where would you like to bat?’ He said, ‘I want to be No. 3, I want to be the best player in the world.’ And I said, if that comes across, good on you.”Law also praised two other youngsters. “I have been trying to see Mominul Haque get into the team. He’s scored runs in the A team tours. We’ve been discussing him at lengths in selection meetings. He looked like a quality young player. [Abul Hasan] Raju, I love him. Bowls quick, 140-plus, has the slower ball and will get better as he plays more.”The growth of the youngsters was the underlying theme of Law’s reign as the head coach as he wanted a few more performers within the team apart from Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal. Nasir made his international debut against Zimbabwe in August in Law’s first series in charge and since then he has scored a Test fifty, made an ODI hundred and seen Bangladesh through to a win against Sri Lanka.”You look for the standout players and those two [Shakib and Tamim] have been carrying Bangladesh for a while. I told the rest of the team that it is not about two players. It’s about other people sticking their hand up and doing well. Guys like Nasir [have] come through, he’s basically up there with Shakib and Tamim.”But Law made it clear that he wasn’t looking to alienate the big performers who had to do well day in day out. He especially had gracious words for the world’s No. 1 allrounder though he reminded Shakib to take care of his fitness.”He’s professional on the field but off the field he’s different. I don’t mean this in a bad way, but he could be fitter. He’s admitted that he can work a bit harder on those aspects.”But when he gets out on the cricket field, he creates something out of nothing. He’s a beautiful player to watch when he’s going great with the bat. I was probably in that boat as well, so I can understand. I didn’t like training, I liked playing.”The reason for Law leaving in May rather than the end of June was Bangladesh’s lack of international cricket. In fact, Bangladesh won’t be seeing Test match action till November, which will be eleven months since their last Test in December 2011.Law believes this would hurt the team and requested the Bangladesh Cricket Board to plan well ahead of time. “What they need to do is to play more. Let’s target West Indies, New Zealand and teams like Ireland and Scotland. Let’s oblige to the Associate countries and play four-dayers with them, whenever we get time between international commitments.”Law, who leaves the country on Sunday, said that for providing ample opportunities to cricketers, Bangladesh’s domestic cricket needs restructuring.”The domestic cricket here is a structure of which there’s no blueprint anywhere else in the world. It stops, it starts. It would be nice to see these games taking place in these days, rather than two teams have a fall-out and the whole tournament is suspended. That’s not good for cricket in this country.”I know it’s a different culture but as an outsider looking in, it can’t be good for cricket. We are all trying to say that domestic cricket is where we want our cricketers to learn, they’re learning by sitting back. That’s not helping them at all.”Edited by Devashish Fuloria

Australia’s cricketers will fly out for a one-day tour of England and Ireland on Thursday knowing that time is running out for a new pay deal to be signed

Brydon Coverdale14-Jun-2012Australia’s cricketers will fly out for a one-day tour of England and Ireland on Thursday knowing that time is running out for a new pay deal to be signed. Cricket Australia and the Australian Cricketers’ Association (ACA) were due to resume negotiations on Thursday as they aim to find common ground on a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), with the existing agreement to expire on June 30.If a new MoU is not completed by then, Australia’s players will need to decide whether to play on – they will have four ODIs remaining against England in early July – or call a strike. Australia’s Twenty20 captain and one-day batsman George Bailey, who is also a member of the ACA executive committee, said the players remained hopeful that they would not be put in such a difficult position.”The players still have full faith that the ACA and CA will be able to sort out the differences they have at the moment and come to a conclusion,” Bailey said. “Whenever there’s talk of a strike I think that’s very much a last, last resort. It would be a disaster if both the ACA and CA got to the stage where that had to occur. I’ve still got full faith that both parties will be able to rectify that in the next few days.”It is not just the national players who could be affected by the ongoing failure to reach a deal. State cricketers have been left in limbo, not knowing whether they will have a contract for next season and unable to negotiate a move interstate, as Cricket Australia has banned any player movements until a new MoU is agreed.That has left a number of domestic players with no choice but to train with their existing state in the knowledge that they might not be part of the squad next summer. Bailey, the captain of Tasmania, said it was a difficult situation for some players, particularly those on the fringes of the state system who did not know what their immediate future would hold.”There’s players who are in a position where they aren’t sure whether they should be training because the reality is they might not be playing for Tassie in a few months,” he said. “It’s that balance of should they be looking for work or should they be talking to other states, who actually aren’t allowed to talk to them at the moment. It’s a bit of a challenge for those guys.”They’re probably the guys you feel for most, the guys at the domestic level who are in limbo, not knowing where they’re going to be playing, who they’re going to be playing for, and the state associations are looking at who they’re going to recruit, who they’re going to contract. At that level you can understand the state associations are starting to get pretty frustrated and players would be wanting to know what’s going on. It’s probably less so at the national level.”The Australians begin their tour with a one-off ODI against Ireland in Belfast on June 23, before a five-match series against England from June 29 to July 10. The squad features several men who are returning after spending time out of the national side, including the fast bowlers Pat Cummins and Mitchell Johnson, neither of whom have played for Australia since the tour of South Africa last November due to injuries.The allrounder Steven Smith is also back in the mix, having been overlooked since the one-day portion of the South African tour in October. The bowlers will be under the guidance of Ali de Winter, the Tasmania assistant coach, who has been seconded to the squad as temporary bowling coach.

Richard Gould, the Surrey chief executive, has called for England’s Twenty20 domestic tournament to be scheduled throughout the summer and has predicted it could bring “a dramatic increase” in spectators.

David Hopps06-Jul-2012Richard Gould, the Surrey chief executive, and widely tipped as a future chief executive of the ECB, has called for England’s Twenty20 domestic tournament to be scheduled throughout the summer and has predicted it could bring “a dramatic increase” in the number of people who watch county cricket.Gould’s call is contrary to the preferences of England’s professional players, who were in favour in a survey commisioned by the Professional Cricketers’ Association, of a high-profile IPL-style tournament with concerted efforts made to attract the world’s top stars.Surrey have endured a crazed fixture schedule which would find favour with nobody, in which they have hosted four T20 matches in five days, shortly after staging England’s NatWest Series tie against Australia.He called instead for the ECB to cater better to the public demand to watch cricket by creating sufficient space between matches for supporters to come to more than just “the occasional game”.As the ECB extends its survey on the future of the domestic game, the battle lines have clearly been drawn between those who want to seek a high-profile tournament and those, like Gould, who believe in a traditional county-cricket solution, using primarily Engliush players and playing the tournament over the season. In that way, he contends, it would be using England’s professional circuit to offer something distinct from the short and sweet tournaments elsewhere.The Gould method would necessitate players switching from one format to another incessantly but would make all forms of the game available to spectators throughout the summer. It would also arguably exacerbate problems finding overseas players, a situation that is becoming increasingly critical.Despite an unsuccessful campaign, Surrey pulled in almost 15,000 spectators for their match against Kent on Thursday – one of the biggest crowds in this year’s weather-beaten tournament – and saw a similar turnout on Friday for their defeat to Middlesex.”Having analysed the supporter data it is clear that the vast majority of the 15,000 supporters that saw us on the Thursday were not the same ones that came today because people do not have enough leisure time to come twice within such a short period,” Gould said.”Going forward we must provide a schedule that suits our customers, allowing sufficient space between matches so that supporters can come to most of the games rather just one or two, following the football and rugby models. Bigger crowds also make for a more compelling televised spectacle.”For Surrey supporters this also means making sure most FLt20 games take place on Thursdays or Fridays, although the preferred day of the week varies from county to county. If we can achieve all this, allowing people to come and watch more than the occasional game; then we have a great opportunity to dramatically increase the number of cricket supporters in this country.”Gould first unveiled his preference for a more spread-out T20 schedule to ESPNcricinfo. He also suggested that a rejigged FLt20, which next year will have to be fitted in around the Champions Trophy, could create a better balance in the fixture list.”It could also help those that regularly attend Championship cricket but currently have to endure a large part of the summer without it, having to make way for an exclusive diet of Twenty20. As a spectator sport we are working closely with the ECB to ensure that the needs of members and supporters are always the highest priority.”

South Africa have rested Jacques Kallis for the ODI series against England, with Dean Elgar taking his place in the squad

ESPNcricinfo staff25-Jul-2012South Africa have given the clearest indication yet that Jacques Kallis will form part of their World Twenty20 plans by resting him for the ODI series against England. Kallis has not played T20I cricket for South Africa since the 2010 World Twenty20, apart from a one-off game against India in his honour in March, but was named in a 30-man provisional squad for Sri Lanka last week.His place in the 15-man party for the five-match ODI series with England will be taken by the uncapped allrounder Dean Elgar. He was named in South Africa’s squad to face Sri Lanka in January, before torn knee ligaments prevented him from making an international debut.Imran Tahir, whose last ODI appearance came in the 2011 World Cup, is recalled, while the seamer Ryan McLaren, who played the last of his 10 ODIs in 2010, also returns after recovering from a side strain sustained while playing for South Africa A earlier in the month. Wayne Parnell remains in the squad despite allegedly testing positive for drugs after a rave party in Mumbai in May following his IPL commitments.”Dean has been in our plans for some time and might well have made his debut last year but for injury,” CSA selection convener, Andrew Hudson, said. “Imran is a genuine wicket-taking bowler and his selection enables us to explore our options in this area.”Ryan has just come off some exceptional form for the South Africa A side and the added depth he provides in the seam bowling department will allow us to rotate players if we feel the need arises.”Parnell, Faf du Plessis, Justin Ontong, Elgar and McLaren are due to travel to Ireland with South Africa A for two four-day matches and an unofficial ODI, before joining the rest of the squad in England. South Africa will name their squad for the Twenty20 international series against England, as well as the World Twenty20, in August.South Africa squad AB de Villiers (capt), Hashim Amla (vice-capt), JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Dean Elgar, Imran Tahir, Ryan McLaren, Albie Morkel, Morne Morkel, Justin Ontong, Wayne Parnell, Robin Peterson, Graeme Smith, Dale Steyn, Lonwabo Tsotsobe

Michael Thornely continued to repay Leicestershire’s faith by scoring his second Championship century to lead his side to 336 for 9

03-Aug-2012
ScorecardMichael Thornely continued to repay Leicestershire’s faith by scoring his second Championship century to lead his side to 336 for 9 in response to an Essex total of 434 for 3 in their Division Two battle at Chelmsford.Thornely, the 24-year-old right-hander, was released by Sussex at the end of the 2010 season and was playing for the Unicorns in the Clydesdale Bank 40 competition earlier in the campaign when offered a trial by Leicestershire.He showed his appreciation by scoring 97 and 131 on his debut against Glamorgan at the end of May, a performance that earned him a two-year contract. Thornely’s latest innings of 115 was further proof of his ability to make his mark at first-class level. It combined solid defence with bursts of aggression whenever the opportunity arose.His century came up from 209 balls and in all he smashed four sixes, two each against spinners Harbhajan Singh and Tom Westley. All of them were superbly timed drives, while he also collected eight fours before he was snapped up in the gully by Westley to provide fast bowler David Masters with success.It was Masters, playing against his former county against whom he returned career-best figures of 8 for 10 at Southend last summer, who led a fine Essex fightback on his way to figures of 6 for 47 from 24 overs.Masters was not long adding to his two overnight victims when Harbhajan took a superb catch above his head at second slip to get rid of Ramnaresh Sarwan. But it was another 57 overs before Essex were able to celebrate another success.Thornely and Matt Boyce were responsible for such a long delay with a partnership of 178 against bowlers who, apart from Masters, rarely posed problems. Boyce’s contribution was 77, including nine boundaries, before Masters struck with the first delivery with the new ball by trapping him lbw with the total on 241.Thornely followed in Masters’ next over while Wayne White and Paul Dixey also departed, victims of Maurice Chambers and Harbhajan, before they reached 285 to avoid the follow-on.That left the impressive Shiv Thakor to usher Leicestershire to a third batting point. Still only 18, Thakor, completed his maiden Championship half-century from 62 balls with the help of three fours and a six, this an off-drive against Harbhajan who had to settle for his solitary success at a cost of 88 runs from 34 overs.Thakor and captain Matthew Hoggard have so far added 33 runs for the last wicket as their side ended the day 98 runs adrift on first innings going into the final day.

Derbyshire have made their first move to strengthen their squad in preparation for Division One cricket by signing Richard Johnson

ESPNcricinfo staff26-Sep-2012Derbyshire have made their first move to strengthen their squad in preparation for Division One cricket by signing wicketkeeper Richard Johnson from Warwickshire on a three-year deal.Johnson, 24, developed through the Warwickshire system from the age of 10 and played in the team that won the CB40 final in 2010, but has found his first-team opportunities limited by the return to form of Tim Ambrose at Edgbaston.Johnson had two loan spells with Derbyshire during the 2012 season, which included making a match-winning 79 against Yorkshire in a CB40 game, and will vie for a place with Tom Poynton as the club’s first-choice keeper.Derbyshire head coach Karl Krikken said: “I’m delighted to welcome our first signing of the close season as we pursue our aim of becoming a stable Division One club in 2013. The addition of Richard adds to our batting and wicketkeeping options at a time when intensifying competition for places is very important.”Ashley Giles, Warwickshire’s director of cricket, said: “It’s sad that we’re losing such a talented home-grown player as Richard, who is very popular with everyone here at Warwickshire. However, we cannot stand in the way of someone’s ambitions to play more first team cricket, so he leaves with the best wishes of all players and management at Warwickshire and I’m sure that he’ll also enjoy a successful career at Derbyshire.”Johnson said: “I’m absolutely over the moon to be signing. When I came here on loan earlier in the summer I fitted in really well, the lads were great to be around and everyone at the club treated me brilliantly.”Now having this opportunity to sign for Derbyshire for three years is amazing. I can’t thank the club enough and I can’t wait to get started. The chance to play first-team cricket with Derbyshire is a fantastic proposition. I have played a bit of first-team cricket for Warwickshire in the past, so I am hopeful that I can add some experience to the squad in that department.”

Watching Rob Quiney compile a sprightly innings for Australia A against the South Africans, the selectors John Inverarity and Rod Marsh would have seen plenty to like

Daniel Brettig02-Nov-2012Watching Rob Quiney compile a sprightly innings for Australia A against the South Africans, the selectors John Inverarity and Rod Marsh would have seen plenty to like. They would also have approved of Quiney’s contrition having failed to take advantage of his start, reasoning that he should have gone on to add another 100 to the 85 he compiled on an SCG pitch that offered precious little encouragement to the touring bowlers.”I try to use it as a bit of an experience, this is the highest level I’ve played and one of the best attacks I’ve faced,” Quiney said. “I wanted to soak it up as much as I could and the runs were a bonus. It was good to get a 50 but very annoying to get out for 80-odd.”If you make a hundred it’s all well and good, but I’m sure the selectors are looking for big scores, big total and to bat for a long period of time. I feel like I was hitting the ball well, and when you’ve got a little door open to make some more runs you’ve really got to push on harder.”Quiney’s assessment of the touring attack was not quite a case of damning with faint praise, but he did seem somewhat underwhelmed to have scored without much discomfort from the bowling of Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander. An amiable character, Quiney chose to say it was not right to judge the bowlers on the SCG pitch.
“I reckon making a judgement on them wouldn’t be fair, because the wickets are going to be a lot different to here,” Quiney said. “Steyn was swinging the ball early, Philander presented a great seam and nipped a couple around. I’m sure they’ll be ready come the Gabba Test, but for me it was just exciting to face those blokes, because you see them on TV and you see how well they bowl and it was good to get a perspective facing them.”It was apprehension about the possibility of reverse swing that caused Quiney to play at a delivery he might have left and edge it to slip. A tendency to like the feel of ball on bat and so play at a few more deliveries early in his innings is one of few perceptible weak points in Quiney’s game, and as an opener he slips more comfortably into the role of dasher than that of accumulator.”Because the ball was reverse swinging I thought it was going the other way and sucked me into playing, but that was probably their plan, that’s what they wanted me to do,” he said. “If I had my time again I definitely would’ve left it alone.”It was exciting to face them but I think the wicket may not have been as conducive for their bowling attack, but they toiled pretty hard and got enough overs under their belt for what they want. They got the ball reverse swinging earlier and did pretty well with that.”Another who did well was Steve Smith, who made 67 to help Quiney regather the innings from the early uncertainty of 3 for 44. “Every year his batting’s improved, he’s got very good first-class stats with the bat,” Quiney said of Smith. “He’s still so young, which is great signs and you don’t necessarily need to rush blokes like that. He can keep churning out runs and there’s a fair future for him.”He reminds me a bit of the way David Hussey approaches his batting even in the four-day game he looks to score, his job is to score as a batter and I’ve seen Steve take on that approach. He came out, played some big drives and a couple of front foot pull shots early and said ‘righto, I’m here’. He played beautifully until he got out.”