Coach's Corner: Greg Shipperd
Thu, 29 October 2009
We are proud to be the champion team coming into the new Sheffield Shield season but come the first ball in Adelaide on Friday everyone is equal again with our group facing a particular set of fresh challenges. Just a week ago we were in a world-class Twenty20 semi-final in India and now the players are adapting to red-ball cricket all over again which over four days will provide mental, physical and technical challenges so different to the frenetic game of Twenty20. Our ability to bounce into the longer version of the game and play with the poise and purpose of 2008-09 will be important as we eye our latest challenges. We walk into the new season with open eyes. Already tight selection calls have been made in India with Jon Holland being preferred to Bryce McGain, in line with Cricket Australia’s view of Jon and his selection in the national one day squad. He is still young and learning and is showing remarkable promise. Friday’s game gives Bryce the opportunity to show the world just how good he is. No-one has a crystal ball on what will be on Jon’s return. Just let me say for now that we are very fortunate to have two such good spinners to choose from. I’d also like to reinforce the view which has remained steadfast, too, over the last five years, that age is only a number and we are more than prepared to give an opportunity to anyone who deserves it, no matter if they are 16, 26 or 36. Cricket is now a life profession and if you are playing good cricket you give yourself a great chance of being selected Shane Harwood was another in the mix for this first Shield squad. In all probability he will come across (to Adelaide) for the one-dayer (next week). There is a lot of cricket to be played and the workload on all the bowlers will again be shared. We have a particularly crammed program this summer with less time-off between games and player management will be very important as we chase more silverware in all three competitions. Some talk of us being the hunted rather than the hunters this year. All I say is that the competition is red hot each and every day. The opposition is trying to dismantle you every hour, every session. The same challenges apply this season as they did last summer when we enjoyed so much success. It all depends how hungry our group remains. We have rolled the dice and gone essentially with the same squad which won last year’s final. John Hastings gets a chance straight away after his fantastic finish to last summer. Others like Lloyd Mash and Michael Hill, to name just two of the batsmen, are also very close to a call-up. It’s a matter of the group and each and every individual doing everything he can to be successful. The last 18 months have been truly memorable for everyone associated with Victorian cricket especially with the international calls for our mid-range and very young players. Who’s to say guys like Brad Hodge and David Hussey can’t also re-win places and join the likes of Peter Siddle and Cameron White at international level. Seeing Brad and David go about their business preparing in such a determined fashion for the new season has me convinced that they have unfinished business which can again see them play for Australia. Huss made a century last time he played for the Australians in mid-year and we know how good Hodgey is. You can also throw into the mix guys like Chris Rogers who again had a fine year in England and must be close to a Test recall. But these selections will look after themselves and our immediate focus is to really take it up to the South Australians from the opening overs on Friday. Dirk Nannes is back with us and keen to maintain his advance. Clinton McKay continues to impress as shown by his All-Star selection last week in India, while Matthew Wade is an emerging wicketkeeper-batsman of considerable merit. As a group we have been able to rise to the challenges. At some stage or another last summer everyone across the board chipped in and did some special things. When it is their day and their time they need to make the most of the situation. That’s the key again as we look to defend our title and again qualify for the play-offs at one-day and Twenty20 level. To all our supporters, sponsors and backers we hope the ride can be as enjoyable this summer as it was in 2008-09...
Greg Shipperd
