Coach's Corner: Willing, ready and able
Wed, 10 February 2010
We are fast approaching the most challenging weeks of our season with teams jockeying for position to play off for the final two titles, the Weet-Bix Sheffield Shield and the Ford Ranger Cup. Our players have previously been able to rise to the challenge of playing cut-throat sudden-death matches and we hope they can continue the trend as we aim squarely at again being in all three domestic finals in 2009-10. Our motto all summer has been to be willing, ready and able as vacancies have occurred through national call-ups, injuries and the retirement from the first-class arena of our champion player Brad Hodge. We have again been thrilled to see so many of our players recognised with Australian caps so far this season: Peter Siddle and Clint McKay for the Tests; Cameron White, Sidds and Clint in the one-dayers; Cam, David Hussey and Dirk Nannes in the recent Twenty20 and Jon Holland for Australia’s tour of India last spring. Others like Andrew McDonald and Chris Rogers must also have been very close, while Matty Wade continues to impress. All the lads have worked so hard at their games and deserve their success. Others have been able to take their opportunities and these have led to strong performance at all levels. It’s going to be a close finish and we just hope that the boys who have come in and been able to contribute so ably can maintain their form when it counts. It was a bonus for us down in Bellerive to have Damien Wright, one of our senior pros, come in and do so well in virtually his first game since October. There is no substitute for experience. He is a real craftsman and has a significance presence in our side. In the same game Rob Quiney bounced back strongly, lifting when we most needed him and that was also a real positive. We have used almost 30 players all levels so far this season, including the two internationals in Ross Taylor and Dwayne Bravo in the Twenty20s. The experience gained along the way by some of the younger ones like Glenn Maxwell, Ryan Carters and Michael Hill has been considerable. Aaron Finch’s game is starting to take real shape. James Pattinson has been excellent in the games he has played at all three levels. John Hastings has had his best year, culminating in his first-up selection in the Prime Minister’s XI game up at Manuka Oval. Aiden Blizzard is hungry for his next call. Will Sheridan came in and did a fine job in debut in the pre-Christmas game against NSW. Jon Holland has also had more game time. It’s all invaluable experience and with more Australian commitments upcoming, both at home and in New Zealand, we need everyone at their best so they can not only be a part of the side but make their presence felt immediately. After the NSW one-dayer we face Queensland next week at the ‘Gabba in another must-win encounter. In the days ahead guys like Clint McKay, Cameron White, Dirk Nannes and David Hussey are all likely to be away for periods ranging from a few days up to a few weeks. This is where our depth is really going to count.
Greg Shipperd
