Will Spin play apart?
Many people may have questioned the absence of a few departments in my early previews of the tournament, namely spin and all-rounders.
Many people may have questioned the absence of a few departments in my early previews of the tournament, namely spin and all-rounders.
I deliberately waited until landing and having a couple of training runs to see what the conditions were like before I made any calls on the influence these two areas would have on our Champions League campaign.
Since the Twenty20 format was introduced into the cricket calendar in England in 2003 - spin has played a more than significant role. It has almost become the form of the game that 'spinners' have flourished in.
I can still remember the murmurings when T20 was invented that it could be the death of spin bowling but in fact, it has been the opposite.
With not only the big names such as Murili, Vettori, Warne surviving but excelling; the part timers have now almost become full timers and given Captains more options and great flexibility within their bowling line-ups.
We have been blessed with such players in Hodge and Hussey who both play significant supporting roles to the main actors in Holland (injured) and the veteran Bryce McGain.
The beauty of the spinner to the team is obvious, adding variety to attack with a change of pace in the game but also to help get through the overs as there are strict time constraints a bowling team must abide too. (For those who don't know - a bowling team has 1 hour and 20 minutes to fit in the allotted overs.)
This often is a hard job to execute when generally the ball is flying to all parts of the ground. The penalty if not completed within the time is financial one for the Captain; and we all know Huss wouldn't want to lose a penny... Ha!!
The conditions in South Africa seem similar to Australia, so I think the change of pace with a spinner in the line-up would play a significant role in the tournament.
Anyway enough of the cricket, what have the boys been up to away from the training and matches?
As all the boys have pretty different interests, there has been many activities on the go.
Shane Harwood organised a group to go to the Lion Park and by all reports the boys had a great day seeing the big cats up close and getting to nurse the cubs.
Shane whilst nursing the cubs decided to rough the little cats up and almost lost his arm. Just as well our physio was on standby to patch up the damage! Anyone that knows Shane would be aware he likes to push the limits. Thankfully in this case he didn't lose his arm!
The golfaholics of the group have been out on the courses whenever we've had the chance, and what beautiful courses they are.... Blair Athol has been the pick of bunch so far.
The ball definitely travels further at this altitude as Brad Hodge is not known for his big hitting - managed to get one out over 200m!!
And then there are the two individuals that braved the cold water and great white sharks to go surfing in the waves of Port Elizabeth.
Assistant coach Simon and Ryan Carters are the madmen in question and all reports coming in say Carts can stand up and is quite good, and Helmo is good at paddling out, but, has not yet been sighted upright! Stay tuned for an update on when he finally is spotted hanging ten!
I've only just managed to catch up with Rob Walters, so my next blog will fill you in on all the details as promised. Until then...
-Ronnie-
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