Life without Cameron
At the beginning of the Australian domestic Twenty20 season there were six state teams who set out with the best of intentions.
Each team had hoped to reach the final of the KFC T20 Big Bash, and then win the T20 title, but more importantly - especially from a state administration point of view - every team wanted to qualify for the lucrative Airtel Champions League tournament.
We have succeeded in doing this and now a few days out from the tournament - I want to take you back to the key moment which got us to this position and the individual performance that I believe helped make it happen.
Flash Back: 15th January, 2010 - The DEC Bushrangers taking on Tasmania in a do-or-die KFC T20 Big Bash clash at the MCG in front of a record crowd of over 43,000 people. We need to win to get through to the preliminary final.
Tassie win the toss and bat first, post 160, a reasonable total at the 'G. Our bowlers did a great job to restrict the Tigers to this score after their flying start.
The pressure was on and one player in particular delivered for the Bushrangers; many will think I am talking about Brad Hodge's 90 off 56 balls - and yes, this was exceptional - but we have got used to this from him over the years, so I'd like to focus on the emergence of a young star, Aaron Finch.
They teamed up for a first wicket partnership of 147 with Finch contributing 58 from 39 balls to the total. It was the composure of Finch on the big stage that for me was the moment the Bushrangers returned as a genuine title threat. The power hitting mixed with the deft touch and brilliant running between the wickets powered us through to the preliminary final.
Anyway, enough of the past and back to completing the jigsaw puzzle as to why I think we can win Champions League. Time to give the fast bowlers a little credit and chat about the three who I think will have the greatest say in the tournament...
Dirk Nannes: This left-armer is the ace of our pack. He will bowl the first over in most games and signal the intent of the bowling group. He is the leader in this form of the game, a real Twenty20 specialist. Dirk has the ability to swing the ball at pace - other teams in the competition need to look out as stats don't lie! His record as the best Twenty20 bowler in the world is no fluke.
Peter Siddle: Fresh from injury and fitter than ever after a pre-season with the Carlton Football Club, Sids is ready to continue where he left off as one of the fastest and most aggressive bowlers in the world. The sooner he finds this form, the better for the Bushrangers - he may not have played much Twenty20 cricket but his international experience in big matches will be an important cog in the attack.
Shane Harwood: The oldest in the fast bowling pack, but still the guy the captain will turn to when it goes down to the wire. Our best bowler at the death, he will be the difference in restricting teams from scoring in the late overs. Likely to be Nannes' new ball partner and when they partner up - it's a fairly impressive combination.
In South Africa we will face a selection dilemma as all our quicks are up and running; there is a healthy competition for spots in the group.
I think it's always good for a group to make it hard for the selectors - with the above mentioned quicks as well as Clint McKay (who was selected in the CLT20 All-Star team last year) and young James Pattinson - I'm pretty glad I'm not a selector as they will face some tough decisions as each of these guys are quality paceman in their own right.
This blog is called 'Life without Cameron' as it refers to one of the bigger talking points of the tournament - the loss of Victorian State Captain, Cameron White.
It's a reflection of the changing face of cricket- nowadays a player's involvement in the game is exactly like being involved in business and in doing so, you have to honour existing contracts.
Cameron to his credit will honour his contract with Bangalore, it may be at our loss but life without Cameron will go on. We fully understand his decision and wish him all the best.
Whilst we accept the decision, is not ideal - we would have loved to have our skipper in our line-up.
However it is still the most exciting cricket tournament in the world, allowing domestic player's access to showcase themselves and their skills on a world stage!!!
Like in any situation, there are always positives and for us it's that another player gets an opportunity and Dave Hussey gets to test his management skills as captain for an entire tournament. He will do a fantastic job.
Next stop, South Africa.
-Ronnie-
This blog is dedicated to the Bushrangers' official charity partner, The Starlight Foundation.
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