For many years now we, the New Zealand cricketing public, have been subjected to poor to middling results with only two real highlights, the win in Hobart and the win versus SL. Do we accept these results given the very mediocre performances before, through and following? Or do we seek changes and I mean wholesale changes.
So what's the real issue. Why aren't those players there and why are under-performing players still there? Let's start with NZC CEO, Board, management and selectors. Someone has to bite the bullet and make changes by placing talented cricketers in the Number One team, thus dropping the deadwood. Think fresh. Ginga and BMac have NEVER shone as an opening pair and that hinders our progress if we want success of some sort. So why are we sticking with them? Why aren't we seeing openers in the Plunket Shield averaging 45+ given a go in the top team? And partnerships are what we are looking for and run scoring. Fulton was picked for this tour based on his scores this season as an opener, and had he played at Newlands he wouldn't have opened? Why?? Surely if he's succeeding at the top of the innings in the First Class season, then why not open for the BC? And THE form opener in the Plunket Shield competition. Aaron Redmond needs to be in the mix. But for me if we want partnerships opening, then run with youth and experience and debut H Rutherford so we have the Otago opening pair doing their job as they have been doing in the whole of 2012.
So what happens to Ginga nd BMac? Ginga is a natural 3. Make him the BC first drop and take some pressure off him. And as far as BMac goes, 6. So that leaves 4 (Taylor) 5 (Jesse) and 7 (Brownlie). Yes Jesse and Taylor in and Jimmy Franklin gone. But seriously, we remove those under-performers and strengthen our weak top order. The Taylor issue is a key one. He's not going to be very happy playing under Hesson or the current NZC board, so does this set in place a plan to overhaul a questionably performing Board and CEO? Taylor can be a catalyst for that. And Jesse, he's happy to play domestic cricket so what is holding him back from playing again for the BC? Possibly the same Board and CEO. Our two best batsmen nobbled by politics, when in fact they should be playing their hearts out for their country, team, themselves and the cricketing public at large.
So there really needs to be a major overhaul of all things in the governance and selection of NZC and the BC? I know there is never a really good time for this to happen, but something does have to happen or the public will just keep walking away from the game. The CEO needs to go, the Board needs to be restructured, management of the team needs to be closely examined, and selectors chosen to actually supply in-form players and providing a future for the top team. There also needs to be put in place a way to stop the revolving door policy on selections (Flynn for starters) that don't have the talent to succeed (Franklin) when put in the firing line. Why not instill youth and talent? And in that breath, recognise when players have passed their prime and don't offer enough skill to succeed at the highest level anymore (C Martin/Patel)
In short, I want a major overhaul BEFORE the England series. I want under-performers gone (in the team and management/NZC) and I want some new blood in the team that can be built on and given consistency through continuous selection. The days of dropping players for one or two bad innings needs to stop, perseverance needs to be backed up. You will have noted I haven't mentioned the Coach and for very good reason. I'm willing to give Hesson the benefit of the doubt. One swallow doth not maketh a summer, and with a 1-1 record there is hope, but the likes of Taylor and Ryder may have other reasons too for not wanting to play at the moment. I'll give him (Hesson) the England series at home before I start analysing his impact on the team.
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