Re: God help me - the Test Cricket thread
Reply #188 –
This circus just goes to show how over-rated the concept of elite is, and how flawed Langer's welded on approach is!
I mentioned awhile back when talking about AFL and player wages, you could sack all 760 players and most of the coaches and replace them from the 10000 players wanting a crack at the gig, and by the end of the following season you would not even notice a difference!
Because despite what is claimed by various experts, media and the players themselves it is not the players that make the sport elite, it's the professional ethics, tactics and fulltime focus that make high level team sport elite. AFL is a good example because it's mired in copycat tactics, and whenever a group break the mold they are almost unbeatable.
Langer will tell you nobody can compete with the top level test players, and as such they deserve more of a chance to retain a spot, except of course some B-Grade opposition!
Also, today is the difference between a Taylor, Finch or Maxwell type player captaining, and someone like a Paine or Smith. The plans have failed, and there is clearly no plan B from Paine and Smith or his crew, they can't innovate or invent things as they go!
India lose a wicket from fatigue, the media talk up our blokes like they are genius. Of course if they bowl them out now all will be forgiven, but it's too late!