Adam Gilchrist wants to rest players for the Champion's Trophy
To ensure Australia are fresh for the Ashes, Adam Gilchrist advocates resting players for the Champion's Trophy. Reading between the lines, I think he's saying HE wants a rest during the Champion's Trophy. Resting players is a big discussion point in world cricket at the moment with most people saying it's a crock. International cricketers are well paid, it's their job - get out and play!
Personally, I'm a big fan of resting players, particularly during the Champion's Trophy, for several reasons. Firstly, the Trophy is a bit of a dud concept. It's basically a way for the ICC to scratch together a bit of cash - Malcolm Speed must need another jacuzzi in his jet. Scheduled just before the World Cup makes it even more pointless. Positioned a few weeks before the Ashes, the most anticipated Test series in memory, makes it a mere hurdle to get over before the real cricket begins. It's no wonder the players have no respect for the tournament.
Secondly and more importantly, England have contemplated doing the same thing, resting key players like Andrew Flintoff. There's a theory that England with their current one day form wouldn't make the semi-final as they're in the same pool as Australia and India. This would give them a couple extra days of rest before the Ashes which could make a big difference in the 1st Test (which I'll be lining up for my ticket for shortly, woohoo!) The last Ashes was balanced on a knife edge where 2 runs was the difference between retaining the urn and the first humiliating defeat in 18 years. Every advantage must be used to ensure that doesn't happen again.
If Australia and England do rest their superstars, you can imagine the ICC won't be too happy about it. I predict the ICC will step in with some kind of pre-emptive strike making full strength mandatory to maintain the integrity of their tournament. So expect a few Aussie players to be calling in "sickies". I'm picturing Gilly on a beach with his kids, talking on the mobile. "Mr Speed? Yeah, can't come in today. Yep, it's the knee. Well, see you in Brisbane for the 1st Test. Later, mate!"
| Posted by JC on Fri 28 Apr |  3 comments |
I'm afraid I agree with Steve Waugh who commented today that players weren't being overloaded. Waugh was someone who captained the Aussie side during this period of expansion and played both forms of the game for most of his career. Gotta be tough like Tugger!
Posted by TA on 2006-04-27 16:31:34
Posted by TA on 2006-04-27 16:31:34
dont all of u think this is a very bad schedule for aus....they invariably at their peak have a long break and then have very important series after their break..the same thing happened last year when they were at their zenith against NZ had a long break and as a result even lost against bangladesh...hope the same thing doesnt happen this time round and they race off the blocks in a tough group in the champions trophy
Posted by ajesh on 2006-04-28 06:59:55
Posted by ajesh on 2006-04-28 06:59:55
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