Jigsaw Pieces Dropping In The Right Places

It seems hard to believe but Cricket Australia have shown a willingness to pull the right strokes since last January when Englishmen scored three centuries pretty much as they liked in Sydney, dismissed Australia twice for under 300 and won by an innings and more than enough. On the last day, when 80% of the crowd were Englishmen and their sunburned girlfriends, Australia stood about in shame waiting for the presentations and watching whilst their opponents were grabbed for interviews. It was just as well. What can you say when you have been thumped in a home series?

In the sad aftermath when Australian citizens discovered how many Poms had been living next door or working in the same office all these years until miraculously finding their ethnic voice, Cricket Australia announced that three former captains and a leader in industry would conduct cricket's equivalent of a Royal Commission into the problems which ailed the game in Oz. Some scoffed. Some suggested whitewash. Some doubted real change was possible.

All of us were wrong.

The Argus Review and a subsequent structural reform announced by James Sutherland in the last few days are big ticket items in the way forward but they would be pointless without the same spirit being applied to the appointments they have called for. Its one thing to play sneaky buggers and restructure culprits out off the scene but it is entirely another to find new men who will be instruments of the change that the Argonauts called for after seeking out the counsel of nearly all of those with the brains, credibility and enthusiasm to make constructive but pointed criticism. I say nearly all because the cricketragic wasn't asked.

Pat Howard

Pat Howard was the first new face as High Performance Manager of the Australian team. Here was a set of fresh eyes to cover old ground in a new paddock. Howard's credentials are first class and the fact he isn't an ex player of any note is all the better. Unrestrained by the "the way we always do it", he will be interested in best practice not cricket practice and as such, debacles in player management and poor team cohesion will cease to exist. He is a man manager who will gain the players and management's confidence quickly and with due reason.

John Inverarity

The second part of this three part culture change was the announcement of John Inverarity as Chief Selector. Concerns about his age were raised immediately but its not as though he has to go jogging with the players and age is a distinct aid to a thorough knowledge of the game. Some might say, like Hilditch, Inverarity was a mediocre Test player but surely that's not the sole criteria for election to this newly designed role. Besides, he played for 23 years in Sheffield Shield and other first class cricket for Western Australia and South Australia and many Test players have been prepared to credit him with being the major influence in their careers. Rod Marsh is among them. At first class level, he was a cagey captain and thoughtful selector who applied imagination and consistency to both roles. There are few first class players with his leadership record, a fact highlighted by Greg Chappell, an outgoing part time selector, who took advantage of media calls today by praising Inverarity. The proof of the pudding will be in the eating but at least Geoff Lawson didn't get the job. Radicalism is not needed now. Inverarity will apply a soft hand with a firm will and he will brooch and cure the problems with communication with players. If a future Simon Katich situation arises on Inverarity's watch, the player will be spoken to and not be left in the dark. Interestingly, when asked a direct question about Katich and future selection, Inverarity made it clear that its a clean slate and all players will be considered for a role in the Australian team. At least he shouldn't be ageist!

The third part remains to be actualised. He's hoping that Steve Rixon gets the coaching role so we will have a man with both the technical skills and the people skills needed in this expanded role. Stumper is an enthusiastic cove who works harder than the players ever could and is already respected by any cricketer who has played under his guidance.

Wally Edwards

Finally, Jack Clarke will be succeeded as Chairman of Cricket Australia by Western Australian Wally Edwards. The only Australian failure of he 1974-75 flogging of the Poms, he managed to squeeze two ducks into his six Test innings with cap at a rakish angle, being replaced in the Sydney Test by debutante Rick McCosker. Beyond and more importantly than that, Edwards has had a 24 year career as a member of the WA Board and has served on the CA Board for the past 12 years. He has an excellent record in business and has started with the lofty goal of seeing Australia back to the No 1 spot in all three forms of the game during his term.

We have been looking for positives.