So we lost again. And actually by less than the first match, which is interesting because the line-up was a little different. For some reason, with an actual tour match only two days away, they decided to rest a couple of players and move things around. Jimmeh was up at number 4, Pup was in second and Paine moved down the order a wee bit.
And Steve O'Keefe got his chance. Actually O'Keefe got 3 wickets, but I still think his inclusion - and the above changes - were odd with one loss down and only one match to play. It looked like they were using it as a practice match. It rather makes me think the powers that be are losing faith in the T20 format again. It also put extra pressure on Clarke to perform well at a time when fans are questioning his position. He did all right, but it seems a bit harsh.
Of course, the positive side of this is that us Aussies now get to say: "Well, we were only treating that as a practice match anyway. It doesn't matter if we lost." This is obviously complete bullshit, but it works wonders.
So, Pakistan have beaten us again. They've won the series 2-0. But we were clearly only treating it as a practice match anyway ... and all that.
11 thoughts on this post:
I thought people on twitter last night were mad suggesting that Clarke would open the batting. How wrong I were. Not only did he open, he did well. Well, relatively well, anyway.
I have more or less given up on our selectors. I have no idea what they're doing. I don't know if they know what they're doing.
Agree about the selectors; there seems little effort at consistency – or even a discernible strategy. The only thing which would shake up the structure is a home Ashes loss; but that is too awful to contemplate. At least Clarke's form was a bonus.
Lucky we were treating it as a practice match too eh Sid? :) Hence the smaller margin than the first game.
:P
hey Kirby.
Steven O'Keefe's selection is a sign that Steven Smith will be playing in the Test series. Resting to get him ready for the warm-up game, while resting gave James Hopes another chance as he will be returning home.
The selectors did that for a reason and the logistical costs sending players back and forward for two T20s is a bit pointless.
Selectors are doing the best they can with what they got. It's up to the players to put in the performances. With Hilditch likely to go for a full time selector it will be smooth sailing.
* while resting....meant to throw Watto's name in there.
See Ian. Apart from that Steve did awfully well. Very thankful they gave him that chance after his phenomenal outing against the Lankans. Sometimes you just gotta have faith..
I'm a bit shocked about the state of Australian cricket as well, but they have had these ups and downs and will without doubt be a threatening force in the World Cup. Though I hope it won't be so, of course, time for the Saffers to win. :)
And Sid, do you have any idea where Purna is hanging around these days?
No idea, Sunny. haven't heard from her in a while but I think she is all busy trying to egt a job. She writes for Holding Willey and Bored Cricket as well now.
that might be an idea of some genius specially playing Steve, a left arm spinner against Pakistanis (they r awful against them) and tell me it didn't worked?
Watto was rested, that is bit strange other than that they tried to save their best lot for death overs as Gul n company was too hot to handle in first match at end but it still didn't worked the way they thought it would.
Anyway all in all it wasn't that much of a practice match lolz :P
Maybe you're right, Mudassar. But we move on ... and we hope like hell we do better at the tests because we have the big one in just a few months now.
Clarkey played a blinder by his usual god-awful standards. If that had been Warner, either of the Dussey/Musseys or White though, no-one would have passed comment as 30 isn't that great a score even in this down-graded format.
I thought O'Keefe looked like one of those useful dart-throwers that litter short formats these days so it was a handy outing for him. If he really can bat, he'll be a reasonable back-up for Sid's lord.
The selectors are doing ok with the materials at hand apart from the obvious regular blunder, however, i think it will take an Ashes loss to get them moving on the youth and beauty front. No pain, no gain and all that.
Tim Paine seems to have decided that going backwards is the best way forward. What is that young man doing? Is he such a Haddin fan that he is prepared to sacrifice himself in this manner by being more and more meh as a batsman with each passing match?
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