Tuesday thoughts

Alas poor Khawaja. We knew him quite well. But not for long enough…


The vagaries of the international cricket calendar were brought home again today with the Australian cricket authorities recalling Usman Khawaja for a training camp prior to a tour to Zimbabwe. I’m well aware that it is all in the name of bonding and engendering team spirit, but one would have thought runs in England might have been of greater benefit to Khawaja’s long term development than shuttle runs with his mates and a hit or two in the nets.

It is disappointing but I would think no one more disappointed than the player, who has had a low-key spell with the club until today. He will, I'm sure, have hoped for more from his stint than one major score against Worcestershire in the Pro 40. I am convinced that he will go on to be a fine player for his country, but lining up the ball in England during April and May has been beyond a lot of big names in the past and Khawaja has simply become the latest name on a long list. Had he been able to play through the season I am convinced he would have blossomed on the later season tracks.

The good news is that Martin Guptill should hopefully ensure a seamless transition and be available for the next match, assuming that he is not jet-lagged or seized up after a marathon flight from New Zealand. The club’s stance is that we now seem likely to go with one overseas player in the T20, although tentative enquiries have been made about a replacement.

I can see the logic in that. Unless you are bringing in a top player, where is the merit in leaving out someone already being paid? It would be fantastic to see a name who is currently lighting up the IPL, of course and no one would fail to be excited at the prospect of a Gayle, Kallis, de Villiers, Marsh or Pathan. I just can’t see any of these players being up for it though. Why would they, when they have just earned a king’s ransom in return for fairly modest effort? The thought of another six weeks away from home at county rates can have little merit for someone who has just banked a few hundred thousand pounds…

Bringing in a lesser light simply sees us return to my earlier point of leaving out players on the staff. With respect to those concerned, the likes of Jon Moss, Travis Birt and Chris Harris were not substantially better than we already had when we signed them and I’d go on the side of fiscal propriety and bringing on the kids if we couldn’t aspire to better than that.

Indeed, if there was a need for reinforcements, why not simply engage one of a couple of players living locally for the tournament? If we need another batsman, sign Usman Afzaal or if we need a bowler engage either New Zealander Iain O’Brien or Pakistan’s Saqlain Mushtaq. There would be no flights to pay, since they are all playing their cricket in the local leagues at present and the first two may welcome the opportunity to put themselves back in the shop window. Mushtaq’s knee wouldn’t stand up to full time cricket these days and may not even stand up to T20, but all these players know English conditions and might well be a better bet than Johnny Average, flown in from far away climes on a costly deal.

Some may suggest (I’d be surprised if they didn’t…) that the Chairman could finance a deal, but I don’t think it fair to expect Chris Grant to stand at the pavilion entrance holding a fistful of dollars.. The club must be self sufficient and live within its budget. If Mr Grant chooses to help at times it is welcome and appreciated, but it should not become expected by the fans. As I’ve said before it is his money to use as he chooses and unfair for any of us to suggest otherwise.