Gillespie or Langer no thanks

Yorkshire 333-7
v Hampshire
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Sunday 10 May 2015

Twitter @ball_sup

So, the big cricket news of the weekend is the appointment of the South African Andrew Strauss as Director of English Cricket. And the speculation that the Australian Jason Gillespie or the Australian Justin Langer will be appointed England Coach. Oh yeah, that all seems a great idea.

I'll wind my neck in a touch. Duncan Fletcher & Andy Flower weren't English. But they did have relative success as Coach. The Colonial complications & the South African upheavals have always meant we've had non-English born, but English qualified, players - like Strauss.

But, I always prefer to rewind. International cricket should showcase one nation's "skills" against another's. There are grey areas, White, Mullally, Hollioake. But, Gillespie & Langer are clear cut, dyed through & through Australians.

I hear you say "but there isn't an English coach good enough, we've got to import an Aussie coach". I always feel - replace the word coach with player. Importing Aussie players because our own aren't good enough would be madness. Nibble away at the Eligibility Rules by all means. Turn a blind eye here. Give a nod there. Maybe for players.

But, Gillespie and Langer are full, card carrying, got the T-shirt, sent the postcard Australians. They're not someone we can claim as our own.

I fear we're in High Profile Celebrity Coach territory. English coaches like Robinson, Newell & Farbrace are well known to us anoraks. But, under the radar of the general public Test Match Cash Cow Punter. "Who" will be the cry. What have they won?

I'd set out what Strauss is going to do. Strategy, selection, motivation, man management, whatever. Decide how hands on he's going to be. And work out the job description for the Coach from there.

Maybe if Strauss is "very hands on". That could make it easier to just give the Coach job to the best qualified English guy. I'd go Strauss & Farbs as the "Dream Ticket".

Dry day today.

Great counter attacking innings by Bairstow. He's in at 109-3. Out for 102 at more or less a run a ball (269-5). I'll tell you what, if Gillespie has been the architect of that. Telling Bairstow to "go out there & counter attack, see if you can take it away from them". Maybe I will chuck my weight behind him.

Plunkett not playing for disciplinary reasons. Lyth solid 53. Poor from Adil. Chipped a catch. Gone for a Duck.

A Big Fat Welcome to Big Boys Cricket to Fidel Edwards. None for 77 off 15.

135/292