A Bit Of Needle

MCC 73 all out (8+ overs left) 

lost to 

Yorkshire League Premier South, Under 21s 77 for 1 (24 overs to spare)

by 9 wickets

Played at Abbeydale Park, Sheffield 

Thursday 6 August 2020 

Twitter @ball_sup 

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Not much of a game if I'm honest. MCC lost early wickets & really struggled to recover. It was a bit difficult from my folding chair, at the side of the covers. But, I thought I detected a bit of needle out there. One of the Young Yorkies leaped like a haddock. Took the ball one handed bang on the rope. Fell backwards. Threw the ball in the air. Came back inside the ropes. Caught it again. And claimed the catch. The hooking batsman stood there. The fielding team Covid Elbow Bumped their way to "the catcher". The umpires gathered at square leg. The finger went up. Not the only finger being pointed by the way. The fielding captain "intervened". And, by committee, the batsman walked to the impromptu social distancing means you can't use the changing room chairs.

Thus began a bit of a chatter session. Including a big shout for caught behind off the left arm spinner. Not given. Suggestions the batsman should be walking. Sarcastic laughing at the decision. Anyway. 74 proved an easy ask. One down. Twenty four overs left.

I had to time the Cricket Cans carefully in that scenario.

Five Points Brewing Co, Jupa, Pale Ale at 5.5%

A lovely, refreshing straight ahead Pale. Gentle sugar. Mango maybe. The bitterness kicked in & stayed put. Very long, but gentle & balanced.

Stats

I have now Blogged from 913 games in 2,179 days

Jazz Hat Beer Day

MCC 181 all out 

beat Sheffield Collegiate CC 148 all out 

by 33 runs 

Played at Abbeydale Park, Sheffield 

Wednesday 5 August 2020 

Twitter @ball_sup 

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That friendly cricket match was really just a backdrop to a nice boozy day out. Most league & cup grassroots cricket games are live scored on the internet. It's great, and involves you (ie me) more in the game. You can look up who is batting. Etcetera. No such luxury for this Jazz Hat Friendly. Obvs lots of youngsters out there for Collegiate. They lost wickets consistently. Couldn't assemble any sort of real chase. Despite a bit of late on humpty, they fell way short.

The clubhouse & restaurant at Abbeydale Park had been done up before Covid-19. Simple, natch upmarket looking, set up. Not fair at all to judge their beer range, in these strange times, on a Wednesday afts. But, it was Tetley Original Cask at 3.7%. It was alright. It is what it is. Suited the situation.

Outstanding Beer Of The Day was the imported onto the field can.

Lost And Grounded, Shaped And Undulations, West Coast Style IPA at 6.5%. That one was sourced during the long lamented one can a day lockdown beer search. Actually snaffled at (what is now) The Mikkeller Brewpub in Islington.

There was some background peach sugar. The hops hit fairly gently. But don't overpower the other flavours. Great balance. Doesn't taste that abv either.

Stats

I have now Blogged from 912 games in 2,178 days

First up, a loss

Yorkshire 275 all out
v MCC 299 all out
Yorkshire 279 all out
MCC 257-6
MCC win by 4 wickets

Played at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi

Wednesday 23 March 2016

Dry Day

Twitter @ball_sup

I'll admit to being disappointed there. If that was a Championship game, you'd want Yorkshire to get it over the line.

Tail wickets lost cheaply on the morning of Day 4. One bowler pulls up (Bresnan). Can't get at them. Game drifts. Lose.

There'll be talk of in form. Of overs in the legs. Of time at the crease. But, we'll find ourselves in that position in 2016. The tail, Gale & the bowlers need to hone how to win from there.

239 for seven. Has rapidly become 279 all out. Maybe we've wobbled ‘em slightly at 54-2. But, it didn't look in much doubt after that.

We've found out we can still be frail up top. Ballance has found a bit of form. Will Rhodes has done very well with the bat. And well with the ball. Could it be a big breakthrough season for him?

We're spinner lite without Rashid. Carver has got overs in. And taken confidence building wickets. But, it's going to be a tough ask for him.

I hope we win the ThreePeat title. But, surely the MCC will not bring the Champion County game to Abu Dhabi next time around.

295/620

Shit Heap

Yorkshire 275 all out
v MCC 299 all out
Yorkshire 239-7
close on Day 3

Played at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi

Tuesday 22 March 2016

Dry Day

Twitter @ball_sup

The game is bubbling away nicely there. The MCC guys will be disappointed. Four wickets going for the addition of just 17 on the overnight score. And YCCC rocking a bit at 147-6.

Karl Carver is in the book at four for 106. Of course, experienced old hands like Tredwell & Patel whirling away. But, we ain't got them. So, we must keep going with Karl’s development.

Day 2 finished in the dark. Floodlights came on. But, only two of the four pylons kicked in. Today, all four lit up. But, there is a cautionary tale. I've said before how much I enjoy watching cricket in the UAE. But, this ground in Abu Dhabi is a Shit Heap. And gets worse each time I call in.

I can just about understand that they're letting the spectator facilities go to ruin & rack. Who cares? Nobody goes. But there is a bare minimum of cricket requirements. Floodlights need to light. Sightscreens.

There have been games on Ovals 2 & 3 on Days 1 & 2. Involving Yorkshire players & MCC teams (Universities & Young Cricketers). With no Sightscreens. There are bits of frames lying about. And some wheels. And some white slats. Evidence of Sightscreens. Components of Sightscreens. But, not actual Sightscreens.

Everything needs some plastering & a lick of paint. Everything needs screwing back together. The stands are never cleaned. There are plastic food trays lying between the seats. Which must date back to the Pakistan v England Test series last year.

I'm no shrinking violet. But, it's demoralising. Just Tart it up a bit. There's enough money around & labour is cheap.

Recent high winds have blown the large advertising boards down from the top of the grass bank. They're just lying there now. No attempt to even move them. Let alone fix ‘em back up.

The Pavilion canvass sun roof on Oval 3 has been ripped & is billowing in the wind. While MCC games are going on on that Oval. No attempt to fix it.

The whitewashed picket fences around both Ovals 2 & 3. I'd estimate less than a third remains. The other two-thirds are just lying around scattered across the sand.

Shit Heap.

294/609

Usury

Yorkshire 275 all out
v MCC 282-6
close on Day 2

Played at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi

Monday 21 March 2016

Dry Day

Twitter @ball_sup

Yorkshire published their accounts & the AGM Agenda just before I came out to the UAE. And I'll miss the AGM. Here's one thing I've got a bee in my bonnet about.

I blame the ECB. Yorkshire have a historical anachronism problem. I'm going to say, for Donkey’s Years we didn't own Headingley. Even to this day, rumours persist as to who owns what. And not just physical. Who owns the money from beer & food in particular bits of the ground.

In the old days, that seemed less of a problem. But. Hosting Tests became crucial to generating income. Selling food & drink & prostituting County Clubs in many more ways became crucial to maximising that income. And, other Counties wanted a piece of pie. It was always Lord’s, The Oval, Edgbaston, Trent Bridge, Old Trafford & Headingley. Rotation. Of sorts. Official. Or unofficial.

But, then the authorities went 180. From - you've got a ground, can we rent it from you for our Test Match. It became - how much are YOU going to pay US if we bring our Test Match to you? Madness. Counties had/have to pay to host a Test. And hope they make enough money to pay the ECB off.

Cue. Durham, Hampshire & Glamorgan (& others) plunging themselves into Debt or Personal Fiefdom to chase the Rainbow. Madness.

Because Headingley was a decaying higgledy piggledy pigsty which we didn't own. We had to. No. No. No. We DECIDED to dig deep. Buy the ground. Rebuild the ground.

Putting Middlesex, the MCC & Lord's aside. The other decaying, higgledy piggles didn't have the double whammy. Buy & Rebuild. Rebuild, yes. But, buy, no.

I've got 20 20 Hindsight. We should have stopped the World & stepped off some time ago.

We're saddled with a debt which commonsense says we'll struggle to pay the interest on. Which has changed us from a Members Club to a Personal Fiefdom. And now. By smoke & mirrors. We owe that money to some other organisation with the word Graves in it.

And. To keep up with the Jones’s. To have a chance of hosting Ashes Tests & ICC World Cups. We plan to TAKE ON MORE DEBT to rebuild the Football Stand.

I'm against it. That's a mad Business Model. The ECB need to be told.

Lots of people borrow to invest in property. Either because it'll grow in value & they can sell it. We've bought a cricket ground. Which other cricket club are we going to sell it to?

Or because it'll generate income for them, like if they've bought a shop. We're paying the ECB for them to use our ground. That ain't income where I live.

We can't generate income to reduce the debt. But, I do have a plan to not increase the debt.

DON'T BORROW ANY MORE.

293/608

Thunderbirds Are Go

Yorkshire 275 all out
v MCC 0-0
close on Day 1

Played at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi

Sunday 20 March 2016

Dry Day

Twitter @ball_sup

Yorkshire born or nurtured - 8
Gunslingers - 3 (Ballance, Hodd, Brooks)

Right. The initial First Class fixture of the season. There's been a lot going on. Strap yourselves in. The Blog today is 1. Opinion Piece, 2. Local Colour from the game, 3. A bit about the cricket.

Opinion Piece

This is because they've brought in Willey.

I don't want Yorkshire to win a third consecutive County Championship title. There, it's been said.

I'll clarify. I don't want ANY County Club called Yorkshire to win the Title. I want MY County Club called Yorkshire to win the Title.

Identity.

What will we settle for? 11 players born outside Yorkshire in the team? 11 gunslingers bought in? No players from the Academy Ranks? How many is too many?

We don't yet know the make up of the Championship team. But, there could easily be days with FIVE non-Yorkshire born, nor nurtured players on the park.

Ballance, Williamson, Hodd, Brooks, Willey

They could be joined by nurtured but not born Leaning & Rhodes. And born but not nurtured Plunkett.

Gale, Lyth, Lees.

Look, I know that 11 is unlikely. No Bresnan. No Patto. No Ryan. But, how many is too many?

I'll wind some of my neck in. Plunkett is a Yorkshireman. Fair n square. Leaning & Rhodes are fully nurtured through our Academy system. Fair n square.

Point remains. With the signing of Gunslinger Willey. There seems a real chance of five non-Yorkies at some point. How many is too many? Before we lose the identity that has been crucial to the Club over the years.

You're a Dinosaur, I hear you bleat. Those days of an all Yorkshire Born XI are gone, I hear you whine. Get with the program GrandDad, I hear you blather.

Not me, fella. I'm posing a question. Are you happy with an all non-Yorkie XI? Ten? Nine? Come on how many?

This season, The Blog will feature an Identity Count. Denison, Moxon, Gillespie you're being watched.

Local Colour

My fourth time at this Stadium. I'm always amused by the fact that they never seem to have the details down in time. Today, they decided to remove the black sheets from the back of the sightscreen. Red ball. White sightscreens facing the pitch. All good here. One would assume.

The black sheets at the back. Presumably get draped around the front for white ball games. Leave well alone. No. No. No.

Start removing them after 60 overs. Fifteen minutes before the tea interval. While the game is in progress. Four man job. Sheets tie wrapped to the top. Mate, that ladder is too short. You'll have to become a balancing act & reach.

But, the Coup de Grace. Tredwell is bowling from this end. Round the wicket to Ballance. Over the wicket to Will Rhodes. One run. Down the ladder. Reposition screen for around the wicket. Reposition ladder. Up she goes. One run. Down the ladder. Reposition screen for over the wicket. Reposition ladder. Shin up. Repeat.

What, wait 5 minutes until Tea? Are you mad? What, wait until they are bowling from the other end? How would that work? Classic.

Today's cricket

Elements of Thunderbirds again. As per last season. Get in the mire at 88-5 before lunch on Day 1. Thunderbirds are Go. Someone organises a rescue. This time Ballance & Rhodes. The initial new ball & the 80 over one have done the trick really. Although I don't think it was doing a lot sideways.

Marvelously intelligent cricket from Rhodes & Carver at the end. He will, but I don't give a toss Rhodes missed out on his ton. It was a fine innings. Farmed the strike. Hit it out when he thought he could. Carver faced 9 balls.

292/607

Power, Innovation, TICKER

Lancashire Lightning 145-7 beat
United Arab Emirates 144-7
by 1 run

Yorkshire Vikings 155-5 beat
MCC 142-8
by 13 runs

Yorkshire Vikings 132-8 beat
Lancashire Lightning 119-9
by 13 runs

Yorkshire win (& retain) The Emirates T20 Trophy

Played at Dubai Sevens Oval

Friday 18 March 2016

Dry Day

Twitter @ball_sup

The Game evolves. I'm revising my opinion about T20. I was historically & naturally against manufactured shots. Ramps, scoops, reverses, etc. But, not now.

I think there are very few pure power hitters. Chris Gayle, McCullum, etc. Plant your feet. Keep your head still. See ball. Hit ball. Timing. Bat speed. If you've got it, use it.

Pietersen used to frustrate me. So good & powerful straight in The V. Put it there mate. Stop manufacturing.

But, I'll now say, if you're not pure power. And, if you're a good manufacturer. Crack on. I'm quite enjoying the cat & mouse. He can't have fielders everywhere. Look where he's struggling. Manufacture the shot there.

The fielding side can try sneak ins. An early over from the part time spinner. So, the batting side must. If needs. Manufacture early. I'll admit to being a trifle influenced by England's superb 230 odd run chase against The Saffers in the World T20.

When faced with mammoth score. Organise chase. Power from the off if you've got it. Manufacture from the off if you need to. Get ‘em ragged. Run ‘em ragged.

Power. Innovation. Ticker.

I thought the Vikings got over both lines there with character, heart, Ticker. In both games, at times, I thought “they've lost this”. But, they hadn't.

It's not really stay patient. It's more don't get demoralised. The bowlers are going to get some Tap. Some batsmen are going to get out quickly.

It's not stay in the game. There are only 120 balls FFS. You're already in the game. Don't put yourself out of it. Ticker.

MCC have gone from 70-1 after 7.3 to 87-6 after 10.5. Five wickets in 20 balls. The first 3 to Karl Carver. Then 2 in 2 caught Hodd, bowled Rhodes.

Against the Lankies, Carver has taken 2 in one over. Lyth bowled one over against MCC. Bazoomed for 21. Lees brought him on against the Lankies. A maiden. Ticker.

Disciplined bowling looks different in T20. You'll get some tap somewhere. But, that was disciplined bowling by the Young Yorkies. Salute.

But, we need some batting Gunslinger to provide power. We'll not see anything of Root. Little of Bairstow. Willey, Head - it'll be over to you.

291/605

Abu Dhabi Swingometer

MCC 221 all out
Yorkshire CCC 372 all out
MCC 220 all out
Yorkshire CCC 73 for 1

Yorkshire win by 9 wickets
Day 3

Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi

Tuesday 24 March 2015

Twitter @ball_sup

Alastair Cook, Lyth, Bairstow & Rashid from the England party to the West Indies are on view out here. If he'd avoided a niggle, maybe Liam Plunkett would've been on the field as well. At one stage, pre selection, I wondered whether Lyth, Bairstow, Rashid, Plunkett, Brooks & Ballance might all go to the West Indies. (Along with Root). But that all 6 (ie excluding Root) would be left out of the XI, miss Yorkshire's early Championship campaign, and be glorified drinks waiters.

That would have really cheered the Headingley North East Standers up. It'd have needed a 17 man squad anyway. In the event, Rashid has moved up the pecking order with the injury to Moeen Ali. Plunkett has moved up the pecking order with the injury to Chris Woakes. Bairstow will, surely, be the wicketkeeper batsman understudy to Buttler.

Intrigue for me is;

I can't see how they can play Trott, Lyth & Ballance.

If they play one spinner is it Rashid or Tredwell?

Is the third seamer pick behind Anderson & Broad, Jordan or Plunkett?

Part of the backcloth is the World Cup debacle. There will be a clamour to jettison the old, embrace the new. Using the term loosely, Trott & Tredwell represent the old. I'm sticking my neck all the way out. I think they'll go with Lyth & Adil.

Gives me Cook, Lyth, Ballance, Bell, Root, Buttler, Rashid, Stokes, Broad, Plunkett, Anderson - not necessarily in that order.

The game out here in Adu Dhabi changed a little with the injury to Graham Onions. Not quite as much of a test for the Yorkshire contenders.

At the end of Day 3 here's my Abu Dhabi Swingometer.

Plunkett - swings DOWN. Due to not playing, not having the chance to impress, an injury concern.

Bairstow - swings DOWN. Got nowhere in the first dig. Keeping fairly tidy though.

Rashid - swings UP. 2 for 51 off 14.5. 42 runs off 57 balls batting at 8. 4 for 72 off 22.5 Overs. Looked fluent with the bat. Nice high arm with the ball.

Lyth - swings UP. 113 in the first go. Even bowled a few overs, some maidens & snaffled Carberry. Red Ink not out as the winning runs were hit.

Cook - swings DOWN.  Faced 36 balls. 8 runs.

Efficient plan A win for Yorkshire. Get 350 plus in your first dig. 20 wickets & do the bits & pieces.

105/245

Prospects for D/N Tests

MCC 221 all out
Yorkshire CCC 372 all out
MCC 13 without loss
at close of Day 2

Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi

Monday 23 March 2015

Twitter @ball_sup

I worry sometimes about cricket's future & its administrators. They're Blind Faithers. The Holy Grail of Cricket's Legendary New Audience is out there. All they've got to do is make the tweaks & they'll come running.

I can be harsh. Here's a shot from the hip. The only way (English) cricket can fill the grounds is with people who have no interest in cricket, with no interest in developing an interest in cricket and who NEVER WILL develop an interest in cricket.

Groups of young men out on the piss & the easily distracted. That is what is down for us. In some senses, the Aussies have it more nailed down than us. They openly market ODIs on the Party Atmosphere. We call it Fancy Dress. They call it Dress Up Party. They market "the biggest dress up party in Queensland this year".  A section of the stand is cordoned off and marketed as The Dress Up Deck. Groups of Flintstones characters are invited in, maybe even given a free drink. But their real job is to gurn for the cameras. Self-Perpetuation. Somewhere out in TV Land the next potential group of Scooby Doo characters are thinking, "the Flintstones have just got on the tele, we'll have some of that next year".

I'm going down that road because this MCC v Yorkshire game is a small part of that plan to entice the New Audience. Trial 4/5 day cricket under lights. Trial the Pink Ball. Build Day/Night Test Cricket and New Audience, he come running. I blogged yesterday that I found the Pink Ball tricky to follow against the grass under the lights.

Out there, somewhere, an Administrator is thinking "we're not worried about that, the New Audience are not there to watch the cricket anyway". I can be harsh.

I'll confess that I'm not sure which market we're chasing. Is it the "nip down after work, catch the 2nd half" crowd? Because poor facilities & horrendous ticket prices & (in England) no Membership options for Test cricket, work against that market.

More positively. The large, spacious Australian stadiums. With clean, well managed & well staffed Members areas/lounges/bars/restaurants. With large unreserved areas. (The Australian phrase is the delightful First In Best Dressed) They are much more set up for polite, civilised socialising at the cricket.

In Australia, there is an existing tradition of people dipping into and out of a day's play. Some coming for "breakfast" until Lunch, and then heading to the factory/office. Some starting the grind early & unwinding at the cricket after Tea.

I do happen to think that Day/Night Tests may work down under in that context. And I am supportive of the initiative and trials. But, I am more sceptical about Day/Night Tests in England. There may be a novelty value. The never will have an interest in cricket merchants may be out in force at some point.

Maybe until they realise it's costing them a Ton for a single days play. But, our grounds don't have the same high quality "socialising options" that you get in Australia. Plastic glasses of fizzy sugar water lager. Amid the detritus under the stand. It's just different.

I'm already beginning to enjoy The Moments in the 2015 season. Lyth's ton. Rhodes 50. Rashid's strokeplay. Compton bringing Carberry on and him strangling a wicket straight away.

And The Frustrations. Patto, having done a superb job as Nightwatchman, getting out just before Lunch, exposing Bairstow, who lasted 6 balls.

Not gripping. But a lovely, cameo, entertaining day.

104/244

Black over Bill's Mothers

MCC 221 all out
Yorkshire CCC 82-2 at close of Day 2

Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi

Sunday 22 March 2015

Twitter @ball_sup

A Day/Night First Class 4 Day game. Played in Whites. Starting at 1430. 96 Overs in the day. Stumps about 2150, under the floodlights. Part of the inexorable march to Day/Night Test Matches. There is a chance/rumour that could be in Australia, this Calendar Year.

The key, we are lead to believe is the Pink Ball. Not Red, used time immemorial during the day. Not White, used on One Day & T20 cricket, day & night. But Pink.

So, might as well rush to judgement. I've thought it through. Scientists please look away now.

The ball needs 4 contrasts. Against the clear blue sky. Against the floodlit, but dark sky. Against the seats & stadium. Against the grass. Test Matches are (mainly) in bowl like stadiums, with high stands. Test Matches have some big shots, but a lot along the ground. Spectators main view is looking DOWN, against the grass.

Players are closer to the ball and not as high. The contrast against the grass is not as critical as it is for spectators.

I had no more problem following/sighting the Pink Ball during the day than I recall with the Red or White one. But, it was difficult to follow/sight under the lights when caressed along the ground. When the occasional lifted shot was played, I felt I could see the Pink Ball well against the darkened sky. But, along the ground, I felt all "wheres that gone". Even when I located the fielder chasing it down, it looked like they were miming a chase.

It was always gonna be a compromise. It is with the Red and White as well. I understand (obviously) the paramount needs of the players & umpires. But straight out of the box, it wasn't what I'd hoped.

I'll keep an eye on it over the coming days.

103/243

Power Hitting & Drinking

Yorkshire Vikings 159-5 beat Lancashire Lighting 138-7

Sussex Sharks 164-4 beat MCC 146-9

Yorkshire Vikings 176-4 beat Sussex Sharks 102 all out

Emirates T20 Tournament - Winners Yorkshire Vikings

The Sevens, Dubai

Friday 20 March 2015

Twitter @ball_sup

My first time at this particular venue & "tournament". Although I've been to both International T20 & Test Matches up the road at Dubai Sports City.

First bit of "silverware" this season for the White Rose. Actually, an insanely large coffee pot. Good luck to whoever has to get that on the plane home & through Customs.

In all 3 matches, the side batting first won. T20 passes by in the blink of an eye doesn't it? My concentration not helped by others participating in the three hour swill at the Premium Buffet With Alcohol. Some serious Power Drinking out there.

What I thought I noticed was that Yorkshire were able to restrict boundaries conceded. That is a good skill to have. In the final, Hodd & Leaning put on 99 to recover from 77-4 (after being 16-3). And then England's Adil Rashid bagged a four for.

Sussex had previously won this tournament four times in a row. Obviously, it's a phoney war. But, "winning is a habit".

There's some intriguing match ups out here. Notably the Openers. Encumbent Alastair Cook. Recent discards Compton & Carberry. New pick Adam Lyth. And widely tipped Alex Lees. All of whom now move on to the four day game in Abu Dhabi. Mouthwatering.

I'm not normally one for stalking players. But, the opportunity to shake hands with & wish well to Nepali Cricket Captain Paras Khadka who was sat behind me was too good to miss. Great that MCC picked him.

OK. So, Friday is the religious day off, weekend in these parts. Expats tell me it is not what it was. But, Friday "all you can eat & drink" buffets are a thing out here. Lots of hotels & restaurants putting out ever more elaborate spreads to outdo each other.

Today, being Friday, for around 70 quid, you could get into the ground and have a 1230 until 1530, 3 hour run at a barbecue & the bar. Read that again, and the bar. Some Troopers were even buying booze for cash money BEFORE open season. And then again after the freebie shutters had gone down.

I've served my time on Power Drinking. And I knew there'd be Industrial International Lager only. (Amstel, Budweiser & Heineken as it turned out). So, I declined. Casualties and Atrocities aplenty. Fisticuffs towards the end of the final.

And now, a bit of KP T20 opinion.

Here's what I can't remember. Retired. Dropped. Sacked. Did Kevin Pietersen retire from International T20? Or was that part of his general, get your P45, sacking?

Because, here's what I don't get. If there is a lifeline back for him. Based on form. As "suggested" by Colin Graves. He surely doesn't have to go anywhere, or play for anyone, to demonstrate his T20 form. That's out there for anyone & everyone to see. He's out there playing in Big Bash & the Circuit.

Test cricket, yes. The Ashes, yes. He needs to play some/lots of First Class Cricket to put himself in the frame for those. But T20 (dare I include ODI). If Graves is wiping the slate clean, the Selectors could just pick him (or not).

102/241