Redbacks’ effort reflects on SA cricket
The West End Redbacks’ One Day Cup campaign is in tatters and verging on embarrassment.
With four losses from four matches the side goes into the next three matches minus their skipper, wicket keeper, fastest bowler and key batsman.
Former Redbacks Peter George and Michael Klinger, now playing successfully for Queensland and WA respectively, add to the impression that South Australian cricket is in a shambles.
The captain, Johan Botha, has been queried about his bowling action and managed to miss the key final game of last season through a disciplinary suspension.
The Matador One Day Cup format, where sides play their seven matches in one fortnight in one location, has taken a heavy toll on the SA side.
Paceman Shaun Tait – who has played Twenty20 cricket only since 2008 – was meant to bolster the bowling ranks.
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Instead, he’s been expensive and with just three matches under his belt, re-joined the injury list.
Tait was ruled out for the remainder of the Matador One-Day Cup with a groin strain yesterday.
Tait joins a long list of injured players including Botha and wicket-keeper Tim Ludeman who both suffered hamstring strains earlier in the tournament.
As the squad travels to Sydney for the remaining three matches, Tait returned to Adelaide for further assessment along with batsman Mark Cosgrove who has been omitted from the squad.
Cosgrove was meant to the “runs saviour” for SA after successful seasons with Tasmania after falling foul of selectors in SA five years ago over his lack of fitness.
His four years with the Tasmanian Tigers, Cosgrove won two Bupa Sheffield Shield titles.
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Returning to Adelaide to be closer to family and friends, he boasts a first class batting average of 42.47.
Back in Redbacks colours, he’s failed to get to double figures in four matches and has been sent home.
Bowlers Joe Mennie and Daniel Worrall have been added to the squad along with young batsman Kelvin Smith.
Smith’s inclusion comes off the back of his 196 runs for West End Premier League side Western Grit against Papua New Guinea.
If form against PNG is what gets you into the South Australian side, then it’s likely the next three matches of this tournament will add to the side’s woes.
Redbacks coach Darren Berry says he’s disappointed.
“We are very disappointed with where we sit, with our results. There is no hiding behind that at all, but when you have 10 senior players out of your side in a team sport of eleven, it certainly decimates your line up,” he said.
“I suppose the positive out of it is that young players have had an opportunity. We’ve had four debutantes in this series; we certainly didn’t plan for that. Now Alex Gregory and Kelvin Smith are another two who are well and truly in the mix and have their chance to debut.”
SA cricket fans have been looking for something positive for the last 19 seasons.
It’s not looking good.
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