Cossies back!

[Dragon74]

Cossie article in today's Advertiser makes a brief mention about Head being re-signed.

[Shark_Hunter]

Bit worried there might not be room for Kelvin Smith. 560+ runs at 93 in Grade cricket and also averaged 40+ at Premier League. 4 tons across the two comps including 2 x 150+. Not too many players have pulled in those kind of stats in recent seasons.

Would be a massive shame to lose him interstate, next season could really be a breakthrough year for him.

[heater31]

Bit worried there might not be room for Kelvin Smith. 560+ runs at 93 in Grade cricket and also averaged 40+ at Premier League. 4 tons across the two comps including 2 x 150+. Not too many players have pulled in those kind of stats in recent seasons.

Would be a massive shame to lose him interstate, next season could really be a breakthrough year for him.

Well Hobart were keen on him for the BBL last season.....

[Footy Smart]

Bit worried there might not be room for Kelvin Smith. 560+ runs at 93 in Grade cricket and also averaged 40+ at Premier League. 4 tons across the two comps including 2 x 150+. Not too many players have pulled in those kind of stats in recent seasons.

Would be a massive shame to lose him interstate, next season could really be a breakthrough year for him.

I wouldnt be to worried re Kelv, what he is 19? I think his time will come, he will replace Klinger in the next year or so depending on how long he wants to keep going.

Unfortunatley his College commitments have held him back slightly. He needs another solid year to really get his name forward IMO and I doubt a state would take him on the back of 6 good grade games.

If he cant see a way in at the end of next year and he smashes Grade Cricket/Futures up then he may look for another state.

[tigerpie]

The good thing is that him coming back puts more pressure on the top 6 incumbents. One has to go to fit him in...pun intended!

[westcoastpanther]

If these kids are good enough they will force their way in. Is this how it works these days when you've got talent, look at the list, nup I can't get a spot there I better move to a state that will gift me a spot. Give me a bloody break

[bennymacca]

If these kids are good enough they will force their way in. Is this how it works these days when you've got talent, look at the list, nup I can't get a spot there I better move to a state that will gift me a spot. Give me a bloody break

I'm glad you never had to change your place of employment for what you perceived as a better opportunity for career progression.

[westcoastpanther]

If these kids are good enough they will force their way in. Is this how it works these days when you've got talent, look at the list, nup I can't get a spot there I better move to a state that will gift me a spot. Give me a bloody break

I'm glad you never had to change your place of employment for what you perceived as a better opportunity for career progression.

Dumb post^

I've done it, but only because my current employer couldn't offer me anything higher. All States offer the same thing, the chance to play First Class Cricket. It's just whether you want to earn your chance and improve whilst doing it, or take the easy option.

[bennymacca]

Lol what do you think first class cricket is over district cricket? What are you on about?

[Phantom Gossiper]

Lol what do you think first class cricket is over district cricket? What are you on about?

What he is getting at (if i'm not mistaken) is that with employment, people move on because they cant climb the ladder any further and stagnate or move to earn more money.

With cricket, if you are good enough then knuckle down and the rewards will come, packing up and moving to another state that might be easier to get a game sounds a little like taking the easy way out.

[westcoastpanther]

Lol what do you think first class cricket is over district cricket? What are you on about?

What he is getting at (if i'm not mistaken) is that with employment, people move on because they cant climb the ladder any further and stagnate or move to earn more money.

With cricket, if you are good enough then knuckle down and the rewards will come, packing up and moving to another state that might be easier to get a game sounds a little like taking the easy way out.

Correct PG

[bennymacca]

yes, but if you are the 7th best batsman in the country, but the 6 best all play for your state (an exaggeration, but you get my point) then surely it would be in his interests to move state where increased opportunities would allow him to develop his cricket further?

for the record, im not saying smith should move, dont really know enough about it, but i am just taking particular issue with the notion that moving states is somehow taking the easy route, particularly when a very significant proportion of our test team has moved state to pursue further opportunity.

[heater31]

Ok here is how I see it. With Kelvin Smith it could be seen a an opportunity as he has played a couple of Shield games but never really cemented his spot in the team. He might see an opportunity to get a spot like that.

Travis Head if he was to move states it would be seen as the easy option because he was established at First Class level but suffered a form slump and was dropped. Then wanted out straight away without trying to force his way back in.

[westcoastpanther]

yes, but if you are the 7th best batsman in the country, but the 6 best all play for your state (an exaggeration, but you get my point) then surely it would be in his interests to move state where increased opportunities would allow him to develop his cricket further?

At both of their ages, how do they know how good they are. I have no problem with 24+ blokes going if they can't get a look in. No real loss to SA cricket if they can't get a gig but can get a go somewhere else, the Klinger's of the game need this.

When your young, which they both are in cricket terms, and have so much ability, taking the easy option may not be the best long term. CA would love to see someone like Smith dislodge Ferg from the side and make big runs.

[Phantom Gossiper]

Smith is only a kid still though, plenty of time. Wasnt he part of the AUS 19's this summer as well? I'm sure he is right in the thoughts of SACA, just a matter of waiting until the time is right.

It's cricket not footy, dont have to be playing (and dominating) state cricket before you're 20 to be considered a decent player and have a long career

[bennymacca]

Of course. But if tassie offered him a full time contract how could he turn that down in favour of playing district cricket for a couple more years? That's not taking an easy way out it is looking out for your career. And state plus BBL contract, combined with maybe a county deal makes these guys professional cricketers these days.

The easy option would be gong to play in the country and get on the cans instead of buckling down (thinking of footballers in that instance)

[heater31]

Of course. But if tassie offered him a full time contract how could he turn that down in favour of playing district cricket for a couple more years? That's not taking an easy way out it is looking out for your career. And state plus BBL contract, combined with maybe a county deal makes these guys professional cricketers these days.

The easy option would be gong to play in the country and get on the cans instead of buckling down (thinking of footballers in that instance)

Could get himself a career sorted once his cricket career is finished whilst he waits.....


Sam Raphael did this and had a full time job in the real world before he became a first class cricketer.

Dan Cullen on the other hand finished school and went straight into cricket. Now trying to catch up with a career outside of cricket.

[bennymacca]

Of course. But if tassie offered him a full time contract how could he turn that down in favour of playing district cricket for a couple more years? That's not taking an easy way out it is looking out for your career. And state plus BBL contract, combined with maybe a county deal makes these guys professional cricketers these days.

The easy option would be gong to play in the country and get on the cans instead of buckling down (thinking of footballers in that instance)

Could get himself a career sorted once his cricket career is finished whilst he waits.....


Sam Raphael did this and had a full time job in the real world before he became a first class cricketer.

Dan Cullen on the other hand finished school and went straight into cricket. Now trying to catch up with a career outside of cricket.

i know this is definitely a first world problem but for sub-elite cricketers like cullen, and most other shield cricketers for that matter, trying to make it into the big time, it would be extremely difficult, as the training requirements are almost the same as the elite cricketers but nowhere near the renumeration.

[heater31]

Of course. But if tassie offered him a full time contract how could he turn that down in favour of playing district cricket for a couple more years? That's not taking an easy way out it is looking out for your career. And state plus BBL contract, combined with maybe a county deal makes these guys professional cricketers these days.

The easy option would be gong to play in the country and get on the cans instead of buckling down (thinking of footballers in that instance)

Could get himself a career sorted once his cricket career is finished whilst he waits.....


Sam Raphael did this and had a full time job in the real world before he became a first class cricketer.

Dan Cullen on the other hand finished school and went straight into cricket. Now trying to catch up with a career outside of cricket.

i know this is definitely a first world problem but for sub-elite cricketers like cullen, and most other shield cricketers for that matter, trying to make it into the big time, it would be extremely difficult, as the training requirements are almost the same as the elite cricketers but nowhere near the renumeration.

Plenty of down time to study an open university course both in season and during the winter. Footballers manage to study around their training requirements


And $60,000 base salary to play cricket is a very comfortable wage. Match payments are on top of your base salary if you have a contract or upgraded contract.


If you are on base salary and play the majority of the shield games your total earnings is pushing $100,000 before tax.

[bennymacca]

yeah, not saying it is impossible, but it you are effectively putting your future career on hold for a crack at the big time. not saying that it is a bad thing or whatever.