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[Alvaro]

Here is a list of the statistics for the recently completed Australian domestic season. Ed Cowan is top, but has played more than most and had a couple of free hits in tour matches against pop gun attacks.
Otherwise, no one really stands out as a real international prospect other than Joe Burns, but he won't get picked because he plays for Q'land (eh Langer?) and consistent players who probably won't ever get picked like Klinger and Voges.

http://stats.espncricinfo.com/australia-domestic-2011/engine/records/batting/most_runs_career.html?class=4;host=2;id=2011%2F12;type=season

[awp]

I wouldn't say a dearth, but not the depth available in recent days gone by. 

The younger players still not consistent, the contenders (Khawaja / Ferguson / Marsh etc) didn't have good seasons.  Also, there were a lot of good bowling wickets in Oz this year.  I think this is one reason why the established players (Voges / Rogers / Katich etc) did well by comparison. 

10 years ago there would be 3 batsmen in each state that were capable of test cricket, this isn't currently the case.

I do like that the team is heading in the right direction, a review, followed by action and a plan to rebuild wont change things overnight but there has been significant improvement in most departments.

you should also understand the Sheffield Shield is and always has been of a significantly higher standard and tougher breeding ground than county cricket.

[Red Ink Cricket]

you should also understand the Sheffield Shield is and always has been of a significantly higher standard and tougher breeding ground than county cricket.

thats going to open up an interesting discussion

[langer17]

thats going to open up an interesting discussion

Tougher as there are less teams, so more competitions for spots.

[Red Ink Cricket]

Tougher as there are less teams, so more competitions for spots.

that is probably the case, tougher to maintain your spot because there are always so many chasing you. doesnt mean its a higher standard

i would say both leagues have their strengths. as with all leagues they have their stars and also have those players that will never play international cricket.

[Alvaro]

Tougher as there are less teams, so more competitions for spots.

Who in that list is close in terms of numbers to people like Siddons, Cox, Law, Love, Hodge etc.?

[Manormanic]

It used to be tougher, but I doubt that it is now. 

That said, there have been encouraging signs for the Aussies this winter - their Test bowling attack has gone from the popgun farce of the Ashes to looking decent within a short space of time - there's still no real spinner, but there are five or six quicks at or about the required level.  But, and this chimes with the general tenor of this thread, their batting is still woefully reliant on two guys who would in any other age have been taken behind the woodshed and will continue to be so until some sensible succession planning is in place.

[Mortimer]

I've heard Aussie basmen say that the Sheffield Shield was tougher for them becuase there were fewer matches, so there was always pressure to perform. In county cricket, there was more of an attitude that if you failed today, there would be another chance coming very quickly.

[awp]

that comment wasn't meant to sound like an aussie vs poms comment and Im glad you guys have resisted the 'bash the aussies' mentality that is so prevalent on this forum.

whilst it is only my opinion, it is a comment that countless english test players have made to me over the years when they come here to play club cricket. guys from way back to Alec Stewart and Robin Smith to some guys still in the international teams.

I think batsmanship as a whole isn't as it was, and in my opinion it is somewhat due to the current international schedule.  Many aussie stars learned a lot about different conditions from playing many seasons of county cricket and visa versa, our club scene in Perth has seen many english test players benefit similarly.  One of the great skills of the test player is adaptability.

[Alvaro]

that comment wasn't meant to sound like an aussie vs poms comment and Im glad you guys have resisted the 'bash the aussies' mentality that is so prevalent on this forum.

whilst it is only my opinion, it is a comment that countless english test players have made to me over the years when they come here to play club cricket. guys from way back to Alec Stewart and Robin Smith to some guys still in the international teams.

I think batsmanship as a whole isn't as it was, and in my opinion it is somewhat due to the current international schedule.  Many aussie stars learned a lot about different conditions from playing many seasons of county cricket and visa versa, our club scene in Perth has seen many english test players benefit similarly.  One of the great skills of the test player is adaptability.

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[Buzz]

this video is doing the rounds - I love the shot at 1min in.

there is some batting talent in Aus...

best 3 year old australian cricketer. This girl will play for australia.

[mad_abt_cricket]

that was a great shot over covers!

[The_Bird]

Chances are she'll be used to doing her homework, so she's already ahead of a few.


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