fitness competitions 2009
Are England too generous to their opponents?
In the build up to the 2009 Ashes in England, Australian fast bowler Stuart Clark has joined Kent on a six week deal, in a bid to prove his fitness and regain some form ahead of the tour.
http://content.cricinfo.com/engvaus2009/content/current/story/395431.html
Are England too accommodating to rival nations? Would Australia allow English players to play in the Sheffield Shileld, or Grade cricket, ahead of an important series?
Is it right that opposition players should use English domestic competitions in such a manner?
I doubt the Australians would do it for England even if others would (I only say that because the countries are rivals before anyone gives a thumbs down). So why do we do it for them?
Its the same for tourist matches. We ask for a pointless, non competitive, 14-a-side match, often against a local scratch side, in preparation for a test series and then wonder why we have such a bad record in the first test of a series!
Yet when teams come over here they get at least 2 or 3 proper first class games against our first class counties and often in conditions that favour the tourists and help them bat and bowl themselves into form. Could you imagine the Aussies helping us bat our way into form. They would give us some tricky conditions, in the hope we collapse and lose confidence.
BCABBA Fitness Competition April 2009
