IPL, other places of ill-repute harming youthful minds, techniques: Roebuck
By ANIWednesday, January 19, 2011
SYDNEY - Noted cricket columnist Peter Roebuck has described tournaments like the Indian Premier League (IPL) as sporting institutions of “ill-repute” that may improve players bank balances, but have the potential of harming youthful minds and their cricket techniques.
Commenting on the Australian World Cup squad, Roebuck said it was an unbalanced, old and unfit one that should be seen as a “slap in the face for aspirants such as Callum Ferguson, Phil Hughes and David Warner.”
“Plain as day, IPL is improving bank balances but harming youthful minds and techniques,” he said in his syndicated Sydney Morning Herald column.
He said that the current squad looks the least imposing, but is a side with strengths and possibilities.
“Even the age of the players can be turned to advantage. For most of the squad this tournament offers the last chance to win a World Cup. After that they will be dispatched to IPL and other places of ill repute. Desperation and experience can be a powerful combination. And World Cups tend to be won by the tried and trusted,” Roebuck adds.
“The selectors’ decision to rely on raw speed is a calculated gamble taken by a panel looking for an edge. It’s risky because it commits the team to playing back-foot cricket in a front-foot country (India). The pitches are unlikely to be favourable,” Roebuck says.
He criticizes the inclusion of two speedsters no longer available for Sheffield Shield cricket-Brett Lee and Shaun Tait.
He also sees the inclusion of Doug Bollinger as another risk and the outcome would depend upon his training schedule over the next few weeks.
The inclusion of off-spinner Nathan Hauritz he says is deserving because of his current form. (ANI)
