Western Australia coach Justin Langer is upset about a key Sheffield Shield game being held at the Sydney’s tiny Hurstville Oval.
Langer and Western Australia outfit desperately wanted to play at the Sydney Cricket Ground, but the venue is unavailable due to re-turfing, and Hurstville got announced as the substitute venue for the NSW v WA game.
The fixture is of high importance, as most of the Test candidates will be vying to prove their credential and gain the selector’s trust. Langer feels that playing at an unknown venue instead of a proper international ground will hurt the preparation hugely.
Australia is currently looking out for batsmen who show “balls of steel” and fill the all-important No. 6 spot in the side.
“It’s going to take the player who has the balls of steel. Because, when you know there’s a position (in the Test side), not only do you have to concentrate on that — the really great players just concentrate on the process.
The Western Australia currently holds the seasoned Shaun Marsh and upcoming names Hilton Cartwright and Marcus Stoinis in their line-up. This trio faced competition from Glenn Maxwell and Mitchell Marsh, therefore, making it very crucial for the WA Ashes probables to perform in a distinguished fashion under testing conditions.
“It’s very disappointing for us,” said Langer.
“Not only are there some very good players playing but it’s also leading up to the Ashes. The first Test of the Ashes is a few weeks later, so to play at Hurstville Oval — which probably couldn’t be further from the WACA or the Gabba is disappointing.
“From Australian cricket’s point of view, it’s a shame that game is going to be played there. This is my fifth year as coach of WA. I wasn’t here last year because of personal reasons, but we’ve played one Shield game at the SCG in five years.”
He also lamented the fact that an important first-class competition is often taken away to smaller venues from big Test venues.
“That’s bizarre. I find that really strange and disappointing. There are obvious reasons for it, but you don’t want to take the polish off our domestic competition.
“Our domestic competition has been the envy of the world for a long time. I think it’s a really integral part of why we’ve been so successful.”
“The cream has to rise to the top. It’s a really hard competition, and you play on great venues.
Many NSW players have also expressed similar opinions about not getting to play at the SCG.
However, it was known earlier that the venue was slated to undergo its first full re-turf in seven years – a mandatory procedure.