3rd test Aus V SA, Perth 30 Nov to 4 Dec

[The_Brown_Hornet]

If we accept the premise that the club/state system has the purpose of producing test cricketers, then the outcome above would be considered "desirable". It's pretty shit for the young blokes who get injured early, but better for the test team in many respects. Each level gets tougher mentally and physically, so you'd want battle hardened bodies and minds by the time they get to test level. A brutal way to look at it, but elite level sport is an absolutely brutal business.

 

[Braveheart81]

I agree and the reality is that a keen young cricketer who breaks down is still likely to play cricket if they love the game on a more social basis that their body can stand up to.

The reality is that regardless of what playing conditions we create, unless you're a talented junior, no one is going to ask you to bowl a lot of overs.

If we protect that talented junior from bowling a lot of overs until they're an adult, arguably if they were likely to break down, they probably still will.

 

[Rassie]

Did anyone mention to the ones not living in Australia why it is easy to pick heaps of runs in the Shield in January and the bowlers picks up heaps of wickets in September? Surprising fact that one of the games actually resulted in a result as the pitches are flat as a table. March is when there is a bit of both in it for everyone.