Sheffield Shield: mid-season review

Ok, so the Sheffield Shield has been heavily lumped into the first half of the 2008/09 cricket season. And this means that we are now ready for the mid-season review.

The season so far has been dominated by first innings collapses, some bowling friendly conditions and, as always, has been as predictable as Mitchell Johnson's line and length. So here we go.

Batsman of the season so far

MC Gregor: If anyone would have told me that the standout batter so far would be Michael Klinger, I would have laughed at them, given them a wedgie and urinated on their car. Klinger was, at best, mediocre. But no more. This season he has rattled off 775 runs at an average of a tick under 100. He has scored several tons (all of them very important, including a classy double hundred against an in form WA bowling attack), and a couple of 50s. Consistent is the word. Pomersbach has had a batting chart like a picket fence, while Go North and Rangogers have been improving with each game. A special mention to Rangogers, who is the only opener who has really overcome the new ball problems that have been endemic for the Shield batsmen so far.

Mixmaster D: It has to be Maxy Klinger. For a bloke that was in and out of Victoria more than David Beckham on his wedding night, this season has been remarkable. Maxy always struggled to cement his place in the Victorian side and decided that a change of scenery in the off season would be for the best. And how right he was. 750 plus runs at almost 100 is sublime form for anyone, let alone the number 3 in the worst team in the Shield. Kudos Maxy - hopefully he has the Australian selectors on the phone shortly.

Bowler of the season so far

MC Gregor: Oh how I want to say Go North. But I am going to split it between two polar opposites. One, a tall, smooth-shaven line and length bowler who uses discipline and height to snare his wickets. The other, an extra from a viking porn film who seems as genuinely perplexed as anyone when he hits a length, but who uses speed and dare to snaffle his wickets. Magoffin (McMuffin) and Dirk Nannes (Dirty Dirk) have been very, very good. I think McMuffin is a darkie for a test this year, and I'm just happy for Jrod that Dirty Dirk is having such a cracker - even though he is a dirty, stinking cheat who was banned from bowling against WA after two chest high full tosses (which, to be fair, swung).

Mixmaster D: I so wanted this to be either Noffke or Hilfenhaus. That would've made me a very happy Mix Master. Alas, it is not the case. And whilst Steve Magoffin and Dirk Nannes lead the wicket takers, Ryan Harris is my choice here. Another player that changed States in the off season, moving from SA to Queensland, he has certainly made it worth the Bulls while. In taking 21 wickets at 27 apiece, Harris doesn't have the most impressive average but the thing that impresses me is that his best bowling for an innings is 4/67. To me, this shows consistency across each game he's played. And that's what you want from a bowler. Magoffin and Nannes have gotten half their season’s wickets in just 1 match thus far. And as an end note - let me just say that Mark Cameron from NSW is unlucky to be playing for NSW as he'd walk into any other bowling line up in the country.

Surprise Packet

MC Gregor: Many a fool will say NSW. I say to them, I respect your office Mr Benaud but you are wrong. SA have been a delight. Tait has his mojo back. Klinger has joined with Khan in providing an interesting religious combination (but a successful batting one), and the rest of the side are being ably led by the ever-improving Manou (who is the best gloveman in Australia, and is rapidly diminishing the lingering doubts over his batting). They won't win the comp, and in fact they'll lose more games than they win, but they are competitive...which I don't think many people thought they would be.

Mixmaster D: Burt Cockley. Many of you will be scouring cricinfo to figure out who the hell I'm talking about, but it won't take long to find him. Yet another NSW fast bowler that has just slotted into the Shield team beautifully when he's been selected. After playing one match last season, he has played 3 matches this season and collected two 5-wicket hauls this season and 14 wickets at 17 and a bit. Taking the new ball and outperforming Passion Pop Bollinger in the most recent game against Queensland has only pushed young Burt up in my estimation. That, and the fact that his name is Burt.

Biggest Disappointment

MC Gregor: The Australian selectors. Imagine slogging your guts out in the toughest first class comp in the world, but then realising that genuine numpties have control over your chances to wear the green and gold. I love Merv more than any man should, but I just don't see what the selectors are doing. They have completely demoralised the Australian bowling stocks with some weird decisions and outright clangers, and why oh why do we continue to persist with this Roy/Watson debacle. Make a decision and stick with it! One or the other! OR NEITHER!!! Honourable mention to Tasmania who have been shaken by the Tassie quota debacle, and Queensland who are a one day side playing four day cricket.

Mixmaster D : Spinners, and in particular Dan Cullen. Now, we all know that Krejzy Eyes took 12 wickets on Test debut. But nobody would’ve predicted 6 months ago that he is the best slow bowling prospect in the country. The fact that Marcus North is the best performed spinner in the Shield this season (8 wickets at 30) says a lot. The Aussie selectors may as well resort to having a middle order of North, DHussey, Clarke and Symonds and get the spinning overs out of them. On to Cullen. It’s not his fault that he was anointed as the next in line, but he had the title and needed to damn well make sure he did his best to live up to it. Granted, he hasn’t been done any favours by not being persisted with regardless of his results, but he also has to repay some of that faith by taking something better than a wicket every 19 overs in the 3 games he’s played so far. And from what I can gather, he doesn’t use as much flight as he used to – this can only be a bad thing for his bowling. Come on Dan, come on other spinners – pull your fingers out.

Prediction

MC Gregor: WA will come third, and I will wander into the desert wearing a hair shirt and asking questions about life, its meaning and whether His Shaun-ness will reach form. Oh and Victoria will win the shield. WA the T20 and someone will probably win the one-day comp but I'm not certain about that).

MixMaster D: Philip Hughes will be the next long-term opener in the Australian side (much to the ranting and raving of ill-informed Victorians claiming a NSW bias) and Moises Henriques will continue his development and become the first genuine all rounder Australia has had since Simon O'Donnell.