I’VE fielded some fairly scathing remarks over the past month or two regarding representative cricket in Orange.
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Most revolve around the selection policies in place, and why the ‘best’ cricketers in the town aren’t donning the baggy blue.
It’s becoming very old very fast.
It’s very easy to criticise, especially when all you read is a scorecard.
But, there is no two ways around it, we have struggled recently.
In the last three seasons, including this current one, we have won just three games.
Instability, inconsistency and unreliability has plagued the Orange squad for several years now and it has reflected in our performances.
Despite all that, the criticism and negativity toward the side of late has been concerning and unwarranted.
The selectors do the best job they can with the players we have available. As skipper, in conjunction with the selectors, we made a conscious decision to show faith in those who put their hands up from the beginning. Players can’t pick and choose what games they play and expect to still be selected.
And to put it simply we can’t force anyone to play for Orange.
Almost all of the top cricketers in Orange have young kids, and for anyone to suggest playing cricket is more important than family is naive, and wrong.
Our squad has an average age of 21. It takes time to find your feet at a representative level and everyone in the squad is still learning.
Trust me, there is no lack of effort from the players.
We’ve given ourselves the goal of winning the President’s Cup this year, and despite Sunday’s result we are still a realistic chance.
Our effort against the Mountains wasn’t good enough, we know it better than anyone. But our win over a stacked Bathurst team proves the potential in the squad.
We’re regrouping, and looking toward Cowra at home in two weeks.
We need the support of the Orange cricketing community though.
Matt Findlay is the captain of the Orange open representative cricket side.