Have another go, Bryce ...

Well?

We've all vented a bit of steam at the unfortunate (apparently humble nice guy) Bryce McGain, who has just exhibited perhaps the worst case of Yipping seen in Test cricket since Johnny Watkins in 1972-73.

Jeff Thomson took none for plenty on debut, but he did have a broken foot ... he came back.

Warnie famously took 1 - 150 odd, though he did bowl rather more than 18 overs. He came back.

Goochie made a pair, but came back ...


The main difference, of course, is that all these debut disasters befell their owners when they were in their early 20's, not when they were aged 36. Has anyone, anywhere, let alone anyone over 30, had anything like such a dreadful start, and come back to do anything useful later?

Marvan Atapattu began his career with something like 4 ducks in his first 5 innings. He came back to have a pretty useful test career. But he was 20 when he started.

Shaun Udal debuted for England aged 36 against Pakistan in 2005. He was pretty unthreatening to say the least, and took something like 2 wickets in his first 2 tests. But for some reason, the England selectors retained him for the tour to India 2 months later, and he took 4 for not many in the final test at Mumbai to seal a famous win for a depleted England side.

Like Atapattu, Kallis and Ken Rutherford had horrendous starts to their batting careers, but recovered (to varying degrees!).

Good call on Udal, and JGK has mentioned Shahadat Hossain (0-102 in 12 overs on debut) on another thread.

Australia shouldn't give McGain another go. Whatever happens, he's a short term fix. They need to pick a young spinner (probably Krejza) and stick with him even if he produces rubbish occasionally.

Martin Crowe struggled early before becoming world class.

That Bradman guy could only manage 18 and 1 on debut as well.

Henry wrote:Australia shouldn't give McGain another go. Whatever happens, he's a short term fix. They need to pick a young spinner (probably Krejza) and stick with him even if he produces rubbish occasionally.

Possibly the most sensible Trev post ever.

JGK wrote:Martin Crowe struggled early before becoming world class.

That Bradman guy could only manage 18 and 1 on debut as well.

Was made 12th man for the next test and scored 70 odd in his second test, no?

Phil Hughes could have had a pretty shocking debut if South Africa had got their referrals right.

JGK wrote:Martin Crowe struggled early before becoming world class.

That Bradman guy could only manage 18 and 1 on debut as well.

But Ohma is 36, FFS. Unless he's Dutchy Holland or Dainty Ironmonger, he's farked as far as his Test career is concerned.

Henry wrote:

JGK wrote:Martin Crowe struggled early before becoming world class.

That Bradman guy could only manage 18 and 1 on debut as well.

Was made 12th man for the next test and scored 70 odd in his second test, no?

Phil Hughes could have had a pretty shocking debut if South Africa had got their referrals right.

Trev on a roll. WTF?

Was made 12th man for the next test and scored 70 odd in his second test, no?

79 and 112 I think. I used to have every Bradman score etched in my mind.

Our Don Bradman. Was he any good?

JGK wrote:

Was made 12th man for the next test and scored 70 odd in his second test, no?

79 and 112 I think. I used to have every Bradman score etched in my mind.

JGK to chick. "Come on up and see my etchings"

taipan wrote:

JGK wrote:

Was made 12th man for the next test and scored 70 odd in his second test, no?

79 and 112 I think. I used to have every Bradman score etched in my mind.

JGK to chick. "Come on up and see my etchings"

Fark, I would've scored more times than John Holmes if that line ever worked.

Warning bells should have been ringing when the eejit slept in and missed the team flight at the start of the tour.

Not for the first time I might add.

This is probably the most calamitous debut ever.

Paul Keating wrote:Warning bells should have been ringing when the eejit slept in and missed the team flight at the start of the tour.

Not for the first time I might add.

This is probably the most calamitous debut ever.

Yeah, I forgot about that. You are right, if it doesn't mean that much to you you shouldn't be there.

He clearly doesn't have the professional mind set. He's been a club bowler for 80% of his career. From all reports he's a great bloke, so I do feel a bit sorry for him. It's only a game, and I guess he knows it, so good on him.

Let's face it, he can't even spell Bruce properly.

Is he picked for the ODIs?

taipan wrote:Is he picked for the ODIs?

Now you're being greedy.

JGK wrote:

taipan wrote:Is he picked for the ODIs?

Now you're being greedy.

Nah, it was Mick lewis.

PeterCS wrote:Let's face it, he can't even spell Bruce properly.

Hehe, noice.

taipan wrote:Is he picked for the ODIs?

Yes pleez, and Mick Lewis as well!

Aus have picked the Mick Lewis clone Shane Harwood for the T20s, so South Africa's batsmen could still be in for a good time.

Hmm, I rate Shane Harwood. He's not quite the dull farker that Mick Lewis was.

Paul Keating wrote:Warning bells should have been ringing when the eejit slept in and missed the team flight at the start of the tour.

Not for the first time I might add.

This is probably the most calamitous debut ever.

Bet he wishes he missed all subsequent flights to SA. He seems rather into procrastination; it took him an age to come down the stairs and enter the arena to face that hat-trick last night.

Krejza can't be considered until he develops some defensive aspect to his game. He has a singular inability to bowl defensively.

The odds are that Hauritz will be the surplus baggage on the flight to England.