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dney, Oct.29 : Noted cricket columnist Peter Roebuck has welcomed the appointment of former spinner John Inverarity as chief selector for the Australian cricket team.
He described Inverarity is a superb choice as chief selector, adding that in comparison to his predecessor Andrew Hilditch, who tended to veer between caution and experiment, Inverarity “ is constant and balanced.”
“Blessed with intelligence and sense, traits often observed in conflict, Inverarity will help to restore confidence in the selection process,” Roebuck adds in his syndicated column for the Sydney Morning Herald. “At first the West Australian might seem a little too professorial for the rough and tumble of sporting conflict. It is a false impression.
Over the years, he has enjoyed the robust spirit displayed by Dennis Lillee as much as the more cerebral approach detected in common rooms at his various schools and universities. As Sandgroper captain, he led Lillee for many years and appreciated his supreme skill and commitment; the rest did not bother him one whit. It is exactly the approach Australia needs,” Roebuck says. He further described Inverarity as a person “able to mix with the boys without weakening his position.” “ His authority comes from his character, not from stripes on his shoulder.
Australia''s bemused players will be pleased with the appointment because they can talk to the new man and know satisfactory decisions will be provided. It is important because he has their careers in his hands. They know, too, that he is a man of conviction, a man to be respected,” Roebuck adds. “Inverarity has many of the skills needed to fill the position. Communications counts among his strengths. He can talk to young and old, pupil and teacher, player and pundit, larrikin and scholar. Whereas Hilditch''s news conferences were tense and latterly tortured, his replacement is easy with words, happy to speak his mind, unlikely to trip over his tongue and discreet without subsiding into banality. Inverarity will explain the decisions taken by his panel to the public as well as the players. After all, it is their team,” says Roebuck. “Australia''s new chief selector also has the capacity to build teams. As a distinguished past player and as a coach in various countries, and as a long-standing headmaster in Perth, secondary and tertiary, he understands the dynamics and importance of teamwork. Already he has spoken about his experience of developing healthy cultures in groups and institutions,” he adds. “Inverarity also has the intimate cricket knowledge demanded by the job.
Although his Test career was brief, he made the most of the resources at his disposal. A meticulous batsman and steady, slow left-armer, he served as the counterpoint to cutting-edge colleagues. Denied exceptional ability, he was obliged to think about his game and to apply himself diligently to the matter of scoring runs and taking wickets,” Roebuck states. Apart from being competitive and spirited, Inverarity has two other qualities vital for the position, a thick skin and a sense of humour, says Roebuck.
In conclusion, Roebuck says: “It is a shrewd appointment. Over the years, Australian cricket has not made the best of Inverarity''s ability and desire to contribute. He should have been asked to lead the side during the World Series breakaway. Instead, Bob Simpson, a darker and older man with a more imposing record, was chosen.”
He described Inverarity is a superb choice as chief selector, adding that in comparison to his predecessor Andrew Hilditch, who tended to veer between caution and experiment, Inverarity “ is constant and balanced.”
“Blessed with intelligence and sense, traits often observed in conflict, Inverarity will help to restore confidence in the selection process,” Roebuck adds in his syndicated column for the Sydney Morning Herald. “At first the West Australian might seem a little too professorial for the rough and tumble of sporting conflict. It is a false impression.
Over the years, he has enjoyed the robust spirit displayed by Dennis Lillee as much as the more cerebral approach detected in common rooms at his various schools and universities. As Sandgroper captain, he led Lillee for many years and appreciated his supreme skill and commitment; the rest did not bother him one whit. It is exactly the approach Australia needs,” Roebuck says. He further described Inverarity as a person “able to mix with the boys without weakening his position.” “ His authority comes from his character, not from stripes on his shoulder.
Australia''s bemused players will be pleased with the appointment because they can talk to the new man and know satisfactory decisions will be provided. It is important because he has their careers in his hands. They know, too, that he is a man of conviction, a man to be respected,” Roebuck adds. “Inverarity has many of the skills needed to fill the position. Communications counts among his strengths. He can talk to young and old, pupil and teacher, player and pundit, larrikin and scholar. Whereas Hilditch''s news conferences were tense and latterly tortured, his replacement is easy with words, happy to speak his mind, unlikely to trip over his tongue and discreet without subsiding into banality. Inverarity will explain the decisions taken by his panel to the public as well as the players. After all, it is their team,” says Roebuck. “Australia''s new chief selector also has the capacity to build teams. As a distinguished past player and as a coach in various countries, and as a long-standing headmaster in Perth, secondary and tertiary, he understands the dynamics and importance of teamwork. Already he has spoken about his experience of developing healthy cultures in groups and institutions,” he adds. “Inverarity also has the intimate cricket knowledge demanded by the job.
Although his Test career was brief, he made the most of the resources at his disposal. A meticulous batsman and steady, slow left-armer, he served as the counterpoint to cutting-edge colleagues. Denied exceptional ability, he was obliged to think about his game and to apply himself diligently to the matter of scoring runs and taking wickets,” Roebuck states. Apart from being competitive and spirited, Inverarity has two other qualities vital for the position, a thick skin and a sense of humour, says Roebuck.
In conclusion, Roebuck says: “It is a shrewd appointment. Over the years, Australian cricket has not made the best of Inverarity''s ability and desire to contribute. He should have been asked to lead the side during the World Series breakaway. Instead, Bob Simpson, a darker and older man with a more imposing record, was chosen.”
