Player Profile Cameron White

Posted by jrod on November 3, 2007 under VIC | 2 Comments to Read

My player profiles aren’t like those prissy ones you read in official match day programs.

This one is filled with my observations, right, wrong and otherwise. I’m not going to over stat you or dwell on what his child hood coaches or Terry Jenner might say.

Batting.

Like most tall batsmen, can look awkward when not in great touch. Works his way into an innings well. I always feel like he gives you a chance if you attack the stumps early on. Once he is on song he looks like an ancient Greek warrior, and really it is only his confidence that gets him out. He bats like an all rounder, similar to someone like Freddy Flintoff. This is a strength and a weakness.

He makes breathtaking 70’s and 80’s. He needs to make great 130’s, hell completely awe inspiring 200’s would be better. Can look a bit odd playing a short ball, but it does not seem to be a weakness. Hits the ball as hard as anyone in the world. That six off Dan Cullen a couple of weeks ago is still travelling. Look he can bat, but unless he averages over 50 at first class level in Australia you’d have to say he’ll struggle to ever make the national side.

Bowling.

I remember seeing him when he first came onto the scene and he seemed to have much better control than he does now. The two things I notice with his bowling are that he bowls way too many legside balls and that good batsmen milk him with ease. The legside stuff is ugly, he is essentially an Aussie version of Anil Kumble, and Kumble hardly misses the spot. White has to do the same. The other one is tricky, Everytime I have seen White bowl to a really good batsmen, Lehmann, Langer, and Collingwood they seem to score off him seemingly at will.

It’s not all bad news though. He has great variation, and when he is bowling well he seems to be able to trouble batsmen. His action does look rushed but I understand he is trying to get through the crease. Even though he is a quick leg spinner he may in fact be suited to the longer form of the game when it comes to bowling.

Fielding.

Great slipper, has good stillness that is the most important thing about being at first slip. In the one day game he may not be as quick as the other fielders, but he reads the game to so well and has such great coordination that he still causes more than his fair share of troubles. Looks ugly, but gets results, I knew a girl like that once.

Captaining.

Probably his greatest strength. Problem is he may never get to show it if he doesn’t start making big scores with the bat. Seems to understand batsmen really well when in the field. He understands the best place to put his field, and when he doesn’t he is willing to experiment until he finds the right mix. Like all bowling captains he doesn’t bowl himself when he should and bowls himself when he probably shouldn’t.

Problems.

Not enough big scores. Ponting doesn’t seem to rate him as a bowler. Ponting doesn’t seem to like his constant advice on strategy in the field. His bowling isn’t good enough right at the moment for international cricket. He is behind Shane Watson, Andrew Symonds, and Brad Hogg. He can’t seem to not annoy Ponting. Good batsmen like facing him.

Plusses.

Has enough talent to be a 10 year player for Australia. Has an abnormally great cricket mind. Is still young enough to work on his batting and bowling. Is immensely respected by his teammates in Victoria. Can hit the ball further than anyone else. Is possibly the best 2020 domestic player in the world. Is a better middle order batsmen than Shane Watson.

The Package.

Would probably be batting number 7 for most countries in the world right now, maybe even 6. But he aint in most countries in the world. He needs runs, he needs maidens and he needs to play a long spell for Australia in the one day game so he can get his feet.

The Uncle J Rod verdict.

He is one of my favourites, however my favourites don’t have good selection records, (Chuck, Elliott, and Harvey)

Australia’s loss is Victorias & Somersets gain.

Will have a long career with Australia but it may not be in the format he wants.

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