Middlesex announce signing of Australian opening batsman ...

... Phil Hughes.

F.F.S. despite my supporting the county, this really pisses me off big time.

Yet again, in an Ashes year, the buggers (especially Gus Fraser) see fit to sign an Australian squad member so as to provide him, on full salary, six weeks of free practice .. getting used to conditions, wickets etc - perfect for a July start for the Aussies!

Pissed off ... and FWIW, will say so at Wednesday's forum at Lord's.

It's McG all over again.

Shoot England in the foot why don't you, Middlesex?

And pay the shooter richly for this act of violence.

Patriotism?! I think not.

I am indignant. Enraged. Outrageous!

I blame Surrey.

Rob I wrote:It's McG all over again.

Exactly - and with plenty of decent international players around for those 6 weeks, WTF pick an Aussie squad member in Ashes year? And HTF did Strauss let this go through? I mean, it's not like Hughes is going to singlehandedly win Middsx the Divvie 2 championship in 6 farking weeks, is it?
A quiet word in Gussie's shell like on Wednesday night methinks - have already tabled a question from the floor so expect fireworks that evening ...
I suspect maybe Hughes has come 'cheap' with a CA 'subsidy' to sweeten the deal.
Really really pisses me off.

Maybe this ones for the non-England supporting Middx fans.

Maybe Middlesex CCC is awash with Australian Fifth Columnists.

The permitted overseas signing should be for the whole season. If counties want to pick someone scheduled to tour England they then could not replace him once the tour started. That would soon stop signings like this.

"should" has little to do with the pragmatics of modern mercenary sport.

PeterCS wrote:"should" has little to do with the pragmatics of modern mercenary sport.

All it takes is a change in ECB regulations. Overseas players cannot be replaced during the season. Simple enough?

beamer wrote:

PeterCS wrote:"should" has little to do with the pragmatics of modern mercenary sport.

All it takes is a change in ECB regulations. Overseas players cannot be replaced during the season. Simple enough?

Nice idea, won't happen - the counties ARE the ECB

Didn't Ponting do a stint in 2005?

Anyway, feel we need to get our own house in order before worrying about what effect a short stint will have on some Strino player

beamer wrote:

PeterCS wrote:"should" has little to do with the pragmatics of modern mercenary sport.

All it takes is a change in ECB regulations. Overseas players cannot be replaced during the season. Simple enough?

Simple enough. But likely? (which was my point)

Well they reduced the two overseas players to one didn't they, if the counties really got their own way they would have it completely unrestricted.

Peasants. We should make an example of them a la Watt Tyler.