Don’t worry, Ben, you’re off to South Africa
Ben Laughlin thought he was in trouble when ordered for a chat with Trevor Barsby, the Queensland coach, on Thursday
Peter English
25-Feb-2013
Ben Laughlin thought he was in trouble when ordered for a chat with Trevor Barsby, the Queensland coach, on Thursday. Not quite, reports Jamie Pandaram in the Sydney Morning Herald. Laughlin learned he was being sent to South Africa with Australia's one-day team.
"I thought, 'Here we go, I'm getting dropped for the Sheffield Shield final ... It was a numbing feeling. I had maybe some slight hope in the back of my mind but there'd be a few jokes among the boys and you wouldn't think about it. This is totally unexpected."
In the same paper Will Swanton says Peter Siddle is heading for the beach with Phillip Hughes after strong performances in the opening two Tests against South Africa.
Both have made names for themselves in South Africa, Hughes for his remarkable batting performances, Siddle for being such a confrontational and successful fast bowler. He's annoyed South African crowds to the point of distraction. The reason? They never knew he was this good.
Peter English is former Australasia editor of ESPNcricinfo