It's simply not cricket, Joey

The Australian has greeted news that rugby league star Andrew Johns will play for New South Wales in Twenty20 matches next season with less than delight.

“Employing Johns' profile as a rugby league player is a bizarre way of convincing the public that Twenty20 has long-term potential. It does the opposite, confirming Twenty20 is all about gimmicks and short-term novelties that make it only fractionally removed from pick-up games in parks.”

And fast bowler Shaun Tait was another who appeared unimpressed, with a blunt message to Johns:

“You're fair game. If the game's for points then it's hell for leather isn't it? If he is happy to play he has to be happy to take the heat."