1. So the Poms are really starting to fall apart now...Swan retires at a bad time for the team, but a good time for him. He joins Trott in limbo. Who's next? Tremlett or Finn spitting the dummy after not getting much of a run? Monty telling us he has finally had enough? Cook resigning from the captaincy? The coach, Flower bailing out? Maybe Anderson pulling the pin?
Their trip here has been a debacle. They arrived too early and are now wishing they hadn't.
The only song that Swan will hear is the Nathan Lyon version of 'Beneath The Southern Cross I Stand...'. Lyon had to download the words apparently.
2. Big Bash League. We watch and wonder whether the best players - Mitchell Marsh, Nic Maddinson, Aaron Finch, James Hopes, Luke Pommersbach, Michael Klinger - will ever be selected in T20 Internationals. The comp seems to unfold and then all these others are then selected. The bowlers get smashed. Will it eventually be a game full of spinners? Or part time bowlers who all bat?
How the Poms can't select Alex Hales I would never know. He has the 'X Factor'! "Warneresque"!
Khawaja is officially the worst runner between the wickets in Austrlaian cricket and perhaps the most selfish. Seems lazy and no surprise...unfit and now injured. A very long way from the Australian Test team all of a sudden.
3. Brad Haddin. Has had a great summer, but his 'Plan B' advert on TV does nothing for his profile or personality. Badly advised.
4. The Sydney Thunder are facing off against the Melbourne Heart for the worst domestic team in Australian sport. I think they are in front. Without Warner and Khawaja, Hussey gets a chance to bat on the worst pitch in domestic cricket (Homebush) with Eoin Morgan. Outside of them..not much. That pitch needs surgery, because it is killing cricket's possible success at Stadium Australia.
5. Mark Bosnich is increasingly putting himself up as the legend that he wasn't. I recall him being given opportunities and shooting himself in the rs. He seemed to develop habits other than training that soured his reputation and provided excuses for him not to try to develop his talent. He is incredibly self absorbed. Fancy asking a coach and ex-team mate if he would walk into the boss and say 'I've had enough'. As Aloisi said...'let's check if Bosnich is doing his job properly'. The hair piece says yes, the ballooning weight says no.
6. How about Suarez? $400,000 a week wages from Liverpool in the EPL! Never thought I'd say it, but worth every cent! He definitely won't have to do a James Reyne and do Elivis impersonations or trade off his hits (like Status Quo to Coles) for Puberty Blues!
Sunday, December 22, 2013
Sunday, December 15, 2013
Wrap - Mike Car
1. The careers of a few Aussie cricketers are in crisis: Chris Rogers is number one, but with a second innings 50, he will stay. Surprisingly agile and strong in the field however. In addition, we have Bailey who needs runs and less silly shots when he has been gifted a tremendous opportunity. I suspect his killer instinct and great record of winning cricket games is helping the camp a lot.
Finally we have Watson who always seems to jag a wicket or two when his batting goes to pot. His lack of fight and steel when batting is what is most troubling. Again, as I have been banging on about for some time, he has never been dropped from the Aussie team (unlike ALL other team members). His character needs a dose of that - at the right time.
Nathan Lyon may need a few wickets too. Key wickets - not tailenders.
2. Those cracks on the WACA pitch are something else. They will need a good 400-450 lead granted South Africa chased down 414 a few years back.
Must say that Craig McDermott takes our bowlers to a new level. He masterminded the 5-0 win over India a few years back too.
2. Western Sydney Wanderers. They bring the closest thing to the EPL to us each week. They are setting the benchmark for every other club. Our league could be something else with that spirit!
3. EPL. This year has been the best for some time. Genuinely open and a real contest for once.
4. Broncos. Someone is about to get ended at that club...Hodges? They seem to have all this money all of a sudden...Milford...Cameron Smith...now Kar-Mike-Hunt. They are agressive in the market place and are realising that privately owned clubs don't like losing. Pressure on Anthony Griffin.
5. Why is it that Stuart struggles to sign and re-sign players? Milford can be added to Folau, et al from Parramatta.
6. Peptides. Are we fair dinkum kidding that Hibbert is the key man in the enquiry? He looks like he has been on too many peptides himself. Farcical.
7. Surfing. Kelly Slater looks like he may well be the best we have seen at any of their sports, closely missing out on a twelfth world title! Mick Fanning has also done well. A third world title is something else. Not bad for a kid from Penrith.
Finally we have Watson who always seems to jag a wicket or two when his batting goes to pot. His lack of fight and steel when batting is what is most troubling. Again, as I have been banging on about for some time, he has never been dropped from the Aussie team (unlike ALL other team members). His character needs a dose of that - at the right time.
Nathan Lyon may need a few wickets too. Key wickets - not tailenders.
2. Those cracks on the WACA pitch are something else. They will need a good 400-450 lead granted South Africa chased down 414 a few years back.
Must say that Craig McDermott takes our bowlers to a new level. He masterminded the 5-0 win over India a few years back too.
2. Western Sydney Wanderers. They bring the closest thing to the EPL to us each week. They are setting the benchmark for every other club. Our league could be something else with that spirit!
3. EPL. This year has been the best for some time. Genuinely open and a real contest for once.
4. Broncos. Someone is about to get ended at that club...Hodges? They seem to have all this money all of a sudden...Milford...Cameron Smith...now Kar-Mike-Hunt. They are agressive in the market place and are realising that privately owned clubs don't like losing. Pressure on Anthony Griffin.
5. Why is it that Stuart struggles to sign and re-sign players? Milford can be added to Folau, et al from Parramatta.
6. Peptides. Are we fair dinkum kidding that Hibbert is the key man in the enquiry? He looks like he has been on too many peptides himself. Farcical.
7. Surfing. Kelly Slater looks like he may well be the best we have seen at any of their sports, closely missing out on a twelfth world title! Mick Fanning has also done well. A third world title is something else. Not bad for a kid from Penrith.
Sunday, December 8, 2013
Wrap - Stunning Banter
1. World Cup Soccer. Apparently the Netherlands and Spain are absolutely scared of their group...facing the might of Australia has them on the hop. We will give up at least 10 goals. You have to love that horrified reaction when we give up 5 or 6 goals! Chile are spewing too. What did we expect anyhow? It's the best teams in the world...and we aren't one of them!
2. Mitchell Johnson's turnaround has been stunning. His banter has escalated rapidly with his success. The real success story however has been Michael Clarke - and Brad Haddin. Both have brought a steel and resilience to the team under Lehmann's leadership. This has set the scene.
3. What if weather ruins our chances in Adelaide and it is a draw? Would 0-1 worry England? 0-2 would trouble them going into Perth. We have a history of getting really close to South Africa and the Windies in Adelaide...and it all coming unstuck.
Warner's second innings of 83no was quite exceptional. When he bats sensibly he is eerily more menacing.
4. Trevor Bayliss. He has been monumental this year in turning around the NSW Shield team. His influence has been incredible really. They are two wins shy of a finals birth...and well placed v South Australia at present.
5. Moyes. His future at Man United is looking dodgy. He needs some wins. The lack of goals is the really worrying thing for them...and losing games at home. Something once thought to be impossible.
6. Russell Packer. No contract registered? Who cares. A bloke the game may well be better off without.
7. A Rugby - Rugby League hybrid game? Someone is short on cash. How ridiculous.
2. Mitchell Johnson's turnaround has been stunning. His banter has escalated rapidly with his success. The real success story however has been Michael Clarke - and Brad Haddin. Both have brought a steel and resilience to the team under Lehmann's leadership. This has set the scene.
3. What if weather ruins our chances in Adelaide and it is a draw? Would 0-1 worry England? 0-2 would trouble them going into Perth. We have a history of getting really close to South Africa and the Windies in Adelaide...and it all coming unstuck.
Warner's second innings of 83no was quite exceptional. When he bats sensibly he is eerily more menacing.
4. Trevor Bayliss. He has been monumental this year in turning around the NSW Shield team. His influence has been incredible really. They are two wins shy of a finals birth...and well placed v South Australia at present.
5. Moyes. His future at Man United is looking dodgy. He needs some wins. The lack of goals is the really worrying thing for them...and losing games at home. Something once thought to be impossible.
6. Russell Packer. No contract registered? Who cares. A bloke the game may well be better off without.
7. A Rugby - Rugby League hybrid game? Someone is short on cash. How ridiculous.
Sunday, December 1, 2013
Wrap - Summer Loving
1. Dave Warner will be an interesting study this week. I suspect his retraction and back down will be part of a mini slump, but he is a street fighter and will bounce back. A goose mind you, but a fighter. He is used to the on field stoush, but the media will mark him hard. Difficult to believe that the Aussies will go silent.
I mentioned some weeks back that the Poms arrived too early and will self destruct in time. Act One. What of the ridiculous food demands being made...an arrogance they better iron out quickly.
Not sure if you missed it, but James Pattinson returned to club cricket this weekend which is a huge bonus for the Aussies. Peter Siddle needs to collect wickets. His lack of strike at the minute reminds me of Gillespie in his last days.
2. The Australian World Cup RL Winners. That Brett Morris is some sort of athlete. A great performance by that team. Possibly one of the best ever. Jarryd Hayne running wide in the centres and making busts was heartening. What about those in-goal areas...too slippery and ridiculous really.
Thurston, Lockyer and Lewis are the best we have seen in the five eight role. He is a certain IMMORTAL.
Can Cameron Smith win anything else? He has more silverware than the Pope. Starts to make sense when he looks at big cash in Brisbane and a return home...a premiership with another club...there's a novelty.
3. Wallabies. An excellent campaign in the end. Only loss to England in a tight one. They could have had a record otherwise. Quayde Cooper is as popular as a parking fine. However he has aimed up. Nice to see a team where discipline is a priority.
4. Did anyone catch the Michael Schumacher commentary on Webber-Vettel? Real, but harsh. Fair enough. Two men, similar machines, one wins a world record of F1 races. Who is better?
5. Gotta love a good Youtube clip with a drunken footballer or two...king hits, DUI, abuse, public urination, broken jaws...useless club CEO's trying to cover up things...counsellors scurrying for their clipboards...How about the lard rs old man AFL and ex player serving it up to the reporters? Outstanding class. Can the code de-register players immediately? Unti lthen, it will all continue...
6. When are Arsenal going to fall over? Can it last? Sydney FC powering on too. Hope springs eternal.
7. Rory was outstanding. Gotta love the name of that trophy - The Stonehaven Cup. It sounds VERY, VERY important.
Adam Scott though is shooting the lights out of everything. A rich vein of form...! Here's hoping the green jacket can be a two-peat.
When will a different coloured jacket make its way to each major winner? Hawkie's one he wore after Australia II won the America's Cup victory could be that used for the Australian Open Golf winner in future years.
I mentioned some weeks back that the Poms arrived too early and will self destruct in time. Act One. What of the ridiculous food demands being made...an arrogance they better iron out quickly.
Not sure if you missed it, but James Pattinson returned to club cricket this weekend which is a huge bonus for the Aussies. Peter Siddle needs to collect wickets. His lack of strike at the minute reminds me of Gillespie in his last days.
2. The Australian World Cup RL Winners. That Brett Morris is some sort of athlete. A great performance by that team. Possibly one of the best ever. Jarryd Hayne running wide in the centres and making busts was heartening. What about those in-goal areas...too slippery and ridiculous really.
Thurston, Lockyer and Lewis are the best we have seen in the five eight role. He is a certain IMMORTAL.
Can Cameron Smith win anything else? He has more silverware than the Pope. Starts to make sense when he looks at big cash in Brisbane and a return home...a premiership with another club...there's a novelty.
3. Wallabies. An excellent campaign in the end. Only loss to England in a tight one. They could have had a record otherwise. Quayde Cooper is as popular as a parking fine. However he has aimed up. Nice to see a team where discipline is a priority.
4. Did anyone catch the Michael Schumacher commentary on Webber-Vettel? Real, but harsh. Fair enough. Two men, similar machines, one wins a world record of F1 races. Who is better?
5. Gotta love a good Youtube clip with a drunken footballer or two...king hits, DUI, abuse, public urination, broken jaws...useless club CEO's trying to cover up things...counsellors scurrying for their clipboards...How about the lard rs old man AFL and ex player serving it up to the reporters? Outstanding class. Can the code de-register players immediately? Unti lthen, it will all continue...
6. When are Arsenal going to fall over? Can it last? Sydney FC powering on too. Hope springs eternal.
7. Rory was outstanding. Gotta love the name of that trophy - The Stonehaven Cup. It sounds VERY, VERY important.
Adam Scott though is shooting the lights out of everything. A rich vein of form...! Here's hoping the green jacket can be a two-peat.
When will a different coloured jacket make its way to each major winner? Hawkie's one he wore after Australia II won the America's Cup victory could be that used for the Australian Open Golf winner in future years.
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