Love seeing England try to sledge and amp up their manner. It is so out of character. False. At 8/442, England went a little quiet with the sledging surprisingly - especially after having won the toss and sent the Aussies in to bat. Dropped catches, slow over rates and even two blokes going for the same catch and coming up empty! It became farcical.
However, I thought Smith got tangled up in their crap too often. It did take his concentration away - and his exaggerated 'leaves' looked very silly. More calm and composed leadership required. We need to remember that while this is The Ashes, it is also a series between the 6th v 7th Test playing nations.
2. Captaincy. Some of the Pommie field positions were completely ridiculous. They did not learn from last test with their deep fields in the fourth innings, letting the Aussies off the hook and paying heavily with 0/173 and losing. They were too inventive - started stupidly - and probably confused themselves. The bloke fielding right near the bowler - Anderson - was completely useless. Smith needed to step away and laugh at them loudly. Broad behaved like a tool and will come under fierce scrutiny when he bats. Short pitched bowling at the head might be a fan favourite.
2. Captaincy. Some of the Pommie field positions were completely ridiculous. They did not learn from last test with their deep fields in the fourth innings, letting the Aussies off the hook and paying heavily with 0/173 and losing. They were too inventive - started stupidly - and probably confused themselves. The bloke fielding right near the bowler - Anderson - was completely useless. Smith needed to step away and laugh at them loudly. Broad behaved like a tool and will come under fierce scrutiny when he bats. Short pitched bowling at the head might be a fan favourite.
3. Pink Ball Cricket. It really just becomes a game of survival at night. The cricket is interesting, even intriguing - but not entertaining. The ball dominates too much and slowing down the over rate becomes crucial for the batting team. The fewer overs played under lights the better for the batting team! The swing bowler becomes more lethal. Get your runs in the daylight overs or you will struggle! The rain break on night two was perfect for England because had they played on they were in strife. Joe Root is going to get smashed when he comes to the crease.
4. Batting Brilliance. Thought the Shaun Marsh innings was exceptional in the circumstances. Not often I write that. I also thought Paine turned the game our way with aggression. Still worried about Handscomb and Stuart Broad smells an LBW victim every time. Better from Kahwaja.
4. Batting Brilliance. Thought the Shaun Marsh innings was exceptional in the circumstances. Not often I write that. I also thought Paine turned the game our way with aggression. Still worried about Handscomb and Stuart Broad smells an LBW victim every time. Better from Kahwaja.
5. Rugby League World Cup Final. Brutal contact. Great fast game. Dry conditions in Brisbane makes rugby league such a better spectacle. The rain tested them too later! It's rare that these Queenslanders ever lose at home. Maguire played well. Gillett superb and even Aaron Woods was excellent early. Hard to write, but he offloaded and hit the line forwards, not backing into the defence for once. When he came on later he was off the pace. His connection with Klemmer was strong. The Poms put it to the Aussies...great chasing game.
Sam Burgess is a complete goose. Dumb liability and ill disciplined. It would not surprise if Souths cut him, but Rusty is a huge fan. They have some big units those Pommies. They would all love to come and play out here. Liked their halves. Tough and skillful.
Sam Burgess is a complete goose. Dumb liability and ill disciplined. It would not surprise if Souths cut him, but Rusty is a huge fan. They have some big units those Pommies. They would all love to come and play out here. Liked their halves. Tough and skillful.
Had to laugh when James Graham said he regrets nothing about his foul language in the middle of a World Cup Final. Turn the volume off was his recommendation. I think he is correct! Cooper Cronk continues to make himself look superb. He will be a long term NRL coach or commentator whenever he wants. A true professional.
6. Quayde Cooper. Gooone. Nick Frisby gone. The experiment is over and Brad Thorne has laid it on the line. About time QLD rugby had a makeover. Take nothing for granted and take as much money when you can.
7. Virat Kohli - 243. His run making skill is getting better and better. Not the most popular bloke, but clearly one of the best in the world - and likely to be ever. Averaging over 50 i nall forms of the game - Tests, ODI and T20. Incredible.
8. Jarryd Hayne. The human headline needs to shut up and work hard on his game. No crap. No laziness and no excuses. No looking around at other blokes when you miss a tackle or don't pass it to a bloke when he is destined to score. Tough it out and harden up. There are no promises and expect nothing. The only positive is that he will be better than Brad Takiarangi. Otherwise he will enjoy the sights and sounds of Wenty Leagues. I am still suspicious of his signing with Radradra coming off contract in July as well. Someone is not staying/ coming.
9. Ange Postocoglou. It didn't take long before the family excuse (a Hayne/ Foran special) was forgotten and cash took over. An excuse maker and whinger. The World Cup draw of Peru, Denmark and France was outstanding. It may now make another coach look brilliant. However who might score goals for us is a mystery. We have nothing at the front.
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