1. Naseem Shah. Can you imagine the precision at the Karachi Births, Deaths and Marriages office? A bit like the Samoan/ Tongan one. This Naseem Shah would cause a bit of pain for the U/16 lads in school cricket. He bowls at pace. A little like Shoaib Aktar. It seems extraordinary, but I think Waqar Younis was 20 for about three seasons too.
2. Great innings by Warner and by Labuschagne too. These were big tons in the context of the series. Tim Paine needs to focus on his game. More silly comments about the scentof an opponent to go with his babysitting ones. He should concentrate on scoring runs and getting dismissals. I suspect he needs these more than the ridiculous comments. Starc looking sharp. Cummins powerful.
3. B.J Watling. The New Zealand keeper is a star performer under pressure. The number of times he rescues the Kiwis with the bat is stunning. 8 Test tons is impressive in the modern era. He has saved them again v England. A double ton under pressure works well! An understated star of the NZ Blackcaps.
4. Valentine Holmes. Signs for a squillion...but where are Cronulla in all of this? They have been dudded. Nonetheless the NFL Dream was basically a quick snooze on a Saturday afternoon and not much more. Good luck to him, but I doubt a six year contract will be seen through by him. He is restless. SBW like.
5. NRL. Have we reached a time where no one cares enough anymore about the pay packets or drama... so long as they get their fix on TV?
6. Rugby. Interesting rugby move to get the All Blacks Academy on our soil. Just don't let any Australian coaches or past players near it and we should be right.
7. Nick Kgyrios - Davis Cup. The new system of Davis Cup was all going well until Nick Kgyrios hurt his collarbone at night and cruelled our chances... collarbone at night? Wrestling on bed? Fight? How does one do a collarbone at night? Very odd. But of course we then lost and the rest is history. Nick is as popular as a dirty dunny seat. It seems odd, but he did say something smart...tennis has too many nothing tournaments and needs a revamp.
7. Cameron Smith. Playing on for another season... When will he become head coach?
8. EPL. Leicester sitting second and 9 points adrift. Liverpool just keep winning. Klopp has a stunning record since arriving at Anfield.
9. A-League. We could have an unfolding fiasco on our hands here. No big names and no glamour. Failing crowds and interest...a new TV deal which could be a complete dud. Maybe they need a heap of sixteen year old kids to ignite the public interest.
10. W-League. How about the over reaction of the "corruption" in W League. Providing a team list... wow. Don't invite Cricket Australia to a BBQ...they bring sledgehammers to kill flies. Honestly...
Sunday, November 24, 2019
Sunday, November 17, 2019
Wrap - Take No Prisoners
1. International Rugby League - Kumuls Pummel Them!. The changing world order in rugby league has been a long time coming, but surely the Pacific nations are positioned to become the dominant partners now. I have trumpeted a State of Origin concept involving them as well. If they were smart in New Zealand, they would pit the mainland against the island nations and replicate the success. The Kumuls had a great win 28-10, but how ordinary are Great Britain? Bennet should retire immediately and forget he ever went near them.
2. Over It. How long can the league season go on for some of these English players? John Bateman must be well over it by now. They need a rest. The prisoner, David Fifita, left for Bali with a million dollars a season offers, uncertain of his future. He hits shale and now his career is back on track at the Broncos? Something is not right here.
Really liked the NFL stance on stupidity of players involved in a brawl at the end of the game with that 'helmet donging' incident. They fined the clubs $250,000 each. This is a good way to keep them in check and remind them that they are registered by the governing body each year. Imagine how quick that would cure nonsense in the NRL?
3. Paul Gallen v Barry Hall. What gives with a 'draw' in boxing? What a disgrace. There is a grubby underside to some of these decisions unfortunately. They need longer rounds. The money in this pay per view boxing is outrageous.
4. Sheffield Shield. With four outright victories already, NSW may well make the final after only four rounds. They will take some stopping now.
5. Kurtis Patterson. Has he been kidnapped? What has happened to him? Surely he is a better prospect than Cameron Bancroft? Bancroft has literally done nothing all year and he is picked. Surely not as a fieldsman, no matter how good! Not because of his WA connection?
On that, would the exit of three top shelf players from the one state citing mental health alarm you if you were an official? (Maddinson, Maxwell and Pucovski). I get the feeling that Pucovski is a rough diamond, but every time he gets close to a Test debut, yet another challenge mentally arises. Hopefully they are all fine. Cameron Bancroft could not be happier or luckier.
Don't dismiss Daniel Hughes as a future Australian opener either.
6. A-League. Can we have a marquee player or two please? This will change the comp to its original intention. We will have a mediocre, going nowhere comp forever soon. It brings great joy to many.
7. NBA. A record crowd of 17,000 watch the Kings v Illawarra Hawks. Impressive!
7. Tennis New Era. Thiem v Tsisparis. The old guard of the brilliant three - Federer, Nadal and Djokovic have vanished momentarily. I suspect they will be back!
2. Over It. How long can the league season go on for some of these English players? John Bateman must be well over it by now. They need a rest. The prisoner, David Fifita, left for Bali with a million dollars a season offers, uncertain of his future. He hits shale and now his career is back on track at the Broncos? Something is not right here.
Really liked the NFL stance on stupidity of players involved in a brawl at the end of the game with that 'helmet donging' incident. They fined the clubs $250,000 each. This is a good way to keep them in check and remind them that they are registered by the governing body each year. Imagine how quick that would cure nonsense in the NRL?
3. Paul Gallen v Barry Hall. What gives with a 'draw' in boxing? What a disgrace. There is a grubby underside to some of these decisions unfortunately. They need longer rounds. The money in this pay per view boxing is outrageous.
4. Sheffield Shield. With four outright victories already, NSW may well make the final after only four rounds. They will take some stopping now.
5. Kurtis Patterson. Has he been kidnapped? What has happened to him? Surely he is a better prospect than Cameron Bancroft? Bancroft has literally done nothing all year and he is picked. Surely not as a fieldsman, no matter how good! Not because of his WA connection?
On that, would the exit of three top shelf players from the one state citing mental health alarm you if you were an official? (Maddinson, Maxwell and Pucovski). I get the feeling that Pucovski is a rough diamond, but every time he gets close to a Test debut, yet another challenge mentally arises. Hopefully they are all fine. Cameron Bancroft could not be happier or luckier.
Don't dismiss Daniel Hughes as a future Australian opener either.
6. A-League. Can we have a marquee player or two please? This will change the comp to its original intention. We will have a mediocre, going nowhere comp forever soon. It brings great joy to many.
7. NBA. A record crowd of 17,000 watch the Kings v Illawarra Hawks. Impressive!
7. Tennis New Era. Thiem v Tsisparis. The old guard of the brilliant three - Federer, Nadal and Djokovic have vanished momentarily. I suspect they will be back!
Sunday, November 3, 2019
Wrap - Cup Winneth Over
1. Rugby World Cup. Awesome win by the Springbox. They were tough and relentless. They surprised the English. We have certainly learned a few things about rugby these past two months. Japan was an amazing venue with great crowds. The quality of their fields were even better than their team however. England were tremendous, but in the end South Africa just did it all better. The defence in world rugby is so good that fifteen players looks about five too many. Eddie Jones will surely not take the Australian reigns again... What of the deposed NZ coach. We need a road map plan for the future of juniors and the achievement of excellence.
2. Rugby League - Tonga Win. Unlike those critical of the Australians, we need not be surprised. The NRL has become a massive talent base for all Pacific Island nations and has really promoted those players. How good would it be to get them involved in an Origin type game as well? We need more regular games. No shame in this loss...it could well become the norm!
3. Melbourne Cup. After the winning tip last year on Cross Counter, I am on Mer De Glace. Looking for seven wins in a row. It was rocketing away with the Caulfield Cup at the finish (2400m) and should prove too strong at the end of the Cup (3200m) for mine. I also like Surprise Baby at $15. When will the Frankie Dettori stories start saying how hopeless he has been in Australia?
Liked Kerry O'Keefe's line "anyone can have a bad decade or two with the Cup"...he last won on Doreimus. It feels like this most years!
Are the overseas horses killing the Cup? Having a proportion of Australian runners locked in needs to be safeguarded. Otherwise it holds no interest. eg. The chances of ARWON (Nowra) being represented these days is dead.
4. EPL. Both ManU (10th) and Arsenal (5th) are apparently about to punt their coaches. Both teams are doing diabolically! It is Liverpool's to lose now. Interested to see Melbourne United the new A league team doing so well. Depth will tell in time. The Perth Glory are seeking Zlatan Ibrahimovic which will surely lift crowds. They will need some sheckles there as he is an (ageing) gun!
5. Cricket. Once again, no real stars in the Shield. Marnus still absolutely excelling... Trent Copeland is still reeling the wickets in for NSW. Chadd Sayers is doing the business in SA and S. Marsh keeps scoring. Wade is steady and wins games for you. The test series will be a good grounding for some that need a chance. Kurtis Patterson has vanished!
2. Rugby League - Tonga Win. Unlike those critical of the Australians, we need not be surprised. The NRL has become a massive talent base for all Pacific Island nations and has really promoted those players. How good would it be to get them involved in an Origin type game as well? We need more regular games. No shame in this loss...it could well become the norm!
3. Melbourne Cup. After the winning tip last year on Cross Counter, I am on Mer De Glace. Looking for seven wins in a row. It was rocketing away with the Caulfield Cup at the finish (2400m) and should prove too strong at the end of the Cup (3200m) for mine. I also like Surprise Baby at $15. When will the Frankie Dettori stories start saying how hopeless he has been in Australia?
Liked Kerry O'Keefe's line "anyone can have a bad decade or two with the Cup"...he last won on Doreimus. It feels like this most years!
Are the overseas horses killing the Cup? Having a proportion of Australian runners locked in needs to be safeguarded. Otherwise it holds no interest. eg. The chances of ARWON (Nowra) being represented these days is dead.
4. EPL. Both ManU (10th) and Arsenal (5th) are apparently about to punt their coaches. Both teams are doing diabolically! It is Liverpool's to lose now. Interested to see Melbourne United the new A league team doing so well. Depth will tell in time. The Perth Glory are seeking Zlatan Ibrahimovic which will surely lift crowds. They will need some sheckles there as he is an (ageing) gun!
5. Cricket. Once again, no real stars in the Shield. Marnus still absolutely excelling... Trent Copeland is still reeling the wickets in for NSW. Chadd Sayers is doing the business in SA and S. Marsh keeps scoring. Wade is steady and wins games for you. The test series will be a good grounding for some that need a chance. Kurtis Patterson has vanished!
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