1. NRL. Are we serious that Penrith's Brent Naden - who apparently tested positive to cocaine - is now right to resume pre season training with his club? Great work by the doctors and club officials. Assuming the public media reports are correct, how can this occur? Sure, the 'young player with mental health issues' argument will be rolled out, but this is a really poor example for the code and for every aspiring league player. I cannot believe V'landys has not stepped in here. The precedent is staggering. Old mate James Segeyaro surely comes back and any other number of players... Reni Maitua, Sandor Earl and the gang (Ben Barba, Jason Smith, Jarrod Mullen, Karmichael Hunt, Mick Gordon, Kevin Proctor, Jesse Bromwich...) may be tuning up their solicitors.
2. SCG Test Cricket. There is something very unusual about a mandatory mask rule in Sydney and then allowing a 20,000 crowd at the cricket. Nothing at all to do with the SCG Trust of course... or the new stadium policy and rebuild at Moore Park. The SCG Trust? Stephanie Brantz, Michael Crismale, David Gilbert, Nihal Gupta, John Hartigan, Peter Ivany AM, Alan Jones AO, Kerrie Mather, Maurice Newman, Barry O'Farrell, Katie Page, Phil Waugh. A little influence there perhaps?
The big difference to the rugby league, rugby, soccer, is that it is an all day event. I think that is the strange bit. However, Kerry Chant would not give you breakfast if she thought it was dangerous.
Interesting comments by the Shadow State QLD Health Minister "Well, if the Indians don't want to play by the rules, then don't come". This will fire the BCCI up, being told they need to follow the rules. There is an Indian strategy here too. A victory in Sydney will almost assure the Indians of a ICC World Test Championship (2019-2021) gig and will negate a useless fourth test (Why we ever have series that are an even number of tests is beyond me). See the progress points below.
3. Indian Cricketers/ Australian Cricketers. Is it any surprise that we are continuing to see spoilt cricketers behaving like prize clowns with little regard for anyone but themselves? It is a growth industry. Blissful ignorance as if they are demi-gods. Possible COVID breaches from the Indian cricketers... the COVID bubble protects the professional sportsman from themselves chiefly. It also keeps more of them away from others so there will hopefully be fewer issues...but then online and social media becomes the greater risk.
Watch for pathetic Indian Cricket Board excuses (Although sympathies are extended to Ganguly of course...a fierce competitor). Did they actually tell the players? Cricket Australia are hardly covering themselves with glory. An agreed outdoor eating rule? That sounds ludicrous.
4. NRL Off Season. Not sure if Peter V'landys was behind it (!), but the closure of niteclubs in Sydney should prevent a few more off season issues.
5. BBL Umpires. After their glorious work from last week, we saw an LBW off the bat this week. We see no balls not called and overstepping bowlers unchecked. There is a complete lack of talent in the umpiring ranks. I wonder how much contemplation of the over rates/ players, 'power surge' windows, fielding circles, Duckworth-Lewis, no ball and wide rules all get in the way of the basics?
6. BBL High Achievers. Glenn Maxwell is in fine hitting form. Shaun Marsh has looked powerful. Josh Philippe is one of our best. So are Riley Meredith, Ben McDermott, Alex Carey, Tanvir Sangha, Daniel Sams, Kane Richardson, Liam Hatcher, Steve O'Keefe, Nathan Ellis, Ben Cutting, Oliver Davies. I am starting to think that there should be an end of season 'best of' game, as voted by the fans. COVID won't allow this of course, but this would be a huge success - esp. if at the Gabba...north (uniting QLD and NSW) v south? (Heat, Sixers, Thunder v Stars, Renegades, Strikers, Hurricanes, Scorchers).
How bad are the Renegades? They are back to the bottom of the heap. Poor imports seem to be their specialty.
7. A League. Hard to believe that Sydney FC will not be in the finals and contesting for the dunny seat trophy again in 2021. They seem to be the most professional and most prepared - without excuses and dramas. Surprising to see The Mariners actually winning anything. About time.
8. EPL. ManU have come screaming back into contention now that the same number of games have been completed. Liverpool and ManU are now three points ahead of Leicester and Everton. A lot more ups and downs in season 2020-2021. Tottenham doing a lot of good things... West Brom and Sheffield United look cooked already.
9. New Zealand Test Cricket. The best Test nation in world cricket? That sounds dream-like, but everyone knows they cannot possibly lay claim to that if they travelled to play tests. The vast majority of their Test victories since 2016-17 are at home on decks that they are most familiar with - not hospitable for international teams. COVID has assisted them. This Jamieson, the big blonde quick looks good on the seaming, rising NZ decks.
No comments:
Post a Comment