Wrap - The Forgotten War

1. That great failure of a cricket coach - Greg Chappell - whose wide brum hat is his best legacy to the modern game - has taken the U/19 Australian cricket team to a loss against Afghanistan! Yes, you read it right. Afghanistan lose everything...wars, people, mountains...but seemingly not cricket. Chappell should be banished...he's been to South Australia, India and he is running out of places to hide. (***see below)

2. Will Hopoate must have got all the kind and compassionate genes. How is that family going? The old man...well we know all that..then the other bloke is a biffer...Will must have won the lottery...come to think of it, I think he did when he signed.

3. Cricket. Shaun Marsh kills them in the first test. Then he plays his signature nick into the cordon under pressure. Sure he was 'unlucky' and...'did his bit last test'...suddenly the deposed Watson (who of course was not sacked but 'rested') is back in the mix at his expense. The lack of wickets to Ryan Harris is a worry...last test and this one. He needs a bagful. Lyon doing really well.

Is it too much to suggest that Michael Clarke might need to perfrom for once and pull his weight? Yes I know...great captain...getting tougher...but get some bloody runs. Almost three months with barely a run.

What sort of tour is Henriques enjoying? And Phil Hughes? Might be studying for a degree in cordial mixing.

4. Waratahs. A strong first up showing. There is a different air about them this year...but it is week one after all.

5. Justin Langer is fast making a name for himself. BBL winners...Shield resurgence...he is Darren Lehmann's successor - no risk. NSW cricket capitulated on the weekend and should hang their heads.

6. Sydney FC. The fans will only be encouraged to keep stirring up strife after their resurgence since their mini riot. So far it is working.

7. Melbourne Heart. How about the future of John Aloisi. Ever since he was punted, they can't do anything but win - including against competition heavyweights, Brisbane Raw. It is a cruel twist for him. A career ender perhaps.

***

Australian Selector 1984–88[edit]

Shortly after Chappell retired from cricket he was appointed selector for the Australian team and also became a member of the Australian Cricket Board. This was a time of rebuilding for the national side, with many players lost through retirement and the South African rebel tours. He resigned from both positions in mid-1988, before the Australian team revived but by which time many key players in that revival had been selected, including David Boon, Geoff Marsh, Merv Hughes and Steve Waugh.
Among the decisions made by the panel when Chappell was a selector included encouraging Kim Hughes to resign, not selecting Hughes on the 1985 Ashes, trying Wayne Phillips, Greg Dyer and Tim Zoehrer as wicketkeepers, and fast-tracking Craig McDermott and Ian Healy to the national side.^[61] Chappell was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1986.^[62]

South Australian Coach[edit]

From the late 1990s Chappell coached South Australia for five seasons during which time the team failed to win a single trophy.^[63]
Chappell has also worked as consultant at Pakistan's National Cricket Academy and as a commentator for ABC Radio. In 2002, he was inducted into the prestigious Australian Cricket Hall of Fame.

Indian Coach[edit]

In May 2005, he was appointed coach of the Indian national cricket team for a two-year term until the World Cup 2007. He earned about 175,000 USD as salary from the BCCI every year.^[64]
Of late, he came in for criticism^[65] for his tinkering with the batting lineup and unorthodox cricket coaching methods. Several senior Indian players whom Chappell coached have come out to criticize his methods, including Virender Sehwag, Harbhajan Singh, and Zaheer Khan^[66] His comments also did not go down well with the Indian public^[67][68]

Australian Selector 2010–11[edit]

Chappell was made a selector of the Australian national side on 29 October 2010, replacing Merv Hughes. This period coincided with a lack of success for the test team, losing the 2010–11 Ashes to England 3–1, although they defeated Sri Lanka 1–0. Chappell was banned from the Australian dressing room at the request of the players.^[69] He was later sacked as selector during the Sri Lanka tour in August 2011.

Wrap - ManTherapy

1. The Auckland 9's. Great to see Willie Tonga make his debut for Parramatta. Almost fell over when I saw him in the squad. Not a bad way to earn cash...not play for two years...must be near the end of his contract. How many talented Pacific Islander players can one team have playing at one time before there is a complete lack of leadership or ownership? To see players run over the sideline from a kickoff, fail to aim up in defence, rush out of the line and come up empty, drop cut out passes not intended for that player...are these the things of nines and pre-season or other factors?

Methinks there is a fundamental and cataclysmic culture of latent laissez-faire which engulfs a team without the hard nose diversity in their leadership. The sympathetic and unfashionably trendy 'leadership group' groups actually diminish the team's strength - especially if cultural nuances are not observed. The risk taking is loaded with blame and the fear of failure paralyses. Deeper than Doctor Brian Ironwood's voice on those mantherapy adverts.

2. Well first up, Shaun Marsh has over achieved. No one would have predicted him getting near enough to 200 runs in the First Test and a first innings ton. Good on him and good on us.

Johnson has again blitzed them. Imagine how many Test wickets he'd have if Craig McDermott had been the bowling coach through the miserable Micky Arthur years - and not losing his cash on failed property deals and dealing with sex tape extortion matters? McDermott has made a huge difference. I must admit the last time I enjoyed watching a bowler deliver his art more than this, was when the great Warnie was in his prime. 254 wickets and fast approaching DK Lillee at 355. Warnie will never be beaten in the 700's!

Fancy winning the toss and showing the Aussies you feared Johnson on that deck? South Africa through Kepler, Hansie, the Kirstens and now Smith...too negative. However I like the fight in Smith.

3. Can I throw one out there and argue that Watson does not automatically return to the team? Rest him and tell him he needs to get fit as there are blokes capable of doing more than him at Number 3. The batting (scrapping and focus) and catching of Doolan was something else. Warner bowled some handy medium pacers - Ponting or Hussey style. As I have argued many times over, Watson needs to know he does not play the tune..he dances to it.

By the way, Warner is fast becoming the most hated man in world cricket, but he carries it well. Peeling off the tons this season. He hit three before the Ashes in the Ryobi fiasco, a couple in the Ashes and one now. Prolific. he loves delivering a send off.

4. Australia's next captain, Steve Smith batted unbelievably too. He is a first innings run machine. Highly composed and more talented than most. Suddenly everyone can see why he played in the Ashes a few years back before he was ready. He scores in all conditions.

5. Looking forward to the first person who tells us that this form positions a team for NRL excellence. Give us a break! Gus Gould's decision to axe Lachlan Coote for his 'fragility' has lasted one Auckland 9's game. A soothsayer. Some bad injuries there.

6. Frank Farina. A 2-1 win might put the sign into the car boot, but it will re-appear. Frank has a shocking record. He's been sacked more often than most...maybe not Phil Hughes however.

7. Jose Mourinho has labeled Arsne Wenger "a specialist in failure". Great theatre and very true. Wenger does not get the tactics. Arsenal are the pre Christmas experts.

Wrap - A Schemozzle Like No Other

1. Shaun Marsh. Can anyone believe that Marsh was first dropped from the touring squad for his lack of fitness (of course you can), then he appears in the BBL final...(What? Are we kidding?) Then he is re-selected! Unbelievable. All that while his average is terrible. Was he at the cricket Academy with Clarke?

2. Shane Watson. Injured again...Only Brett Papworth or Eric Grothe Senior has a worse record for injuries. Watson needs to wake up and prepare properly. This is a sympton of his poor attitude.

3. Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, Man City. What a contest! A tremendous battle peppered by Mourinhou throwing in all manner of barbs and taunts. Gotta love it. Wenger has to return fire...too mild mannered for mine.

4. Rugby League. Parramatta. Great to see them beat a second string Tigers outfit. The media seems to proclaim any victory at any stage of the season. Noticed the Storm lose most trials then win their first ten before Origin starts.

5. BBL Cricket. Scorchers. Like their style. That opener, Simmons is something else. Great timing for a fat IPL contract.

6. India away from home are horrible. Their losses in New Zealand have been soft, including the first Test.

7. I have to say that I'm getting the feeling that South Africa's tour may bring us back to earth. A bit like England in the recent Ashes. Those decks and our feeble top order batting...Phil Hughes offers no confidence.

8. Is there a greater certainty than Kevin Pietersen coming back to play for England sooner rather than later?

9. Love a great soccer riot like the Sydney FC faithful (? love that term around soccer fans) turned on at the SFS on Saturday night. Have to laugh at the well made banner of banning Frank Farina. Looks like it was made weeks ago. Also looks like the coach's name has replaced a former coach's name...the canvas would be pretty thick by now with that mob. A schemozzle.

Wrap - We're All Doomed, Sam Burgess Is Leaving

1. Not sure what has happened to the schedulers at Cricket Australia but memo for 2014/2015: Don't leave a two week break between main Big Bash games and finals. It is absurd. People forget who is in the teams and lots of blokes go on holidays.

2. Noticed that 189,000 fans turned up at the Scotsdale Arizona Phoenix Open in ONE day. Quiet place on a weekend? Can't recall that many fans loving Bubba Watson all at once. Incredible numbers really.

3. Can someone explain why Shaun Marsh was picked (average lower than Rhonda's ditching of Katoosh). Equally you pick Phil Hughes....please. Is he really going to displace Watson and bat at number six? Any chance the Neil D'Costa - Clarke connection helped? This is his sixth re-incarnation. The cat.

And how about old NSW mate, Moooiiiises Henriques? Where will he play? A net practice bowler. Batting not much better. He has had more chances than Justin Beiber.

The Big Show...has a lot of talent. James Brayshaw has dead set fallen in love with him. Sometimes "The No Show".

4. 20-20. Cameron White has finally found a place in cricket. He and Finch have been awesome. The English are a schemozzle. We look better when McDermott is bowling coach and Mike Young as fielding coach. Mike Young is something else. Sharp.

5. Not sure if you caught up with the news from World Wrestling...Jake the Snake Roberts. He has been inducted into the Wrestling Hall of Fame. All the way from Stone Mountain Georgia.

6. Piers Morgan v Ian Chappell. I think Ian Chappell's words to him were gold. 'You're a dickhead'. Just about sums it up.

7. ManuU are gone and the coach will be close. If he wasn't a mate of Sir Alex's he would be in another country by now.

8. Ellyse Perry. Now not only does she have style and class, she single handedly wins cricket games. Superb athlete and inspiration. Mastered the game at the nets most afternoons with her dad, Mark.

9. Rugby League I ...Willie Mason. Dope, goose, fool. It is amazing how dumb things follow this man.

10. Rugby League II...Parra signings...Now let's see who we can purchase who has a healthy streak of the goose in him...Perhaps Liam Foran (has got a great surname, anything else?) biffing his family for cash or maybe Lee Mossop who's having surgery and might be ready for round 10 or 12. Great value.

11. Does anyone think that after S Burgess we will fall in a heap? Is there anything more contrived and stupid than another bloke going to Rugby? I'm confident that the game will prosper after he leaves as it did before he arrived.

12. Davis Cup...terrible. Excuses abound, but we are rotten and deserve to play Thailand, Canada, Zimbabwe and Iran for a few years more.

13. Superbowl. Mayweather put $15 million on the Denver Broncos. Looks like he'll be fighting real soon again.

14. Noticed Stuart Binney has joined the ranks of the Indian team. However, 'the selectors left Binney out last night...' NZ crushed them...Ross Taylor is in some sort of form. Guptill, Williamson...in form.

Wrap - Australia Day No Show

1. BBL Twenty-Twenty Cricket. Ponting has been excellent in the commentary box - humble even...and down to earth. Qualities we never knew he possessed. Noticing a new phenomenon: the first ball boundary of an over...20/20 style. A new tactic which takes all the pressure off.

2. Despite Ian Chappell's one sided view of the world, George Bailey has added a lot to the Australian Test team. The selectors have underestimated his composure and experience of winning (20-20 and Tassie). If you select blokes who win a lot..YOU win a lot. Marsh has a low average and low attitude for mine. Bailey's is not great either, but I noticed he top scored at Adelaide Oval under pressure to win the ODI tonight. Lower than Sam Groth's world ranking...'bomb down the T' (luckiest man in the world to have a commercial agreement with anyone).

3. Did anyone notice that the winning shot at the tennis coincided with the winning edge to Wade off Watson (who has a happy knack of doing something significant in every game he plays - even if his batting is going to pot)? To the second. The remote conrol was under a lot of pressure.

"The Big Show" (Glenn Maxwell) also did a significant run out at a clutch moment, but he is fast becoming "The No Show".

4. AB Medal farce. It looked like it was held at SBS in a lunchroom. Joke. Only two or three can win the thing. It is fast becoming the Michael Clarke Medal.

5. Australian Open. Wawrinka was dominant. Unbelievable strength in his shots. Rafa's injury was with terrible timing, but at least he didn't do what most rich spoilt tennis players do and give in. Nadal is the most hard edge sportsman in world sport. Focused and determined, relentless and the best sportsman.

6. This business of open interviews at the end of centre court games at Australian Open...the overseas interviewer. What the hell is happening there? Have we not got one former Australian tennis player who could do this? Sorry it's Australia. Roger Rasheed needs to be congratulated for his tight shirts, but gee he knows the game. Maybe he could do it? Jim Courier looks like a possum is on his head. He needs a stylist.

7. That tennis announcer - Craig Willis - is the best in the business. Golden tonsils.

8. Man City. 80% ownership...are we kidding...our game is on thin ice. Fancy selling our game to those overseas...makes little sense for the game but lots of sense to the investors. Hard to see how it benefits Australia. It only benefits Manchester City who paid less than one of their players.

9. Great to see the usual "training the house down, never looked fitter, given up the drink/ gambling, great new coaching staff, fabulous signings, you beaut, better than ever, fit as a trout..." Parramatta media stories have started. A third straight spoon beckons with this customary build up.

Wrap - Old Kent Road

1. We have had the annual farce of a 30,000 crowd at the MCG for a ODI. The days of the full house on the first ODI Sunday at the G have vanished. Why? Maybe not playing Johnson...maybe no ODI jingle...no advertising (outside of Brut, Com Bank, KFC and 'Plan B' Brad)...maybe no profile on the event and the refined view of the cricket viewer that if they are going to watch cricket that they cannot remember next week, they's rather watch T20 cricket. The greed of the ACB is coming back to bitee them...something repeated world wide.

2. The SCG are in on this too. They have recently sent to members about the ICC World Cup of cricket with extraordinary prices for the privilege of watching top line games like Bangladesh v England. They will be giving tickets away on radio shows before we know it. The fan is over it and the mass exodus to Stadium Australia memberships is well underway.

3. Really enjoying the quality of the Big Bash. Our best players are Daniel Christian, Chris Lynn, Ben Dunk (Billy), Aaron Finch, Mitchell Marsh, Michael Klinger, Ben Laughlin, Matthew Wade, Jackson Bird (plus Hussey, Katich, Hodge, Hogg, Lee, Nannes...). The nightly fix is becoming very suddenly the choice of viewing...not the ODI. Channel 9 were asleep when this was brokered.

4. EPL. High quality games as the season hots up. Such an open race - as it should be - and highly entertaining. Liking Man City and Chelsea..but that will shift no doubt.

5. Can anyone explain why you let Jamal Idris leave your club in exchange for Brad Tighe? That is like giving up Mayfair for Old Kent Road. John Cartwright wouldn't be thinking of coming back to Penrith any time soon to hook up with his former club and son, Bryce?

6. Russell Packer. The court got this right. Perhaps the NRL might learn a lesson here and do the same thing. This will set a better example about belting blokes than that from Paul Gallen (Origin 1 2013) or Tim Sheens' dumbarse defence of Billy Slater's niteclub behaviour in England. Did that enquiry ever get published?

7. Ben Mowen. Is this the greatest dummy spit in the history of Australian rugby? Skipper of the national team seems to be akin to captaining the lunchtime team in the school playground. Hand it around like it doesn't matter. They need to sort themselves out before this game becomes extinct. AFL is starting to eat it.

8. If you didn't catch it, have a look at the Charles Schwartzel's shot of the year off a road on Youtube. Something else.

Wrap - The Richies

1. Richie Benaud. Is it just me, or is something not adding up with Richie's car accident? He is driving along in his CAT 222 plated car and he hits a wall and is out all summer. Were there charges? Alcohol to blame? Surely there is more to it. Sounds like he has had some favourable media...perhaps he deserves it.

2. It will come as no surprise, but there is a scoop surrounding Warren Ryan. Has been axed from ABC NRL Radio. Crime? Too boring!

3. Ashes. Emphatic. Johnson and Haddin were exceptional. Disturbing to see the lack of focus late in the series by Warner and Clarke who starred early. Rogers stoic and strong. Still concerned re first innings work at the crease. Sooner or later Haddin won't succeed and we lose by an innings. Philander, Steyn and Morkel will test this more readily than most. Away Test series wins are rarer and rarer. Thankfully, Kallis has retired. Evens things up.
They need to ditch the VB highlights concept on the TV coverage next summer. Like watching the old Rank Arena 30 inch.

4. While Warnie never captained Australia, he is certainly the emerging captain of the commentary team. Ian Healy could be retired without pain. Warnie brings the best out of Tubby and Slats. There was a great exchange that went something like this:

Slats: "Warnie your son is going on a Harbour Bridge climb today with his girlfriend? How old is he?"
Warnie: "Fifteen".
Slats: "Is he a bit like his old man?"
Warnie: "He likes his old man a lot, Slats".
BOOM!

5. Hewitt victory v Federer. Superb by the most determined athlete in Australian sport. Tomic, Stosur take note.

6. Big Bash. Some great entertainment from some familiar names - Hodge, Hussey, Tait, Hogg, Finch, Maxwell, Pattinson..and a few newer ones - Lynn, Klinger, Richardson.

The great KP (not the English bat), would be mightily unhappy about Channel 9 losing the rights to the Big Bash cricket to Channel 10. "Well, there's two ways to look at it. One, we could bend over and let Channel 10 have the best product in Australia, or we could bloody well fight and scrap and keep the spoils to ourselves! Whatever you do, don't lose the cricket!". Rating through the roof for a new channel!