1. Australian Cricket. Where are we? Rumours of Michael Clarke falling out with Hussey over a retirement dinner appointment on the Packer luxury yacht are almost impossible to believe. However, at the minute, anything is possible. Clarke has some bottle. As captain, who mad ehim a selector? His mate, Henriques came strolling back into the side after doing nothing to the power of bugger all.
2. Has anyone ever wondered why Nathan Lyon has not been rotated out? I know the selectors will be under pressure now that he does the team song. Never let a good voice leave the team. Apparently Shaun Graf was a great singer too. The Rotation Policy is insurance for the upcoming Nathan Bracken court case. It is well known his hair band fell out and caused a Grade 3 tear to one of his locks which prematurely ended his career!
3. T20 Cricket. Is Stadium Australia in Homebush the new MCG? Melbourne seems to have fallen over as the sporting capital of cricket. Lack of spark.
Sri Lanka are the best in the world at T20. There is no bowling attack to rival theirs. Malinga is another of the T20 whores (think Gayle, et al) of world cricket who are also very smart.
4. Aaron Finch looks like joining that long list of failed Victorian batsmen (Hodge style); Shaun Marsh never seems to score runs outside of Perth; Voges the same. Ben Cutting is ineffective. Where is Paine? Cameron White scored a double century in Grade cricket and then thought he would lecture the world on cricket manners and etiquette. A bit rich coming from one of the most unpopular cricketers in the country. If a pot of gold fell at his feet on his way home, his response would be "I can't carry that...how am I supposed to get that home".
5. What of Phil Hughes? Two centuries, but both had that hint of the selfish player about them. Hard to argue with runs, but he seems to lack that team focus for mine. It is all about his brand.
6. Speaking of which, that James O'Connor has a haircut to rival the Grease cast. He needs to spend more time on his fitness.
7, Great to see Watson and Pattinson in grade cricket - Hazelwood too. These selectors make Andrew Hilditch popular.
8. Geale v Mundine. Here's hoping for a quick, painless end to the career of one of the most despised Australian sportsmen of all time. What next? Darts?
9. Tennis. Federer is an out and out champion. His mental toughness is extraordinary. Why can't we like Andy Murray? He seems like an excuse making brat. The way Djokovic hits the ball makes me think he may well be one of the best ever. He is something special. He may be better than Federer eventually.
10. Gotta admit that those shrieking female tennis players are ruining the game. Is it a Russian/ European thing? Is it a cheating thing? Yes, they are working harder than the sign language lady in a Queensland flood, but seriously...new rules please.
11. Lance Armstrong. What an appalling disgrace of a bloke he is now. His furious and aggressive denials - his lawsuits, his protests, his dishonesty and his complete lack of integrity in the tactics he used are a shocking truth. Everyone suspected it, thought it, but when the extent of it and the intimidation, lies, harrassment...he is a fraud of the highest order. His arrogance extends to his assumption that he will be back competing!!!! Every sport should bar him.
Monday, January 28, 2013
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Wrap - $250 Million Bargain
1. Warner looks solid for mine. He is the bloke who would stay surely. When Chris Martin has your measure you have problems. NZ could have nailed us, but they appear to be incapable. The only side in world cricket whose lower order bat better than their top order. We are getting close too.
Ponting must stay, but how can your technique go so bad? Age only?
2. Watched the Sehwag 200 the other night. Brutal. Is there a world standard in boundary length? Surely this impacts on runs scored worldwide when countries are compared. Good to see grass in India these days. There was a time...
3. Donald on the cusp of a miracle to be top $$$ winner in Europe and USA in a season. Bank manager v happy.
4. Albert Pujols. Major League Baseball. From St Louis Cardinals to LA Angels. Is any player in a team sport deserving of $250 million US over ten years? (Or is this actually cheap?). Give us a view.
5. Good to see the most overrated AFL player since Fevola - Barry Hall - get into the ring. Maybe he will get some of his own back. A West Coast player or two will be hoping.
6. Arsenal are the form EPL team. Van Persie may shatter some of the big EPL goal scoring records.
7. A-League. back the draw and join Robbo in Hawaii. More goals required.
Ponting must stay, but how can your technique go so bad? Age only?
2. Watched the Sehwag 200 the other night. Brutal. Is there a world standard in boundary length? Surely this impacts on runs scored worldwide when countries are compared. Good to see grass in India these days. There was a time...
3. Donald on the cusp of a miracle to be top $$$ winner in Europe and USA in a season. Bank manager v happy.
4. Albert Pujols. Major League Baseball. From St Louis Cardinals to LA Angels. Is any player in a team sport deserving of $250 million US over ten years? (Or is this actually cheap?). Give us a view.
5. Good to see the most overrated AFL player since Fevola - Barry Hall - get into the ring. Maybe he will get some of his own back. A West Coast player or two will be hoping.
6. Arsenal are the form EPL team. Van Persie may shatter some of the big EPL goal scoring records.
7. A-League. back the draw and join Robbo in Hawaii. More goals required.
Wrap - B League and Axing Mates
1. Phil Hughes confirmed his poor state of mind - and attitude - at the end chasing 19 and giving up his wicket. The trap was set, he was dropped the previous ball and deserved what he got. Now for the axe, but can best mate Clarke deliver? Surely Warner stays. He has energy, great pace in the field and tremendous hands and bowls a lot like Warnie!!! He could be VERY handy. A couple of those shots with the red ball down the ground at the end were scintillating. His technique will be far better than Hughes' under pressure. He plays straight.
Clarke fabulous, but will never really be loved - until he marries, continues to shut up and starts having kids I suppose. Starc excellent. Pattinson superb. Mitchell Johnson may never play again. Cummins, Pattinson, Starc and Lyon. Get used to it. Siddle - the man who has not moved a ball since U/10's - will be gone soon too.
When do Hussey and Ponting go?
2. Where the hell is Bill Lawry? He is missed in the commentary box. The Twelfth Man (who should be on the Footy Show or free to air at some stage soon) will be hard at it in the studio no doubt.
3. Sydney FC. A great win by those FC's yesterday over the biggest hoax in Australian Sporting History - a team, The Brisbane Roar who had THIRTEEN (13) draws in their "unbeaten" run. Joke.
Concerned the A - League is playing at B league venues. What has happened?
4. Union. A fine win v Wales, but next week we will lose to Munster or someone. The inconsistency is a huge issue. Turner is an outstanding winger.
5. Motor Sport. The spectacle, the speed, the noise...some love it. Most would not know a Whincup from a winning cup. How do you make it more appealing? This vexed question will haunt them. The appeal to women would be very low for mine. Or maybe I should have phrased that last sentence differently.
6. Tennis. Davis Cup. The European domination of tennis looks to be never ending. It will be many moons before we see this cup again on our shores.
7. Danny Green. What sort of advice is this guy getting? Seems like a crafty and sensible bloke who was dead set on top in his mid week bout. Then he gets fancy when he should have been purely defensive - not grabbing/ holding, etc as they mostly all do - and loses his title. Vic Darchinyian also lost his bout today. Our boxing stocks are on the slide. Mundine will be next to fall. Shannon Taylor tries to top himself too. A tough game.
8. Darren Lehmann. Surely he will be snapped up soon by an International Cricket Team. Then Australia will miss out on one of the great tacticians and leaders of cricketers we are likely to ever produce. His performance with an unsettled QLD has been superb this season - in all forms of the game. Conversely, NSW is all over the shop. Picking new blokes, dropping them as soon. Saw that Steve Smith (ex Bankstown and opening bat for NSW) is selecting. He would engender no confidence in anyone, but himself. I don't see leaders in charge. I see ex-players.
Clarke fabulous, but will never really be loved - until he marries, continues to shut up and starts having kids I suppose. Starc excellent. Pattinson superb. Mitchell Johnson may never play again. Cummins, Pattinson, Starc and Lyon. Get used to it. Siddle - the man who has not moved a ball since U/10's - will be gone soon too.
When do Hussey and Ponting go?
2. Where the hell is Bill Lawry? He is missed in the commentary box. The Twelfth Man (who should be on the Footy Show or free to air at some stage soon) will be hard at it in the studio no doubt.
3. Sydney FC. A great win by those FC's yesterday over the biggest hoax in Australian Sporting History - a team, The Brisbane Roar who had THIRTEEN (13) draws in their "unbeaten" run. Joke.
Concerned the A - League is playing at B league venues. What has happened?
4. Union. A fine win v Wales, but next week we will lose to Munster or someone. The inconsistency is a huge issue. Turner is an outstanding winger.
5. Motor Sport. The spectacle, the speed, the noise...some love it. Most would not know a Whincup from a winning cup. How do you make it more appealing? This vexed question will haunt them. The appeal to women would be very low for mine. Or maybe I should have phrased that last sentence differently.
6. Tennis. Davis Cup. The European domination of tennis looks to be never ending. It will be many moons before we see this cup again on our shores.
7. Danny Green. What sort of advice is this guy getting? Seems like a crafty and sensible bloke who was dead set on top in his mid week bout. Then he gets fancy when he should have been purely defensive - not grabbing/ holding, etc as they mostly all do - and loses his title. Vic Darchinyian also lost his bout today. Our boxing stocks are on the slide. Mundine will be next to fall. Shannon Taylor tries to top himself too. A tough game.
8. Darren Lehmann. Surely he will be snapped up soon by an International Cricket Team. Then Australia will miss out on one of the great tacticians and leaders of cricketers we are likely to ever produce. His performance with an unsettled QLD has been superb this season - in all forms of the game. Conversely, NSW is all over the shop. Picking new blokes, dropping them as soon. Saw that Steve Smith (ex Bankstown and opening bat for NSW) is selecting. He would engender no confidence in anyone, but himself. I don't see leaders in charge. I see ex-players.
Wrap - Snake Sharma
1. Well it didn't take long for that woeful side I published last week (Warner, Hughes, Khawaja, Clarke, Cooper (Watson), Bailey (Marsh), Wade (Paine), Siddle, Copeland, Cummins, Cutting/ Lyon) to nearly come true.
What has Copeland done? He has plummeted. Perhaps a sacrificial lamb from the selector takeover. At least Shizenhaus was overlooked (a world expert in 1/90's). Suddenly Ponting, Hussey and Haddin are set for the whole summer. Michael Beer and Steve Smith should have to play aginst each other until one of them lands a ball capable of getting a wicket.
Our issue is that we simply cannot bowl sides out. The Indians must be laughing hysterically. At least Cummins will be back for the Indians. Now there is a side that will crumble to nil when the old stars retire (VVS, Sachin, Dravid...). No Harby is a disappointment.
2. Greg 'Snake' Chalmers has done well. Real well. A chance for the Aussie Triple Crown.
3. Vettel just cruises to pole and then to victory. It has become a procession and a yawn. Interested to see Webber won a GP award for quick laps.
4. GWS get a squillion young blokes to kick start the club. Will get smashed early and if they can hang onto them all, they'll cash in. There are many dumb blokes in AFL and beyond wanting to argue with Sheedy. He is a master manipulator of the media and always gets the last say.
5. Barbarians games v Wallabies (and whoever else). What possible use are these and why do they exist - outside of IRB fundraisers? Ridiculous.
6. Paul Osborne sounds like a good sacking by the Eels. Quite the goose. Fitted in well at the Eels.
What has Copeland done? He has plummeted. Perhaps a sacrificial lamb from the selector takeover. At least Shizenhaus was overlooked (a world expert in 1/90's). Suddenly Ponting, Hussey and Haddin are set for the whole summer. Michael Beer and Steve Smith should have to play aginst each other until one of them lands a ball capable of getting a wicket.
Our issue is that we simply cannot bowl sides out. The Indians must be laughing hysterically. At least Cummins will be back for the Indians. Now there is a side that will crumble to nil when the old stars retire (VVS, Sachin, Dravid...). No Harby is a disappointment.
2. Greg 'Snake' Chalmers has done well. Real well. A chance for the Aussie Triple Crown.
3. Vettel just cruises to pole and then to victory. It has become a procession and a yawn. Interested to see Webber won a GP award for quick laps.
4. GWS get a squillion young blokes to kick start the club. Will get smashed early and if they can hang onto them all, they'll cash in. There are many dumb blokes in AFL and beyond wanting to argue with Sheedy. He is a master manipulator of the media and always gets the last say.
5. Barbarians games v Wallabies (and whoever else). What possible use are these and why do they exist - outside of IRB fundraisers? Ridiculous.
6. Paul Osborne sounds like a good sacking by the Eels. Quite the goose. Fitted in well at the Eels.
Wrap - Wagging The Dog
1. Test Cricket in Hobart - do they deserve it? Surely they need to establish themselves with better cred before dishing up their seaming - NEW ZEALAND - pitches. Usually there are blokes wandering in front of sight screens and dogs on the field.
The changing guard of Auatralian cricket will see Tassie banished, but they have wagged the dog for a long time (Ponting, Cooley, Cox, Dene Hills, Hifen (Shizen) haus, Paine, Krezja, Doherty, Geeves, et al).
2. Willie Mason, Sonny Bill, Quade Cooper. Is this lot the most boring in Australian sport? Surely yes. Throw in Stephanie Rice, Jana Pittman-Rawlinson (and whatever her name is this week), Matt Rogers and Anthony Mundine and you have Danny Weidler's phonebook. What a boring, whinging dinner party that would be.
3. Big Bash. I get the feeling it will soon fall in a heap. It is like a bad niteclub. Lights, fancy clothes, smoke, mirrors and it stinks to high heaven. The right way to go? Test cricket suddenly looks safer than ever.
What about calls for test selection when a bloke gets runs in 20/20? Rank stupidity.
4. Dave Warner. He stands to be the best cricketer in the modern game and a godfather of a new trend in world cricket. He may also be the first (only?) bloke to play in all three forms of the game at International level. H eis quite superb. He's the only one who has not got a CA contract. Joke.
Warnie a dead set rock star. Where's the Women's Weekly inside scoop story?
5. EPL - Chelsea look under pressure and a coach change will happen soon. Also, it is the sacking season in the A League. John Kosmina has made a comeback with Adelaide. Surely there is someone else. It just shows the lack of talent and knowledge in Australian domestic league soccer.
6. Geoff Ogilvy. A choke is the best description. Superb Saturday and horrible Sunday. Another one of the cranky golfers in Australia - see Allenby, Appleby, Norman, Baddley...
The changing guard of Auatralian cricket will see Tassie banished, but they have wagged the dog for a long time (Ponting, Cooley, Cox, Dene Hills, Hifen (Shizen) haus, Paine, Krezja, Doherty, Geeves, et al).
2. Willie Mason, Sonny Bill, Quade Cooper. Is this lot the most boring in Australian sport? Surely yes. Throw in Stephanie Rice, Jana Pittman-Rawlinson (and whatever her name is this week), Matt Rogers and Anthony Mundine and you have Danny Weidler's phonebook. What a boring, whinging dinner party that would be.
3. Big Bash. I get the feeling it will soon fall in a heap. It is like a bad niteclub. Lights, fancy clothes, smoke, mirrors and it stinks to high heaven. The right way to go? Test cricket suddenly looks safer than ever.
What about calls for test selection when a bloke gets runs in 20/20? Rank stupidity.
4. Dave Warner. He stands to be the best cricketer in the modern game and a godfather of a new trend in world cricket. He may also be the first (only?) bloke to play in all three forms of the game at International level. H eis quite superb. He's the only one who has not got a CA contract. Joke.
Warnie a dead set rock star. Where's the Women's Weekly inside scoop story?
5. EPL - Chelsea look under pressure and a coach change will happen soon. Also, it is the sacking season in the A League. John Kosmina has made a comeback with Adelaide. Surely there is someone else. It just shows the lack of talent and knowledge in Australian domestic league soccer.
6. Geoff Ogilvy. A choke is the best description. Superb Saturday and horrible Sunday. Another one of the cranky golfers in Australia - see Allenby, Appleby, Norman, Baddley...
Sunday, November 20, 2011
The Wrap - New Teams and Immortals
Boys,
1. Lockyer. An absolute genius really. Can anyone seriously say that Andrew Johns was better than him? Johns has a lot of media support, but Lockyer is simply better. He will be a deserved immortal. Hopefully no trashy biography emerges in retirement. His shot at goal at the end of the game was a shocker really. One of the worst ever. He is human.
2. Cricket. Pat Cummins a stunning debut. Johnson gone. Ponting gone. Haddin gone. Hussey...well still going OK, but for how much longer? Surely not long. He may need the brutal treatment. Our First Test team could very soon be (with Watson out):
Warner
Hughes
Khawaja
Clarke
Cooper (Watson)
Bailey (Marsh)
Wade (Paine)
Siddle
Copeland
Cummins
Cutting/ Lyon
Scary. Someone mentioned old Shizenhaus. Surely not.
Johnson has to go. He has done nothing for too long. I did notice that he was batting sensibly in the first innings. About time he smartened up his act.
3. Golf. President's Cup. Great to see Tiger living it up with the fanatics. Fred Couples seems to be a top bloke. The Shark even smiled. Our International team is a long way from cohesive. Much easier for the USA. Great to see blokes playing golf - and caring - even with no big pay cheque. Course looked hard, but patchy in parts too.
Allenby was our dud of the tournament for mine. Any other takers? Day had a shocker today.
4. Loved the Billy Dib celebration after he smashed his boxing opponent on the weekend. He could be a star.
5. Hard to get excited about a soccer team (Brisbane Roar) equalling the famed Roosters of the early 70's unbeaten record. Having five or six draws in the sequence makes it incomparable...even if they have scored in each game.
1. Lockyer. An absolute genius really. Can anyone seriously say that Andrew Johns was better than him? Johns has a lot of media support, but Lockyer is simply better. He will be a deserved immortal. Hopefully no trashy biography emerges in retirement. His shot at goal at the end of the game was a shocker really. One of the worst ever. He is human.
2. Cricket. Pat Cummins a stunning debut. Johnson gone. Ponting gone. Haddin gone. Hussey...well still going OK, but for how much longer? Surely not long. He may need the brutal treatment. Our First Test team could very soon be (with Watson out):
Warner
Hughes
Khawaja
Clarke
Cooper (Watson)
Bailey (Marsh)
Wade (Paine)
Siddle
Copeland
Cummins
Cutting/ Lyon
Scary. Someone mentioned old Shizenhaus. Surely not.
Johnson has to go. He has done nothing for too long. I did notice that he was batting sensibly in the first innings. About time he smartened up his act.
3. Golf. President's Cup. Great to see Tiger living it up with the fanatics. Fred Couples seems to be a top bloke. The Shark even smiled. Our International team is a long way from cohesive. Much easier for the USA. Great to see blokes playing golf - and caring - even with no big pay cheque. Course looked hard, but patchy in parts too.
Allenby was our dud of the tournament for mine. Any other takers? Day had a shocker today.
4. Loved the Billy Dib celebration after he smashed his boxing opponent on the weekend. He could be a star.
5. Hard to get excited about a soccer team (Brisbane Roar) equalling the famed Roosters of the early 70's unbeaten record. Having five or six draws in the sequence makes it incomparable...even if they have scored in each game.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Wrap - Show Us Your Akhtar
1. Roebuck. What happened? I recall a violence/ boy controversy and allegations over a group of boarders or similar when he was in Zimbabwe a few years back. Apparently there were police discussions before the death (in the morning) and then when there is little detail given, there is something untoward. Remember Bob Woolmer. I suspect he could have had a revenge hit. Crime in South Africa is rampant. This includes crime against the game of cricket committed by Australia.
He did NOT die from writer's block as earlier reported.
2. I am staggered that Hussey - one of our best players recently - had such a poor test with bat, hands and attitude. How long can he keep playing? 40? It is time for some big decisions by Marsh, Bichel and Invers. Today is Hilditch's last day. Good riddance.
Sent a mid week first innings appraisal of Mitchell Johnson. He should be sent home immediately. Cummins in. Hughes should be sacked for Warner. Ponting needs to be dropped on his head and how long can Haddin continue? Has not got a run since Shoaid Akhtar had genital herpes. Wade or Paine to come in. I liked Ian Chappell's comment: "We lost WITH him...we as sure as hell can lose WITHOUT him". Siddle is a joke too. If he's our best we have problems. Copeland in. He actually moves it. Fancy facing Johnson who does nothing with the ball - and Siddle who does less. Easy if you are as talented as South Africa's top order.
Unfortunately, Michael Clarke will be soft and retain all these blokes. It is a bigger test of his steel than anything else.
3. Grant Hackett. Has he lost the plot? Needs to get back in the pool and stop being a brat. Westpac? Dolf, bad for the brand I'd say.
Good to see Thorpie coming eighth in the 100 metres dog paddle and underwater breath holding championships. Two bob swim meet.
4. Hasler. How about that charade? Suddenly it is all solved...cash talks. That and promises not to take key players. (Des will return to Brookie eventually). Never was going to work as predicted many moons back. Jim Dymock must feel good. Kris Keating is being shopped around, Jon Wright will be next. Parra lost nothing there. There will be some nervous Bulldogs as the broom is put through the joint.
5. England v Aussies in league should be a cracker. What does the Four Nations prove? Seems to be a fundraiser only for mine. Don't miss the game however, it will be a cracker.
6. Great golf on the weekend in Sydney. The best field we have seen here for some time. Chalmers winning it is a surprise, but confirms Australia's enduring glory in the world of golf. We have produced some gems over the years. Tiger looks ominous. The Shark up to his old rude tricks as normal. A knob in a big way. Who's he married to this tournament?
He did NOT die from writer's block as earlier reported.
2. I am staggered that Hussey - one of our best players recently - had such a poor test with bat, hands and attitude. How long can he keep playing? 40? It is time for some big decisions by Marsh, Bichel and Invers. Today is Hilditch's last day. Good riddance.
Sent a mid week first innings appraisal of Mitchell Johnson. He should be sent home immediately. Cummins in. Hughes should be sacked for Warner. Ponting needs to be dropped on his head and how long can Haddin continue? Has not got a run since Shoaid Akhtar had genital herpes. Wade or Paine to come in. I liked Ian Chappell's comment: "We lost WITH him...we as sure as hell can lose WITHOUT him". Siddle is a joke too. If he's our best we have problems. Copeland in. He actually moves it. Fancy facing Johnson who does nothing with the ball - and Siddle who does less. Easy if you are as talented as South Africa's top order.
Unfortunately, Michael Clarke will be soft and retain all these blokes. It is a bigger test of his steel than anything else.
3. Grant Hackett. Has he lost the plot? Needs to get back in the pool and stop being a brat. Westpac? Dolf, bad for the brand I'd say.
Good to see Thorpie coming eighth in the 100 metres dog paddle and underwater breath holding championships. Two bob swim meet.
4. Hasler. How about that charade? Suddenly it is all solved...cash talks. That and promises not to take key players. (Des will return to Brookie eventually). Never was going to work as predicted many moons back. Jim Dymock must feel good. Kris Keating is being shopped around, Jon Wright will be next. Parra lost nothing there. There will be some nervous Bulldogs as the broom is put through the joint.
5. England v Aussies in league should be a cracker. What does the Four Nations prove? Seems to be a fundraiser only for mine. Don't miss the game however, it will be a cracker.
6. Great golf on the weekend in Sydney. The best field we have seen here for some time. Chalmers winning it is a surprise, but confirms Australia's enduring glory in the world of golf. We have produced some gems over the years. Tiger looks ominous. The Shark up to his old rude tricks as normal. A knob in a big way. Who's he married to this tournament?
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