The Australian cricket non-official thread!
- Thread starter Matty76
- Start date
For the second time this season, South Australia have beaten Western Australia by one wicket in the Sheffield Shield....amazing stuff!
With one round to play, the ladder is as follows:
VIC 46.62 points
QLD 45.66 points
NSW 44.13 points
SA 40.67 points
WA 36.18 points
TAS 25.69 points
The final rounds see QLD vs WA, SA vs TAS and VIC vs NSW.
Victoria have lost their last two games quite heavily, opening the door to either lose hosting rights or miss the final altogether. It is good watching close finishes via the Cricket Australia live feed...in the game mentioned at the start of this post, the picture was as clear as a bell. It was like being there!
With one round to play, the ladder is as follows:
VIC 46.62 points
QLD 45.66 points
NSW 44.13 points
SA 40.67 points
WA 36.18 points
TAS 25.69 points
The final rounds see QLD vs WA, SA vs TAS and VIC vs NSW.
Victoria have lost their last two games quite heavily, opening the door to either lose hosting rights or miss the final altogether. It is good watching close finishes via the Cricket Australia live feed...in the game mentioned at the start of this post, the picture was as clear as a bell. It was like being there!
Congratulations to South Australia, who have reached their first Sheffield Shield final since the fabled and dramatic win in 1995/96. They will play Victoria at Gliderol Stadium in Glenelg.
I just had a revisit of the scorecard from 20 years ago - talk about "international player" city!! In the Western Australian team was Mike Hussey, Justin Langer, Tom Moody, Damien Martyn, Adam Gilchrist, Jo Angel, Brad Hogg and Brendon Julian. All had or would play for Australia. In the South Australian team was Greg Blewett, Darren Lehmann, Tim May, Jason Gillespie and Peter McIntyre.
For those unfortunate enough (like I was!) to watch Australia's opening T20 match against New Zealand last night, what did you make of it? I will argue until the cows come home that the modern "professional" era of cricket - with a support staff the size of a small African village - is nothing more than a PR image designed to justify exorbitant player salaries. Australia's run chase was reduced to witless slogging that would shame a five year-old. If that's cricket, then we have a problem with the sport.
Glenn "that's how he plays" Maxwell has become something of a sideshow, enabled and encouraged by team management to swing wildly and play in a manner that puts self interest ahead of the team goal. No better example of the ills of the modern game - and its greed - exists in the Australian team. Maxwell will pocket $1.24m for his upcoming IPL stint with Punjab. I really like Glenn Maxwell as a person - he seems a cheerful, amiable, decent human. However, his reputation - and the respect it carries - is being treated as a plaything by the national selectors and the coaching staff. I am not convinced that "coming off" once in six or seven innings is good enough in an Australian side which has underperformed at T20 World Cups. Most of the eggs are in his basket (an Easter reference!
), judging by the unusual batting line-up we saw last evening.
I just had a revisit of the scorecard from 20 years ago - talk about "international player" city!! In the Western Australian team was Mike Hussey, Justin Langer, Tom Moody, Damien Martyn, Adam Gilchrist, Jo Angel, Brad Hogg and Brendon Julian. All had or would play for Australia. In the South Australian team was Greg Blewett, Darren Lehmann, Tim May, Jason Gillespie and Peter McIntyre.
For those unfortunate enough (like I was!) to watch Australia's opening T20 match against New Zealand last night, what did you make of it? I will argue until the cows come home that the modern "professional" era of cricket - with a support staff the size of a small African village - is nothing more than a PR image designed to justify exorbitant player salaries. Australia's run chase was reduced to witless slogging that would shame a five year-old. If that's cricket, then we have a problem with the sport.
Glenn "that's how he plays" Maxwell has become something of a sideshow, enabled and encouraged by team management to swing wildly and play in a manner that puts self interest ahead of the team goal. No better example of the ills of the modern game - and its greed - exists in the Australian team. Maxwell will pocket $1.24m for his upcoming IPL stint with Punjab. I really like Glenn Maxwell as a person - he seems a cheerful, amiable, decent human. However, his reputation - and the respect it carries - is being treated as a plaything by the national selectors and the coaching staff. I am not convinced that "coming off" once in six or seven innings is good enough in an Australian side which has underperformed at T20 World Cups. Most of the eggs are in his basket (an Easter reference!
), judging by the unusual batting line-up we saw last evening.
And to think a short while ago they were trying for maxwell to be a number 3 test bat.Congratulations to South Australia, who have reached their first Sheffield Shield final since the fabled and dramatic win in 1995/96. They will play Victoria at Gliderol Stadium in Glenelg.
I just had a revisit of the scorecard from 20 years ago - talk about "international player" city!! In the Western Australian team was Mike Hussey, Justin Langer, Tom Moody, Damien Martyn, Adam Gilchrist, Jo Angel, Brad Hogg and Brendon Julian. All had or would play for Australia. In the South Australian team was Greg Blewett, Darren Lehmann, Tim May, Jason Gillespie and Peter McIntyre.
For those unfortunate enough (like I was!) to watch Australia's opening T20 match against New Zealand last night, what did you make of it? I will argue until the cows come home that the modern "professional" era of cricket - with a support staff the size of a small African village - is nothing more than a PR image designed to justify exorbitant player salaries. Australia's run chase was reduced to witless slogging that would shame a five year-old. If that's cricket, then we have a problem with the sport.
Glenn "that's how he plays" Maxwell has become something of a sideshow, enabled and encouraged by team management to swing wildly and play in a manner that puts self interest ahead of the team goal. No better example of the ills of the modern game - and its greed - exists in the Australian team. Maxwell will pocket $1.24m for his upcoming IPL stint with Punjab. I really like Glenn Maxwell as a person - he seems a cheerful, amiable, decent human. However, his reputation - and the respect it carries - is being treated as a plaything by the national selectors and the coaching staff. I am not convinced that "coming off" once in six or seven innings is good enough in an Australian side which has underperformed at T20 World Cups. Most of the eggs are in his basket (an Easter reference!
All the great 3s we have had over the years would of shed a tear seeing the way he goes about business
The Mad Hatter
OzCardTrader
Congratulations to South Australia, who have reached their first Sheffield Shield final since the fabled and dramatic win in 1995/96. They will play Victoria at Gliderol Stadium in Glenelg.
I just had a revisit of the scorecard from 20 years ago - talk about "international player" city!! In the Western Australian team was Mike Hussey, Justin Langer, Tom Moody, Damien Martyn, Adam Gilchrist, Jo Angel, Brad Hogg and Brendon Julian. All had or would play for Australia. In the South Australian team was Greg Blewett, Darren Lehmann, Tim May, Jason Gillespie and Peter McIntyre.
For those unfortunate enough (like I was!) to watch Australia's opening T20 match against New Zealand last night, what did you make of it? I will argue until the cows come home that the modern "professional" era of cricket - with a support staff the size of a small African village - is nothing more than a PR image designed to justify exorbitant player salaries. Australia's run chase was reduced to witless slogging that would shame a five year-old. If that's cricket, then we have a problem with the sport.
Glenn "that's how he plays" Maxwell has become something of a sideshow, enabled and encouraged by team management to swing wildly and play in a manner that puts self interest ahead of the team goal. No better example of the ills of the modern game - and its greed - exists in the Australian team. Maxwell will pocket $1.24m for his upcoming IPL stint with Punjab. I really like Glenn Maxwell as a person - he seems a cheerful, amiable, decent human. However, his reputation - and the respect it carries - is being treated as a plaything by the national selectors and the coaching staff. I am not convinced that "coming off" once in six or seven innings is good enough in an Australian side which has underperformed at T20 World Cups. Most of the eggs are in his basket (an Easter reference!
Didn't watch it, don't really care.
T20 is great for domestic leagues. Should never have become international games.
Agree 100% with your comments.
Congratulations - and thank you - to the retiring James Hopes, who has pulled up stumps after an extraordinary First Class career.
His contribution to Queensland in the Sheffield Shield is reflected in the following rankings:
*12th highest run-scorer
*6th highest wicket-taker
*7th most matches
*5th most matches as captain
James had a very underrated ODI career as well - 1326 runs @ 25.01 (strike rate: 93.71) and 67 wickets at 35.58 (economy rate: 4.53) - as well as being a great performer in domestic One Day competitions, where he played in four winning finals. This accompanies two Sheffield Shield titles, in 2005/06 and 2011/12.
He was one of those players that you just wanted to do well.
His contribution to Queensland in the Sheffield Shield is reflected in the following rankings:
*12th highest run-scorer
*6th highest wicket-taker
*7th most matches
*5th most matches as captain
James had a very underrated ODI career as well - 1326 runs @ 25.01 (strike rate: 93.71) and 67 wickets at 35.58 (economy rate: 4.53) - as well as being a great performer in domestic One Day competitions, where he played in four winning finals. This accompanies two Sheffield Shield titles, in 2005/06 and 2011/12.
He was one of those players that you just wanted to do well.
I think the lack of discussion in these parts speaks volumes of the "care factor" regarding the T2O World Cup. Anyway, Australia bowed out last night after a six wicket loss to India.
However - and perhaps I'm just an old stick-in-the-mud, or a miserable bastard - but I cannot believe that Chris Gayle chose to celebrate WITH THE OPPOSITION on field following the West Indies' shock loss to Afghanistan last night. He even took the team selfie!! It's a different world these days, isn't it?
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8f5sCwIXQI
However - and perhaps I'm just an old stick-in-the-mud, or a miserable bastard - but I cannot believe that Chris Gayle chose to celebrate WITH THE OPPOSITION on field following the West Indies' shock loss to Afghanistan last night. He even took the team selfie!! It's a different world these days, isn't it?
Wookiedragon
OzCardTrader
What was Steve Smith doing only bowling his spinners for 2 overs each last night?
It has been a spinners tournament and Kholi was using the pace to blow Australia off the park. Faulkner had been bludgeoned to all parts, so he bowls coulter- Nile who was again bludgeoned all over the park. So who does he bowl for the last over - Faulkner AGAIN!
Congrats to Kolhi though - a fine display of power batting. He stood up when required to get his team home.
It has been a spinners tournament and Kholi was using the pace to blow Australia off the park. Faulkner had been bludgeoned to all parts, so he bowls coulter- Nile who was again bludgeoned all over the park. So who does he bowl for the last over - Faulkner AGAIN!
Congrats to Kolhi though - a fine display of power batting. He stood up when required to get his team home.
The Mad Hatter
OzCardTrader
I watched Aust vs Pakistan.
Whilst it was fun while it lasted, I couldn't have cared less.
It's funny, when I was a kid, I'd have made a perfect T20 player - swinging at everything from the first ball. The amount of abuse/criticism I copped from coaches and my dad as a kid, I cannot begin to tell you.
The ironic thing, my club team won its Grand Final last weekend. Yep, a pat on the back and all that, blowing my own trumpet. BUT...the semi and a GF was won with pure patience. No huge hits. Just block, block, take a single here and there and put away the bad ball. Not that I'm in any way comparing myself to professional cricketers, but I ticked off a couple of things off the old bucket list the last couple of weekends. I think my coaches and my dad would have been proud. Not that I needed their approval. My happy team mates smiles were more than enough. Anyway...
T20 - I just renewed my Thunder memberships for next summer. That's what T20 is - fun, sun, hit 'n' tickle.
Whilst it was fun while it lasted, I couldn't have cared less.
It's funny, when I was a kid, I'd have made a perfect T20 player - swinging at everything from the first ball. The amount of abuse/criticism I copped from coaches and my dad as a kid, I cannot begin to tell you.
The ironic thing, my club team won its Grand Final last weekend. Yep, a pat on the back and all that, blowing my own trumpet. BUT...the semi and a GF was won with pure patience. No huge hits. Just block, block, take a single here and there and put away the bad ball. Not that I'm in any way comparing myself to professional cricketers, but I ticked off a couple of things off the old bucket list the last couple of weekends. I think my coaches and my dad would have been proud. Not that I needed their approval. My happy team mates smiles were more than enough. Anyway...
T20 - I just renewed my Thunder memberships for next summer. That's what T20 is - fun, sun, hit 'n' tickle.
Commiserations to the Southern Stars after their defeat at the hands of the West Indies in the Women's T20 World Cup final last night. If you want to talk about captains, leadership, guts and role models, gee that Meg Lanning is a good 'un to learn from. To see what defeat meant to her was quite heartbreaking in a sporting context. Well done to the West Indies women though, it was an ice cool run chase from start to finish!
As for the West Indies men....whilst their Test and One Day International cricket continues to be abject, uncompetitive and at times farcical, it's a bit of a stretch to take a T20 World Cup win seriously.
As for the West Indies men....whilst their Test and One Day International cricket continues to be abject, uncompetitive and at times farcical, it's a bit of a stretch to take a T20 World Cup win seriously.
Seeing as though there is little happening in the general cricket forum (and for other reasons) I'm taking a break from the site until the start of June. All is well health-wise (promise!) and I'll check for private messages each week.
Just thought that I would offer the heads-up in case someone thought I'd carked it! Ta ta for now
Just thought that I would offer the heads-up in case someone thought I'd carked it! Ta ta for now
I thought it would be an appropriate time to give our thread a kickstart!
It has been six years since the Pakistan spot-fixing scandal and tonight Mohammad Amir returns to the scene of his crime: a Test match against England, at Lord's. Many former players (like Pieterson, Swann, Harmison, Vaughan and Bumble Lloyd) have voiced their unease at seeing Amir playing against England again.
I would love to get your views on Mohammad Amir. I watched a T20 between New Zealand and Pakistan a few months ago and to be honest, I couldn't watch Amir bowl. It (to me anyway) was just not right. I think his ban should have been ten years minimum, and if that ended his international career, then so be it.
It has been six years since the Pakistan spot-fixing scandal and tonight Mohammad Amir returns to the scene of his crime: a Test match against England, at Lord's. Many former players (like Pieterson, Swann, Harmison, Vaughan and Bumble Lloyd) have voiced their unease at seeing Amir playing against England again.
I would love to get your views on Mohammad Amir. I watched a T20 between New Zealand and Pakistan a few months ago and to be honest, I couldn't watch Amir bowl. It (to me anyway) was just not right. I think his ban should have been ten years minimum, and if that ended his international career, then so be it.
He fixed a match and served his punishment. To the pleasure of some and displeasure of others, he's back on the international circuit playing for Pakistan and there's nothing we can do about it. Whilst it might not be great PR for the game and the team, he seems to be playing pretty well and exceeding expectations. No doubt his past will taint his career right to the end and even after. He may find it tough to find himself a job as a coach, commentator or umpire if that's the path he wishes to go down post-cricket.
P.S maybe time for a title change to the 2016/17 season?
P.S maybe time for a title change to the 2016/17 season?
It's given way to more "scientific" thinking unfortunately mate. This is exactly why my interest in cricket is waning: it's no more a "professional" era now than it was in the days of Lillee and Thommo, except in the area of financial rewards.