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The Roar

Viscount Crouchback

Roar Rookie

Joined July 2009

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MCC members are the most fair-minded group of supporters in world cricket.

If they’re upset, you’ve probably done something very wrong indeed.

This will go down alongside underarm and sandpapergate in cricketing infamy.

'I wasn't just going to stand by and cop it': Khawaja fumes over Lord's abuse as MCC suspends loud-mouthed members

Well said, Ben.

A sad day for cricket.

This is one of the most sportsmanlike Australian cricket teams in living memory, but sometimes the inner dna can’t help but emerge.

Khawaja fuming over pavilion abuse as Stokes says he would've withdrawn appeal

That was a completely different situation. De Grandhomme hit the ball and then immediately skipped down the pitch. The ball was obviously live.

In contrast, even the umpires knew the ball was dead today. Which is why they were giving the bowler his cap as Carey threw the ball.

Aussies 2-0 up despite sensational Stokes ton as Lord's erupts over run out controversy, cheating accusations

After Sandpapergate, it will be a century at least before anyone takes an Australian’s word for it on a contentious catch.

'Biggest load of rubbish': Starc catch controversy fires up McGrath as Aussies on verge of victory after Lyon's heroic knock

My dear boy, it’s not the English who greet their losing teams with tomatoes at the airport, nor produce hour-long videos of alleged refereeing mistakes.

Gone in 82 seconds: Record-breaking red card paves way for Ireland's win over plucky England

There’s only one description left for the NZRU: Enemies of Rugby.

'Bloody angry', 'incredibly disappointing': Rennie furious, Marinos makes staggering claim about NZR CEO

That’s the Continental European way – but in England, the defensive midfielder is traditionally number 4.

The new face of football tactics: The rise of the false six

As Sir Alex Ferguson has often said, you should never underestimate the importance of luck. The Ospreys had none, Leinster had bags of it, and Munster, meanwhile, had their favourite referee, Nigel Owens.

Clermont make a pig's ear of a thrilling qtr final

An Anglophile? Good heavens, strike him off the list at once!

Should Howard be appointed ICC chairman in 2012?

Come on, precious, Spiro has Roebuck bang to rights. I’ve read enough of Roebuck to know that he loves to bang the “progressive” drum. In fact, I could pigeon-hole his politics to a ridiculous degree: almost certainly republican, in favour of multi-culturalism, and fanatical about the notion of ditching fusty old ideas (as he would see them) in favour of “progess” and “modernity”.

In fact, he brings to mind those famous high-born English 20th century Communists – the likes of Anthony Blunt – who rebelled against every aspect of their upbringing. That’s not to say that Roebuck is a Communist – merely to say that he is self-evidently to the Left of the political spectrum. Spiro, on the other hand, is rather more enigmatic on the political front. And thank God for that. We read enough political nonsense in the rest of the newspaper without the likes of Roebuck ramming his views down our throat.

I might add that most Englishmen were rather tickled by Howard’s flinging of the medals in ’03. The Englishman (unfairly, I think) expects such antics of Australians and is most gratified when his pre-conceptions are affirmed.

Should Howard be appointed ICC chairman in 2012?

Agreed on Tindall. Erinle is probably the nearest fit but his hands – as we saw in the second half when he ruined a promising attack – aren’t wonderful. Geraghty certainly deserves another crack. I thought Louis Deacon did okay – agile enough in the lineout and workmanlike around the park but, let’s face it, he’s never going to be a superstar, so give Lawes a crack. Hodgson must play 9. Care has had about ten cracks at it now and he remains infuriatingly inept. Foden would be a better bet than Monye at 15, but I prefer a more reliable full-back in the Morgan mould. Alex Goode fits the bill perfectly, but I don’t think Jonno will consider another young player at this time. I’d prefer Haskell at 8 to the stodgy Crane, but I don’t see Hask having a long-term future there. Easter was sorely missed yesterday.

I think Johnson is doing reasonably well overall, but some of his selections – Care, Crane, Banahan – suggest that his eye for a player is somewhat lacking.

The Wallabies slam England in a terrific Test

I thought Wilkinson was good, certainly better than one could reasonably expect after such a long period out. The real problem for England was the absence of a big ball carrier in the midfield. There was no one to punch holes and consequently no space. Geraghty had the right idea with some of his chip kicks, but his execution was sadly lacking.

I thought Monye’s positional coverage and kicking was poor, but then it was always going to be. Banahan is absolutely not a Test player. Jonno needs to change up the back three because Dan Carter’s tactical kicking will wreak havoc otherwise.

The Wallabies slam England in a terrific Test

You offer a peculiar take on the game, Spiro. I thought the Test was far from “terrific”; absorbing, yes, but really rather low on quality.

I re-watched the second half earlier and England’s performance wasn’t quite as bad as it seemed at the time. The game was wholly in the balance until Ashley-Cooper’s try. Indeed, if anything, I thought that England became a little too ambitious – frantic might be a more appropriate term – when they went 11-9 down. Instead of kicking for territory and playing for a penalty or drop goal (as Ireland or the Boks would have done), they instead put width on the game and went for the try. It was high risk stuff and didn’t quite pay off. I thought Jonno’s analysis of the game was spot on, and certainly much, much closer to the truth than the hysterical rantings of Fleet Street.

I was slightly disappointed in Australia. They are still less than the sum of their parts. A more experienced England team would have put them to the sword, and I’m fairly confident that Ireland (certainly) and Wales (probably) will do just that.

The Wallabies slam England in a terrific Test

Half-sardonic, half-serious, Vijay. Make your own mind up as to which bits are which.

The bully boys are back

Quite so, PP. And it is the gentlemanly aura that we need to restore to Test match cricket. I regret to say that the Australians are to blame. The frightfully aggressive behaviour of Allan Border’s team – commented on by Mike Atherton during this series – set a precedent which every aspiring cricketing nation now seeks to emulate.

The lesson that has gone out to the world is this: You can only win if you act like a bully and behave barbarously.

It is to Australia’s – and Border’s and Waugh’s – shame that they instigated this disgraceful turn of events.

Aussies back into Ashes contention

Steady on, Westy. I don’t think Australians are the sole villains in world cricket. On the contrary. I merely think their behaviour when they have a scent of victory is quite unique. They harrass opposition batsmen like German Panzergrenadiers hunting down Russians in the sewers of Stalingrad. It’s a sight to behold. Truly it is.

But I must admit that I dislike the bullying element. We saw it in Melbourne in 06/07 when the Australians were 3-0 up (series won) and Ricky Ponting decided to confront Andrew Strauss as he walked to the crease because Strauss had enjoyed a bit of banter with Shane Warne in the Australian innings.

That, to me, reeked of the bully boy mentality. I think it does the Australian team no favours. James Sutherland, by all accounts, agrees with me.

The bully boys are back

Not sure about that, Vinay. I hear that a stint in Oz toughens a chap up. But I’m not sure Broad needs toughening up. It’s his basic bowling technique and ability that I worry about.

The odd thing about Broad is that he was a batsman until the age of 17. He’s therefore relatively new to bowling. England are taking the view that he’s bound to come good eventually. Whilst I admire their forbearance, I should jolly well like to see the chap dropped for The Oval and replaced by someone who can do the business in the here and now. Step forward Mr Sidebottom.

Aussies back into Ashes contention

Ireland a Top 4 side? In what? Hurling?

Springboks great? Not a chance!

Broad has certain attributes – a strong mind, a clever brain, good batting skills, gorgeous skin – but he’s patently inadequate as a Test match bowler. It’s remarkable that he continues to be picked whilst men like Sidebottom – who on form is one of the most threatening bowlers in world cricket (just ask New Zealand) – languish in County cricket.

Vinay is right. Broad probably will be terrific in two years. But this is an Ashes series. You pick for the here and now.

Aussies back into Ashes contention

The South Africans are merely a souped up version of Argentina circa 2007. Kick’n’chase specialists of the Wimbledon school of sporting philosophy. It’s quite depressing that a team of such talent should content itself with such a one-dimensional approach to rugger.

Springboks great? Not a chance!

There’s nothing wrong with it per se, Hazey. It just looks ugly. I don’t think cricket is a game where packs of fielders should descend upon a batsman as if he were prey. Equally, I don’t think it appropriate for a wicketkeeper to rush up to the wicket and swear in the face of an opposition batsman, as Brad Haddin did to Stuart Broad.

The problem is that many in English cricket go out of their way to condone the Australian antics. Partly this is because they want to be seen as good blokes; partly it’s because they secretly enjoy it – see above; and partly it’s because they expect Australians to behave in this manner and would be confused if they didn’t.

But I’d be interested to know what Sutherland and the chaps at CA make of it all. Have we reached a stage where the Baggy Greens can only win if they act like berks? I hope not. The Waugh legacy has done enough damage to world cricket as it is.

The bully boys are back

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