Sportswriters Brett McKay and Ryan O’Connell have finally returned from the Christmas/New Year break in Episode 59 of the Cheap Seats Podcast.
A good spattering of #AskTheCheapSeats questions over the break included topics ranging from the ‘Great Wallabies Exodus’, the right number of Mitchells in a World Cup squad, to whether Don Bradman or Michael Jordan was the greatest sportsman of all time and all sports.
Cricket-wise, the boys look back at the Australia-India Test Series, the current Tri-Series one-dayers, AB de Villiers outrageous 31-ball century, and the pointy end of the BBL.
And no, they didn’t gloss over “the whole sledging debate”, with the general consensus being that while much of the debate is overblown, David Warner still needs to pull his head in.
The token wrap this week includes the NRL All-Star teams, the Asian Cup quarter finals, and the confirmation of the Super Bowl combatants, plus ‘Deflate-gate’.
Get us on Twitter at @CheapSeatsPod and get your questions in for next week using the tag #AskTheCheapSeats.
And stay cheap!
Issac Maw
Guest
And forwards all over the world applauded your team because i have been in the front row where we had to set 10 scrums i a row because the backs couldn't control the ball
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Hrmm, I'd be totally agreeing if we were talking first class or test matches, think it's much closer in limited overs where Doherty can be a bit harder to get away. Suspect what may have swayed the selectors his way in the ODI squad though is that Maxwell also bowls right arm off spin, so Doherty offers a bit more variety to the bowling than Lyon.
Squirrel
Guest
The 1991 scrum would own these so called wallaby professional. Just cause they get paid a fortune hardly makes them better players. Just more time with the xbox
Digby
Roar Guru
Haha! Great story. While I did play hooker, I would never have been able to display that level of maturity ;)
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
Hey Alex, You've hit the nail on the head, in terms of better choices than Doherty. I would pick Lyon 8 days a week over Xavier. Nothing personally against the lad, I just don't think he's a very good bowler.
Geoff Parkes
Expert
Digger, you're obviously cut from the same cloth as a gnarly hooker/captain I had in Dunedin club rugby who, in horrible wet and muddy conditions one day, instructed one of the backs to go down with an "injury", called the forwards in for a stern talking to, and invited me, a nervous, young halfback new to the team, desperate for acceptance, to join them… he told the rest of the backs to "f-off somewhere"… and then proceed to demand that the forwards keep the ball in close for the rest of the game, staring me down saying that if I dared pass the ball to the backs I would get his boot right up my clacker! A few minutes later, in a moment of weakness or madness I stupidly shovelled one out to the first five, which was followed, seconds later, while the ball was still in play, by a swinging boot, which luckily just grazed my behind instead of making a direct hit. The look on the ref's face was priceless, the life lesson for me was to always keep a safe distance from anyone with a No 2 on their back...
Alex L
Roar Rookie
The ARU has taken the short term gain option for the last 2 decades, taking Pay TV money and using it to to buy exciting back line players from other codes instead of trying to grow the popularity of the game -- comparing the efforts of the Rebels to the Storm (both imported codes to Victoria) the Rebels are just not promoted at all. I've read that Harris is likely not going on the Caribbean tour as his wife is due to give birth to their first child, another opportunity for Hazlewood you think? Curious as to why you consider Doherty lucky, Ryan -- during the middle overs it's hard to think of better choices available (maybe Lyon) to shut down an end with spin.
Digby
Roar Guru
Well, I thought it was a genuinely good question. ;) As for the sledging, I have decided that I personally dont really care about it and it seems to get blown up out of proportion. I do find it interesting that some may see it as an opportunity to climb into the Aussies which is a tad unfair and I do think the issues around recent times has had a lot to do with the individual as opposed to the act. The nine commentary team do tend to fuel the flames as well I think. It is incredibly poor form to tie in Hughes accident with this whole debate. I dont really care if there is a point to be made, just leave it out or keep it in your head. Funnily enough, a few incidents I can recall have involved the England team more than most and I can remember du Plessis and Mills getting quite heated in the last World Cup. One of my favourites was Styris and Johnson in a one dayer because I cant get over the stupidty of Johnson clashing heads with a bloke in a helmet. Warner is an angry wee garden gnome but he is great to watch bat and while he may need to pull his head in, he is only undermining himself, not the team or the game. At least in my opinion anyhow. I just cant understand the signing of some of the players by the ARU. A problem for 10 years? Just gobsmacking really. Greg Inglis couldnt save the understrength Kangaroos pack against the Kiwis and this only becomes more pronounced in Union. I JUST DONT GET IT. Are all the people involved in the ARU backs or something? Backs are useless which would explain some things ;) Anyhow, thanks lads, another great listen.