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As a dedicated sport watcher, I love watching Australian sporting teams or heroes battling with overseas foes.
Whatever the time day or night I will be riveted to the TV hoping that they will perform up to high standard and maybe win. This year except for rugby league and Ben Simmons, our Aussie battlers have been doing it tough.
Last weekend for example the men’s cricket team struggled against South Africa and the rugby union team could not even score a try against Wales, who until then had been the UK team we always managed to beat.
The only brilliance on our sporting horizon has come from two strong and successful teams.
The Southern Stars
Won three T20Is against Pakistan and then travelled to the West Indies for the T20I world cup.
There they disposed of Pakistan, Ireland and today New Zealand to keep up their unbeaten record and qualify for the semi-finals.
Harder games are to come against England and India but already they are warming the cockles of this Aussie’s heart.
This team has it all. Unlike the men’s stumbling version, they have a mix of all-rounders led by Elyse Perry, Ashleigh Gardner and the amazing opener come keeper Alyssa Healey who is emulating her uncle Ian as an icon of the game.
Add in two world-class batters, Meg Lanning and Rachael Haynes, fast medium bowlers and a mix of spinners and you have a world class team.
They play the game fairly and hard, always with a smile and treat their opponents with respect and humility. Go the Stars.
Meg Lanning and Kristen Beams. (AAP Image/Tracey Nearmy)
The Matildas
I, along with 15,000 spectators at Penrith Park, watched the Matildas take on Chile in a football friendly last week.
They are ranked six in the world, Chile number 39. On the surface we were hot favourites. There was a lot to play for. Win and maybe secure automatic seeding for the next world cup.
We had never played Chile but how good could they be? The answer: very good. Although we had much more shots on goal and possession, we could not score.
Our opponents showed pretty ball control and played the Matildas like matadors. They scored three field goals when our defenders seemed to lose sight of both the ball and their opponents. We scored two penalties. We tried: we lost.
Everybody was surprised not outraged as seems to be happening in men’s sport at the moment. The players smiled ruefully and said that they were not very good, but another game is coming up in Newcastle on Sunday.
Caitlin Foord of the Matildas celebrates after scoring. (AAP Image/Darren Pateman)
On Sunday the first half passed nil all. The Matildas seemed to lack the boundless enthusiasm for which they are famous. Have they fallen to Earth?
Then the second half started with more of the same until in the 52nd minute when they woke up. A beautiful through ball from Caitlin Ford into the path of Sam Kerr who put the ball into the corner of the net.
Then the old speed in defence and attack resurfaced and Chile was reduced to chasing shadows, being bustled off the ball and out flanked down both wings.
Four more goals included three from Caitlan Foord who in this company looked like Lionel Messi. Final result; 5 nil.
The second half was thrilling; no professional fouls or unnecessary free kicks just high energy skilled running and defending. Yea! What a performance!
When football and cricket are played like this it is a delight to watch. Guys you have been warned. Who needs culture when you have this?
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