Roar Rookie
Joined October 2017
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Sid Barnes is not a name a lot of people outside Australia know. He played only 13 Tests yet averaged a highly impressive 63.05 with the bat. Across 110 first-class games, he averaged an excellent 54.11.
When it comes to State Of Origin I’m a Blues supporter through and through, and every year since I started watching, Queensland tries everything to take the underdog status.
South Africa toured Australia in 1952-53. The squad of 15 had six players who had never played Test cricket.
No one can question Glenn Maxwell’s prodigious cricket talent since he came onto the ODI scene back in 2012.
Before you ask, “Is this guy still topped up from New Year’s Eve?”, look at all the positives and opportunities that have come out of 2018.
There is one constant in Australian cricket that is guaranteed to get tongues wagging at home, in schools, workplaces and in pubs and clubs – selections for the Australian cricket sides.
India arrived in Australia with the world’s best batsman heading up a star-studded lineup.
There’s been a lot to consider after ten days of Test action between Australia and India.
Much has been written about the upcoming Test series and the role Virat Kohli will play as India’s premier Test batsman.
It’s safe to say Australian cricket has a number of significant issues to manage this summer.
and in 1969, Souths had an entire team made up of Internationals and look how that played out.
NRL 2019 season preview: Canterbury Bulldogs
He yorked himself. That can happen to anyone.
Faf du Plessis embarrassingly falls to part timer
Scott, I think the area that’s been under the radar with the Doggies has been their transition from the “Des days”, to now, both with the coaching/playing staff but more importantly, with the CEO, the Board etc. The latter are quietly going about their business and appear to be working closely with the coaching staff & team to get them finals competitive as quickly as possible.
I think Canterbury are probably a quality player or two away from making the finals but have a future champion in Lewis, as long as he continues to develop and effectively use the talent he clearly possesses.
With the front office and the players & coaches all on the same page and working harmoniously towards a common goal, I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see the Doggies sneak an 8th place, IF the comp is as close as it was last year. Otherwise 2020 should them back playing in September.
NRL 2019 season preview: Canterbury Bulldogs
no Puckovski? He was within days of playing for Australia and now you’re suggesting Maxwell might be ahead of him in the Ashes pecking order?
Renshaw and Patterson playing for Ashes spots in Sheffield Shield
Spruce, I seem to recall a couple of games, probably in the 2002 season where there were 10 draws, that both sides had decided they’d had enough a good 5 minutes before the game ended. My Dragons figured in 3 of them, which is why I recall the “boring draw”.
I too want the same as you, but I still want wins worth more than 2 points, so sides don’t shut up shop, but keep going for the full 80 minutes.
Golden point: It’s time for the NRL to try harder
If he’s not chosen for the Ashes squad, I still think he’s a chance if he goes to the UK, plays County Cricket and turns it on as he did last season. He’d need a lot of things to go his way, but being on the spot and in form has to count for something.
Renshaw and Patterson playing for Ashes spots in Sheffield Shield
I want them to play you clown. They’ve done the crime and the time, now they should be back to show what they can offer at Test level again. You really need to get over it, Mickey
Renshaw and Patterson playing for Ashes spots in Sheffield Shield
I hate golden point, it seems to bring out all that’s wrong with the game. Blockers try and stop defenders getting through to kickers, defenders are rarely if ever back onside, teams that have been playing constructive footy for 80 minutes suddenly only have eyes for 5 barging runs to get a get into a position to kick a field goal and you’re screwed if you have 13 great players, but not one can do a drop kick!.
If the NRL wants to stop sides playing for boring draws, which was one of the reasons this change came in, make a win worth 3 points and a draw worth one each.
If it’s in a semi final or grand final, use the following system; first try on either side wins the game and if one team scores a field goal, the other team gets the ball from half way and has 6 tackles to either score a field goal, in which case the game continues, or score a try, in which case they win
Golden point: It’s time for the NRL to try harder
hi Max, an interesting first piece.
The way you explained what happens in the NFL is not quite right. If the team with first possession scores a touchdown they win, but if they score a field goal in their first possession, the other side has to at least match that on their first possession, or the first team wins. If neither side scores in their respective first possessions, it become s a first score wins shootout, exactly the same as the NRL.
Golden point: It’s time for the NRL to try harder
Still confused by JDB’s omission Tim. Care to shed any light on a bloke who would a lock for a top 50 spot?
The Roar's top 50 NRL players: 10-1
jimmy, I don’t think Green will have a choice this year. Lot’s of comments have been flying around about a lack of creativity in the Cowboys, in particular in the backline. IF that’s the case, then Green needs to let other guys who ARE creative show what they can do and clearly JT13 is one of those players. I suspect too we’ll see a lot more adventure from Morgan, now he has complete control of the team.
The Roar's top 50 NRL players: 10-1
This Ashes tour will be quite unique from a selection perspective. In previous ears, players had to shine in 4 day cricket in Australia before the Ashes started in order to be selected. I think, to a degree, the same applies, but this time we have a late start to the Ashes, which gives guys playing outstandingly well in County cricket a chance to force their way into the side. In addition, the World Cup and Australia A tours should also provide selectors with guys who are match fit, so if need be, someone from these tours might get a run in the Tests; not likely, but it’s happened before.
I think the guys who played the last Test are already penciled in for the Ashes squad and would have to play very badly across the remaining games to miss out on a tour spot. Whether that translates into a place in the First Test – that’s where we’re likely to see selectors make some interesting choices.
Finally, much will depend on the fitness of Smith & Warner. Regardless whether they SHOULD play, I think they’ll tour for sure, obviously reducing the number of available tour spots. This makes the next few months even more crucial for the remaining Ashes hopefuls.
Renshaw and Patterson playing for Ashes spots in Sheffield Shield
In answer to your last question – I don’t think he replaces anyone, James. Assuming he has a stellar back end of this summer, Wade might get into any of the touring sides as a fringe/replacement player, but I for one am happy with the current Test middle order – or at least, they need to be given a chance to show what they can do for a few Tests, before hitting the selection button.
Are selectors prepared to go with their double standards?
TB, I too am not a Wade fan by any stretch. I’d included a sentence in the original article to that effect, but took it out before posting. That said, if he posts runs and others don’t, he needs to be considered.
As long as the playing field is level for he and other WC & Ashes aspirants, that’s really all that matters, but at present, I don’t get a sense that’s the case.
Are selectors prepared to go with their double standards?
but England still won.
Chris Gayle's six-hitting massacre against England breaks several records
TB, I support nearly everything you’ve written. The exception is your statement ” The reality is that world class players in any sport have always been subject to a different set of rules, and cricket’s never been an exception”. I think there needs to be the caveat – “until now”.
I feel the Australian sporting public is becoming less enthused with some of the antics sports people get up to – see the reactions to Tomic, Kyrigios and all the NRL issues happening at present. The sort of things you mention about Warne for example, wouldn’t get any traction now; well, certainly not as much as they did in 2003.
Are selectors prepared to go with their double standards?
hi James, my comparison with Warner & Wade was around their behaviours as cricketers, both on and off the field. In that respect, one comes up as an angel and the other….. not so much.
I think your analysis of Wade’s situation is exactly right.
Obviously plenty can happen between now and when the various touring sides are chosen. This article might be a storm in a teacup depending on Wade’s form, the form of other contenders for positions, etc. At the end of the day though, if it comes down to a question of off-field behavior as the factor which says “player A goes and player B does not, I just hope the selectors use the same set of rules”, something which IMO, has been sadly lacking in recent years.
Are selectors prepared to go with their double standards?
so a century of rep games for Australia? That makes sense.
Arthur ‘Pony’ Halloway: The original supercoach
Rob, you’ve made some excellent points and it may simply be a case of not fitting in as you suggest. Again though, I hope he and the rest of the guys vying for positions in the World Cup & Ashes squads are judged by the same yardstick.
Just a small point, I was fortunate enough to play cricket against Simmo and Wellham when Simmo captained Wests in Sydney and they were thick as thieves. I wasn’t aware that situation changed?
Are selectors prepared to go with their double standards?
I really enjoyed this piece James but have just a couple of queries. “It wasn’t the last time Halloway would don the green-and-gold for Australia in rugby league, as he went on to play over a century of Tests”. I only did a quick check but couldn’t find Holloway playing any more than ten Tests?
You also have old timers squirming, hearing their team called the Newtown Jets. They were the Newtown Bluebags back then.
Arthur ‘Pony’ Halloway: The original supercoach
AJ, any reason why JDB is not in the top 50 – unless he’s in the top 10 and even a rusted on Dragons fan like me would think that’s a stretch?
The Roar's top 50 NRL 2019: 20-11
Ryan, if the batting is struggling and Renshaw’s there, having a great season, he surely has to be considered. Perhaps not for the first couple of Tests (if he’s not already in the squad), but certainly for the later Tests.
Renshaw and Patterson playing for Ashes spots in Sheffield Shield