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The fourth and final instalment looks at some great West Indian players, most of whom would have been superstars in the ODI format. I…
In light of the recent Ashes series result, a number of people responsible for aspects of England’s performance resigned their positions. These included coaches…
This is Part 3 in the series about a team full of exciting players who never had a chance to play ODI cricket. I’ve…
Cricket Australia has not had a good run with its choice of CEOs in recent times. Remember James Sutherland, who probably stayed on a…
I recently submitted an article about my best Australian XII who never played an ODI. At the time I wrote that, I realised it…
Right about now, we should have been enjoying the start of a short white-ball series between Australia and New Zealand. I was particularly looking…
That nebulous rabble that is the Australian media had a lovely time this summer. An underwhelming England squad gave them plenty of stories both…
This article was prompted by a Roar reader – so many thanks to DTM for this idea. The Ashes are over and in the…
In the days leading up to the first Ashes Test, I made some predictions that I thought I’d revisit. In hindsight, more than a…
It’s been 1200 days since Australia last played Test cricket overseas against an Asian opponent. That was a two-Test series against Pakistan in the…
Pat Cummins knocked over Ollie Robinson to claim the last wicket of the fifth Ashes Test, completing a 4–0 series win and putting a…
The Sydney Test is in the record books and it was a real stop-start affair, which was frustrating for everyone. In between rain delays…
Now that the Ashes have been retained, a lot of interest for the series seems to be focused who will be selected in the…
There are two truths that are self-evident: the sun will rise in the east and set in the west, and England Test cricket is…
Prior to the appointment of Pat Cummins as Australia’s Test captain, I read all manner of reasons why this would be a disastrous move.…
'The selectors will have a conundrum if Josh Hazlewood is fit for the Sydney Test'. This was a comment I read from one of…
The media has got this series completely wrong. There appears to have been an assumption made by the media some weeks ago, especially the…
I’ve no idea why, but the Esther Phillips song from the 1970s 'What a Difference a Day Makes' came into my head the other…
The Adelaide Test is done and dusted and this has to go into the record books as something unique. I don’t think there’s ever…
I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve heard the expression “cricket’s a funny game”. The first Test fits that narrative nicely. One…
Nah, that’s a huuuuuuuuuuuuge IF 😊
Million Dollar Man: Ben Hunt and how a single moment can define an entire career
Nah, I was think more about an article written by the loser saying how good the winner’s team was in 2022.
NRL 2022 ladder prediction: 14-13
What interested me was the numbers happy to subscribe to watch cricket.
I’d guess they’d be only behind India and maybe Bangladesh or Pakistan for actual viewers, which is astounding given the popularity of cricket generally in the US
Are Aussie cricket players above the board?
“Overall, I see Boards like CA becoming more like coordinating bodies, rather than controlling bodies, in the future.”
Agreed and in Australia, I think there’s likely to be an almighty tussle between the State Associations and CA as the former try to remain relevant. I’m sure they’ll have an essential part to play in grass roots cricket but suspect the days of State versus State in Shield cricket are limited.
Very interested in your comment about cricket in the US. The link below is a but dated, but there are a couple of really interesting points. It talks about a deal with Willow Cricket, a pay TV sports channel in the US & Canada with over 4 million subscribers. It also talks about a new League starting up, though where that’s at is anyone’s guess thanks to covid.
CricBuzz owners, Willow TV founders to invest $1 billion for pro USA T20 league
Are Aussie cricket players above the board?
I think there’s no doubt the Australian players did have a role in the eventual resignation of Langer. At the least, they made the comments that led to CA questioning Langer’s “fitness” to coach the squads. Whether they had a larger part to play will not be known till we read someone’s “tell-all” memoir. That makes the comment that they’re above the Board problematic IMO.
In terms of Cummins & Finch getting involved, I completely agree they didn’t want to, but were really forced to by the cascade of events, brought on by how poorly this whole issue was managed.
CA should have shut down the leaks that were saying the players were unhappy with Langer, didn’t want him in the role, etc, but that didn’t happen. Then when things came to a head and Langer resigned, the words Hockley used brought the players right into the mix.
That led to the former players making all manner of attacks, some of which were quite personal on Pat Cummins (calling him “gutless” is one of the worst things I’ve heard publicly in a long time). That prompted Cummins to retaliate, which he was always going to have to do anyway.
His form of words was provocative “you stood up for your mates, I’m standing up for mine”, which in turn brought Finch into the fray, who was left with no choice but to echo Cummins thoughts almost word for word. After all, Cummins plays under him.
He too was caught out because his was the next international match after Langer’s departure, but at least he had a few days and lots of others words to fall back on.
Such a mess that is likely going to take years to make good and I reckon more than a few friendships have been destroyed – and all thanks to the incompetence of those paid to handle the hirings & firings
Are Aussie cricket players above the board?
I don’t disagree John. I presume though he talked over his future with his family and they agreed he give footy another go. I guess it’s also tough to give away something you’ve done for most of your life.
'You lost a person': Incredible 57kg drop that has Trell's bro buzzing, Fifita's scary coma recall
It’s going to be tough for a million dollar player to show is true worth if he has a two bob coach or a dysfunctional team.
I really admire Hunt for never giving up for the Dragons and showing what he can really do when he gets some decent players around him in SOO. IMO he’s got a million dollar attitude.
Million Dollar Man: Ben Hunt and how a single moment can define an entire career
In other words, you have no basis for making this comment about Langer and his involvement in the Australian coaching role. You’ve simply made up your mind Langer is a version you don’t like and have written a narrative to support that.
And as for these comments “The truth is, and I am now speaking the truth, the appointment of Justin Langer has made no difference to results. Frankly, at international level, you are the product of your domestic pathways. ” Seriously? Why then does EVERY national team, male or female have at least one coach?
That might be your truth but it clearly doesn’t make it correct.
The toxic, cancerous culture of Australian cricket
Agreed, as a leftie I used to play that shot a lot, but every time I did I wondered why the hell I did it because of the guy most sides posted at leg slip against me.
I just assumed the really good players would not play such a high risk shot, but obviously instinct kicks in, no matter what level you play.
WATCH: Khawaja falls to NSW keeper's absolute screamer
“Lessons will have been learned from the last collective agreement process, by both players and CA, and I suspect CA knows which way the winds of power are blowing.”
You’re right Jeff, the players have a very good idea (probably because of their agents) about their truth worth financially and their true worth to cricket. I wonder though whether CA has learned anything from the last agreement bargaining debacle?
That was back in the James Sutherland era when he got Kevin Roberts to do his talking and almost drove the players to strike. Four years on, Sutherland and most,if not all of his Board are gone and Hockley is the second CEO since Sutherland left. In the meanwhile, most of the players, male & female, are still there and for sure & certain have vivid memories about how that all played out.
I hope CA doesn’t decide to play hardball over anything important. I reckon things could get very ugly, very quickly.
Are Aussie cricket players above the board?
I’m impressed Joe. You’ve struck a very fair balance with this piece, pointing out Hunt’s unfortunate failings but also pointing out what a good player he’s really been.
I also think Hunt has been unfortunate with his choice of Clubs. It’s hard to admit as a Dragons supporter but this guy has had nothing but grief from others since he arrived. Mary MacGregor was not the right coach, Ian Millward is no great at recruitment and we had the JdeB issue for a couple of years. Throw in the disasterous barbeque last year and is hard to be too critical of a guy who should be winning premierships rather than watching others help lose them.
If he can have a season where the other Dragons players don’t screw up and the coach get’s it right, I reckon he could easily show us why he’s touted as a million dollar player.
Million Dollar Man: Ben Hunt and how a single moment can define an entire career
175kgs? That’s sumo wrestler size.
The really good part about this piece is that Shaquai Mitchell seems to be in a good head space. It’s tough seeing anyone going through any sort of mental illness.
And best of luck to Andrew Fifita. Touch wood he has a good seaosn after that horrible accidental injury last year.
'You lost a person': Incredible 57kg drop that has Trell's bro buzzing, Fifita's scary coma recall
what great footwork by the keeper.
No shame in getting out to a catch that good, but why Khawaja played that shot with the field set as it was is a bit of a mystery.
WATCH: Khawaja falls to NSW keeper's absolute screamer
An interesting piece though I think what you’ve done is start with a premise (the players are above the Board), the built the narrative to suit that conclusion.
There’s no doubt Langer was not a happy camper any time Australia lost and yes, he showed that and yes players received negative feedback, but I think it’s a stretch to suggest the players then said to the Board they wanted him gone. If that was the case and the players were in charge, the Board would have simply come up with a way of not renewing Langers contract, rather than going through the highly messy and high-risk strategy of offering him even a 6 month extension.
I think what this exercise has shown the players is, the current CA Board and CEO are not strong and Hockley is a very questionable sports administrator. That could have serious ramifications when it comes time to negotiating the next collective agreement.
Are Aussie cricket players above the board?
so you’ve decided Justin Langer made the team all about himself? Based on what? Personal contact with him and team?
And how has Langer made his team mates do anything? He didn’t beg them to come to his defence, they did so off their own bats. Whether they should have said what they did is another matter entirely but the comment this is ALL about Langer is simply wrong.
The toxic, cancerous culture of Australian cricket
Christmas this year or Christmas 2025?
The toxic, cancerous culture of Australian cricket
Any time a player scores a half century, that’s a pretty good effort but I’m sure the selectors would be looking at the attack he faced in making a judgement on the merit of the innings.
I thought Puckovski’s effort was far more significant, given his long layoff from Shield cricket. I also thought he was stiff to be given out as there seemed to be a lot of daylight between bat and ball.
It’s interesting how the pitch has played at the Gabba in February compared to the Test pitch used against India last year. This is a modest NSW attack yet some good in-form players have struggled. I’ll bet Tim Paine’s wishing he had this surface 12 months ago.
Sheffield Shield wrap: Mixed fortunes for Test stars at the Gabba, while Harris scores solid 50
I actually think it was the players place, Matt. What I’d like to know is what feedback the players provided that brought about this problem. Not specifically the complaints, but what they thought they needed moving forward.
What’s done is done, so I don’t want to know now, but in terms of making informed comment, I think it would have been useful for the general public and the ex-players to have some idea about this mysterious new direction Australian cricket is apparently going in.
'Sticking up for my mates': Cummins explains why he wanted JL gone in brutally honest statement
That makes sense but IMO Inglis is better with the gloves. Hope Wade doesn’t miss any crucial chances
Finch sings from Cummins songsheet in supporting decision behind Langer’s exit
What surprised me was that Heine was a apparently pretty meek off the field
I wonder why Heine played so few Tests? He seemed to come into Test cricket relatively late, ie he was 27 or thereabouts which in those days, was oldish for a Test fast bowler. I gather he didn’t start bowling fast till he was 19, but even still it took him a while to get there.
Pretty sure there were more than a few batsmen happy he didn’t have a longer career.
The South African team that never played ODI cricket
No surprises here. Finch didn’t say much, which is fair enough, but finally a few paragraphs about the game tomorrow.
Glad to see Inglis playing though I wonder why Wade’s keeping?
Finch sings from Cummins songsheet in supporting decision behind Langer’s exit
I can certainly understand why Graeme Watson was a hero of yours. I reckon he was one of the bravest cricketers I’ve seen. Took a ton of knocks and kept coming back but when he was on, gee he was a good player.
The South African team that never played ODI cricket
Eddie Barlow wore glasses for sure sure, Ace.
People looking at him for the first time probably thought he was there to make the numbers, just looking at him. They must have got a helluva shock when he bowled and batted.
The South African team that never played ODI cricket
Yep, it was odds on if those two were paired together, they were going have more to say.
'Primal screaming': The ex-player mafia avenges Justin Langer