Roar Guru
Joined February 2017
20.3k
Views
36
Published
199
Comments
Cricket and soccer I know a fair bit about, other sports not so much - but that won't stop me commenting!
Published
Comments
If the IPL has taught us anything meaningful over the years, it’s that you must stay ahead of the competition in T20 cricket, otherwise…
Not long after Twenty20 cricket first reared its shiny head to the cricket world back in the noughties, a wise old friend said, “I…
The finalists have been decided in this year's domestic four-day competition, with Queensland and New South Wales set to play each other again from…
How different things could have been. Australia’s men’s team should be one week away from starting their home T20 World Cup campaign right now.…
Nearly a year after managing a miracle against Australia at Headingly, Ben Stokes once again showed his full array of skills in Manchester this…
The announcement that NSW’s and Queensland’s second-tier rugby league competitions were to be cancelled this year due to coronavirus came earlier than expected. Way…
At a time of mind-numbing headlines around the world, it’s no surprise the first-class retirement of Steve O’Keefe happened without much fanfare this last…
New Zealand’s aggressive left-arm bowler Neil Wagner has had a memorable 2019. At the time of writing, he’s taken 40 wickets this year inside…
If Australia want to win an Ashes series on English soil again, it's high time they selected Mitchell Starc for the fourth Test. Despite…
Cricket is planning a run at the Olympics again. But is it just wishful thinking from administrators or could it actually happen this time?…
This week’s demolition by the old enemy in the World Cup semi-final will surely pain Australian cricket fans for some time. Despite a promising…
I did a double take when I saw Alexander Baumjohann being unveiled as Sydney FC's new signing in front of the city's famous Opera…
They’ve been stars of their respective teams for over a decade in 50-over cricket, but Chris Gayle and MS Dhoni should call time on…
Was it just an illusion or has this European football season had more upstart teams and closer league ladders? Perhaps, in a sport where…
Australia’s female tennis players have a historic opportunity when they take on Belarus in the semi-finals of the Fed Cup this weekend. But you’d…
Mention the name 'Lindsey Vonn' to most Aussie sports fans and you’ll often get an uncertain first reaction. “Wasn’t she Tiger Woods’s girlfriend for…
With the end of the series against Sri Lanka, most of Australia’s Test players plan on re-joining their Big Bash franchises, but they would…
In the PR-savvy landscape of commercial sport, the modern tennis press conference remains a last surviving bastion of emotion, honesty and downright awkwardness. At…
Justin Langer was fast-tracked into the Australian coaching role over seven months ago now, so in the professional world of modern-day cricket, a job…
Australian soccer fans would have cracked a wry smile on Monday morning upon hearing the news of Aaron Mooy’s double strike in the Premier…
Yeah.. can’t agree with this. Plays a crucial role keeping the team on the rails and his batting is pretty good. Sure, it’s not Gilchrist level, but then again… not many are. Carey will have his time eventually.
Put Tim Paine in the Order of Australia, but not the Ashes squad
I understand that it’s just a few games, and the realities of the modern cricket business sort of dictate they should just play a bit of BBL… and that this is a problem for all players around the world from the top nations.
But I really feel that in order for Australia to be ahead of the curve in Test cricket (which is curving down in regards to batting) it’s time for us to think differently. If we aren’t bold in how we let our Test cricketers prepare… we will always be playing catchup from now on.
Test players shouldn’t rush back to the Big Bash
It’s strange, isn’t it? I grew up batting with a helmet (at Mosman coincidentally) but was still taught by all coaches to watch the ball and weave out of the way just as if I didn’t have one…. and I’m no more than 10 years older than these guys. I’m not sure it’s as easy as “have helmet, bat carefree”
I think there was some general confusion from players on both sides about avoiding the short pitch balls at Manuka. I think that the pitch was pretty true, but when balls were short only Starc really had the pace for the ball to go well over head height. Otherwise, it sort of just came through right at throat height!
Batsmen must realise helmets are not impregnable
Woah! Tough.. but fair.
Greg Chappell saw the writing on the wall, and hopefully the mess his panel has made this summer
Good to see Favre doing well. During his time at Hertha he showed patches of clever tactical thinking, but Berlin never really challenges for the title… because of about 1200 different reasons.
I would wish him success this year, but one can’t really write off Bayern. Those shirt sales bring in a lot of money, and the squad is deep.
Familiar foes headline the first true post-Klopp Bundesliga title race
Wow… they really are antics.
Indian umpire puts Billy Bowden to shame with next level antics
Looking forward to the match.. Fans’ commitment tested once again with the middle of the night kick off. #SocceroosLife
Mission Impossible: Can Arnie take us all the way in the UAE?
It looks like they may just have found their mojo at last, the Mariners side. Let’s hope the new players don’t detract from the overall team dynamic… which seems to be improving.
Mariners set to boost struggling squad with triple transfer
I’ve been a Maxwell fan forever… but I’ve gotta say, you make a convincing argument. He’s not shone recently and he really did have the situation made for him in these last ODIs to show us what he could do.
I still think he is good enough to make the World Cup squad though, and I would use him as a middle order batsman and occasional spinner.
Is Glenn Maxwell the Big Show or a no-show?
Fair enough. But if the poor form continues until March, he probably still wouldn’t be given his marching orders.
I actually think that our World Cup performance in May will be a big acid test. If we really flunk it there – a tournament we have done so well at over the years – his job security could become wobbly.
But, as you say… these are unique times in Aussie men’s cricket. The women, meanwhile, are killing it!
Seven months in, what’s the verdict on Justin Langer?
Jules… good to hear from you, hope you are well! Yeah, it’s strange with Ponting. You get the feeling he taking his options in the coaching and media landscape pretty carefully… the Aussie coaching job is more than full-time these days, with a lot of travel and is also a bit of a thankless task.
Like SR Waugh, as a former Aussie cricket captain, he can pick and choose what he wants really. I’m hopeful he may get some more coaching experience under his belt and then go for it in a couple of years.
Seven months in, what’s the verdict on Justin Langer?
“Crossing the Line” from Gideon Haigh was a cracking book. Essential reading if you want to hear about behind the scenes at CA.
Australian sports books of 2018
I’ll tell you who wouldn’t waste the new ball… P Siddle.
He was, after all, in the Test team before this series began.
Mitchell Starc must be dropped for the second Test against India
I would love to see Canberra United get a spot in the expanded A-League. It may seem a silly reason to some, but I believe a country’s capital just really has to be part of its football league. It also means Melbourne and Sydney don’t become too dominant… just the same as why Canberra was picked as capital in the first place.
If they don’t have the player base there now, I’m sure they would attract the necessary up-and-comers once they got started.
D-Day arrives for A-League expansion clubs
I’ve always said.. sports stars aren’t there to be likeable. They need to abide by the rules (in cricket’s case, laws) of the game and should try to be good role models. Otherwise, they really are just in the public eye because they hit or bowl a ball well!
Do Australian cricket fans really understand Virat Kohli?
Well said. Test cricket really throws up perfect storylines, like no other sport… except for 4-day golf tournaments perhaps.
So, that's why we love Test cricket
I really like the idea of Maxwell batting middle order in the Test team, because I think he has the game smarts to really cater his batting for different situations. This has been the case for a while now.
But I think that his chances in the Test arena are slim and I also believe that Australia is going towards 2-3 specialised teams. I reckon his stint in England is more about getting quality English experience under his belt ahead of the World Cup. He really wants to contribute with the bat during that tournament.
Maxwell to chase Ashes spot by turning back on IPL
Considering the deficiencies of the Aussie batting lineup… the Indian bowlers will play just as much of a role as Kohli this series, if not more of a role.
If they stay disciplined and work together, they have the potential to dismiss the Aussie team sub 300 just about each time. And then, it won’t matter how much Kohli gets.
India prove they are not Kohli-centric
Some good points… although the “A Few Good Men” references are lost on me.
Time for me to find the Video Ezy card and rent it out 😉
We can’t handle the truth - Australian cricket’s culture
Good point… although I like the idea of a few really strong goal threats in the Socceroos team. Maybe Mooy isn’t going to be that player ever… but having one or two clear goal threats attracts opposition defenders and allows our lesser lights to then sneak in with extra goals more often.
Also… the last Asian Cup is a fair while ago, there’s been a fair bit of water under the bridge since then. I’ve been more concerned about a lack of other goal scorers at the 2018 World Cup etc… although the level there is obviously higher too.
Time for Aaron Mooy to step up for the Socceroos
Thanks for this wrap. It feels like he is somewhat of a forgotten player in the Aussie scene.
He certainly is starting well this season, but I reckon it’s too late to get him in to Socceroos duty ahead of the Asian Cup… there are no games before then to tactically work him into the side.
Is Taggart the man now that Timmy’s time is up?
I love this answer. Sums up modern sport completely.
Australia’s batting: it’s not the batsmen, it’s the formats
The Aussies never really looked like losing the game to be honest. Too strong both in the field and with the bat. Great to watch an Australian cricket side doing the job when it gets challenging!
Aussie women reclaim World Twenty20 title
Not always that we agree on cricket Ronan, but you are spot on here.
With the white ball in 20 over formats it barely uses its shine… so, naturally, quick bowling allows the ball to fly off the bat. It’s almost as basic as physics.
One day the Aussies might realise what is happening – when they are ranked 12th in the world in T20.
It’s been interesting to see how much spin dominated the Women’s World T20 – which was obviously played on some pretty docile pitches.
India expose Australia's pace obsession once more
I’ve worked as a journo covering alpine skiing myself and I can say first hand that Shiffrin is tougher to talk to than Vonn, as I’m sure you’ve also seen in interviews etc. Yes, she is likeable enough and says the right things, but she is very focused on her goals and her training, and doesn’t really have that X-factor that Vonn brings to the sport. It’s a bit of a tough comparison, I admit… a bit like Djokovic versus Federer I suppose. Both are pretty pleasant – but you know who you’d rather sit next to at work!
I hope that Shiffrin relaxes a little and expresses herself a little more. She is undoubtedly the biggest talent out there at the moment, despite her tender years, and I’m also sure that she will pass Vonn’s record. Let’s hope she stays fit and shows what she can do.
More than just Tiger’s girl: Vonn ends skiing career as a sporting icon