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…
Sure, technique is set up early and via the tough atmosphere of Premier cricket.. true. But some of our top players don’t even play much of that now to get to ‘know’ their own game, due to the pathways system.
I would also argue in batting, it is a constant job – to maintain that technique. Many of the great batsmen are always working on their technique – almost obsessively. The question is, can they be focussed on what they work on – with the current schedule.
Australia’s batting: it’s not the batsmen, it’s the formats
Good to see – but let’s give him a few games hey, before we get too carried away.
Lloyd Pope takes seven, sets Sheffield Shield bowling record
Interesting viewpoint… I’m going to keep an eye out for his batting from now on. Have rarely see him at the crease, I must admit.
The solution to Australian cricket's woes
Absolutely.. the draw in the first Test between Pakistan and Australia was thrilling. Shows that this type of result can still ‘entertain’
Is this cricket now?
I think this is part of the wider confusion of what cricket should be going forward. Nice article.
Is this cricket now?
Even if it is just a rumour … it sure would add some spice to this FFA Cup game!
Avondale reportedly set their sights on signing World Cup-winning star for FFA Cup clash vs Sydney FC
I also don’t expect any Aussie wins over there. Let’s see if they prove us wrong.
Peter Siddle, the perennial understudy, thrown the ball again
Absolutely, he has to bowl well to be back in the mix properly. But just as Langer says ‘we want batsmen to score hundreds to get picked for Oz’ … you shouldn’t just be an up-and-coming bowler and then be first pick as a backup to Starc/Hazle/Cummins. Siddle is a pretty classy performer and has been for years.
Peter Siddle, the perennial understudy, thrown the ball again
Good point. One of those partnership bowlers.
Peter Siddle, the perennial understudy, thrown the ball again
Fair point. All fast bowlers work hard at international level … no question…. it’s tough on the body. But Siddle does often get called hard-working by teammates and coaches etc.
I suppose what contributes to the image is that he does tend to bowl first or second change, which means he doesn’t get the benefit of a new ball – making him certainly work harder on, and with, the ball.
Peter Siddle, the perennial understudy, thrown the ball again
Really good points David. I wasn’t aware of this trail of events, but it seems backed up by other journos too.
To be honest, I’ve given up trying to understand Australian team management regarding Maxwell. They just don’t seem to want him – and they change their reasons every time. First they say he trains badly, then they say he trains brilliantly etc… He is fast becoming that prospect that gets stuffed around so often, he never makes it.
I don’t know him, have never met him… but it would be understandable if he just took up the Keiron Pollard approach and travelled the globe chasing T20 dollars. Who could really blame him?
Glenn Maxwell betrayed by mixed messages
Wow… I’m not sure the MCC has done a review of the Preamble this thorough, since they wrote it! Good on you for focussing on this issue though. So important for keeping the image of the game intact.
How the 'Spirit of Cricket' misses the mark
Good to see Siddle and Finch involved. I’m not a Victorian either!
Bolters aplenty as Australia names weakest Test squad in recent memory for tour of UAE vs Pakistan
I’d argue that he is the last of the great Test openers. Together with people like Graeme Smith, Hayden… there has not really been any other dominant Test openers of the last 10 years, who have weathered the selections and conditions like Cook.
Alastair Cook: Good or great?
I like to think my article motivated him to get stuck in 😉 – looks like it was a pretty tidy T20 innings, based on the stats. I missed it unfortunately.
Should we be worrying about David Warner’s batting form?
The jury must have seen other footage and evidence to what the public did… as, arguably, should be the case… because he looked pretty guilty from here.
Jury finds cricketer Ben Stokes not guilty
This was a clever initiative from CA and the players… as it brought some nice kudos and publicity to this tournament.
Let’s hope Bancroft and Warner also took the time to chat to younger players in the competition about the virtues of playing fair cricket.
Warner, Bancroft to play in Australian domestic competition
Amazing performance from Koepka in the final round … two major wins in the same calendar year. And so low-key about it, too! I’m impressed.
Tiger, Adam Scott fall agonisingly short at US PGA Championship
It seems surprising that GWS keep winning their matches… even though they keep getting players injured. Their physios must be working around the clock at the moment!
If you can keep the spirit high though… maybe you can still have an amazing run.
AFL contenders hit hard by injury in brutal weekend
My favourite sentence here is…
“I think Langer will push for a West Australian for that second paceman spot, and I doubt anyone will fight him too hard because of the Australian selectors’ traditional preference for bowlers who can clock over 140 km/h, because that’s been so successful overseas (to clarify – I was being sarcastic there because it hasn’t, but they don’t seem to have realised).”
Let’s hope that Langer – with his quirky new ways – might depart from this formula.
A possible Australian Test team to take on Pakistan
I would be very surprised to see anything other than an All Blacks win. Hopefully we give them a test though!
2018 Rugby Championship preview
I was just about to write this same opinion piece. Beat me to it!
While Smith’s time in the T20 leagues seems to be showing promise… Warner seems to be down on his luck. What a stinker of an LBW call that one was in the CPL this morning!
Ban could make Smith a better batsman
Hmm…Perhaps the headline should have been “It’s not JUST the batsmen, it’s the formats”
As mentioned towards the end, only Smith, Warner and Khawaja are really of the requisite standard for mine. S Marsh has innings of brilliance but lacks consistency.
The stocks are thin, there is no doubt. Not trying to “sugarcoat it” as JL would say.
Australia’s batting: it’s not the batsmen, it’s the formats