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David Schout is a Melbourne-based freelance journalist covering (mostly) cricket. He has reported for The Guardian, the ICC, IPL, Yorkshire CCC and others. You can follow him on Twitter at @david_schout.
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For most readers of The Roar, sport would have presented itself as a welcome escape during life’s difficult times.
Ahead of the ODI series against New Zealand starting today, Australian coach Justin Langer admitted his senior players were weary following a relentless summer.
After a campaign featuring injuries, a doubt-inducing defeat, rain and the overwhelming expectation of a nation, Australia produced a near-faultless performance in the T20 World Cup final to sign off as five-time champions in front of an electric home crowd.
Prior to the T20 Women’s World Cup there was an overwhelming expectation that Australia, as hosts, defending champions and unbackable favourites, would progress through to the final.
After a composed win over New Zealand in Monday’s quasi quarter-final, questions now turn to whether the Aussies can cover the injury of star all-rounder Ellyse Perry ahead of Thursday’s semi-final.
Australia’s transition from T20 also-rans to World Cup favourites is now complete, and can be traced back to a significant mindset shift under Justin Langer.
Australia are on the board in the T20 Women’s World Cup, but the scrappy overnight win against Sri Lanka further underlined top-order issues that need addressing before crunch games to come.
As Australian cricket this week tried to exorcise the demons of Johannesburg, Faf du Plessis might look back more fondly on the last time the Aussies were in town.
On March 8, the MCG will host the final of the T20 Women’s World Cup and to the uninitiated, Meg Lanning’s Australian side have already qualified.
Charting the still fledgling career of Matthew Renshaw, it becomes clear the 23-year-old has experienced more ups and downs at an age many Australian Test cricketers are yet to even debut.
During last year’s Ashes series England captain Joe Root was warned to not over-bowl starlet Jofra Archer. The new darling of English cricket was an irresistible option with the ball, but like all good things needed to be used in moderation.
In years gone by, the uproar from the Australian selectors’ snubbing of Marcus Stoinis for the T20 squad to South Africa this week might have been much louder.
If the choker tag wasn’t affixed firmly enough to the Melbourne Stars after last season’s calamitous final, Friday night’s loss to the Sydney Sixers would see it branded onto their green kits.
Two uncompetitive Test series and an ODI void has made for a strange summer, but the upcoming Women’s T20 World Cup should change that.
The value of momentum and the importance it holds in determining the next result is always a point of contention within cricket circles.
Beau Casson, Cameron White, Bryce McGain, Steve Smith; Australia’s search for a frontline Test wrist spinner since Shane Warne’s retirement in 2007 hasn’t reaped the rewards it had hoped.
Ahead of ODI series against South Africa and New Zealand later this summer, these are the key lessons out of Australia’s 2-1 series loss in India.
Australia’s dominant ten-wicket win over India on Wednesday morning was yet another feather in the cap of coach Andrew McDonald, whose upward trajectory as a coach shows no sign of slowing.
Two Tests into the engrossing South Africa versus England series, it’s all square and poised to be a classic.
Thanks Paul, you too! Looking forward to tomorrow 🏏
Five key questions ahead of the Boxing Day Test
I actually thought Lyon was the pick of the bowlers. I’d almost say I’ve never seen a finger spinner look so dangerous on a Day 1 Australian wicket (probably should’ve written this in the piece 😂 ) He’s taken for granted these days given he’s part of the furniture, but he’s a bowler at the peak of his powers.
Late wickets a just reward for disciplined Aussies
No, is the answer to your question – both can be true. Each time Starc turns in poor performances he is targeted to a greater level than almost anyone else in Australian cricket. His record for Australia is very, very good.
Late wickets a just reward for disciplined Aussies
Good point Dave, and yes you’re right. Seven on-sold them to to bypass the anti-siphoning laws, which to my knowledge stipulates a FTA broadcaster must simply acquire them first. So yes, while they did ‘bid’ on the ODIs and T20s (and get them), they on-sold to Foxtel immediately, which I assume was a pre-negotiation deal between the two. My point was more that if they valued them, they’d have bid and held onto them. Your point about the regulator not doing its job is spot on 👍
Channel 7 exposed as desperate and naive in cricket’s messy TV stoush
Still waiting for any evidence of what you’re claiming?
I take this issue extremely seriously and in recent weeks have spoken to mental health experts, the ACA and players about it. So once again, I urge you to go back and actually read it.
The tough call on Will Pucovski
Appreciate the comment but that actually wasn’t my point. I said the prospect of months inside heavily restricted hubs will weigh on the minds of both medicos and selectors before making a decision.
The tough call on Will Pucovski
Sorry, which stars weren’t risked?
Choker tag’s short stay and the pay-off for patience: Five things we learnt from Australia’s UK tour
I get where you’re coming from but I don’t think moving Labuschagne or Smith down the order would solve the issue. They’re not power hitters who can clear men on the rope; more accumulators who pick up the odd boundary. As for Finch and Warner, you’d need a crowbar to prise them from the openers spots.
Re: Maxwell, I think he is the man in the latter overs. He has the second-highest ODI S/R of all time. His issue, of course, is that he doesn’t do it often enough
Stuck in the middle: Aussies uncertain ahead of ODI series
The thing is, shifting Labuschagne or Smith down the order won’t solve the problem. They’re not power hitters and I couldn’t personally see that working. Warner and Finch won’t budge from opening, either. The key stat to look at here is S/R, which Maxwell is second-highest of all time (here: https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/282919.html). His issue, of course, is that he doesn’t do it often enough.
Stuck in the middle: Aussies uncertain ahead of ODI series
Thanks for the note Paul, always value your input!
Yeah as I referenced, I think Langer sees number 3-6 as very much fluid. In the last T20 the Aussies played (against South Africa), Warner and Finch put on 120 for the first wicket so they bumped Wade and Marsh up and pushed Smith down. Conversely, if there’s a relatively early wicket Smith will always be 3. But yeah, the last 5-6 overs is ideal for Marsh.
Re: the broadcast rights, I think Seven are desperate to cut costs and seemingly have little to lose by going public. They’re not a long-term partner like Nine was and probably don’t feel the need to protect the relationship if they’ve already decided they won’t bid again come next rights negotiations. I’d be surprised if CA don’t offer a discount on rights like other codes have.
Australia’s UK tour takes on importance of a different kind
Erghh that old argument hey
Australian players weary, but there’s little respite in sight
Good point! Thanks for picking up the slack. And yep, Wolvaardt’s in-out shot through extra-cover was one of the tournament’s best
Nerveless Aussies dodge rain on way to World Cup final
What a game. I too hit the sack. And wrote about it on here a while back: https://www.theroar.com.au/2018/10/25/how-i-missed-the-most-remarkable-odi-ever-seen/
Also, how good is it to hear the name Boeta Dippenaar
I went to bed at the innings break of the 438 game and haven’t trusted anyone or anything since
I know right, I hate those grade cricketers who’ve captained their country over 50 times
Chokers, front-runners, over-achievers: Why Big Bash storylines matter
Understand that perception (with guest stint players coming in and out) but most clubs actually retained the vast majority of their core squad from last season
Chokers, front-runners, over-achievers: Why Big Bash storylines matter
In his last 20 ODIs he’s bowled 5+ overs on 13 occasions. In this format he is most definitely an all-rounder
Five things we learnt from India vs Australia
It’s not just about the current form of India and Australia though, Paul. It’s a huge sample size of tests on Australian shores where the pitches (and Kookaburra, for that matter) offer little to the bowlers. And that’s my argument: when there’s a fair balance, cricket is invariably entertaining. But we don’t see it nearly enough. People tune out, which can’t be said of the Ashes 4-5 months ago
Newlands Test the tonic after flat Australian summer
Great comment Simon and interesting anecdote about your mate. Also agree 100% re: Kookaburra
Newlands Test the tonic after flat Australian summer
Ha, you are right. Can happen when you file after midnight…
Series slipping as Black Caps desperate for something special
Yeah I saw that too Paul, and it seemed strange. Why not just pick the squad after the England series? You’re right that Mitchell looked solid on debut but whether he could slot into opening in Aus is another thing!
Raval liability exposes Black Caps on the biggest stage
Nice summary Riccardo and you’re right, top order cover seemed a no-brainer
Raval liability exposes Black Caps on the biggest stage
Appreciate the note John, thanks. And yep, ideally would also like to see it at least go deep into Day 4!
Five key questions ahead of the Boxing Day Test