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Joined June 2013
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Former Nathan Hauritz impersonator.
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With New South Wales having already wrapped up the series 2-0, a casual observer might have found little point in heading to Suncorp Stadium for the dead rubber. But then again, that assumes that there’s any such thing as a casual State of Origin observer.
Traditionally, there’s always so much to look forward to in the second match of any State of Origin series.
Oh my goodness. It’s time for another State of Origin series. And as has become tradition in recent years, we’re kicking off this 2018th clash between the Blues and Maroons with ‘Game One’.
A bold, new ball-tampering-free era of Australian cricket had dawned. No Steve Smith, no David Warner, no Cameron Bancroft. In the aftermath of the suspensions of those three, coach Darren Lehmann had resigned.
The series locked at one win apiece, South Africa and Australia headed to Cape Town for the third Test in the series.
After a fiery conclusion to the First Test, the two sides headed to Port Elizabeth to continue this series of hurling tedious abuse at one another. Would any so-called cricket get in the way of that insult-a-thon? Only time would tell.
The Australian side arrived for a four Test series in South Africa – a land so terrifying and strange that the television player graphic for Usman Khawaja, a non-bowler and mediocre fielder, shows him tossing a ball from hand to hand rather than wielding a bat.
The final match of the ODI series between Australia and England was held at Perth’s exciting new Optus Stadium, with England winning by a dozen runs to take the series 4-1.
Having won the first three matches, England were determined to carry on their excellent form and exact revenge for their Ashes defeat by whitewashing Australia in this ODI series.
Humbled by their defeat to England in the first ODI, Australia headed to Brisbane for the rematch. Alas, consistent rain throughout the day meant that no play was possible and fans on television were forced to settle for a replay of that first match.
With the Ashes won and lost – or lost and won, depending on your allegiances – England and Australia turned their attention to the T20 series. Then, begrudgingly, turned it to the one-day matches when their respective boards pointed out that they had to get through five of those ruddy things first.
The Ashes are done, Australia winning the final Test by an innings and a bout of Joe Root gastroenteritis to take the series 4-0.
With the Ashes decided, both teams headed to Melbourne for the Boxing Day Test. Because if they’d headed to different grounds, that would have made play much more difficult – although, admittedly, we’d still have got the same result.
After two days, Australia were exactly two hundred runs behind on the first innings, and numerous questions hung over the Test.
With Australia 2-0 up in the Ashes, England invited Australia over to the WACA for a drink.
In the day-night Test, Adelaide briefly teetered towards amazing before settling for adequate as Australia took a 2-0 lead in the Ashes.
After two days of the First Test, England had their noses marginally in front. Which is fine if you’re in some kind of nose-measuring contest. But cricket matches are rarely won on nasal positioning, and, yet again, victory in this Test arose from other, less facially-centric, skills.
The Ashes are finally here! And, sure, it’s crazy that we can’t say ‘Merry Ashes’ to one another any more and instead have to say ‘Happy Australia v England Test Cricket Series’.
Australia went into the final leg of the series knowing that they needed to do no more than win one of the three T20 games to retain the Women’s Ashes.
With Australia 4-2 up in the women’s Ashes after just three matches, in seeming defiance of the very laws of arithmetic, the two sides visited North Sydney Oval to play the sole Test match of the series.
Thanks Peter. Good luck reattaching that a@#*
The Liebke Ratings: South Africa vs Australia, fourth Test
Indeed. I still recall de Villiers bowling South Africa to victory in Sydney in 1993/4, somehow defending a target of 117 in the fourth innings. Amazing longevity.
The Liebke Ratings: South Africa vs Australia, second Test
This is great. Furthermore, the third umpire should specifically search as hard as possible for a reason to give the batsman out.
The Liebke Ratings: South Africa vs Australia, first Test
Excellent advice, Don. Thanks.
The Liebke Ratings: South Africa vs Australia, first Test
I’ll try to do better/worse next time.
The Liebke Ratings: Australia vs England second ODI
The Wood on fire joke was irresistible, I’m afraid.
The Liebke Ratings: Australia vs England, first ODI
I suspect the pitch may have been covered in one or two places elsewhere
The Liebke Ratings: Fourth Ashes Test
Thanks. I fidget uncontrollably as I do it too.
The Liebke Ratings: Third Ashes Test, part 2
I’ve already gone on a rant about Mitch Marsh over on Twitter. If the next Test is really slow, that might get repurposed into my ratings for that Test. But it’d have to be a really slow Test because it’s not very funny. (My rant, that is. The selection is obviously hilariously nuts.)
The Liebke Ratings: Second Ashes Test
Bowlers shouldn’t be allowed to be fielders. It’s bad enough that they also get to be batsmen. Where does it end, Noah? Where does it end??
The Liebke Ratings: Second Ashes Test
I think bowlers should have to parry it to other fielders to take the catch, like boundary riders with their nonsense.
The Liebke Ratings: Second Ashes Test
This is an excellent idea. Khawaja currently gets sent to the Phantom Zone during the Australian fielding innings. He could easily be slotted in at umpire backstop.
The Liebke Ratings: Second Ashes Test
Correct. Bancroft would have gone close to an A if I’d written this after his press conference about Bairstow’s head.
The Liebke Ratings: First Ashes Test, part 2
Yet another area in which New South Wales outperformed Queensland. In many ways, this was a moral victory for the Blues.
The Liebke Ratings: State of Origin Game 3
Queensland can never take that away from us.
The Liebke Ratings: State of Origin Game 3
Thanks guys. Very kind.
The Liebke Ratings: Australia vs New Zealand, Champions Trophy ODI
I call them as I see them, Dane. It’s a shame. It was a good concept while it lasted.
The Liebke Ratings: State of Origin 1
You’re right. I was thinking of the first innings. Ah well. Adjust in your mind as appropriate.
The Liebke Ratings: India vs Australia fourth Test
Yes. Clearly the best day of Test cricket of all time.
The Liebke Ratings: India vs Australia third Test
I think the ‘Home of Rugby Keague’ reference is a typo. But it may be a very subtle joke that I just don’t get.
The Liebke Ratings: State of Origin One