Geelong on the brink, seeking hope in the stars
As entertaining as their win was on Friday night, Geelong Football Club are standing on the edge of a muddy slope, unsure whether they'll…
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Geoff Lemon is a writer, editor and broadcaster. He's the host of cricket podcast The Final Word, and author of the book Steve Smith's Men: Behind Australian Cricket's Fall.
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As entertaining as their win was on Friday night, Geelong Football Club are standing on the edge of a muddy slope, unsure whether they'll…
A beautifully tight finish to the AFL season awaits at both ends of the ladder, with the top eight and the bottom seven packed…
Holy smokes. I complain about a quiet round, then we get one like this. Setbacks and comebacks, madness and miracles, hopes burned and hope…
This had to happen some time. When we're looking at the most important wins and losses of a week, it gets complicated when there…
Normally today I'd be discussing Round 12's winners and losers. But the biggest winner was Lance Franklin, and the loser was the AFL judiciary's…
In Brownlow terms, the past two rounds were only notable for Gary Ablett Junior not getting any votes. But while the AFL season is…
Damn, Wednesday was funny. From around the world, the anguished cries of Englishmen surged and retreated like waves on the shore. The Guardian's Mike…
In a round where the expected generally transpired, there was really only one significant win and two losses. Greater Western Sydney and Melbourne would…
It's fast becoming a season of new blood with a dash of the old. Three big winners reshaped the top of the table, while…
On Sunday night's AFL wrap, TV host Dermott Brereton was insistent that Dan Hannebery had to face suspension for a dangerous bump. The Sydney…
East coast, far north, south and west – there were AFL victors all round Australia on the weekend, but even in a shortened Round…
Winners this week included players with a weekend off to watch TV; losers included fans doing the same, with only two games on the…
Alright, Hawthorn – just put it away, will you? We know you’re on the winners’ list. Make a bit of room for the guys…
The South Australian teams, Collingwood and North Melbourne were among the big winners in a round of comebacks, tight finishes and near misses, as…
Geelong may have been the biggest winner of Round 5, but they beat Hawthorn who didn't lose much at all. Richmond mostly lost despite…
The early rounds of an AFL season can be confusing, with unlikely results doing strange things to the ladder. Now that Round 4 is…
The World T20 may have been crash-em bash-em stuff, but it contained some genuine cricketing brilliance. Let's look back over the top performances. 8.…
Imagine captaining your country to a World Cup win at the age of 22, while personally turning in a decisive performance in the final…
The AFL's poachers are gunning for their biggest trophy yet, with rugby union and league star Sonny Bill Williams offered a multimillion-dollar deal to…
If the last few days proved something, it's that Essendon Football Club will do anything for James Hird, and that Hird will take anything…
Haha. That’s all good, it sold a lot more than expected, so no worries if a few end up as discounts. Hope you enjoy both copies.
Glorious. Mediocre. Sublime. That's the story of the 2019 Ashes
Sheesh. There’s more projection going on here than at the Twilight Cinema.
Tied and tied again: How the greatest-ever World Cup final was won
Employers do tend to distance themselves from a hitman if things go poorly.
Why Matthew Wade is better off not playing for Australia
That old chestnut. Two of the last five have been Tasmanian.
Why Matthew Wade is better off not playing for Australia
For me, the domestic 50-over comp just doesn’t has much relevance. For anything. It’s run and won in 10 days, and guys can have a flyer or a dud accordingly. Players who’ve done well there haven’t necessarily done well when picked for Australia months later – take Lynn or Short. As for coming in late and down the order, Wade has played some gems for Australia in ODIs doing exactly that. His BBL work is replicating what he’s done in the other format.
Why Matthew Wade is better off not playing for Australia
G’day Bushy. I meant Liebke, not me.
While confusion reigns, Sri Lanka could knock off Australia at home
My only takeaway from this is that you’re annoyed at a satirist for making fun of things.
While confusion reigns, Sri Lanka could knock off Australia at home
The schedule wasn’t to do with India not wanting to play at the Gabba, it was to do with India not wanting to play a day-nighter, and CA wanting to schedule India at Adelaide regardless as a marquee game. Brisbane was the only day-night option so had to be reserved for Sri Lanka, and Brisbane draws poor crowds whatever the schedule.
While confusion reigns, Sri Lanka could knock off Australia at home
G’day Troy. My take: Head was second-highest scorer in a very low-scoring series. It flattered him. And at least half his dismissals were to horrible loose shots – caught twice in a Test at third man? That sort of approach won’t fly in England, and he can’t be retained if he doesn’t show he’s learned from it. I like him as a player, but he’s a long long way from having nailed down a spot.
While confusion reigns, Sri Lanka could knock off Australia at home
Yep, people are unusually united on the question by now. It’s only fair to give him a shot.
In the face of public anger, Australia's selectors finally back down
Thanks Spruce – it was a pretty hectic schedule touring South Africa and then getting the book done, so I’m glad you enjoyed it.
In the face of public anger, Australia's selectors finally back down
They can, in theory, and they almost never do. Which indicates that the short-pitched bowling referred to in the original post is legitimate.
Australian greats can't see the 'good hard cricket' lie
I think there’s a huge amount of that: justifying their own eras and legacies. Because the honesty about Australian cricket’s flaws exposes the flaws in their eras and leadership. There are plenty of Williamson-type examples through the game’s history, at all levels. The myth about aggro being necessary is just about people justifying their self-indulgence.
Australian greats can't see the 'good hard cricket' lie
Yeah, the fetishisation of it came with Waugh. My guess is that Whateley was referring to a period where Clarke tried to regenerate it, to fake it, after it had died away for a while. And Clarke was certainly the one who started winding up Warner and defending him whenever he went wrong.
Australian greats can't see the 'good hard cricket' lie
Thanks Mitcher. If we needed one simple definition, I’d say talking about someone’s cricket is alright. Talking about anything else probably isn’t. And if you’d be embarrassed to have your comment picked up on a stump mic, you shouldn’t be saying it.
Australian greats can't see the 'good hard cricket' lie
Agree with that point. A team full of great players doing what they do is a fair bit more demoralising than if they mouth off in the process. That only serves to put an asterisk next to their achievements.
Australian greats can't see the 'good hard cricket' lie
“Stood up to a player who was bullying his teammate” is a good gag. Anderson was bullying Bailey while batting at No.11, on his own surrounded by 11 opponents, with one wicket to fall to lose the Test, facing Mitchell Johnson in the dark. Mmm-kay.
I agree with your other points, though.
Australian greats can't see the 'good hard cricket' lie
Thanks James. It seems like a lot of the people involved are deliberately vague about the nature of what gets said and what’s ok.
Australian greats can't see the 'good hard cricket' lie
Short-pitched bowling is part of the game. Batting is balancing the need to protect your wicket, add to your score, and preserve your safety. It’s not about the danger of the action. It’s that the cricket part of cricket is kind of necessary. Mouthing off isn’t.
Australian greats can't see the 'good hard cricket' lie
There have been 19 successful chases of more than 322 runs in Test history, across 2300 Test matches. Saying that Australia didn’t succeed because they weren’t ‘tough’ enough is … just silly, really.
Australian greats can't see the 'good hard cricket' lie
Hazlewood may open the bowling, but I’d still argue his role is closer to Siddle’s. Play the straight man, give nothing away, support the two more attacking bowlers. He fulfils that role with a bit more venom than Siddle did, but it’s still basically the same job. Cummins comes on to push for wickets and bowl express.
Ashes to Ashes: Would Mitchell Johnson's Ashes team beat Mitchell Starc's?
Merry Christmas to you too, James. Hope it was a corker and you’re watching some cricket.
Ashes to Ashes: Would Mitchell Johnson's Ashes team beat Mitchell Starc's?
Agreed, Rogers played a number of important innings in that series. And suited Warner well as a partner.
Ashes to Ashes: Would Mitchell Johnson's Ashes team beat Mitchell Starc's?
A little something to wash down that chip on your shoulder…
Don't be fooled - we've just seen the last WACA Test
“The author” didn’t rewrite anything. The author was at the ground watching it live, and relayed what he observed.
Glorious. Mediocre. Sublime. That's the story of the 2019 Ashes