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jamesb

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Joined December 2011

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Richardson and Abbott are similar levels of ability. Neither of them should be playing for Australia in any format.

21 off the last over? Maxwell does it again as blistering ton catapults Australia to victory in final-ball thriller

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Cricket
 
Today

I’ll throw a different angle. Should the game give an immortal status to non players. Such as coaches, administrators or even entertainers?
Coote and Lazurus should be the next ones. If Sterlo was picked, do you then consider Turvey, Sticky and Alfie?

Six of the best: The standout options for the ultimate honour in the NRL Immortal debate

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League
 
Today

And he is currently 58* against Tassie at the SCG. He has been the only shining light for NSW in another dismal season.

Harris, Renshaw or Bancroft? Choosing Warner’s Test replacement should be opener and shut case for selectors

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Cricket
 
1d

Langer, Hayden, S.Waugh and Smith all took a while to get going at test level, but there is a couple of differences when you compare them with Bancroft, Renshaw and Harris.
Langer and Hayden had healthy first class records. Both averaged over 50. It was a case of Hayden and Langer grabbing their opportunity with both hands, and eventually the pair succeeded.
S.Waugh came in as a 20 year old allrounder. He was picked well before his time because Australian cricket didn’t had much depth in the mid eighties. With Smith, at 21, he began as a leg spinner batting at number eight.
Meanwhile Bancroft, Renshaw and Harris are simply top order players who open or bat at three. And not one of them averages over 40 overall in first class cricket.

Harris, Renshaw or Bancroft? Choosing Warner’s Test replacement should be opener and shut case for selectors

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Cricket
 
1d

Bancroft should be the one to replace Warner. In the middle order, keep an eye out for McSweeney.
Rogers was positive about Pucovski’s mental health in a recent article. So let’s see what transpires with Pucovski. Street is not good enough. While Wylie should spend some time playing grade cricket. Wylie is giving me “Jason Sangha type vibes”- talented young player, but not consistent at shield level yet.

Harris, Renshaw or Bancroft? Choosing Warner’s Test replacement should be opener and shut case for selectors

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Cricket
 
1d

In theory yeah, England might have won the series 3-2, if there was no rain. But if it was 2-2 heading into the final test, then Australia might have taken a different approach, such as making changes. But anyway, it’s coulda, shoulda, woulda.

As for the Indian test tour, let’s not forget, Cummins, the captain, had to return home because his mum at the time was in palliative care. If Australia were going to be successful in India, then Cummins coulda played a key part, just like he did in the WC final.

McDonald’s serving up humble pie to the critics but selfless coach refuses to dine out on World Cup glory

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Cricket
 
5d

I’m actually a blue of the NSW variety. But I do follow state (SS), futures and under age cricket.

Sutherland did very well last season. He was leading wicket taker in the SS. Has dropped back a bit this season, but we are only halfway there. He is currently leading the way in the Marsh Cup.

A tall bowler, he can extract bounce and some out swing. He just has to back it up consistently. Did form a good combination with Perry and O’Neill. And he is a number 8 in the batting order.

Australia’s 2027 World Cup mission starts now: The players title defence can be built around - only three incumbents to survive

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Cricket
 
6d

India will co host with Bangladesh for the 2031 WC. So I don’t think the BCCI will give up on the 50 over format in the near future.

Cummins and Zampa will be 34 and 35 respectively in 2027, so I wouldn’t be writing them off just yet.

As for 2027, I will put forward a name who hasn’t played FC cricket yet, but you will see him involved with the Melbourne Renegades in the BBL. Victorian batsman, Harry Dixon. He is an 18 year old opener, who has recently done well for the Australian under 19’s.

Australia’s 2027 World Cup mission starts now: The players title defence can be built around - only three incumbents to survive

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Cricket
 
6d

Roger, let’s wait and see how many teams are involved in the beginning of the NSD. At the moment, there is eight teams. Johnson is still looking for another two or four teams to join the NSD. Those teams could be outside of NSW and Victoria.

I’m just excited to see the Wolves play above the NPL level.

Will East Coast-based National Second Tier sink or swim?

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Football
 
1w

Good to see the Wollngong Wolves back at a national level. The teams were announced in alphabetical order, so I was a glad that a team with a letter W appeared right at the end.

Will East Coast-based National Second Tier sink or swim?

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Football
 
1w

You are drawing a long bow linking a potential world cup bid to the NSD. The Saudis had the backing of the AFC, before any Asian country had a chance to bid. So in a political sense, Australia was doomed.

Now if down the track, the NSD becomes established and is expanded to more than the 8 founding teams, then there is a real possibility of promotion/ relegation coming in.

And the introduction of pro/rel could turn this sport around for the better, to the extent that the FA may not rely on bidding to host a world cup, as some form of a last resort to boost the profile of the football and the A league’s.

Will East Coast-based National Second Tier sink or swim?

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Football
 
1w

Yep, you could pick the usual suspects, but someone like Tim David would come into consideration.

World domination: Selectors can’t afford to be sentimental now Australia's one step away from trophy perfection

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Cricket
 
1w

He was sorely missed in the early part of the tournament.

'That's the pinnacle': Cummins’ finest moment as captain with bold tactical gambles dismantling Indian juggernaut

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Cricket
 
1w

Australia is the Real Madrid of ODI WC. They have a history of getting it done time and time again.

CHAMPIONS! Head's heroic ton, bowling brilliance sees Aussies crush India for SIXTH - and best - World Cup win

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Cricket
 
1w

Yep, when it comes to ODI world cup, we should never doubt them again. Six world cups proves it.

CHAMPIONS! Head's heroic ton, bowling brilliance sees Aussies crush India for SIXTH - and best - World Cup win

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Cricket
 
1w

India were absolutely brilliant for the entire tournament. Well almost the entire tournament. In a way, I feel for them.
As for Australia, they played their best game of the WC in the final. Cummins was very brave to bowl first, and boy, they pulled off a famous win.
‘87, ‘99, ‘03, ‘07, ‘15, ‘23

CHAMPIONS! Head's heroic ton, bowling brilliance sees Aussies crush India for SIXTH - and best - World Cup win

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Cricket
 
1w

The above article is about the Socceroos, and your initial comment was centred around the WC.

No mention of clubs like Melbourne City.

Roos Control: Maclaren speeds to second half hat-trick as Socceroos start World Cup campaign in style

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Football
 
2w

The bigger picture for me is who is in charge of world cricket, BCCI, CA or ICC?

Even though they were bilateral series, the ICC could’ve stepped in, listened to CA and found ways for those series to go ahead. After all, Bangladesh and Afghanistan have test status determined by the ICC.

Now in this World Cup, we are hearing stories about pitch swaps. If the ICC were a strong governing body, we wouldn’t be hearing any of those stories.

The ICC should be taking more control of their own events.

COMMENT: India’s petulant pitch switch dirty trick tarnishes march to World Cup trophy

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Cricket
 
2w

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-08-29/man-handed-jail-sentence-over-violent-bucket-throw-a-league/102787886

His lawyer lodged an appeal against the penalty. “Bucket man” has been granted bail until a hearing next month.

Roos Control: Maclaren speeds to second half hat-trick as Socceroos start World Cup campaign in style

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Football
 
2w

So do you prefer the Socceroos to be owned by Saudi Arabia’s PIF? The EPL is so perfect…..

Roos Control: Maclaren speeds to second half hat-trick as Socceroos start World Cup campaign in style

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Football
 
2w

Maybe the reason for the poor crowd is that people feared they would bump into “bucket man.”

Roos Control: Maclaren speeds to second half hat-trick as Socceroos start World Cup campaign in style

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Football
 
2w

Gotta give credit to SA. They were behind in the game in the opening 10 overs of both innings, and yet kept fighting right to the end. SA didn’t choke.

If anything, Australia had this game “won” on multiple occasions. It should have been more comfortable. Instead they won with only three wickets in hand.

Australia has reached its eighth final out of 13 editions of this tournament. The only occasions where Australia has failed to reach the final were ‘79, ‘83, ‘92, ‘11 and ‘19.

Ace of Chase: Cummins, Starc steer Aussies into World Cup decider after classic semi as Proteas' knockout curse continues

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Cricket
 
2w

Jeff, to be fair to the selectors, Australia has made it to the final., and have won 8 out of 10 matches. Regardless of the result against host nation India, it still constitutes a good WC campaign.

What people are concerned about is the perception of how influential the BCCI is in world cricket. A few years ago, they didn’t want India to play in a day/ night test in Adelaide.

Anyway, at the end of the day, India have been unstoppable in this tournament. They have been the best team in this WC. They have quality players and certainly know how to utilize home conditions.

It would be a shock if they don’t beat Australia in the final. India are huge favourites.

COMMENT: India’s petulant pitch switch dirty trick tarnishes march to World Cup trophy

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Cricket
 
2w

Good post. Winning a game somewhere in the middle East is never easy, and when those teams come to Australia, they will park the bus and be very hard to break down.

I guess where this WC qualification is somewhat “easy” is that Australia or any other Asian country have multiple chances to qualify. In the third round, it is direct qualification, fourth round is Asian playoffs and fifth round is through the inter continental route.

It makes it easier for Australia to just finish in the top two in the third round. Beyond that, it could still get tricky.

The Socceroos are set for their easiest World Cup qualification ever - but will that hurt Australian football?

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Football
 
2w

My guess is that the 18 teams will be split in 6 pots with 3 teams each, and it will be based on FIFA rankings at the time. Current FIFA rankings, and top 18 teams in Asia:

Pot 1: Japan (18), Iran (21), Korea Rep. (24)
Pot 2: Australia (27), Saudi Arabia (57), Qatar (61)
Pot 3: Iraq (68), UAE (69), Oman (72)
Pot 4: Uzbekistan (73), China (79), Jordan (82)
Pot 5: Bahrain (83), Syria (92), Vietnam (94)
Pot 6: Palestine (96), Kyrgyz Rep. (97), India (102)

So potentially, in the third round, Australia could have a group something along the lines of:
Japan
Iraq
Uzbekistan
Bahrain
Palestine

The Socceroos are set for their easiest World Cup qualification ever - but will that hurt Australian football?

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Football
 
2w
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