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Joined March 2016
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That’s awful news and I wish her all the best in her recovery.
Having said that, she’s been an awful appointment and her short tenure has been filled with scandal and incompetence. She should not return to her position.
Heather Reid granted indefinite release from FFA board
Agreed completely.
“Mitchell Starc isn’t swinging the ball, has lost his control and would be better suited to bowling at first change at the moment” is not the same as “Mitchell Starc is rubbish and I want him out of the side because I hate his hair”.
Australia's defensiveness only underlines Starc’s bowling woes
“Bowling a bit” isn’t a bad thing though. All other things being equal, a batsmen who “bowls a bit” has his nose in front of one that doesn’t. A Labuschagne has a slight advantage over a Patterson, so if both are in similar form and deemed to be equally deserving of a spot, Labuschagne “bowling a bit” means he probably gets the nod.
That’s understandable, but picking someone like Wildermuth, Neser, Abbott, etc because they’re a handy cricketer (i.e. they’re a number seven/eight batsman and fourth/fifth bowler) means you end up with a mediocre side comprised of “handy” players.
Australia don't need an Ashes all-rounder
This is necessary because of how brittle their top order is. We’re overly dependent on the likes of Cummins and Starc to contribute with the bat because of the relative paucity of runs from our specialist batsmen. England have similarly become reliant on runs from the lower order as they churn through openers and shuffle Root around the order while picking bowlers based on what they offer with the bat.
Sam Curran is a decent bowler, but I’d rather England pick him than someone like Roland-Jones who will cause far more problems for our batsmen. Similarly, Ali offers plenty with the bat but I don’t think he’s ever likely to be a consistent threat with the ball. What’s more important?
Australia don't need an Ashes all-rounder
Even then, Maxwell isn’t a Test quality all-rounder. His bowling is “handy” and potentially makes him a more attractive prospect, but he’s a part-time off spinner not a frontline bowler. That’s what we actually need, and between Head and Maxwell/Labuschagne we’ve got the 10 or so overs per innings that might be necessary, but that doesn’t make him an all-rounder.
Australia don't need an Ashes all-rounder
There’s too much focus on all-rounders. Is there a single example of a player who has maintained their core skill while developing the other? Stoinis’ batting has regressed as his bowling has improved. The same is true for Marsh. Henriques’ batting has improved as he’s bowled less (albeit enforced by injury). Sangha needs to establish himself as one of the best four or five batsmen in the country, not as a decent batsman who can bowl some handy leg-spin.
Actually, is there a worse word to attach to a cricketer than “handy”? It really is a synonym for “bits and pieces”.
Australia don't need an Ashes all-rounder
They are absolutely correct that there is not enough focus on the broader problems facing the game. The poor standard of football and appalling standard of refereeing is reflected in the declining crowds and TV audiences. Youth football is becoming increasingly unaffordable and our national team is as poor as it’s been in recent memory.
None of this has anything to do with idiots lighting flares though, and conflating the two is lazy and stupid. The problems facing the A-League and football more broadly will not be solved by allowing idiots to wear bandanas to games and light flares.
"There is a clear lack of balls": Red and Black Bloc makes the kind of statement which only hurts football
@Nemesis
What does this even mean? What is this mysterious A-League community? Is it for season-ticket holders only, or are people that attend a couple of games a season included as well? What about people that watch numerous games on Foxtel?
"There is a clear lack of balls": Red and Black Bloc makes the kind of statement which only hurts football
This is a terrible argument Mike. Players do not get to indulge their natural instincts without consequences.
Is the quest to get it right killing the essence of football?
That was “rotation” though, rather than being picked and dropped ad nauseam.
Are the selectors gaslighting Usman Khawaja?
After Grant’s disgraceful tackle last night, I don’t think anyone could argue that criticism of the referees is unwarranted. Instead of a straight red card and three game ban, he is given a yellow card and allowed to continue. The referees are failing the players and the supporters and something needs to change.
Is it time to talk about A-League referees?
Maxwell is five years older than Head and has played nearly four times as many games. Head’s numbers will improve with time and greater responsibility. The issue is not with Smith’s refusal to use Maxwell, it’s with the selectors’ absurd decision to select Maxwell for India when Head is the superior option.
Smith is using his Head, not his brain, when it comes to spinners
50/50? Probably just a little out on timing? Arnold is a disgrace.
Grant should have been sent off last week as well, but should be missing at least three matches for the assault on Carrusca last night.
Do we need to wait for a broken leg before action is taken against reckless and dangerous tackles?
Sydney FC face Big Blue selection dilemma after suspensions
You could make an argument for any of them really, but obviously your individual criteria will determine your eventual number one. Averages and strike rates only tell part of the story. When were those wickets taken? How many matches did they win and series did they decide?
Mitchell Johnson isn’t the greatest fast bowler of all-time, but the single greatest spell of fast bowling I have seen in person was his destruction of England at Adelaide Oval during the 2013/14 Ashes series. The crowd was captivated by that more than anything I can recall before or since. I imagine there are those older than me who would have similar recollections of the great West Indians or Lillee & Thomson.
Who is the greatest Fast Bowler of all time?
Oh, I agree completely. I just find it somewhat churlish when we have people decrying the lack of overtaking in F1 then complaining because a driver overtakes too aggressively. There are clear instances where drivers are wrong (braking through Eau Rouge is plainly ridiculous) but for the most part we would rather see aggressive driving leading to overtaking rather than safe and steady driving resulting in boring processions.
Hero or villain? 'Dangerous' Max Verstappen condemned for Spa antics
It’s a similar scenario to Mitch Marsh in the last home summer. The top five had already made all the runs by the time he came in, so there was no chance for him to build an innings and make a big score. He was just expected to have a hit and try and accelerate the scoring. I don’t think he has any realistic prospects of playing Test cricket again, but I think it’s harsh to criticise him for not scoring runs in this instance.
Young guns' reputation enhanced in 'A' series (Part 1): Four-day matches
It’s a difficult proposition for the stewards and the FIA. Fans everywhere have been demanding the return of more exciting racing (read: more overtaking) and yet when we get a driver is more aggressive and entertaining then many of those fans want him penalised. The safety of the drivers is of paramount importance so blocking through Eau Rouge must not be allowed to happen, but surely we want the stewards to err on the side of entertainment where possible.
Hero or villain? 'Dangerous' Max Verstappen condemned for Spa antics
Having seen Handscomb keep a bit, I can completely understand why he would want to focus on his batting. He is decent enough with the gloves, but has the Matthew Wade-like tendency to make one or two serious mistakes an innings (dropped catch, missed stumping, etc) which would be disastrous at Test level.
As a batsman though, he has an enormous amount to offer. As you say, batting at number or four or five looks the best option depending on where the vacancy is.
Young guns' reputation enhanced in 'A' series (Part 1): Four-day matches
It’s not possible to compare across eras, but he has to be in the discussion when the best ever are being considered. He is the greatest of the modern era without question.
Soak it up Australia, the greatest fast bowler of all time is coming Down Under
Who is going to fund it? You want a professional second tier, which means you want those players to be professionals. Where is the funding for the enormous increase in player wages, or the astronomically higher infrastructure demands? What happens if the winner of the second tier is from Sydney and the bottom team in the top tier is from Perth, Adelaide or Brisbane? Will the top tier just run without a representative in those cities?
Let’s shake up the A-League
We’ll be delighted if he’s their sole spinner. Hopefully they keep picking players because of their ancillary skill rather than specialists. If everything comes together they’ll be unbeatable, but they’re more likely than not to revert to the mean.
Australia don't need an Ashes all-rounder