Roar Rookie
Joined May 2013
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The past ten years or so have witnessed some ugly encounters between India and Australia. There was the Sydney Test match and 'Monkeygate', which…
Joe Burns is one of the most promising young batsmen in Australia, but he doesn't get talked about enough. He's not been earmarked and…
Back in 2005 Australia were smote by and smitten with Freddy Flintoff. Not long after, our love affair with Shane Watson began. He had…
It's a hard trick selling Test cricket in the modern era. Shouldn't we all just be watching T20 instead? I'm sure that's actually what…
I've been thinking a lot about Paul Chapman's the stellar start to the season at Essendon. I am a big fan of Paul Chapman.…
Peter Siddle is presently ranked number five in the world on the ICC rankings (on the same rankings Graeme Swann is ranked six and…
My criticism is more to do with the cynical nature of the pitch than Axar. As for facts, well who needs those on an opinion site in a post-factual world. Lol. I admire Indian cricket immensely having travelled there to watch a lot of cricket and sadly I did watch every ball of that miserable test on tv… So let’s test the good spirit of the BCCI. India only need a draw to make the WTC final. Now perhaps you’ll admit some substance to my arguments if the curator dishes up a road, India bat first and declare over 700 and England reply with over 400 and even Sunil Gavaskar falls asleep on comms.
Think India's two-day Test pitch was unplayable? That’s a myth
This article reads as biased as a Kim Jong Il presser. Lol. For a neutral fan, that test match was incredibly disappointing. It just seemed like a very cynical, almost callow move by India to nullify England’s seamers under lights. 36 all out and Anderson’s performance in the 1st test explain everything you need to know about that wicket. India displayed a ‘win at all costs’ mentality that stepped all over the spirit of cricket (robbed me of 3 days of cricket watching!! sheesh). It’s absolutely fair that criticism follows such a debacle and if you cheapen the spectacle with an absence of bravery, the win is discredited somewhat. Don’t forget it was the shortest test match in decades. The bounce on that wicket was inconsistent – balls were both shooting and exploding through the surface. When Joe Root takes 5-8, when Axar Patel, who let’s face it is a third rate spinner for India at best, are destroying line ups, objectively (which is a tough ask for some) you have to ask what’s up? But above all, the most disappointing aspect is the failure to even admit it was perhaps, maybe, just a little bit dodgy. I mean how chauvinistic and one-eyed can you get? Yes, there are supporters like that from all nations (tons in Aus) but this sort of conduct shouldn’t be rewarded. For a neutral, there’s no spectacle in it.
Think India's two-day Test pitch was unplayable? That’s a myth
A fantastic record and great skipper but the IPL market appraisal of Finch’s ongoing T20 value probably best strips away all the patriotism and other irrelevant emotional factors. It’s a cold hard truth. He’s been around for a long time, he’s long in the tooth and previous form troughs notwithstanding, it’s increasingly unlikely he’ll climb out of this one and dominate a competition like the world cup. Australia have the T20 cattle but their selections have historically been quite poor and it’s more likely that by sticking with Finch they’ll perpetuate that.
When does Aaron Finch’s form become a World Cup worry?
This is just my opinion as it’s an opinion site but wowsers like you are a blight on society. Worry about yourself before “fixing” everyone else with ideas born from your pearl-clutching. This kind of nanny-ism erodes commonsense and any kind of self-determinism. An overly litigious society is married to this sort of ultra regulated guff.
Crowd catches are a disaster waiting to happen
The fallacy of your argument is all based on the idea that England will/can score big. Correct me if I’m wrong but they haven’t scored 400 in yonks. When was the last time in a test? In England? Sure our bowlers may be a bit sore/hungover but we don’t need to throw our carefully patented plans out the window. And, as Punter said, I think much the same group have earned the right to win the Ashes – it was quite clear from the post-match chat that retaining them isn’t “job done” so such big changes are unlikely. Can you please also give me the contact details of the person paying you to pump up Marsh’s tyres? I need to buy a new recliner.
How Siddle and Marsh could both play at the Oval
Cough, NO. Er-humm. NO, NO, no, nooooooo
Was Mitchell Marsh the gamble Australia needed to take?
I think you might be addressing Kannga2 there… Yes Smith himself probably really wants to get back out there and maybe that’s pause for thought. It’s his profession, his life, not ours. This could be overwhelmingly significant for him. Aren’t some people discounting his own ability to make a decision for himself with knowledge of all the risks? He’s an adult, legally it’s fine (assuming he passes protocol tests). Also if we wants to take the risk, a little self determination is ok. I have no idea, I’m not a doctor, but I feel you might be overstating the risks of a head knock. This isn’t boxing or martial arts. And there is a big difference between a single knock to the neck from a cricket ball and a career of accumulated hits, whether from punches or front-on tackles in NFL/NRL, week in/week out. Footy is very different to the Smith situation, you can’t apply the same logic. Even if Smith gets sconed again by Archer, I’m sure he’ll be still dissing up dry commentary in his old age just like Chappelli does now…
“You’ll thank me later in life”
While I welcome the tenor of this article and I’m not directly attacking it Paul, this topic has resulted in a little bit of nanny-ism rearing its head. You could define it as, an overbearing need to make statements and rules on behalf of others in line with the “nanny’s” superior judgement/common sense. Congrats for understanding concussion is to be taken seriously. Very sensible, and yes, we all want Smith to bat. But I don’t think anyone in the Australian cricket team set up is tempted “to ignore his medical condition”. All the evidence so far has been to the contrary with CA leading the way on concussions and introducing the new rules to the ICC for their endorsement. So this seems a little overcooked. Cricket is also quite different to football. Once again, not attacking you directly here Paul, just those you seem to know better than the docs. To them I say place your faith in the systems in place and pros tasked to carry out the assessments. The correct decision will be made, the decision will err to the conservative. If all these clever adults get together and assess his condition as “ready to go”, then breathe a sigh of relief, sit back, enjoy, and let go of the pearls!
“You’ll thank me later in life”
That is Wiggle-esque, Damien Fleming. You have surely ensured your book will be destined for the Rubbish-bin of Remainders at the Dump of Don’t Keep this Going… Too harsh, Damo? Nah. Back to your mark. We all must walk the Cul-de-sac of Criticism.
Excerpt from ‘The Autobahn of Autobiographies’ by Damien ‘The Bowlologist’ Fleming
You’re spot on. They’re the anointed ones for now. I reckon that’s why Joe may have to go to the barbers, trundle the odd dibbly-dobbly over and get a PR team if he wants a bat. A good batting record just doesn’t cut the mustard any more.
Given the chance, can Joe Burns fire?
he he he. Tim you’re wide of the mark there. Peace brother.
England in good shape for series that matters
As I pointed out (and as you’ve seemingly overlooked in your haste to point out England’s superiority on paper… again) England start deserved favourites. I wasn’t, and no one anywhere is, saying that Australia have much of a chance. But conversely to what you repeatedly state (in fact ad nauseum with you Disco), England’s results aren’t so great over the past two years. Could it be that England are slightly overhyped? I’d suggest, as most wise commentators are (even Botham recently) that the series will be tighter than people like you expect.
England in good shape for series that matters
The word “great” does get bandied around far too often. It’s like Broad et al saying England were building a dynasty in 2011 only to win 11 of 26 tests over the past 2 years. Over the past two years Australia have won 12 of 24. Disco, MervUK and all others pointing out the obvious about Australia’s chances – 99% of press and public opinion at present is tipping an English victory but on the above figures I’d say England’s stock is over inflated at present not Australia’s.
England in good shape for series that matters
Agreed Nudge – Tim’s gout has really been playing up lately
England in good shape for series that matters
Stokes wants fast and flat pitches according to his latest interview. I totally agree with the gist of this article and I’m pretty sure that the selectors will double down on Davey to a fault. Can we add a misconception that Warner will always do well on fast and flat pitches (despite 3 years of mounting evidence) to blind loyalty? We know England want to score fast and build scoreboard pressure, won’t selectors see Warner as a means, along with Head, to respond in kind?
Australia may have already lost Ashes if they stick with Warner as Renshaw, Harris hit tons to turn up heat on veteran