The Roar
The Roar

The Roar

Peter Hunt

Roar Guru

Joined September 2018

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Like so many other Australian Cricket fans, I was mortified by the ball tampering scandal in Cape Town in March 2018. It made me question my life-long passion for Cricket and my steadfast support for the national team. And so, combining my passions for cricket, the law and writing, I embarked on a search for `The Spirit of Cricket'; one cricket tragic's attempt to define `the line'. Does Cricket have a distinct spirit? Can we define 'the line'? How are the values Cricket holds dear different from any other sport?

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Yep, we’re all good. 😊

My poem for Shane Warne

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Cricket
 
Mar

I completely agree with you re expectations and I like the comparisons.
It’s a silly analogy, but I get cranky with people who dis Godfather Part III, because it wasn’t as good as Parts I and II. Those films are in the conversation for the best movies of all time! Part III was a fine movie…even if it fell short of being in the top 5 of all time…

My poem for Shane Warne

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Cricket
 
Mar

Whilst I agree with you, the champions of each era generally bring something new to that era.

My memories of Lillee and Thommo are different from my memories of Cummins and Starc. My memories of Border are different from my memories of Steve Smith. They have a different character. They have a different look and feel in my mind’s eye.

And what the recent Warne-fest has drilled home in my mind is that I didn’t see the likes of him before and I haven’t seen the likes of him since, especially the repeated sight of batsmen getting whiplash when they hear their stumps rattled before looking at keeper and bowler with a “how did that happen?” look on their faces.

I recognise and apologise for the cliche, but I don’t think the game has been the same since Warnie retired. That doesn’t mean there hasn’t been any magic since that time, but the magic is different.

My poem for Shane Warne

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Mar

Thanks Riccardo.

My poem for Shane Warne

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Mar

I think you’re right Damo. Marnus seems to the the instigator to get Usman back on the podium. And I see Travis Head also gesturing for Usman to come back.
Irrespective of who started it, Cummins listened, told the boys to his left to put the bottles down and waved for Usman to join them.
Good work all round! Indicative of an improving team culture. 😊

'The boys have my back': Khawaja reveals how much Cummins' champagne gesture meant to him

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Cricket
 
Jan

I’ve got to see this movie. It looks fantastic! 👍 🏏 😊

'A labour of love': New film about India's 1983 World Cup win will tug your heartstrings

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Cricket
 
Jan

All true DaveJ. That’s one reason why I decided to omit Waugh’s ton from my top 10 SCG test moments. It was a terrific innings and memorable moment (clearly) but of more personal, than team, significance….in a test Australia ultimately lost.

The shot: Can one moment define a career?

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Jan

Kerry: C’mon Steven!

The shot: Can one moment define a career?

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Jan

No worries, DaveJ. I’ll cop that on the chin.
I remember making the same point – with some vigour – in the 80s when Australia would get pummelled by the Windies. My mates complained that the Aussies weren’t fighting hard enough and lacked spirit, but I argued the they were fighting hard but they were playing one of the best bowling attacks of all time.

The shot: Can one moment define a career?

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Jan

Some terrific cricketers playing for Queensland and NSW in that match. 😊

The shot: Can one moment define a career?

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Jan

Is that true? Fascinating! Thanks All Day!
Given the height of the Members’ Pavilion at Lord’s, that’s a good hit!

The shot: Can one moment define a career?

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Cricket
 
Jan

Yep, the demise of the West Indies as a super power is a real shame. Thankfully, the void is somewhat filled by the rise of India.
Agree re England too. This series hasn’t really nourished the cricketing soul, has it…?
Perhaps we will see a more fighting, resilient England when Rooty is replaced as skipper. But by whom?
That said, the cricket series I look forward to the most is watching the Ashes in England. Bring on 2023!

The shot: Can one moment define a career?

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Jan

That’s an excellent point, Paul.
I think you’re right. He needed both the 77 and the iconic SCG knock.
I guess the other point is that the SCG ton was a very fluid, well played innings; which would have given the selectors a lot of comfort.

The shot: Can one moment define a career?

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Cricket
 
Jan

Thanks Pope Paul!
Those were two terrific innings which Steve played against the Windies. You’re right about his back foot cover drive – up on is toes – being iconic. It’s also what I remember him for in the Ashes series in 1989.
The 1988 Windies juggernaut is often treated as a replay of the 1984 juggernaut. The result may have been the same with Windies winning the first three Tests and Australia winning on a spinning pitch in Sydney…the only difference being which Test was drawn and at which venue.
But I reckon Australia was much more competitive in 88/89…Steve’s twin 90s being evidence of that fact.

The shot: Can one moment define a career?

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Cricket
 
Jan

Pretty cool being defined by two poorly executed shots!!!! 😛 😛 😛

The shot: Can one moment define a career?

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Jan

Thanks Paul.
I remember listening to Skull and Agnew live at the ground. Also, the best Secret Santa gift I ever got was a CD of Skull’s best commentary moments (together with some studio content) which included about ten minutes of commentary from that evening. It starts with Steve entering his 90s with 11 balls to go in the day. It’s a brilliant study in how to commentate “in the moment”. For all his tomfoolery, Skull is actually a remarkably intuitive and insightful commentator.
I do have a question for you…
Imagine Steve had either defended that last ball or been dismissed. Would his career still have been saved?
If scoring 98 would have saved his career…what’s the difference between this innings and the 77 he scored at the MCG the week before?
And if only a ton would save his career, why?

The shot: Can one moment define a career?

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Jan

All good examples, All Day, of an iconic moment which might define a batting career…although four are more remembered for their bowling…

The shot: Can one moment define a career?

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Cricket
 
Jan

Thanks All Day…

I couldn’t work the Slater / Taylor attempt to chase down 440 into “a moment”.

But the rain delay, with Aust 0-220 (or thereabouts) was my biggest disappointment at the SCG. Absent the rain, we were a real chance, I reckon.

But Slats got caught in the deep shortly after the resumption and Aust lost momentum…

My top ten SCG Test moments

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Cricket
 
Jan

Well…they may be playing sub-NBA in the States, competing in the local Caribbean comps or just mucking around at the local gym with their friends.

We shouldn’t assume those potential fast bowlers who decided to play basketball, rather than cricket, proceeded to forge successful careers at the highest level.

My top ten SCG Test moments

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Cricket
 
Jan

My grandad and I were probably sitting next to you in the Noble, Lukestar!

That was the second time I attended all five days of a Test match. Certainly an historic one with retirements of Chappell, Lillee and Marsh…and also, although nobody knew it at the time, the last time Kim Hughes would play a Test at the SCG and the last time he would pass 50 in a Test match innings.

My top ten SCG Test moments

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Cricket
 
Jan

I’ve heard it suggested that the demise of West Indian cricket can be traced to the advent of Cable TV – and the prevalence of US sport on the likes of ESPN – in the Caribbean. Many of their potentially great fast bowlers have chosen to play basketball instead…

My top ten SCG Test moments

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Cricket
 
Jan

Oh wow! That makes me really happy. Thanks for letting me know, Paul. 😁
Good luck with the spousal disclosure. 😛

My top ten SCG Test moments

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Cricket
 
Jan

Thanks JGK.
I’ve explained my exclusion of the Steve Waugh last ball ton above…but, look, it would be in my top 10, I just couldn’t think of a different angle when I was writing.
The other thing about the Steve Waugh ton is that it’s frequently overlooked that Australia proceeded to lose that Test.
I remember the 3 late wickets on Day 2 of the 1983 Ashes Test, particularly Henry Lawson jagging one back to bowl Tavare.
I also remember Warne bowling Basit Ali around his legs. Healy even called the play and Ali still fell for it.

My top ten SCG Test moments

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Cricket
 
Jan

I only have very vague memories of that summer…which is odd because my first memories of cricket are Lillee and Thommo giving it to the Poms in 74/75. The Windies really turned it around in subsequent summers, didn’t they!
I didn’t spend much time on the Hill, but I did spend some time in the Walters’ Stand, looking down on the Hillites, before I became a member. It was a very rowdy place back in the 80’s! The SCG certainly is a bit more clinical these days.

My top ten SCG Test moments

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Cricket
 
Jan

Thanks again Paul.
You’re right. The first time I walked into the SCG, at about 10 years old, it was an awe-inspiring experience.
We only had a black and white TV, back then, so the first thing which struck me was how colourful the scene was…even with the players wearing whites.
And, as a youngster, the stands looked immense. Like cathedrals!
As you may have guessed, I had some affection for the Sheridan Stand, although I think I only sat there once or twice for some McDonalds Cup matches…back in the day. There was something about the look of the Sheridan Stand that appealed to me. I was quite sad when they tore it down…although I understand that the administrators held their breath and prayed every time it was full.

My top ten SCG Test moments

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Cricket
 
Jan
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