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"Serious sport has nothing to do with fair play. It is bound up with hatred, jealousy, boastfulness, disregard of all rules and sadistic pleasure in witnessing violence: in other words, it is war minus the shooting." - George Orwell
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I rate England Test skipper Joe Root highly as a batsman, but I’ve always found it a bit silly that he often gets included in the same sentence as Virat Kohli, Steve Smith and Kane Williamson.
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you would know that Melbourne Storm hooker Cameron Smith played his record-setting 400th NRL game on Saturday night.
After the opening game of the 2019 State of Origin series, and particularly after the announcement of the New South Wales Blues squad for Game 2, coach Brad Fittler faced some intense media scrutiny. How intense? When even Buzz Rothfield – not a man prone to admitting he was wrong – is apologising, it indicates […]
The belief that star centre Latrell Mitchell would get dropped from the NSW Blues team for State of Origin 2 started gaining momentum on Saturday, and then the bombshell was confirmed just after 6pm on Sunday night.
Every now and then, you get asked a question for which the answer seems so blatantly obvious, that you feel it’s ridiculous it was even asked.
I’ve waited a week to write down my thoughts on what the New South Wales Blues should do in response to their loss in the opening game of the State of Origin series.
It was an innings few Australian cricket fans will forget, for a variety of different reasons. I refer to, of course, Andrew Symonds’ brilliant 143 not out versus Pakistan in Australia’s opening game of the 2003 World Cup in South Africa.
Oh great, another piece about Ben Simmons and his jump shot. Or, more specifically, his lack of one. Surely it’s all been said by now, and there is nothing new to discuss on this topic.
The 2019 NRL season is in diapers, still only weeks old, and yet I’m already being forced into saying something that I know I’m going to get criticised for.
For the last few seasons, I’ve written an overreactions piece after the first round of the NRL, as a tongue-in-cheek way to poke fun at those that read too much into one, early-season, round of footy games.
I don’t know about you, but I think 80 minutes of football from each of the 16 clubs in the NRL is more than enough evidence to make some sweeping assessments and adjudications for the entire season.
The Los Angeles Lakers 2018-19 season may well be remembered as the worst in the franchise’s long history.
Fans across the country are optimistically proclaiming “It’s our year!” The News Limited scribes are frothing at the mouth, ready to unleash thousands of ‘crisis’ articles. Off-season scandals will now give way to scandals of the in-season variety.
When you sign the best player in the league – and arguably the greatest player of all time – while he’s still in his prime, your goal for the season should be the NBA championship.
With Australia’s loss in the Gavaskar-Border series complete, the post-mortem on what went wrong has already begun.
With stories circulating that Carmelo Anthony’s time with the Houston Rockets will “soon be ending”, and few – if any – teams in need of his services, it’s an appropriate time to look back on the career and legacy of the man they call ‘Melo’.
The first week of the 2018-19 NBA season has been completed, and it’s always hard to not overreact to what you’ve witnessed after just three or four games played by each team.
This annual tradition – where I revisit my pre-season rugby league predictions – is both my most dreaded piece to write each year, yet also the one I most look forward to.
After Penrith’s crushing, one-point loss to the Sharks on Friday night, there was footage of Ivan Cleary consoling his son, Nathan, in a show of family support.
I’m genuinely bemused here! (not trying to be difficult!). I said: “ . . . while Smith has a significant lead in the Test arena, he’s well behind the other three in the shorter formats of the game.”
And then stated that many people consider Test cricket the pinnacle and ultimate judge of a cricketer?
Why does Joe Root get mentioned with Smith, Kohli and Williamson?
Does that mean you call yourself Ryan?!
Why does Joe Root get mentioned with Smith, Kohli and Williamson?
Bushy, how can it be selective, if I included stats for all four players from all three formats?!
Why does Joe Root get mentioned with Smith, Kohli and Williamson?
Ronan, I can handle being confused for you by other people, but by you as well?!
Why does Joe Root get mentioned with Smith, Kohli and Williamson?
Cheers Paul – thanks for the clarification.
It’s true that many factors play into the performance of a batsmen over a period of time. Quality of opposition/bowlers, the wickets played on, match circumstances/position of the game, teammates, off-field issues, etc, etc.
One could argue the pressure of captaining India (and their rabid fan base) should be factored in for Kohli. Likewise, Williamson plays with little to no media pressure, unlike the markets of the other 3.
In the end, the hypotheticals and conjecture may all cancel each other out? Who knows!
Why does Joe Root get mentioned with Smith, Kohli and Williamson?
Paul, I take your points, but on the captaincy point, don’t forget Smith, Williamson an Kohli have scored the bulk of their runs when they were skipper themselves, so Root can’t get leniency for the having the pressure of captaincy, when the others all performed with it.
Why does Joe Root get mentioned with Smith, Kohli and Williamson?
Fair Sprucey, but don’t forget it works both ways. If 5 or 6 of those 42 fifties were ducks, his average would be 47. If 10 of them were ducks, his average would be 43.
(Forgive my dodgy maths!)
Why does Joe Root get mentioned with Smith, Kohli and Williamson?
Missed most of his best work, or was too young to really appreciate him/it.
Why all the hate for Cameron Smith?
Rob, I think we’re going around in circles. Possibly even octagons, if I’m honest. I believe Andrew Johns is the best player I’ve seen play. That’s my opinion. I have no issue with you thinking someone else; it’s relatively subjective, after all. However, I do have a problem with you trying to denigrate Johns brilliance. I think its entirely possible to believe someone isn’t the greatest player you’ve ever, but still unbelievably great.
Why all the hate for Cameron Smith?
Sure, happy to “Frozen” it up and let it go! Haha! But before I do, surely you’d have to admit that it’s a little silly calling out a few select examples over Johns’ entire career as evidence he’s not brilliant?
Why all the hate for Cameron Smith?
Should Johns’ NSW debut, at age 21, really be held against him as such a “big negative”?
Why all the hate for Cameron Smith?
Hilarious! This is actually hilarious! If you listed all the brilliant things Johns did in his career, and put them against your cherry-picked sample of Johns ‘mistakes’, this angle would be rendered silly very quickly.
Why all the hate for Cameron Smith?
I really don’t think Kyrgios or Johnson are even close to being fair comparisons to Andrew Johns. Kyrgios has never won a major, and Johnson struggled to maintain his form (and intimidation) for consistent/long periods of time. McGrath is a great proxy for Smith – no arguments there – but Shane Warne is better name to throw into the mix for someone to compare Johns to (for a number of reasons).
Why all the hate for Cameron Smith?
“And because the Storm have been my team since they entered the comp, I reserve my bias to nominate CSmith as the greatest player and CBellamy as the greatest Coach along with the Melbourne Storm being the best rugby league club.
Actually, that’s not even bias, it’s just a fact.” Brilliant!
Why all the hate for Cameron Smith?
You’ve shown your true colours here, Rob. If you can’t appreciate Andrew Johns brilliance, you’re no better than those that can’t appreciate Cam Smith’s.
Why all the hate for Cameron Smith?
Geez Rob – lots to unpack there. Not sure where to start. Maybe a couple of questions: How old was Johns in 1995? How many premierships do you think Johns wins if he plays with Slater, Inglis, etc?
Why all the hate for Cameron Smith?
With such a well-argued point, it’s hard to disagree . . .
Why all the hate for Cameron Smith?
I think Joey combined Smith’s incredible football IQ, with some pretty freaky amazing skill. He’s my number one all-time, and by a considerable margin. (Of course, I fully appreciate that’s my view – not trying to claim it as fact!)
Why all the hate for Cameron Smith?
I will always defend Twitter. Sure, there’s the odd (many?!) keyboard warrior idiot/troll on there, but in terms of keeping up to date with sport, and conversing ‘in the moment’, it remains a brilliant platform.
Why all the hate for Cameron Smith?
Well, guess I better amnesty my “Blues will win 3 zip” prediction…
Bring out your dead: The 2019 NRL prediction amnesty
I’m sure that narrative will pop up again at some point, Paul!
Yep, the jury is still out on Freddy. The piece was less an affirmation on his coaching ability (despite the last line of the article) and more a comment on his strength of character, and his impressive qualities.
Brad Fittler’s response to the doubters and critics: What, me worry?
Why is England the toughest place to bat? Is there any evidence to back that up?
Why does Joe Root get mentioned with Smith, Kohli and Williamson?