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Nice article Peter. But as for cricket being a “gentleman’s game” … I believe this to be a myth. The characters in the 1880’s and 90’s played it tough. No shortage of intimidating short-pitched bowling. (not to mention players being banned for gambling and brawling.) Jardine played it tough but within the rules. And I was at the SCG in 1971 when John Snow bowled bouncers against our tailenders seriously hurting Terry Jenner. Ray Illingworth, though not of the “upper class”, was of similar character to Jardine – strong, and determined to win in Australia.
On the trail of Douglas Jardine
Such an incredible series! But infuriating from an Australian point of view. I was in the wilds of Cape York. I listened night after night on my little radio, the commentary fading in and out. It was probably the best Australian team of all time. Hayden didn’t fire. Nor Gilchrist. Nor Gillespie or Brett Lee. (No balls galore!) Ponting’s captaincy lacked imagination. Poor umpiring saw Damian Martyn given out wrongly and he was dropped from the team. Poms were constantly taking their fast bowlers off the field, resting them. That run out of Ponting by specialist fielder Pratt!!! But England, perennial losers, played beyond all expectations. It was a wonderful summer! Best since 1902!!
My top five moments of the 2005 Ashes
Verity?? Nowhere near Anderson’s class and achievements.
The greatest England Test XI this century
The heavy wet season in Cairns after Xmas doesn’t help I suppose either, Micko. Lot of mining goes on in the FNQ hinterland too,(fly-in-fly-out), so some club cricketers affected by being unable to play regularly. Jimmy Maher grew up in Babinda, not far from Cairns. But he was born in Innisfail. Queensland and West Indian test batsman Brendan Nash grew up in Cairns (I played against him – he was a smooth timing batsman already at 16 years of age, and had no trouble facing our gnarly cunning old bowlers!) Only Townsville Test player I can think of is Mitchell Johnson, so they’re not much better than us.
Born to rule: Which cities have produced the best Test players?
It is based on tourism now Micko, but not really that many rich people. It does have a pretty good sports culture. A lot of Torres Strait and indigenous people. But we don’t see many big games up here. In the old days I’ve seen Pakistan, Windies and Sri Lanka play in Cairns, but now touring teams don’t come. There was a winter Test match 20 years ago, very successful, but this hasn’t been continued for some reason.
Born to rule: Which cities have produced the best Test players?
Can’t find any test cricketers born in Cairns. Maybe because most of the talent doesn’t bother to relocate 2000 km to Brisbane to be noticed.
Born to rule: Which cities have produced the best Test players?
(I thought there were quite a few, but the only other one I can find is Doug Bracewell.) A lot of good Kiwi cricketers went to school here though, Trent Boult, many other Bracewells, and … Brendan Julian!
Born to rule: Which cities have produced the best Test players?
My old city, Tauranga, though quite large by NZ standards, interestingly boasted until recently not one Test cricketer born here. However now there are quite a few, including Kane Williamson.
Born to rule: Which cities have produced the best Test players?
Well I support Annesley here. Full marks to him being honest. I hope the refs and touch judges listen to his statement. I’m sick of flat passes being called forward passes, and wonderful tries being disallowed by pedantic touchies and refs. Luckily it’s happening less now. And moreover I’m sick of dropped balls being ruled as knock-ons, even if they’ve gone straight down or backwards. Half the time the commentators don’t even question it, muttering about loose carries. My point is, a knock forward should be exactly that. It must go clearly forward. Otherwise play on. There are enough stoppages as it is.
NRL admits Manly were dudded by wrong call
I disagree Micko about Hayden and Morris. Although one of the dominant openers of his day, Morris didn’t face particularly strong bowlers. England were weak when he played. Only Alec Bedser was a consistently good bowler for England. West Indies were also weak. Ditto India. By the time he faced a good bowling attack, Tyson and Statham in 1954, he didn’t do well. Hayden faced better bowling attacks and consistently made runs. I’d pick Hayden.
Australia's greatest ever Test XI
I couldn’t stand Hair. Had that air of absolute power about him. Humourless. Like one of those school prefects who takes himself so seriously. I particularly didn’t like him when he gave Martin Crowe out LBW twice at least v Australia when Martin, in the 40’s, was batting sublimely, and the ball was clearly missing leg stump. Arrogant demeanor. (I also thought Billy Bowden a below average umpire, nowhere near Test standard, though I didn’t mind his Charlie Chaplin antics.)
What makes a great cricket umpire?
I’d like 2 NZ teams, North Island and South Islander. Us North Islanders have never liked South Islanders, and southerners dislike us even more. I’m surprised marketers haven’t exploited this rivalry before. it’d be great!!
A bold plan for a trans-Tasman BBL
I was thinking of Gary Jack too – the way he charged back with gusto after taking a kick.
Is Johnathan Thurston really better than Andrew Johns?
My all time Aussie T20 team :- Warner, Trumper, Bradman, Border, S. Waugh, Gilchrist, K.Miller, Warne, Lillee, Bracken, McGrath. 12th man, Andrew Symonds.
Australia's born-too-early T20 XII
Nice writing Tiger .. plenty of memories .. thanks.
The most popular English captain in Australia
Yeah, when asked about it he said he was trying to find out who we were playing!!
Australian cricket’s great entertainers squad
South Africa would have a fair V side with their vans and van ders.
The Australian cricket all-time great alphabet teams: Letter V
You could include Andrew Symonds in this mix. Took a long time before they picked him in the Test team. A fantastic cricketer! They didn’t even pick him in the World Cup one day squad (2000?) despite his incredibly aggressive batting and sustained accurate bowling, medium or offies. I would’ve included him for his fielding alone!!
The underachievers of Australian cricket in the 1990s
Hi sheek,
My post of “Yes…” was unfortunately and erroneously placed after Dominic’s “you’re calling for the death of league” , whereas I wrote it as a response to the author’s headline about the unification of the two codes. I’m not at all a die-hard union fan although I was raised in a union area of NZ and have never actually played league. But I’ve lived in far North Queensland for 50 years and have come to love league (“Go Cowboys!”). I hate the boring long-winded union scrums. And aspects of the league rules could be changed too. A media entrepreneur could make a good amalgamation of the 2 codes. They really are quite similar (ask a German!). League was only invented so the lower classes could get involved (Sunday play and getting paid for playing). Now everyone plays Sundays and gets paid. Time to unify!!
Is the time now right for the reunification of the rugby codes?
Yes!! I’ve been urging it for years!!!!!
Is the time now right for the reunification of the rugby codes?
Not being shown on free-to-air-TV doesn’t help. (Only a small percentage of my friends have pay-TV).
The Wrap: Lazy thinking reinforces rugby’s negative narrative
That semifinal with Aussies and South Africa was fantastic. But IMO best one-dayer ever was last year’s final between NZ and England.
The Australian cricket all-time great alphabet teams: Letter F
I’m an avid Cwboys supporter but would not select Drinkwater for a rep team .. yet! His defense is questionable. He’s unreliable under a high ball and he misses tackles. (Brilliant attacker though!)
Selection Blues: Here’s a novel idea - a NSW team picked on current form instead of past reputation