Roar Pro
Joined February 2010
31k
Views
17
Published
142
Comments
Published
Comments
The Lord Saviour has returned! No, I'm not referring to the long-haired dude with the beard who died for our sins more than two…
[caption id="attachment_24524" caption="Australian cricket team captain Ricky Ponting, left, talks with the chief selector Andrew Hilditch right, during a team training session at the…
[caption id="attachment_22132" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Australia\'s Mitchell Johnson celebrates after taking the wicket of England\'s Graham Onions. AAP Images"][/caption] There's no doubt Mitchell Johnson will…
[caption id="attachment_20860" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Shane Warne, Image: Jenny Evans, AAP"][/caption] Call me crazy, call me kooky, but allow me for one moment to entertain…
Campbell Brown’s move from Hawthorn to the Gold Coast Suns was AFL’s worst kept secret. Although his recent inclusion is a not a major…
Ex-Adelaide player, now Perth Demons coach, Andrew Jarman, recently announced on Perth radio station 6PR that he heard a rumour that Chris Judd was…
"We're a happy team at Hawthorn" is the first line of Hawthorn's team song, and it's been sung many a time through the club's…
A Fremantle Dockers fan once said the following to me: “Although the Eagles won the premiership in 2006, the Dockers were the true premiers…
[caption id="attachment_16789" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Brendan Fevola of Carlton comforts Ben Cousins of Richmond as Cousins hobbles from the field during the AFL Round 01…
There's a lot of love going around for gun Fremantle recruit Michael Barlow at the moment, especially from the Fremantle football club, their fans,…
[caption id="attachment_28112" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Nick Naitanui of the Eagles tackled by Brendon Lade of Port during the AFL Round 16 match between Port Adelaide…
The Gary Ablett Junior-Gold Coast saga continues to produce headlines in AFL circles, with the most recent emanating from the poster printed in a…
It’s always hard to see into the future and predict how an AFL season will pan out. Who would’ve predicted last year that the…
[caption id="attachment_20473" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Darren Jolly, Adam Goodes, Barry Hall and Michael O’Loughlin of the Swans after the loss in the AFL Round 13…
The AFL’s prolonged decision to introduce free agency has caused much debate in football circles, and most of it seems to be negative. The…
[caption id="attachment_28112" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Nick Naitanui of the Eagles tackled by Brendon Lade of Port during the AFL Round 16 match between Port Adelaide…
Looking forward to the next Australian summer, the question must be asked: Can Australia win back the Ashes against England? I hasten to say,…
Nice summation there Chris, but I just can’t agree on Cam White, he’s what Steve Smith will be like in 5 years time – bitsa everything that amounts to nothing.
I reckon they should give Dan Christian a crack too, but I think he just pinged his hammy so I don’t know.
Six steps to rebuild Australian cricket
Viscount,
I very much agree about getting in a decent coach. Would love to see Steve Waugh come in as coach but it ain’t gonna happen. As a matter of fact I would love to see guys like Taylor and Warne get involved with the game. Unfortunately there are bigger bucks in media than coaching, so while the greats go on to call the game, the fringe players take over the coaching roles, and wallah! 3-1
Six steps to rebuild Australian cricket
How disappointing was Hilfy? I had my reservations about Johnson but I thought Hilfenhaus would be our leading wicket taker.
Six steps to rebuild Australian cricket
Train,
It’s not all about averages and stats. The guys I put forward have the technique and mental resolve to play Test cricket. I honestly don’t think Hughes and Smith posess either attribute.
Watson’s average wasn’t too high either when they gave him a shot.
And I think Cameron White should stick to the shorter forms of the game.
Six steps to rebuild Australian cricket
With respect Sheek,
You’ve been misled by the title that was given to this article. The focus of this post was to suggest some immediate selection ideas for the Test side with an eye to the future. It was not an attempt to provide a full scale review of a rebuild of Australian cricket.
I agree a review must be conducted at all levels, but it should’ve been done after the 2009 Ashes defeat.
Six steps to rebuild Australian cricket
Yes certainly the captaincy is a massive issue, that’s one of the reasons why I think they are fast tracking Tim Paine. It’s a hard one.
Mitchell Starc is one of many good fast bowlers coming through, so it’s not all bleak – they just need to be chosen!
Six steps to rebuild Australian cricket
Haddin has been serviceable but he is only here for the short term – Australia needs to build with younger players now so they can peak at the right time.
If they are planning on picking Haddin as captain they might as well go with Katich instead.
Six steps to rebuild Australian cricket
Bell did not cheat – his actions were within the rules of the game so he’s allowed to call for a review.
The issue here is the technology – unless it is 100% reliable it should not be used at all. The accuracy of both Hot Spot and Hawkeye are not 100%.
The way it’s going we might as well not have umpires. Billy Bowden calling for a review on no-ball decisions was pathetic.
Botham should really have accused Ian Bell of cheating
Good article Geoff. I’d still back England from here, as much as it kills me to say it. As you pointed out there just aren’t enough contributors in the Aussie team. Phil Hughes is out of his depth and Steve Smith needs time. And I can’t see Beer doing much on debut. If Ponting doesn’t make runs in the Boxing Day test it could be all over.
How Australia can win the Ashes back from here
I agree that it’s North’s time to go, however, the next Test is at the WACA which means that there’s a good chance that he will stay in the side because he knows the WACA conditions so well. Katich’s injury also helps his cause.
Australia up against it as England take series lead
I totally agree with you Geoff – now is not the time for a rebuild, it’s time to grovel and ask experienced guys like Hodge and Stuey Clark to come back to the fold. But it won’t happen – they’ll bring back Johnson and Hauritz and throw some young batsmen into the fire. The shambles will continue unabated and I’ll have to watch a dead rubber at the ‘G on Boxing Day. Sigh.
I always bring this up, but I love it how Ponting declared the 2009 Ashes ghosts were laid to rest after they smattered the West Indies. Unless he pulls something out of his backside, the only thing he’ll be burying is his career.
Panic time yet for Australian cricket? You bet it is
I agree Katich is just the captain Australia need, but it’s too late.
Why are Clarke and Ponting not facing the axe?
Not sure if the England top 3 would be under pressure Brett, I reckon they’ll be seeing the ball like a beach ball. If you came into a game on the back of scoring a double ton I think you might be batting with some confidence.
Pressure aplenty as Ashes moves to Adelaide
Great post Bayman, love the high school captain bit! Great batsmen don’t always make great captains, and vice versa.
First Ashes Test offers much, but delivers little
I wouldn’t write Australia off just yet, even though there’s plenty to suggest otherwise it’s still early days and anything can happen. If there’s one thing I learned from the first test, along with many others, is not to speak to soon! Who would’ve thought Siddle would grab a 6 wicket bag in the first dig, and nobody predicted Hussey would almost knock off a double ton.
This is why England will retain the Ashes
A lot has been said about North’s and Johnson’s place in the side, but what about Ponting’s inept captaincy? He was following the ball everywhere. Bowl to a plan and stick to it!
Flat track or not, 1/517 is so very depressing … and that wicket went to a part-timer! Oh the pain.
M Clarke’s declaration that he was fit enough to play when quite clearly he wasn’t was a great act of selfishness.
First Ashes Test offers much, but delivers little
Ponting came out in a press conference and declared his man-love for Ryan Harris, so I reckon he may get the gig. Johnson will have to bowl like lightning in the nets to play in the Adelaide test.
Mitchell Johnson's career at a crossroads
You should’ve submitted this as an article mate! Message 2 is so very true. No wickets, 19-ball duck, dropped catch, what a horror.
First Ashes Test offers much, but delivers little
Let’s not forget North got a pretty decent delivery from Swann that could’ve troubled a few others. I’m more ticked off with Clarke playing when he’s clearly injured.
I still have hope for Johnson, but he’s not looking great.
Peter Siddle silences the critics with his hat-trick
How good was that hat-trick … hairs standing on the back of the neck stuff. I feel bad for bagging Siddle all this time. it was great watching him charge in.
Siddle Sizzles at the Gabba
The problem with Siddle is that he can’t sustain those bowling speeds for a long period of time, and when he starts to slow down he doesn’t have many tricks in the bag. I guess we’ll see tomorrow. Looks like he’ll be bowling on a good bowling wicket so it’ll be interesting to see how he goes.
Fifth ranked Aussies need to prove critics wrong
I very much agree with you about Nielsen, what does he do exactly?
Bollinger should’ve been picked, much better bowler than Siddle, he’s more capable of taking wickets. Ponting came out and said Siddle has played more cricket in the lead up and that’s why he was chosen instead. Sure he’s played more cricket, but it’s been poor cricket. Come on Ricky, quality over quantity.
Fifth ranked Aussies need to prove critics wrong
I have to disagree that Siddle can bowl – he bowls quick in his first spell, then he runs out of puff and runs out of ideas. I’ve heard he’s been working on his fitness which may help, and if he has he may prove me wrong.
Too bad Ryan Harris is injured, he may have got a gig.
Five things I'm hoping to see this Ashes summer
Yes that was a shocking performance. Poor excuse from Slater, having competition for spots is supposed to make you play better. I reckon Haddin will be working closely with the spinners this morning!
Six steps to rebuild Australian cricket