NRL: The decade couldn't end without yet another typical media beat up, a journalist flat out reporting false news before being shot down. And again it is Mason in the headlines. The Sydney Morning Herald today reported "WILLIE MASON is set to resurrect his NRL playing career with Melbourne next season after agreeing to a two-year deal with the premiers yesterday" but then followed up this statement with the follow quote "I personally communicated to Willie Mason over a fortnight ago that we were not and would not be in a position to offer him a contract for 2010" from Storm chief executive Brian Waldron. That sounds pretty promising for Willie.
Cricket: New South Wales continue superb Twenty20 form beating Tasmania by 30 runs. The ball was flying everywhere at Bellerive, Warner broke the fastest Big Bash 50 record (18 balls) before Tim Paine sent a 6 out of the stadium and into orbit. Promising all rounder Steve Smith closed out the game with a 4 fa.
F1: Michael Schumacher decides his back isn't stuffed enough and his race start to win ratio is too high and so returns to the sport. Ralf tries to tag along.
Have a Happy New Year from TC Ink.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Wednesday Snapshot
Again a late one, but it is here never the less.
Cricket: Shane breaks Bond with test cricket... Again.
NRL Crook Watch: Dave Shillington arrested for drink driving. Only coal for you for Chrissy.
NRL: Gallen switch of clubs news all just a big media beat up. How suprising.
Winter Olympics: Fox to show four channels to really ask the most important question: Who gives a $&!%?
A very Merry Christmas to all!
Cricket: Shane breaks Bond with test cricket... Again.
NRL Crook Watch: Dave Shillington arrested for drink driving. Only coal for you for Chrissy.
NRL: Gallen switch of clubs news all just a big media beat up. How suprising.
Winter Olympics: Fox to show four channels to really ask the most important question: Who gives a $&!%?
A very Merry Christmas to all!
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
The Definition of a Good Pitch
I just read quite a good article on Cricinfo outlining aspects of cricket that we lost through the 2000's.
It comes to a section entitled "The definition of a good pitch".
This is 100% spot on. When someone describes a pitch as a "cracker", it doesn't actually mean a good pitch. It means a pitch that will produce a billion runs.
You may have noticed that lately I have had a go at pitches (Indian ones in particular) that are simply roads and pretty much hand you runs on a platter. These pitches are described as good, but really they are boring and one dimensional. I would describe them as "bad".
A good pitch is a pitch that rewards both good bowling and good batting and gives equal chances to both. Too many pitches these days make batting too easy.
It comes to a section entitled "The definition of a good pitch".
Give them a road, and they all - without giving it a second thought - call it a "good wicket". Give the bowler some uneven bounce or some seam movement and there are calls for the venue to be banned. "Last time we came here, the bowlers got false confidence and the batters were looking for technical problems that didn't exist," Sachin Tendulkar said during the ODI leg of India's tour of New Zealand earlier this year. Fair enough about the previous tour, but what did we have this time around? Flat tracks, small fields where edges and dabs went for sixes and fours, and consequently, big totals. Entertainment for everybody. Didn't the statistics give some of the batsmen false confidence this time around? Isn't all this boundary-hitting a bit nauseating? Shouldn't administrators give the spectators more credit? A 414 v 411 ODI is one played on a "good pitch". We have forgotten the language of cricket.
This is 100% spot on. When someone describes a pitch as a "cracker", it doesn't actually mean a good pitch. It means a pitch that will produce a billion runs.
You may have noticed that lately I have had a go at pitches (Indian ones in particular) that are simply roads and pretty much hand you runs on a platter. These pitches are described as good, but really they are boring and one dimensional. I would describe them as "bad".
A good pitch is a pitch that rewards both good bowling and good batting and gives equal chances to both. Too many pitches these days make batting too easy.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Wednesday Snapshot
Is it too late? Have they forgotten? Absolutely not!
We will not break our recent streak of Wednesday Snapshots, no matter how thin the sports news has been!
Cricket: Sri Lanka fall 3 runs short in their chase of an over 400 total set by India. Some question whether game was best ever, bowlers question the legal amount of concrete allowed in a pitch.
Meanwhile Roach finds some bounce in the WACA wicket to injure-out Ponting, but can't do enough to take a bag full of real wickets as Australia finish well in control.
NRL Crook Watch: Wicks' career put on ice.
Gallen pisses away another $10 k.
Friend no friend of the law.
Ok so not the busiest of Snapshots, but it will have to do! Hey, how about:
TC Ink: Technical difficulties and general business prevent gold new material from hitting the shores of TCInk.info. TC Ink boss TC Ink says pirating software is probably not the most reliable direction for progress.
We will not break our recent streak of Wednesday Snapshots, no matter how thin the sports news has been!
Cricket: Sri Lanka fall 3 runs short in their chase of an over 400 total set by India. Some question whether game was best ever, bowlers question the legal amount of concrete allowed in a pitch.
Meanwhile Roach finds some bounce in the WACA wicket to injure-out Ponting, but can't do enough to take a bag full of real wickets as Australia finish well in control.
NRL Crook Watch: Wicks' career put on ice.
Gallen pisses away another $10 k.
Friend no friend of the law.
Ok so not the busiest of Snapshots, but it will have to do! Hey, how about:
TC Ink: Technical difficulties and general business prevent gold new material from hitting the shores of TCInk.info. TC Ink boss TC Ink says pirating software is probably not the most reliable direction for progress.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Sydney 500 Review
The first ever Sydney street race, the Sydney 500 at Homebush, attracted over 160 000 fans last weekend.
The track itself is quite exciting, unlike a lot of street circuits there are decent passing opportunities. Turn 8 in particular which Alex Davison found out and used to his advantage and our entertainment as he shot passed car after car. The funny thing was, whenever a driver was passed on that turn, they were forced wide and due to the lack of grip they struggled to pull the car up and went spearing into the fence or up the run off area. This happened every second or this pass.
Olympic Park is a great area for a street race. Simply because of the amount of space there is out there. While at a place like Surfers (Indy) you constantly feel crowded on the paths of the city, there are thousands of people everywhere. Out at Homebush there is plenty of room midfield, the wide expanse around the Olympic Stadium, and there is plenty of breathing space.
We were perched on the fence near the previously mentioned turn 8. We had a decent view of proceedings and a big screen to help us keep on top of what was happening in the race. We walked around pretty much the entire circuit before the V8 race, checking out possible spots to watch and decided to return to turn 8. It was a good decision. Another good spot would have been the final few turns before pit straight, where we watched qualifying. That was good as well. But I think to get the most out of it you really need to get into a grandstand. We had to move around a bit and stretch our necks to see up the road or to the screen, but having a grandstand pass would have made things much easier and more relaxed. However we never planned to that this year, it was more of an exploration day. Now we know for next time.
The race itself was quite good. James Courtney produced a brilliant drive, showing intent early in the race to get himself into the lead. Jason Bright did a brilliant job to grab the lead at one stage, I was quite excited for them as it would be a great way to see the team leave after all the troubles they have been through. However a drive through resulting from an unsafe release from the pits put an unfortunate end to that. Courtney was unfazed and took the Jim Beam car to victory. Hopefully a seen of things to come next year.
Idiots of the day include a guy fuming up pit straight whinging about the amount of people. "You cant see anything this is bull%#$@". And also when we got off the bus some lady: "Look at that. Holy %#$@, it's massive!". Must be from out town, or never been to the races before.
Legend of the day was some guy and his mate on the bus home. They were absolutely hammered, apparently they managed to break into a corporate marquee. Free booze all day.
The track itself is quite exciting, unlike a lot of street circuits there are decent passing opportunities. Turn 8 in particular which Alex Davison found out and used to his advantage and our entertainment as he shot passed car after car. The funny thing was, whenever a driver was passed on that turn, they were forced wide and due to the lack of grip they struggled to pull the car up and went spearing into the fence or up the run off area. This happened every second or this pass.
Olympic Park is a great area for a street race. Simply because of the amount of space there is out there. While at a place like Surfers (Indy) you constantly feel crowded on the paths of the city, there are thousands of people everywhere. Out at Homebush there is plenty of room midfield, the wide expanse around the Olympic Stadium, and there is plenty of breathing space.
We were perched on the fence near the previously mentioned turn 8. We had a decent view of proceedings and a big screen to help us keep on top of what was happening in the race. We walked around pretty much the entire circuit before the V8 race, checking out possible spots to watch and decided to return to turn 8. It was a good decision. Another good spot would have been the final few turns before pit straight, where we watched qualifying. That was good as well. But I think to get the most out of it you really need to get into a grandstand. We had to move around a bit and stretch our necks to see up the road or to the screen, but having a grandstand pass would have made things much easier and more relaxed. However we never planned to that this year, it was more of an exploration day. Now we know for next time.
The race itself was quite good. James Courtney produced a brilliant drive, showing intent early in the race to get himself into the lead. Jason Bright did a brilliant job to grab the lead at one stage, I was quite excited for them as it would be a great way to see the team leave after all the troubles they have been through. However a drive through resulting from an unsafe release from the pits put an unfortunate end to that. Courtney was unfazed and took the Jim Beam car to victory. Hopefully a seen of things to come next year.
Idiots of the day include a guy fuming up pit straight whinging about the amount of people. "You cant see anything this is bull%#$@". And also when we got off the bus some lady: "Look at that. Holy %#$@, it's massive!". Must be from out town, or never been to the races before.
Legend of the day was some guy and his mate on the bus home. They were absolutely hammered, apparently they managed to break into a corporate marquee. Free booze all day.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Wednesday Snapshot
V8 Supercars: Sydney 500 a raging success. 160k fans over 3 days turned up to watch the motor racing event (and those guys playing music). In the final race of the season, champion Jamie Whincup got accustomed to how driving a Holden will be for him next year by crashing into a wall and pitting on numerous occasions, while James Courtney showed that he could be the one to step up for Ford next year.
AFL: The Western Sydney AFL marquee at the V8 event on the weekend was nearly as popular as a Gold Coast A League game.
Cricket: Vastly overrated Australian cricketer Michael Clarke has pushed his average over 50 after the in form batsman hit 61 not out to force a draw in Adelaide.
NRL: Bird flies to the Gold Coast and adds to the NRL crook watch list for next year.
AFL: The Western Sydney AFL marquee at the V8 event on the weekend was nearly as popular as a Gold Coast A League game.
Cricket: Vastly overrated Australian cricketer Michael Clarke has pushed his average over 50 after the in form batsman hit 61 not out to force a draw in Adelaide.
NRL: Bird flies to the Gold Coast and adds to the NRL crook watch list for next year.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Wednesday Snapshot
Weather: Summer greets Sydney with showers and shivers.
Cricket: Star bowler Ben Hilfenhaus ruled out of 2nd test against Windies. Windies rule out any chance of an improved performance.
Sri Lanka have won the toss and chosen to drive - I mean bat first in their 2nd test against India in Mumbai.
NRL: Roosters consider name change to Bondi, which they claim is a well recognised area of Australia. Of course, Sydney definitely isn't. Such a change would immediately improve their on and off field performances and also uphold traditional aspects of the club. End sarcasm.
Golf: Tiger Woods speculated to have hit more than just a hole in one.
Music: Them Crooked Vultures announce 2nd Sydney show, on sale this week. Woohoo!
Cricket: Star bowler Ben Hilfenhaus ruled out of 2nd test against Windies. Windies rule out any chance of an improved performance.
Sri Lanka have won the toss and chosen to drive - I mean bat first in their 2nd test against India in Mumbai.
NRL: Roosters consider name change to Bondi, which they claim is a well recognised area of Australia. Of course, Sydney definitely isn't. Such a change would immediately improve their on and off field performances and also uphold traditional aspects of the club. End sarcasm.
Golf: Tiger Woods speculated to have hit more than just a hole in one.
Music: Them Crooked Vultures announce 2nd Sydney show, on sale this week. Woohoo!
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Sydney to Finally Quench V8 Thirst
It has been a year since we said goodbye to Oran Park, and what a long year it has been. We have sat through every other city's V8 event waiting and waiting for our turn to arrive. But at long last the Sydney 500 has arrived and the V8 fans of Sydney finally get a taste of the 2009 action.
The Homebush Street race may be shaping up to be one of the biggest events on not only the V8 Calender, but the national sporting calender. First class Aussie bands and artists have been brought in to perform and from there the 3 day carnival has been promoted to death. Honestly, I have never seen a V8 weekend advertised as much as Homebush, except for maybe Indy.
Great entertainment on and off the track is guaranteed for a great value ticket price. Whincup will be crowned as the 2009 champion, while every other driver goes nuts trying to claim the first ever victories at the circuit and also the final races of the season. The track is set to be packed out. What could one possibly worry about?
See this is where things get frustrating for the dead set motor sport fans of Sydney. Real fans would much prefer to go to watch the V8s at our wasted Eastern Creek Raceway or our lost Oran Park. These are proper tracks, where you can see a lot of the circuit from most vantage points. The day becomes a picnic, you set up your spot and enjoy the day at the races. Street circuits are completely different. You may see the cars fly down the straight, then they disappear out of sight. At some points you may only see them come around a corner, then they are gone around another. You end up spending a lot of the time watching the big screen, if you are lucky enough to be positioned near one, to know what is happening in the race, what is going on at other parts of the circuit. There are no hills to sit on and spread yourself out, its either all concrete and/or too packed with people. To get a grandstand spot you have to pay a packet for.
Therefore these rounds attract more of the people who go for the party, and don't care too much for the racing. It is not ideal for the hard core racing fan.
But all this stuff wouldn't normally bother me, it is part and parcel of a street race event. We had our two rounds at our much loved permanent tracks, which I always looked forward too, and if I went to Indy I would enjoy the different environment.
Now we don't have those other two rounds. Thanks to the short sightedness of V8SCA a street race is all we have. Obviously not much could be done about losing Oran Park. But we have a world class facility at Eastern Creek that is not used, simply because two organisations don't get along too well. The fact is that the V8 fans of Sydney love going out to watch them go round at Eastern Creek. But unfortunately Tony Cochrane and his colleagues have killed it off.
This article caught my attention today.
"When he announced last week that nearly 140,000 tickets had been presold for Olympic Park, he pointed out that was about three times the usual attendance at Eastern Creek. 'Eastern Creek was unfortunately originally built as a bike track,' Cochrane said. 'It's not a very popular track for motor racing fans.'"
Wrong Cochrane, wrong. You think motor racing fans would prefer to watch at a street circuit? You have deliberately killed off Eastern Creek, you held it on abnormal dates, long weekends, Monday public holidays and didn't advertise to a single household. The rounds slipped by without a lot of people realising. Before you started doing this, when it was promoted properly, the Eastern Creek weekend was hugely popular, it got packed. Geoff Arnold is pretty much 100% spot on with his comments. Unfortunately what you don't see that you are doing, Mr Cochrane, is that you are slowly decaying interest in V8s amongst Sydney siders. My interest this year was at an all time low and I put some of the blame on the fact that I haven't had Eastern Creek or Oran Park to look forward to.
Next year we start with 2 rounds in the Middle East. Good one genius I'm sure the waves of heat and their tumbleweed mates will really enjoy the spectacle. Meanwhile back in Sydney, the fans forget for another year and interest wavers even more, with nothing to grab the imagination of fans.
I can't wait for Sunday, when we head out to Homebush for the first ever Sydney street race. It will be a great day I'm sure. But it will never match the excitement of heading off early in the morning to get a spot on the fence at Eastern Creek. And as for reigniting my enthusiasm for V8 Supercars? Well I'll have to wait and see.
The Homebush Street race may be shaping up to be one of the biggest events on not only the V8 Calender, but the national sporting calender. First class Aussie bands and artists have been brought in to perform and from there the 3 day carnival has been promoted to death. Honestly, I have never seen a V8 weekend advertised as much as Homebush, except for maybe Indy.
Great entertainment on and off the track is guaranteed for a great value ticket price. Whincup will be crowned as the 2009 champion, while every other driver goes nuts trying to claim the first ever victories at the circuit and also the final races of the season. The track is set to be packed out. What could one possibly worry about?
See this is where things get frustrating for the dead set motor sport fans of Sydney. Real fans would much prefer to go to watch the V8s at our wasted Eastern Creek Raceway or our lost Oran Park. These are proper tracks, where you can see a lot of the circuit from most vantage points. The day becomes a picnic, you set up your spot and enjoy the day at the races. Street circuits are completely different. You may see the cars fly down the straight, then they disappear out of sight. At some points you may only see them come around a corner, then they are gone around another. You end up spending a lot of the time watching the big screen, if you are lucky enough to be positioned near one, to know what is happening in the race, what is going on at other parts of the circuit. There are no hills to sit on and spread yourself out, its either all concrete and/or too packed with people. To get a grandstand spot you have to pay a packet for.
Therefore these rounds attract more of the people who go for the party, and don't care too much for the racing. It is not ideal for the hard core racing fan.
But all this stuff wouldn't normally bother me, it is part and parcel of a street race event. We had our two rounds at our much loved permanent tracks, which I always looked forward too, and if I went to Indy I would enjoy the different environment.
Now we don't have those other two rounds. Thanks to the short sightedness of V8SCA a street race is all we have. Obviously not much could be done about losing Oran Park. But we have a world class facility at Eastern Creek that is not used, simply because two organisations don't get along too well. The fact is that the V8 fans of Sydney love going out to watch them go round at Eastern Creek. But unfortunately Tony Cochrane and his colleagues have killed it off.
This article caught my attention today.
"When he announced last week that nearly 140,000 tickets had been presold for Olympic Park, he pointed out that was about three times the usual attendance at Eastern Creek. 'Eastern Creek was unfortunately originally built as a bike track,' Cochrane said. 'It's not a very popular track for motor racing fans.'"
Wrong Cochrane, wrong. You think motor racing fans would prefer to watch at a street circuit? You have deliberately killed off Eastern Creek, you held it on abnormal dates, long weekends, Monday public holidays and didn't advertise to a single household. The rounds slipped by without a lot of people realising. Before you started doing this, when it was promoted properly, the Eastern Creek weekend was hugely popular, it got packed. Geoff Arnold is pretty much 100% spot on with his comments. Unfortunately what you don't see that you are doing, Mr Cochrane, is that you are slowly decaying interest in V8s amongst Sydney siders. My interest this year was at an all time low and I put some of the blame on the fact that I haven't had Eastern Creek or Oran Park to look forward to.
Next year we start with 2 rounds in the Middle East. Good one genius I'm sure the waves of heat and their tumbleweed mates will really enjoy the spectacle. Meanwhile back in Sydney, the fans forget for another year and interest wavers even more, with nothing to grab the imagination of fans.
I can't wait for Sunday, when we head out to Homebush for the first ever Sydney street race. It will be a great day I'm sure. But it will never match the excitement of heading off early in the morning to get a spot on the fence at Eastern Creek. And as for reigniting my enthusiasm for V8 Supercars? Well I'll have to wait and see.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
Posts
