So I have decided to come out of hiding for one of Australia's biggest sporting events.
Mind you, we haven't been that dormant, for some recent TC Ink activity make sure you check out the TC Times.
Before you read any further in this article I will say - never take any punting advice from TC Ink. No matter what we say about any sport we are not experts nor are we lucky - especially when it comes to the horses.
Although I did pick Lion Tamer to win the Derby on the weekend... No. Don't trust me.
So So You Think is the talk of the town this year, this Bart Cummings trained horse having won 8 out of the 11 races of its career, including its last 5. But it has never run a race longer than 2040m. I have big doubts on whether the favourite can do it.
As for my tip, I have no idea. Many have said that this is one of the best Melbourne Cup fields ever, and I would have to agree.
Shocking's barrier draw of 24 has pushed his odds out, yet he won from barrier 21 last year.
I do like Profound Beauty and also perhaps Americain (can the internationals spoil the party?)
But after numourous further reviews that I will conduct before the race I am sure my tips will change. Stay tuned for more on TC Ink.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Hilfy Watch
The great outswing bowler is back!
He made a successful return for Australia A recently against Sri Lanka A in Brisbane.
Hilfy missed out in the first innings where spin dominated, however he contributed 42 with the bat to help Australia build an important lead.
He continued his batting form in the 2nd innnigs where he hit a half century. Who said the Hilf is a bunny?
5 wickets then came the way of Hilfy to clean up the Sri Lankans 2nd innings and give the Aussies a 100 run win.
Appropriately Hilfy has been named in the 14 man test squad to take on Pakistan in England, where he will surely regain his baggy green.
Congratulations to the Hilf, the upcoming Pakistan series will now definitely be worth watching!
He made a successful return for Australia A recently against Sri Lanka A in Brisbane.
Hilfy missed out in the first innings where spin dominated, however he contributed 42 with the bat to help Australia build an important lead.
He continued his batting form in the 2nd innnigs where he hit a half century. Who said the Hilf is a bunny?
5 wickets then came the way of Hilfy to clean up the Sri Lankans 2nd innings and give the Aussies a 100 run win.
Appropriately Hilfy has been named in the 14 man test squad to take on Pakistan in England, where he will surely regain his baggy green.
Congratulations to the Hilf, the upcoming Pakistan series will now definitely be worth watching!
Thursday, May 27, 2010
NSW Team I Would Like to See
Call my crazy but we need wholesale changes. This team excites me. I was a bit uncertain with the bench and the forwards (except the 2nd row). I tossed up whether to throw Hayne in on the bench.
1. Josh Dugan (Raiders)
2. Nathan Merritt (Rabbitohs)
3. Jamie Lyon (Sea Eagles)
4. Josh Morris (Bulldogs)
5. Brett Morris (Dragons)
6. Luke Lewis (Panthers)
7. Todd Carney (Roosters)
8. Brent Kite (Sea Eagles)
9. Michael Ennis (Bulldogs
10. Brett White (Storm)
11. Anthony Watmough (Sea Eagles)
12. Paul Gallen (Sharks)
13. Greg Bird (Titans)
14. Kurt Gidley (Knights)
15. Tom Learoyd-Lahrs (Raiders)
16. Michael Weyman (Dragons)
17. Ben Creagh (Dragons)
1. Josh Dugan (Raiders)
2. Nathan Merritt (Rabbitohs)
3. Jamie Lyon (Sea Eagles)
4. Josh Morris (Bulldogs)
5. Brett Morris (Dragons)
6. Luke Lewis (Panthers)
7. Todd Carney (Roosters)
8. Brent Kite (Sea Eagles)
9. Michael Ennis (Bulldogs
10. Brett White (Storm)
11. Anthony Watmough (Sea Eagles)
12. Paul Gallen (Sharks)
13. Greg Bird (Titans)
14. Kurt Gidley (Knights)
15. Tom Learoyd-Lahrs (Raiders)
16. Michael Weyman (Dragons)
17. Ben Creagh (Dragons)
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Round 10 Video Ref Shockers
Souths vs Tigers
Issac Luke scores after a Tigers knock on at the beginning of the game. Luke was ruled to have knocked the ball out of the Tiger player's hands but replays show that it is unclear whether Luke actually came into contact with the ball, but also that the ball traveled backwards towards Luke, so it should have been knocked back play on anyway. Terrible decision, and I was on Luke for first try scorer as well!
Raiders vs Storm
Towards half time Billy Slater spills a kick and Josh Dugan flies through, performs a superb pick up and scores. Replays show that a last grasp by Slater boggles the ball from Dugan's hands, but he regathers just before the ball touches the ground. Video ref rules No Try, scrum feed to Raiders? Dugan robbed of a clear try. Also quite a crucial decision with the score at 12-0 Storm. Mindless stuff.
Issac Luke scores after a Tigers knock on at the beginning of the game. Luke was ruled to have knocked the ball out of the Tiger player's hands but replays show that it is unclear whether Luke actually came into contact with the ball, but also that the ball traveled backwards towards Luke, so it should have been knocked back play on anyway. Terrible decision, and I was on Luke for first try scorer as well!
Raiders vs Storm
Towards half time Billy Slater spills a kick and Josh Dugan flies through, performs a superb pick up and scores. Replays show that a last grasp by Slater boggles the ball from Dugan's hands, but he regathers just before the ball touches the ground. Video ref rules No Try, scrum feed to Raiders? Dugan robbed of a clear try. Also quite a crucial decision with the score at 12-0 Storm. Mindless stuff.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
TC's Simple NSW Team Evaluation
1. Kurt Gidley (c) - WRONG
2. Brett Morris - Yep
3. Matt Cooper - Yep
4. Timana Tahu - Yep
5. Jarryd Hayne - WRONG
6. Jamie Lyon - NONONO
7. Brett Kimmorley - Yep
8. Michael Weyman - Yep
9. Michael Ennis - Yep
10. Josh Perry - Yep
11. Trent Waterhouse - Yep
12. Ben Creagh - Yep
13. Anthony Watmough - Yep
Interchange:
14. Jamal Idris - WTF! RUBBISH
15. Tom Learoyd-Lahrs - Yep
16. Luke Lewis - Yep
17. Brett White - Yep
Screw your heads back on selectors and pick a real team. However, NSW to win the series (because I am not one eyed at all).
2. Brett Morris - Yep
3. Matt Cooper - Yep
4. Timana Tahu - Yep
5. Jarryd Hayne - WRONG
6. Jamie Lyon - NONONO
7. Brett Kimmorley - Yep
8. Michael Weyman - Yep
9. Michael Ennis - Yep
10. Josh Perry - Yep
11. Trent Waterhouse - Yep
12. Ben Creagh - Yep
13. Anthony Watmough - Yep
Interchange:
14. Jamal Idris - WTF! RUBBISH
15. Tom Learoyd-Lahrs - Yep
16. Luke Lewis - Yep
17. Brett White - Yep
Screw your heads back on selectors and pick a real team. However, NSW to win the series (because I am not one eyed at all).
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Duckworth Rubbish
Testing out the blog on my mobile!
Thought I would comment on the rort of a twenty20 game this morning between the Windies and England. England did well to make 191 off their 20 before it rained and the game was reduced... To 6 overs. That's just stupid to begin with, but to make matters worse the Windies only had to hit 60 to win. Don't try and tell me this is in anyway fair. Duckworth Lewis can be dodgy at the best of times in ODIs, and if its going to work in t20 it seriously needs reviewing.
Thought I would comment on the rort of a twenty20 game this morning between the Windies and England. England did well to make 191 off their 20 before it rained and the game was reduced... To 6 overs. That's just stupid to begin with, but to make matters worse the Windies only had to hit 60 to win. Don't try and tell me this is in anyway fair. Duckworth Lewis can be dodgy at the best of times in ODIs, and if its going to work in t20 it seriously needs reviewing.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
NRL Crowds in 2010 So Far
The NRL has got off to a booming start in terms of their crowds numbers. Currently the average attendance per game is at 17 630, about 650 ahead of last years average.
12 of the 16 clubs are averaging over 15 000 a game, with the top 5 being:
- Broncos (35514)
- Rabbitohs (20078)
- Storm (19826)
- Tigers (19743)
- Eels (18540)
The Sharks (11 925) and Panthers (12 060) are last and second last respectively.
The Storm have got off to a very positive start, with their average being nearly 8 000 more than their 2009 average. The Bulldogs sit at 4 000 below last year's average.
Last weekend the Roosters became the first team to drop below the 10k mark for a game. In 2009 the first game to have below 10k attendance was in round 3, this year it has taken until round 6 - another positive.
Keep getting out the to games and help these positive numbers to continue!
12 of the 16 clubs are averaging over 15 000 a game, with the top 5 being:
- Broncos (35514)
- Rabbitohs (20078)
- Storm (19826)
- Tigers (19743)
- Eels (18540)
The Sharks (11 925) and Panthers (12 060) are last and second last respectively.
The Storm have got off to a very positive start, with their average being nearly 8 000 more than their 2009 average. The Bulldogs sit at 4 000 below last year's average.
Last weekend the Roosters became the first team to drop below the 10k mark for a game. In 2009 the first game to have below 10k attendance was in round 3, this year it has taken until round 6 - another positive.
Keep getting out the to games and help these positive numbers to continue!
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Hiatus
As you have probably noticed, activity on TC Ink suddenly died out completely after our last post 41 days ago on March 4.
We have just taken a temporary break and will hopefully be fueling things back up in the not too distant future.
For now here are some TC Ink tips for the NRL betting market this weekend.
Cowboys with a +10 start at 1.91 over the Knights
Souths to cover -2 at 1.91 against the Eels
Raiders at 2.75 or to be on the safe side with +6 at 1.91 over the Roosters
And perhaps Manly with +6.5 at 1.91 over Storm
We have just taken a temporary break and will hopefully be fueling things back up in the not too distant future.
For now here are some TC Ink tips for the NRL betting market this weekend.
Cowboys with a +10 start at 1.91 over the Knights
Souths to cover -2 at 1.91 against the Eels
Raiders at 2.75 or to be on the safe side with +6 at 1.91 over the Roosters
And perhaps Manly with +6.5 at 1.91 over Storm
Thursday, March 4, 2010
TE: A Week Later Smith Grabs 177 + Another Telegraph Poll
After last weeks protesting against Steve Smith playing Twenty20s for Australia, he returned home just in time to play for NSW in their Shield game against Tasmania, which began yesterday. Good thing he did too, because he has finished up this morning with a huge 177 runs. Now imagine if the Shield game had started a day or two earlier, and he couldn't make the beginning? What would be worth more, a solid 177 in the most disciplined form of the game to take his first class average up to nearly 55, or a bit of hit and giggle? Smith seems to have his batting well in order, but it is his leg spin bowling the selectors are interesting in at the moment. And bowling today will go a lot further to developing that part of his game than the 3 overs he bowled on Sunday.The Telegraph love their reader polls and they also love putting in the same typical questions every time they run one. Recently the annual NRL reader poll was conducted, which happens 2 or 3 times a year, and to be honest sometimes it felt like I was reading something from last year. One thing that shocked me however, was that they have finally removed the ridiculous, biased question about Souths relocating to the Central Coast. But then there were sections like, most over rated player, which Willie Mason defended his crown on. Honestly, does anyone still actually rate Mason? Everybody knows he has been rubbish for a while now, how could he be over rated? If he has a blinder for the Cowboys in round 1 he could be most under rated! In the same question, 8% voted for Benji Marshall... Yes. Great thinking. Then there were the usual questions about more games on Sunday, is food too expensive at games etc. that never have anything done about them. Oh well, at least these guys only have a limited time left running our game.
Mark Webber has been whinging about how unprofessional Formula 1 has looked with various teams scrambling around to fill grid places for 2010. Recently the US team crashed out, meaning there will now be only 24 cars. Look Mark, the fans love large grids and that's what it is all about right...? The so called professionalism of F1 is probably what has made it so, so boring in the past. It is heading in the right direction at the moment.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Monday Wrap
V8 Supercars and Jamie Whincup has defied my predictions (and hopes) 100% by taking out both races in Bahrain to make it 4 from 4 to start the season. Despite losing numerous spots off the grid in race 2, Whincup powered back through the field and fought off a brief charge from Mark Winterbottom to in the end comfortably complete a clean sweep of the Middle East. Van Gisbergen proved himself as a genuine chance to win races in 2010 after grabbing another podium and being generally strong all weekend. Ford fans can take heart from the fact that if Jamie does slip up, Winterbottom and Van Gisbergen will be ready to pounce.
To NRL and it was draws all round between the Rabbitohs and the Dragons on the weekend after the annual Charity Shield was deadlocked at 26-26 and the membership race to 10 000 ticketed members was declared a tie. Crowds were brilliant in all trial games over the weekend: 10 000 turned up in Darwin to watch Cowboys vs Titans, 18 000 watched the double header in Gosford, 17 000 New Zealanders turned up to watch their team have a hit out against Manly, the Dubbo Bulldogs Raiders clash attracted 8 000 and Knights Panthers 6 000 in Port Macquarie.
Cricket and the embarrassment continues for the West Indies, being demolished by ZIMBABWE of all countries in a Twenty20. Gayle may have been missing, but Chanderpaul and Bravo returned. The series is a real chance for Zimbabwe to re announce themselves on the international stage against a struggling West Indies team, and unless the Windies knuckle down I can really see it happening.
Tim Southee comprehensively showed up the Aussie quicks on a ridiculously flat deck in Christchurch. The super over failure marked the first defeat for the Aussies this summer. Southee was able to bowl a perfect over of yorkers which embarrassed the selected Aussie hitters, before Shaun 'the wild thing' Tait came on and really did bowl wild. Or maybe 'wide' is a better description. The lightning quick Aussie attack may be good on fast pitches, but on a flat wicket it comes down to pin point accuracy, the ability to execute yorker after yorker and they were shown up in this regard. The player of the match, Brendon McCullum, hit only the 2nd ever international T20 century. He was unbeaten on 116, and his innings consisted of simply incredible shots, including numerous scoops to fine leg for four and 6.
To NRL and it was draws all round between the Rabbitohs and the Dragons on the weekend after the annual Charity Shield was deadlocked at 26-26 and the membership race to 10 000 ticketed members was declared a tie. Crowds were brilliant in all trial games over the weekend: 10 000 turned up in Darwin to watch Cowboys vs Titans, 18 000 watched the double header in Gosford, 17 000 New Zealanders turned up to watch their team have a hit out against Manly, the Dubbo Bulldogs Raiders clash attracted 8 000 and Knights Panthers 6 000 in Port Macquarie.
Cricket and the embarrassment continues for the West Indies, being demolished by ZIMBABWE of all countries in a Twenty20. Gayle may have been missing, but Chanderpaul and Bravo returned. The series is a real chance for Zimbabwe to re announce themselves on the international stage against a struggling West Indies team, and unless the Windies knuckle down I can really see it happening.
Tim Southee comprehensively showed up the Aussie quicks on a ridiculously flat deck in Christchurch. The super over failure marked the first defeat for the Aussies this summer. Southee was able to bowl a perfect over of yorkers which embarrassed the selected Aussie hitters, before Shaun 'the wild thing' Tait came on and really did bowl wild. Or maybe 'wide' is a better description. The lightning quick Aussie attack may be good on fast pitches, but on a flat wicket it comes down to pin point accuracy, the ability to execute yorker after yorker and they were shown up in this regard. The player of the match, Brendon McCullum, hit only the 2nd ever international T20 century. He was unbeaten on 116, and his innings consisted of simply incredible shots, including numerous scoops to fine leg for four and 6.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Thursday Editorials
Brett Lee has pulled the curtain on his wonderful test career. There was nothing that ignited a crowd more than a Brett Lee thunderbolt smashing some poor batsman's stumps all over the place. Lee now has his sights set on the next World Cup, but you can't help but think that Lee's international career in all forms of the game is over. With a wealth of pace options including Harris, Bollinger, Johnson and McKay, Lee would have to dominate domestic cricket on return to rise above all these new guns in the minds of the selectors.
Steve Smith's international career got kick started this summer. He was a revelation in the field and he took some good wickets, yet to me Smith seems very, very raw. And throwing him into the Twenty20 scene doesn't help. Yes, he gets some experience on the big stage, but he missed Shield games for NSW, which are much more important for the development of a young cricketer. Lets not rush Smith here, he needs to hone his skills for a couple of years yet. Get him to prove himself consistently at domestic level, only then should he be brought in as a worthy member of the Australian team.
Triple 8 have shocked the V8 world by dominating their first round in a Holden. I certainly didn't expect it. What a stellar job, to jump ship like that and beat teams that have been using those cars for years. But can they keep it going and achieve the consistency they had in the Falcon? I don't think so. And judging by round 1, it is only them stopping a Ford from taking the top step. If Holden are to dominate this season as expected, HRT need to step up their game and fast, otherwise fans of the red lion could be in for a rude shock when Winterbottom, Courtney and Van Gisbergen stake their claims for the title.
There is some good value in the V8 betting market for race 1 at Bahrain this weekend. Shane Van Gisbergen, after a very strong performance in Abu Dhabi including a podium is race 2 is paying a huge 6.50 for a top 3 finish. Winterbottom led race 1 only to be stopped by a penalty. 7.00 for a victory looks good. Lee Holdsworth also has good numbers, similar to Van Gisbergen.
Steve Smith's international career got kick started this summer. He was a revelation in the field and he took some good wickets, yet to me Smith seems very, very raw. And throwing him into the Twenty20 scene doesn't help. Yes, he gets some experience on the big stage, but he missed Shield games for NSW, which are much more important for the development of a young cricketer. Lets not rush Smith here, he needs to hone his skills for a couple of years yet. Get him to prove himself consistently at domestic level, only then should he be brought in as a worthy member of the Australian team.
Triple 8 have shocked the V8 world by dominating their first round in a Holden. I certainly didn't expect it. What a stellar job, to jump ship like that and beat teams that have been using those cars for years. But can they keep it going and achieve the consistency they had in the Falcon? I don't think so. And judging by round 1, it is only them stopping a Ford from taking the top step. If Holden are to dominate this season as expected, HRT need to step up their game and fast, otherwise fans of the red lion could be in for a rude shock when Winterbottom, Courtney and Van Gisbergen stake their claims for the title.
There is some good value in the V8 betting market for race 1 at Bahrain this weekend. Shane Van Gisbergen, after a very strong performance in Abu Dhabi including a podium is race 2 is paying a huge 6.50 for a top 3 finish. Winterbottom led race 1 only to be stopped by a penalty. 7.00 for a victory looks good. Lee Holdsworth also has good numbers, similar to Van Gisbergen.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Wednesday Snapshot
On Thursday! But oh well.
NRL: NRL CEO David Gallop in doubt for round 1 after breaking his collarbone during preseason skiing in Vancouver. The slope has been found guilty of a dangerous throw by the judiciary and will miss 3 weeks.
Fat businessmen respond to Mason, claiming the only reason he is struggling with the Townsville heat is because he is a fat, lazy, washed up, ex Rooster.
Cricket: Dan Christian earns call up to Australian Twenty20 squad. The addition of him as an extra squad member on the original 13 suggests selectors are keen to get him straight into the starting side.
Travis Birt pushes to hold his Aus T20 spot after smashing 93 not out to help Tassy beat Western Australian and march into the Ford Ranger Cup final.
V8 Supercars: After just painting it all on for preseason launches, teams with alcohol sponsorship strip off all references to the drug to comply with Abu Dhabi law.
Drivers to ignite season 2010 today in practice sessions for the first V8 Supercar night races at the Yas Marina circuit this weekend.
NRL: NRL CEO David Gallop in doubt for round 1 after breaking his collarbone during preseason skiing in Vancouver. The slope has been found guilty of a dangerous throw by the judiciary and will miss 3 weeks.
Fat businessmen respond to Mason, claiming the only reason he is struggling with the Townsville heat is because he is a fat, lazy, washed up, ex Rooster.
Cricket: Dan Christian earns call up to Australian Twenty20 squad. The addition of him as an extra squad member on the original 13 suggests selectors are keen to get him straight into the starting side.
Travis Birt pushes to hold his Aus T20 spot after smashing 93 not out to help Tassy beat Western Australian and march into the Ford Ranger Cup final.
V8 Supercars: After just painting it all on for preseason launches, teams with alcohol sponsorship strip off all references to the drug to comply with Abu Dhabi law.
Drivers to ignite season 2010 today in practice sessions for the first V8 Supercar night races at the Yas Marina circuit this weekend.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Wednesday Snapshot
Cricket: Big names Watson and Haddin rested so the fun of smashing incompetent opposition can be shared around to fringe players.
South Africa smash India on their own turf. Groundsman frantically begin preparing roads for the rest of the series so the rolling of the Indian batting lineup could not possibly happen again, so the inflated averages of Sehwag and Gambhir will not be damaged.
NRL: Fans will be on the edge of their seats during this weekend's season launching All Stars blockbuster, to watch the best of other NRL team's stars go hard out while hoping that their supported teams players avoid injury.
V8 Supercars: DJR receives Ford funding, meaning all 3 Ford teams are now backed by the manufacturer. After Triple 8's defection to Holden, DJR have been deservedly rewarded for their loyalty. It is fantastic news for the team, their fans, Ford fans and the entire sport.
South Africa smash India on their own turf. Groundsman frantically begin preparing roads for the rest of the series so the rolling of the Indian batting lineup could not possibly happen again, so the inflated averages of Sehwag and Gambhir will not be damaged.
NRL: Fans will be on the edge of their seats during this weekend's season launching All Stars blockbuster, to watch the best of other NRL team's stars go hard out while hoping that their supported teams players avoid injury.
V8 Supercars: DJR receives Ford funding, meaning all 3 Ford teams are now backed by the manufacturer. After Triple 8's defection to Holden, DJR have been deservedly rewarded for their loyalty. It is fantastic news for the team, their fans, Ford fans and the entire sport.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Captained to a Tee
The result of last night's Twenty20 came down to some superb bowling, fielding and poor batting, but all of it was brought on by perfect tactics from captain Michael Clarke.
He may be criticised for his inability to tonk hard in T20s, but without his solid 32 off 26 balls and his decision making in the field last night, Australia never would have come out victorious in that game.
It all started at the 8th over. Tait was brought back on for his 3rd over. The state of the game was not desperate for Australia, but Clarke wanted a wicket and a tight over after the previous went for 11. And sure enough Tait delivered, dismissing Malik and only giving away 2. Clarke then raised a few eyebrows in the 14th over when Clarke brought Tait on to use up his final over. He immediately removed the danger man Kamran Akmal, which started the rot of the Pakistan innings. With only 2 off the over the run rate returned to around a run a ball.
The next over was another surprise. Steve Smith was brought back into the attack despite copping a bit of stick. Clarke showed faith in the young leggy and even went aggressive by bringing in a slip to new batsman Fawad Alam. Sure enough first ball to him was edged straight to the slip. Brilliant. He continued with Smith who picked up a second.
In between that the experienced Johnson had his final over used (the 16th over!) and it was another great decision, as he amazingly bowled a maiden and put the pressure right back on.
He then had the cool heads of Nannes and Watson to bowl the last couple of overs. And it was perfect. I don't think any other captain in world cricket would have forged a win out of that game for Australia. A minor difference such as saving Tait for the end, or not going with Steve Smith probably would have resulted in a loss.
The Cricinfo headline has it wrong. "Clarke owes Tait and Co." should read "Tait and Co. owes Clarke", because he bowled them at the times that suited them perfectly.
He may be criticised for his inability to tonk hard in T20s, but without his solid 32 off 26 balls and his decision making in the field last night, Australia never would have come out victorious in that game.
It all started at the 8th over. Tait was brought back on for his 3rd over. The state of the game was not desperate for Australia, but Clarke wanted a wicket and a tight over after the previous went for 11. And sure enough Tait delivered, dismissing Malik and only giving away 2. Clarke then raised a few eyebrows in the 14th over when Clarke brought Tait on to use up his final over. He immediately removed the danger man Kamran Akmal, which started the rot of the Pakistan innings. With only 2 off the over the run rate returned to around a run a ball.
The next over was another surprise. Steve Smith was brought back into the attack despite copping a bit of stick. Clarke showed faith in the young leggy and even went aggressive by bringing in a slip to new batsman Fawad Alam. Sure enough first ball to him was edged straight to the slip. Brilliant. He continued with Smith who picked up a second.
In between that the experienced Johnson had his final over used (the 16th over!) and it was another great decision, as he amazingly bowled a maiden and put the pressure right back on.
He then had the cool heads of Nannes and Watson to bowl the last couple of overs. And it was perfect. I don't think any other captain in world cricket would have forged a win out of that game for Australia. A minor difference such as saving Tait for the end, or not going with Steve Smith probably would have resulted in a loss.
The Cricinfo headline has it wrong. "Clarke owes Tait and Co." should read "Tait and Co. owes Clarke", because he bowled them at the times that suited them perfectly.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Wednesday Snapshot
Cricket: Shahid Afridi has been banned for biting. The rest of the Pakistan cricket team should be banned for sucking.
Phil Jaques blasts himself back to the fore front of Australian cricket by walloping 171 not out off 143 balls against Queensland in a One Dayer at the SCG.
V8 Supercars: V8SCA have come to their senses and worked a deal with the Ipswich council to race at QLD Raceway in 2010.
Craig Lowndes' move back to Holden and the new ban on pairing both regular drivers has allowed him to reunite with Mark Skaife for the 2010 endurance races.
NRL: Referees' announce grand plan of confusion and frustration for the 2010 season. A technicality on kick chasers will be policed.
Phil Jaques blasts himself back to the fore front of Australian cricket by walloping 171 not out off 143 balls against Queensland in a One Dayer at the SCG.
V8 Supercars: V8SCA have come to their senses and worked a deal with the Ipswich council to race at QLD Raceway in 2010.
Craig Lowndes' move back to Holden and the new ban on pairing both regular drivers has allowed him to reunite with Mark Skaife for the 2010 endurance races.
NRL: Referees' announce grand plan of confusion and frustration for the 2010 season. A technicality on kick chasers will be policed.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Wednesday Snapshot
Cricket: Doug Bollinger becomes SCG Bay 13 hero. Dougy walked to fine leg to a reception he will never forget.
Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Marsh clear standouts as Aus Under 19s advance to final of World Cup.
Doubts over whether Siddle will return to the ODI team after Ryan Harris takes a brilliant 5 wickets in his absence, while McKay continues to look good taking 3.
NRL: Media continue to crap on about Mason, linking him to Manly, who immediately quashed the rumour. Great journalism.
Tennis: Venus Williams forgets to wear undies... Oh wait, no she didn't.
Music: Them Crooked Vultures rock Sydney. What a great band.
Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Marsh clear standouts as Aus Under 19s advance to final of World Cup.
Doubts over whether Siddle will return to the ODI team after Ryan Harris takes a brilliant 5 wickets in his absence, while McKay continues to look good taking 3.
NRL: Media continue to crap on about Mason, linking him to Manly, who immediately quashed the rumour. Great journalism.
Tennis: Venus Williams forgets to wear undies... Oh wait, no she didn't.
Music: Them Crooked Vultures rock Sydney. What a great band.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Wednesday Snapshot
NRL: Henry quits as 'assistant' coach for QLD. Queenslanders worry at the prospect of head coach Meninga actually doing the coaching.
Storm coach Craig Bellamy believes the clubs move to their new purpose built stadium will solve all their financial problems. Oh, and a $30 million a year grant. The club is striving to be financially viable which is seen from the results of their membership drive. At the present time in January, they have rocketed up to 0 ticketed members.
Union: A French Rugby player suspended for 70 weeks for gouging explains how his next game is not in sight.
V8 Supercars: Tickets are now on sale for the Yas V8 400. No tickets have been bought, but two comments were left, both stating "Where's Yas?".
Cricket: Pakistan, self proclaimed as specialising in Twenty20, have had none of their players picked for the worlds biggest Twenty20 tournament.
Dave Warner refuses to bore Sydney crowd in dead T20 rubber by belting a great 20 ball 50 to demolish the minuscule 81 run total set by SA.
Man kicked out of T20 game for trying to catch the attention of and signaling to a friend while holding a taco in his hand. Meanwhile on the other side of the ground a security guard gave a punter, his uniform and badge, the keys to his car, the security keys for the ground and $1000 in return for a KFC Pocketful.
Storm coach Craig Bellamy believes the clubs move to their new purpose built stadium will solve all their financial problems. Oh, and a $30 million a year grant. The club is striving to be financially viable which is seen from the results of their membership drive. At the present time in January, they have rocketed up to 0 ticketed members.
Union: A French Rugby player suspended for 70 weeks for gouging explains how his next game is not in sight.
V8 Supercars: Tickets are now on sale for the Yas V8 400. No tickets have been bought, but two comments were left, both stating "Where's Yas?".
Cricket: Pakistan, self proclaimed as specialising in Twenty20, have had none of their players picked for the worlds biggest Twenty20 tournament.
Dave Warner refuses to bore Sydney crowd in dead T20 rubber by belting a great 20 ball 50 to demolish the minuscule 81 run total set by SA.
Man kicked out of T20 game for trying to catch the attention of and signaling to a friend while holding a taco in his hand. Meanwhile on the other side of the ground a security guard gave a punter, his uniform and badge, the keys to his car, the security keys for the ground and $1000 in return for a KFC Pocketful.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Mexican Wave Madness
It's been a couple of years since the world renowned Australian fun police banned Mexican waves at cricket events but it still baffles some people when they hear about it today.
Well the other day I was baffled, shocked even, to learn that at the recently concluded test in Tassy you receive the sort of punishment you would expect for running onto the field and tackling a player , just for starting a Mexican wave.
That's right, fans heading out to Bellerive have been warned that these instigators will receive life bans. It has to be the most over the top and wrong penalty possible.
Let me just note that I fully understand why the wave was banned. It is not always harmless fun as most people believe. Objects got thrown into the air as a part of the wave - some filled with undesirable waste - and that absolutely is a problem.
But their solution to fix this is wrong. The Mexican wave itself is not the trouble, it is what is done as a part of it. So don't kick out the wave starters, chuck out the idiots throwing stuff in the air. Flash it up on the screen, "Patrons who throw stuff will be ejected", it will seem a lot more reasonable to the crowd than "Innocent people who just want to have a bit of harmless fun and start a Mexican wave will be ejected".
Besides, the current wave ban probably just encourages more people to start them, just to stick it up authority for making such a stupid rule.
It is not like it is any harder to police. Identify a troublesome area and spot the people throwing stuff. Definitely no harder than singling out an individual from a group of wave starters and punting them. It's time the authorities used their brains a little and did their best to keep crowd safety as a priority without trying to ruin the fun of going to the cricket.
And as a little fun, here is some footage of a guy at the cricket who, while being kicked out from our bay, decided he had nothing to lose and so started a pretty successful Mexican wave. Marvellous stuff.
Well the other day I was baffled, shocked even, to learn that at the recently concluded test in Tassy you receive the sort of punishment you would expect for running onto the field and tackling a player , just for starting a Mexican wave.
That's right, fans heading out to Bellerive have been warned that these instigators will receive life bans. It has to be the most over the top and wrong penalty possible.
Let me just note that I fully understand why the wave was banned. It is not always harmless fun as most people believe. Objects got thrown into the air as a part of the wave - some filled with undesirable waste - and that absolutely is a problem.
But their solution to fix this is wrong. The Mexican wave itself is not the trouble, it is what is done as a part of it. So don't kick out the wave starters, chuck out the idiots throwing stuff in the air. Flash it up on the screen, "Patrons who throw stuff will be ejected", it will seem a lot more reasonable to the crowd than "Innocent people who just want to have a bit of harmless fun and start a Mexican wave will be ejected".
Besides, the current wave ban probably just encourages more people to start them, just to stick it up authority for making such a stupid rule.
It is not like it is any harder to police. Identify a troublesome area and spot the people throwing stuff. Definitely no harder than singling out an individual from a group of wave starters and punting them. It's time the authorities used their brains a little and did their best to keep crowd safety as a priority without trying to ruin the fun of going to the cricket.
And as a little fun, here is some footage of a guy at the cricket who, while being kicked out from our bay, decided he had nothing to lose and so started a pretty successful Mexican wave. Marvellous stuff.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Wednesday Snapshot
After a week off on holiday the snapshot returns for 2010.
NRL: David Gallop to have a chat with Johnathan Thurston to make it look like he is doing something to try and keep him in the game.
Telegraph report on "Why Bellamy wanted Mason at Storm". I didn't read it but I imagine it has something to do with bolstering their premier league team.
Cricket: Rana Naved-ul-Hasan takes hattrick for Tassy Tigers in last nights T20. Unfortunately in these games 3 dot balls wouldn't have been less valuable, and South Australia still won comfortably.
Ponting says he will move down the order if there is a better candidate for the number 3 spot. In other words, he is not moving anywhere.
Pakistan fan group threaten to replace a member, Cupsan Staknow, after he dropped a beer snake on 4 occasions while watching the 2nd test in Sydney.
V8 Supercars: Another proper traditional circuit lost off the calender. QLD Raceway and V8SC failed to come to an agreement for 2010 and so the race will not feature. Another big blow for a series with flailing interest.
Campbell Little has signed on to engineer the Mark Winterbottom Falcon, giving a huge boost to the team for 2010.
NRL: David Gallop to have a chat with Johnathan Thurston to make it look like he is doing something to try and keep him in the game.
Telegraph report on "Why Bellamy wanted Mason at Storm". I didn't read it but I imagine it has something to do with bolstering their premier league team.
Cricket: Rana Naved-ul-Hasan takes hattrick for Tassy Tigers in last nights T20. Unfortunately in these games 3 dot balls wouldn't have been less valuable, and South Australia still won comfortably.
Ponting says he will move down the order if there is a better candidate for the number 3 spot. In other words, he is not moving anywhere.
Pakistan fan group threaten to replace a member, Cupsan Staknow, after he dropped a beer snake on 4 occasions while watching the 2nd test in Sydney.
V8 Supercars: Another proper traditional circuit lost off the calender. QLD Raceway and V8SC failed to come to an agreement for 2010 and so the race will not feature. Another big blow for a series with flailing interest.
Campbell Little has signed on to engineer the Mark Winterbottom Falcon, giving a huge boost to the team for 2010.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Top 10 Albums of the 2000's and Album of the Year
The "noughties" have concluded and with that I have compiled a rough list of my favourite albums that brought me through the decade I grew up in.
The top spots were somewhat easy, I know my absolute favourites and so filling out those most important records required less thinking. But when it came to the back end of the top 10 it was a struggle to separate a few from about 20 possibilities.
In time I will probably publish a top 30 or so, because I feel it really unfair that some albums don't get a mention here
But anyway lets get into it, starting from the top.
1. Queens of the Stone Age - Songs for the Deaf
This album opened up a whole new world of music for me. Before QotSA and Songs for the Deaf, it was all what I heard on the radio or saw on the charts. Thanks to this album, those days are long gone and my rock boundaries have widened dramatically. I will never tire of listening to the crazy drumming belted out by Dave Grohl or the heavy and infectious riffs. Josh Homme is a dead set genius and is now all but my favourite musician. Songs for the Deaf is a cracker, and we can only hope that QotSA will return in the teens to produce something else just as good.
2. Linkin Park - Meteora
Linkin Park were a huge part of my first half of the decade. At times they were all I listened to, when I couldn't decide on anything else to listen to LP was the easy choice to revert to. Despite thousands of listens the songs still spark immediate excitement in me when hearing them. A mash of hip hop and rock, LP were something different. You got a feast of good music in every song and I related with them all. The difficult thing for me was separating Meteora and Hybrid Theory. They are very similar albums, and most prefer Hybrid Theory. In the end (unintended pun) I rated more songs in Meteora 5 star. That is pretty much what it came down to. A new Linkin Park album is approaching (I think) and it would be great if they moved back closer to the sound of the first two albums.
3. The Living End - State of Emergency
It is only fair that my favourite 3 bands (not including The Who, but obviously they don't fit into the time period!) have an album in the top 3 spots. State of Emergency was an unbelievably good album. Every Friday for months I would come home after school, plonk myself down in front of the telly, boot up the PS2 and rock along to this perfect feel good album. Even now I love to hit play on "Long Live the Weekend" when I rush out of work on Friday arvo. A dead set anthem.
4. Linkin Park - Hybrid Theory
And so this is where the other LP album slots in. In the End - what a great song. It will always be a favourite. I remember seeing it on rage for the first time and it sent shivers down my spine, just an incredible track.
5. Queens of the Stone Age - Rated R
C-c-c-c-c-cocaine! While Songs for the Deaf is my favourite QotSA album as a whole, R provided me with some of my favourite tracks. I loved Auto Pilot from the second I heard the main riff for the first time. In the Fade is another cracker and I Think I Lost My Headache is a great song to drone along to. The whole album is just great.
6. Queens of the Stone Age - Era Vulgaris
Misfit Love - probably the best beginning to a song I have ever heard. The way it builds up is great. Another complete QotSA album, with this they marked 5 albums with not 1 negative point, an astonishing effort.
7. Them Crooked Vultures - Them Crooked Vultures
I had to think twice before adding this in. I thought, the fact that it is new might affect my opinion. But when it all boils down, the album is great from beginning to end. A great hard, clean rock sound that involves the QotSA influence that I love. Perhaps after I see them late this month I might be wishing I put it even higher!
Them Crooked Vultures also snag the album of the year, quite easily.
8. The Living End - Roll On
The Living End get a second spot. For mine, Australia has never produced better music. An album that is always fun to sing along to, with the catchiest songs imaginable.
9. Metallica - Death Magnetic
This Metallica album assured fans (well most) that they were still alive. Their classic thrash sound returned and more masterpieces were created. The Unforgiven III capped of a great trilogy of songs and along with The Day That Never Comes, they were two songs that I couldn't stop myself from listening to over and over.
10. The White Stripes - Elephant
And finally something a little different! The White Stripes are a great band and Elephant is a great album. Again they are quite different, they provide more of an old unpolished sound. This album opens up with probably the most well known bass riff ever. Who doesn't recognise Seven Nation Army.... At the end of the year that I got this album in I looked at the amount of times I had listened to the album and was shocked when I saw over 30.
And that is my top 10. I hated leaving some albums out and I will be sure to give them recognition somehow. What will the teens bring? Will it be more of the same? Will there be awesome new stuff? Bring it on!
The top spots were somewhat easy, I know my absolute favourites and so filling out those most important records required less thinking. But when it came to the back end of the top 10 it was a struggle to separate a few from about 20 possibilities.
In time I will probably publish a top 30 or so, because I feel it really unfair that some albums don't get a mention here
But anyway lets get into it, starting from the top.
1. Queens of the Stone Age - Songs for the Deaf
This album opened up a whole new world of music for me. Before QotSA and Songs for the Deaf, it was all what I heard on the radio or saw on the charts. Thanks to this album, those days are long gone and my rock boundaries have widened dramatically. I will never tire of listening to the crazy drumming belted out by Dave Grohl or the heavy and infectious riffs. Josh Homme is a dead set genius and is now all but my favourite musician. Songs for the Deaf is a cracker, and we can only hope that QotSA will return in the teens to produce something else just as good.
2. Linkin Park - Meteora
Linkin Park were a huge part of my first half of the decade. At times they were all I listened to, when I couldn't decide on anything else to listen to LP was the easy choice to revert to. Despite thousands of listens the songs still spark immediate excitement in me when hearing them. A mash of hip hop and rock, LP were something different. You got a feast of good music in every song and I related with them all. The difficult thing for me was separating Meteora and Hybrid Theory. They are very similar albums, and most prefer Hybrid Theory. In the end (unintended pun) I rated more songs in Meteora 5 star. That is pretty much what it came down to. A new Linkin Park album is approaching (I think) and it would be great if they moved back closer to the sound of the first two albums.
3. The Living End - State of Emergency
It is only fair that my favourite 3 bands (not including The Who, but obviously they don't fit into the time period!) have an album in the top 3 spots. State of Emergency was an unbelievably good album. Every Friday for months I would come home after school, plonk myself down in front of the telly, boot up the PS2 and rock along to this perfect feel good album. Even now I love to hit play on "Long Live the Weekend" when I rush out of work on Friday arvo. A dead set anthem.
4. Linkin Park - Hybrid Theory
And so this is where the other LP album slots in. In the End - what a great song. It will always be a favourite. I remember seeing it on rage for the first time and it sent shivers down my spine, just an incredible track.
5. Queens of the Stone Age - Rated R
C-c-c-c-c-cocaine! While Songs for the Deaf is my favourite QotSA album as a whole, R provided me with some of my favourite tracks. I loved Auto Pilot from the second I heard the main riff for the first time. In the Fade is another cracker and I Think I Lost My Headache is a great song to drone along to. The whole album is just great.
6. Queens of the Stone Age - Era Vulgaris
Misfit Love - probably the best beginning to a song I have ever heard. The way it builds up is great. Another complete QotSA album, with this they marked 5 albums with not 1 negative point, an astonishing effort.
7. Them Crooked Vultures - Them Crooked Vultures
I had to think twice before adding this in. I thought, the fact that it is new might affect my opinion. But when it all boils down, the album is great from beginning to end. A great hard, clean rock sound that involves the QotSA influence that I love. Perhaps after I see them late this month I might be wishing I put it even higher!
Them Crooked Vultures also snag the album of the year, quite easily.
8. The Living End - Roll On
The Living End get a second spot. For mine, Australia has never produced better music. An album that is always fun to sing along to, with the catchiest songs imaginable.
9. Metallica - Death Magnetic
This Metallica album assured fans (well most) that they were still alive. Their classic thrash sound returned and more masterpieces were created. The Unforgiven III capped of a great trilogy of songs and along with The Day That Never Comes, they were two songs that I couldn't stop myself from listening to over and over.
10. The White Stripes - Elephant
And finally something a little different! The White Stripes are a great band and Elephant is a great album. Again they are quite different, they provide more of an old unpolished sound. This album opens up with probably the most well known bass riff ever. Who doesn't recognise Seven Nation Army.... At the end of the year that I got this album in I looked at the amount of times I had listened to the album and was shocked when I saw over 30.
And that is my top 10. I hated leaving some albums out and I will be sure to give them recognition somehow. What will the teens bring? Will it be more of the same? Will there be awesome new stuff? Bring it on!
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