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.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
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.
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