Posted by jrod on October 31, 2007 under VIC, WA | 
Since I know a dude in Colac and a Colac player made his debut for the Vics today here is my attempt at Rupert Murdoch style news brief about it.
Colac native, Aaron Finch made his debut for the Victorian bushrangers last night in the heavy defeat inflicted by the Western Warriors. Finch got his first chance in the big time when Cameron White steered a shocking short ball to backward point leaving the Vics at 4 for 130.
Finch was a ball of nerves on his way to the wicket and David Hussey (future Pm David Hussey) tried to calm him down as best he could. Finch looked nervous between balls, but was still solid when each ball arrived. After six balls he got off the mark by squeezing Brad Hogg to backward point for one.
His nerves still a problem in the next over he started to set off for what could only be described as a suicidal over throw and was only saved by David Hussey’s experience. The following over Finch was struck on the pads by Brad Hogg, the umpire gave it not out after considering it. Next ball Finch was gone completely beaten in flight and ended up almost losing his footing as Gilchrist completed the dismissal.
He made 2.
For the 20 year old opening batsmen from Geelong this was surely just a stepping stone in his career. He will learn a lot from this experience.
Posted by jrod on under VIC, WA |
So I went to the Bushrangers v Warriors game last night and this is how it broke down for me.
Got there a touch late, saw Gilly walk out to bat with Langer.
Gilly got run out, I swear I have seen this man go run out more than any other dismissal. Maybe my man crush for him puts him off.
This Luke Pomersbach character may never make the Australian team, because then selectors will have to learn how to pronounce his name. He does have some eye and a large pair of ballocks on him. He got off the mark with a KP style charge that he miss hit. But his second scoring shot an aerial straight drive almost knocked down one of the Rupert Murdoch billboards here at the G.
Great moment happened in front of me, when Chuck Berry gave fielding advice to one the bushranger quicks. Its hard to explain a body language of f*ck off when you see it, but I think I saw it.
They give you a great little booklet for free on the way in to the ground. It’s written in a careful press release non-confrontational positive speaking style type of dialogue. In it is possibly the most boring description of David Hussey (future PM David Hussey) you can imagine. But hey it’s free, and it has Hussey’s picture on it. And a scorecard for the really nerdy kids, as the really nerdy adults bring there own score sheets.
After being run out Gilly sat 4 rows behind me, and six seats across. Can you imagine the pressure I was under not to look behind me every ball.
My Gilly moments.
Waking Gilly up on the flight home from South Africa.
Booking his wife and mother in law frequent flyer tickets, and speaking to him over the phone on 3 occasions.
Him sitting 4 rows behind me and six seats across.
This Bryce McGain guy, (listed age of 48 years old) has had to wait to become Victoria’s leg spinner for a long time. Peter McIntyre, Shane Warne and Cameron White have all been Victorian leg spinners who have played for Australia in that time. McGain actually bowls similar to how I imagine I bowl. Except he has the added bonus of skill, talent, perseverance and experience.
Western Australia had the game in the bag at 4 for 220 odd with Hussey and Langer in. Victoria, like Warrick Capper, the ancient Greeks and Tom Cruise from Days of thunder like to come from behind. They didn’t wake up until Langer started really cutting loose, then they quickly mopped up the tail. Weird mob us Victorians.
Moody just walked behind me, you can see why he was once picked for Australia on height alone, he must be 6’6 if he’s a cracker.
The bushrangers have a mascot, it’s a performing arts reject wearing a padded suit, a cape, a v sign on his chest with a bucket on his head. Just like Ned Kelly before him.
Gilly signed autographs for what seemed 25 minutes. Langer was asked for one and declined, well I’m assuming the kid asked for an autograph, might have said are you my daddy.
Langer doesn’t like Victorian cricket fans, trust me on that one.
Aidan Blizzard (who I may or may not nick name the smurf) looked awesome. It’s the first time I’ve seen him bat. The kid has something. Like to use the air to find his gaps. When he hits the ball (insert big hitting cliché here).
I’d like the record to show that Brad Hodge did not show dissent. He tugged at his pad, he stared at the umpire, he shook his head, he walked off very slowly, and he looked back at the umpire whilst saying something I couldn’t quite pick up. But in no way did he show dissent.
Lets make that clear.
Victoria fell apart and lost. But you probably already knew that.
Posted by jrod on under VIC |
As cricket with balls is an international cricket blog I did not want to inundate it with tragic writings of my other life as a fan of the Victorian bushrangers.
I have been in love with the bushrangers since I went to my first game against NSW at the G. It started with Mike Whitney (the host of who dares wins) slipping over as he bowled the first nut.
The only other thing I can remember from that day is Simon O’Donnell trying to hook and getting caught on the fence.
I have seen Victoria win one day titles and a four day title.
I saw Matthew Elliott man handle Stuart’s (Clark and Macgill) in the best hundred I have ever seen with my own eyes.
I was on the ground when the great Chuck Berry announced his retirement.
I have seen Justin Langer threaten a Victorian with a beating(s).
I have seen Glenn McGrath stick his finger up at the crowd.
My 21st birthday present was a signed Ian Harvey shirt.
And I bantered with David Hookes the day he left us.
I am a Victorian supporter.
Posted by jrod on October 29, 2007 under NSW, VIC |
Never underestimate how much a Victorian hates a New South Welsh man.
Stuart MacGill was a dead certainty for the first test at the gabba.
Matthew Hayden smashing him on a flat life less all too common scg pitch meant nothing.
But then the victorians decided that they would help the charity case that is Brad Hogg.
The man who usually doesn’t take 8 wickets in season let alone a match.
So now Australia might actually go into the first test with a man who in a whole career has taken less wickets than Jacques Kallis does in 3 years.
So one more message for the Australian Selectors is this.
Don’t pick Australia’s nicky boje on one good first class in a career and because he gets wickets in one dayers.
This one is simple chaps, don’t f*ck it up.
Posted by Moses on under NSW, VIC |
The recent ‘test match’ between the mighty NSW blues and some cane toads this weekend has showcased some fantastic cricket. 8 Australian players were featured, however none of the TV networks thought to broadcast the event so I had to rely on text updates from cricket.com.au . Still, I reckon I followed the scorecard closely enough to give an unbiased match report…
Day 1 – Good Areas and some bloke called Hayden
was a rain interrupted affair with Haydos bringing up a century as the Cane Toads plodded along at a mere 3 runs an over, due in main to some tight bowling and superb fielding from the mighty blues.
Day 2 – Bad Guys Out, Good Guys In
Haydos pushed on today to contribute 179 to the dark side’s tally, eventually falling to Stuart Clark. The norterners’ tail rallied hard before being shown the door for 467. The mighty blues sure had their work cut out for them at this point, and with Cowan and Jaques falling cheaply the blues were in need of a captains knock. Enter Simon Katich stage left. Michael Clarke was in superb touch before being run out by Katich off the last ball of the day. Allegations of Queenslanders cheating have proven completely unfounded, though somewhat comforting to Clarke.
Day 3 – Katich draws faded curtains on QLD hopes
The Queenslanders showed up an hour late for play today, unable to grasp the intricacies of Daylight Saving Time. Katich continued his domination of the northern attack eventually tonking up his triple century and declaring the blues innings at 606, and taking first innings points from the powers of darkness in the process. Katto’s score of 306 off 351 was the highest score at the SCG since Bradman’s 452 in 1930. Haydo’s again proved his worth by batting out the 12 overs to stumps.
Day 4 – Not enough overs in the Day
Day Four started off well for the Blues, with 2 quick wickets to Stuart Clark. Queenslanders rallied for the rest of the session and managed to make it to lunch without further loss. 3 quick wickets (2 to Clark) after lunch and the toads were again on the ropes, effectively 5/5 after taking off the first innings deficit. A heartbreaking stand from Simpson and Nofke of 105 really took the game away from the NSWelshman, the pivotal moment coming when we took the new ball only for Simpson to see Maroon and belt 22 off Bracken and quickly bring up his ton after that.
Day 5 – Please sir, can we have some more?
This match had all the hallmarks of a great test and tomorrow could have provided a fantastic conclusion, alas there is no Day 5. I remember when the 4 day tests came in and have never agreed with it. Personally I’d rather see additional bonus points for finishing in 4 days, but still have day 5 there for the much wanted result.
I guess it’s fair to give these 4 day tests some credit for the Aussie’s recent improvement in turning draws into wins, however I believe the extra bonus point would provide adequate incentive to finish them off in 4.
Posted by jrod on October 17, 2007 under NSW, QLD, SA, TAS, VIC |
Sound up from the first week of state cricket in Australia
Queensland (new texas) v Tasmania
Qld really let themselves down with this one, Tassie and Victoria are always susceptible early in the season up north. early on it looked like Noffke with his 5 wickets then his amazing century was going to win the game on his own. Then Michael Di Venuto stepped up, he batted for a day and a half making 178 and dragging Tasmania to a draw they didn’t deserve.
The balls: When you get a good team on the ropes you have to finish them, Queensland really need the out right here, but in the second dig, when the wicket was flatter they struggled. According to Big daddy Noffke will be playing for Australia soon. I don’t think so.
Victoria v South Australia
This wasn’t a game. For the redbacks (sa) it was more like they were caught naked in their backyard with a tub of margarine. David Hussey smote them, Wade withstood them, Nannes, Siddle and Denton cut them down. Jason Gillespie top scored in both innings (with 18 in the second dig of 77). The redbacks bowling was fine, they were beaten by a good batting line up. Hussey made 176 for the game for one out. Their batting is shit house, I’m talking battlefield earth bad. Gillespie and Elliott were the only batsmen to provide résistance, and they are both over 30. For the bushrangers (vics) their no name bowling line up was pretty damn good again
The balls: The Vics are a damn good team, the redbacks are not, and they have the welt marks on their ass to prove it. David Hussey best number 4 in the country? Ponder that mofo’s.
Western Australia v New South Wales
Damn I hate New South Wales, the minute I finished writing they were shit they come out and shit all over the warriors (wa). The blues (nsw) look crap on paper, and they struggled early on. They were only saved by a hundred by of all people Matthew Nicholson who is look spritely for an 83 year old. From that century onwards this was the blues game. Their quicks destroyed the warriors, then Jacques went in and won the opening slot for Australia. In the second dig for the warriors they fell apart again, with the oldest young man on the planet, Bollinger, getting a five for.
The balls: How shit are the warriors? Pretty shit. How good are the blues? Who knows. Has Jacques done enough to start at the top of the order for the Aussies, you’d say so.
Posted by jrod on October 11, 2007 under QLD, TAS |
Tasmania took Queensland (new texas) roughly without buying them any drinks. Queensland was left tied to a bed head with no pants on, feeling quite violated.
Lucky the rain came before Tasmania could get really kinky with them.
Tim Paine batted at 7 and made 70 odd. Oh yeah baby. Brad Haddin & Chris Hartley take one step back please Australia has its new wicket keeper.
Timothy Paine, professor of entomology.
Posted by jrod on October 10, 2007 under SA, TAS |
I thought I better write about the other state teams now, before Tasmania dismember Queensland and I look like I’m jumping on the band wagon.
So heres my follow up on the next two teams in aussie domestic cricket.
South Australia-
Very youthful squad. But they’ve been youthful for a long time now. The word promising is only used before your name for so long. They have the three old boys Lehmann, Elliott (traitor) and Dizzy Gillespie. And then a truckload of hopefuls that are either too fat, or not ready yet to make the next level.
Batsmen are their biggest concern, Cosgrove can bat, but he’s out of shape. Adcock, Ferguson and Borgas have had wraps on them for quite a while. They look like cricketers, but no real results. Manou is a battler who plays above himself probably the least talented keeper in the country, but he fights on regardless. Lehman and Elliott will provide the backbone, and Elliott is essentially playing as an assistant coach.
In the Bowling the have the two most exciting spinners in the country. Problem is for South Australia Bailey and Cullen haven’t won them many games. This is the year, I’d play them both, play an all rounder, probably Cleary, and Gillespie. Add another decent quick and that’s a more than useful make up. Their bowling has been their strength of recent times, but when Tait is fit he won’t be playing for them.
The rub is that they could be anything, but probably wont be. The minute Cullen or Bailey takes wickets they’ll be in the Australian side. If Elliot plays all year, that means their young batsmen still haven’t stepped up and they won’t finish anywhere. Likely finish 4-6.
Tasmania-
For years the shit kickers of state cricket, but all of a sudden look like they could win everything. Hilfenhaus, Butterworth and Paine are all good enough to be10 year players for Australia. They are the reigning champions, they are young, they are hungry, and this may be the last year they all get to play together before their big three depart.
Their batting looks average on paper. But on the ground looks fierce. Di Venuto is one of those dudes that could have had an long international career for most other countries. Dighton, Birt and Bailey are unknowns, but they are all very talented at waving their bats around. Paine is the man, if the Australian selectors could find the balls they had when they selected McGrath, Warne, Steve Waugh and Ponting, he will be Australians next wicket keeper. He bats well enough to be a number 3 in the pura cup winning team, his keeping is better than Gilchrist. What’s not to love?
Bowling wise it’s all about Hilfenhaus at this stage. This boy could single-handedly revive the lost art of out swing bowling. If Lee or Johnson don’t get wickets against Sri Lanka this boy simply must be picked. Butterworth is still too raw to know whether he is a first change bowler or a third change bowler, but he can play and this year they expect big things from him. Damian Wright is still a classy bowler, and gets more wickets than higher profile players. Xavier Doherty is a good spinner, I’ve liked him since I first saw him. Left arm orthodox is not taken seriously in Australia, hopefully X man (it would have to be his nick name, wouldn’t it) can revive it and put some pressure on those South Australian spinners.
The rub is that if this team stays healthy, even without Hilfenhaus they should win the title, only the Victorians or the Queenslanders have the lists to stretch them. Likely finish 1-2.
Posted by jrod on October 8, 2007 under NSW, QLD, VIC |
Homer has suggested I do a break down of the upcoming domestic cricket, and why not. I’m not qualified at all, but when has that stopped me before.
I won’t take into account the 2020 Kentucky fried rat crap, and as for the one day ing cup thing I think the Victorians and Tasmanians look good. But what would I know.
New South Wales-
This looks to be the weakest NSW squad ever. Richard Chee Quee would be a walk up starter in this side. However the team could be given a major boost if Bracken or MacGill don’t play test cricket.
Batting is very light on, Brad Haddin and Simon Katich are going to have to carry the team. Thronley is handy, but he is a good five or six, in this side he may have to bat higher. Moises Henriques is only 20, but I’ve already heard so much about this kid. So far he hasn’t shown much at the top level. This could be his year. He will probably have to bat top 6. Hopefully they don’t over bowl him as well.
Bowling could be interesting. Bollinger has been spruiked up, and the dude looks 45. He played well for Australia A, I’ve never rated him, but when Bracken is playing for Australia Bollinger is the man. Matthew Nicholson is 33 and was really never that good. Hauritz and Casson are vying for the back up to MacGill, Casson would be my choice. Will be interesting to see which way they go.
The rub, they look weak to me, but they are NSW and they are very rarely bad. They look a little shallow in batting and fast bowling, but as usual they seem to have shit loads of spinners to decide from. Likely finish 4-6.
Queensland (new texas)-
They look strong, they always look strong. They are old Bichel, Maher, Kasprowicz, Perron and Love are all on the wrong side of 30.
Their batting is classy, Shane Watson opening the batting is interesting. Martin Love the sex symbol of state cricket is still a good player, and is unlucky to have not played more tests. I haven’t heard of any young batsmen coming through, but they have 4 classy performers and Chris Hartley the keeper is a damn fine batsman himself.
Bowling, Nofke, Bichel, Kasprowicz and Jurgenson is a good fast bowling quartet. But its Queensland what else would you expect. Still no spinner, but its Queensland what else would you expect. Watson may be playing more games for Queensland than he expected this year, but he won’t be bowling.
The rub, a lot of these guys are getting ready to retire and move to the gold coast. They still have class, Watson and Kasprowicz are under injury clouds. Love and Maher must be nearing the end. Barring trips to the old people homes and emergency wards they should finish 1-3.
Now I’m tired I’ll do two more tomorrow.
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