If you haven't noticed my blatant name-dropping and showing-off, I'm in Sydney. Actual Sydney, in Australia. Where the 5th Ashes test is, tomorrow.
If you're sitting there in England, I know the burning question on your lips is what do the Australians think of all of this? (If you're Australian, you probably know what the Australians think. And if you're from somewhere else in the world, you may or may not be bothered). So partly to continue showing off, and also to help give a total insight of the Ashes, here's an English perspective of the Aussie perspective of the Ashes. This is from what I've read in papers and overheard on trains. So pretty accurate.
Australians hate Michael Clarke
Australia's newest test captain has only an 8% approval rating, and is hated for a variety of reasons. From his wannabe celebrity status, to his breakup with the nation's sweetheart* Lara Bingle (*Note - in no way the nation's sweetheart), Pup is being ridiculed, disliked, vilified and generally "bagged" (I learned a new word) in the Aussie press. My humble view on it? If he was making runs, none of this would be happening.
Australians love Brad Haddin
The man who would / could / should be captain. But would he be so highly touted if he wasn't making runs???
Australians respect English players
Jonathan Trott is viewed as a latter-day South African-English Bradman; Strauss and Flower as some sort of dream team sent from above to lead successful cricket teams. Graeme Swann is seen both as a great off-spinner, and as a comedian (fair assessment). His latest Ashes Diary (you know, the one where he does the impressions of Richie Benaud and Tony Grieg) has been repeated many times on every news channel.
Australians think Kevin Pietersen is a dick
His "I resigned for the greater good, so praise me" quote has been added to the general public perception of the big ego (remember FIGJAM?), and while he's respected as a great player, he's still seen as a dick.
Ricky Ponting will be remembered for his three Ashes losses
While his vast achievements as both a batsman and captain have been recognised and celebrated, there is a general understanding that any captain that loses 3 (or at least isn't able to pick up the urn in 3) Ashes series will always be remembered for those defeats.
Usman Khawaja is the new golden boy
All of those marketing-speak phrases like "poster boy for a new generation"; "trail-blazer for many Australian communities" and such have been used for Uzzy. And a lot is expected of his batting.
Selectors don't know what they're doing
Picking Bollinger (universally popular) for Adelaide = bad move. Picking Doherty = bad move. Not picking Hauritz = bad move. 4 quicks at Melbourne = bad move. Steve Smith = bad move. Original 17 man squad = bad move. Michael Beer = bad move. Clarke as captain = bad move. Not much support for Hildrith and the boys.
Showing posts with label Doug Bollinger. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Doug Bollinger. Show all posts
Saturday, 1 January 2011
Saturday, 4 December 2010
Day Two At Adelaide
Background: England skittled Australia for just 245 on day one at Adelaide.
How did it start: Strauss and Cook batting for England at 1-0.
Where did it all go wrong for Australia?: Not being able to bowl that well
Where did it all go right for Australia?: Bollinger took a wicket third ball of the day, also Harris got Trott out.
Where did it all go wrong for England?: They had to stop playing at the end of the day
Where did it all go right for England?: Sticking loads more runs on for only two wickets lost.
Who won each session?: Morning - England. Afternoon - England. Evening - England (again)
Who won the day?: England. Rather comfortably.
Crumb of comfort?: The team who were in this position in Brisbane didn't win.
Shot of the day: A Cook drive (there were many)
Ball of the day: Dougie Bollinger somehow making Strauss leave one that hit middle stump
Man of the day: Once more, Ally Cook. Top effort, that.
And finally... Ashes Oddity: www.donaldtrumpwontshuptup.com What's that all about?!
How did it start: Strauss and Cook batting for England at 1-0.
Where did it all go wrong for Australia?: Not being able to bowl that well
Where did it all go right for Australia?: Bollinger took a wicket third ball of the day, also Harris got Trott out.
Where did it all go wrong for England?: They had to stop playing at the end of the day
Where did it all go right for England?: Sticking loads more runs on for only two wickets lost.
Who won each session?: Morning - England. Afternoon - England. Evening - England (again)
Who won the day?: England. Rather comfortably.
Crumb of comfort?: The team who were in this position in Brisbane didn't win.
Shot of the day: A Cook drive (there were many)
Ball of the day: Dougie Bollinger somehow making Strauss leave one that hit middle stump
Man of the day: Once more, Ally Cook. Top effort, that.
And finally... Ashes Oddity: www.donaldtrumpwontshuptup.com What's that all about?!
Friday, 3 December 2010
Podcast - Ashes: Adelaide Day 1
Download the Short Midwicket Podcast on iTunes
"Ponting.... out for a golden duck!". Nuff said.
Actually, it isn't, as Will explains. As 9 other Aussies got out as well. All out for 245, is it enough? Are there enough paralells between Brisbane and Adelaide? Will also looks at why Harris and Bollinger were preferred to Mitch and Hilf, and why England were unchanged. And more Fantasy Ashes stuff. And Stuart Broad's tweet of the day. And loads of other lovely stuff. Bonzer.
Go to The Short Midwicket Podcasts on Podbean
"Ponting.... out for a golden duck!". Nuff said.
Actually, it isn't, as Will explains. As 9 other Aussies got out as well. All out for 245, is it enough? Are there enough paralells between Brisbane and Adelaide? Will also looks at why Harris and Bollinger were preferred to Mitch and Hilf, and why England were unchanged. And more Fantasy Ashes stuff. And Stuart Broad's tweet of the day. And loads of other lovely stuff. Bonzer.
Go to The Short Midwicket Podcasts on Podbean
Day One at Adelaide
Background: Tied at 0-0 after a draw in Brisbane, England named an unchanged team, but Australia swapped Johnson and Hilfenhaus for Harris and Bollinger.
How did it start: Ponting won the toss (for once) and had a bat.
Where did it all go wrong for Australia?: The run out of Katich without Kat facing. A crucial momentum shift, which wasn't helped by Ponting edging behind the next ball.
Where did it all go right for Australia?: Hussey continued his Brisbane form. North got into double figures.
Where did it all go wrong for England?: Hussey's 90 meant that Australia were restricted to 'only' 245.
Where did it all go right for England?: Brilliant bowling, hawkish fielding, brilliant day for England.
Who won each session?: Morning - England. Afternoon - England. Evening - England.
Who won the day?: England.
Crumb of comfort?: The pitch might do a bit for Aussie bowlers as well
Shot of the day: Watson's effortless six off Swann
Ball of the day: Anderson giving Ponting a first baller. Brilliant bowling, and massive psychologically.
Man of the day: Jimmy Anderson. Got the wickets he deserved in Brisbane.
And finally... Ashes Oddity: Bumble's Australian accent, which was undoutably the worst Aussie accent ever.
How did it start: Ponting won the toss (for once) and had a bat.
Where did it all go wrong for Australia?: The run out of Katich without Kat facing. A crucial momentum shift, which wasn't helped by Ponting edging behind the next ball.
Where did it all go right for Australia?: Hussey continued his Brisbane form. North got into double figures.
Where did it all go wrong for England?: Hussey's 90 meant that Australia were restricted to 'only' 245.
Where did it all go right for England?: Brilliant bowling, hawkish fielding, brilliant day for England.
Who won each session?: Morning - England. Afternoon - England. Evening - England.
Who won the day?: England.
Crumb of comfort?: The pitch might do a bit for Aussie bowlers as well
Shot of the day: Watson's effortless six off Swann
Ball of the day: Anderson giving Ponting a first baller. Brilliant bowling, and massive psychologically.
Man of the day: Jimmy Anderson. Got the wickets he deserved in Brisbane.
And finally... Ashes Oddity: Bumble's Australian accent, which was undoutably the worst Aussie accent ever.
Wednesday, 24 November 2010
Podcast - Ashes: Brisbane Preview
Download the Short Midwicket Podcast on iTunes
Cor blimey - it's the Ashes! A preview of the Brisbane test filled with pure excitement. And with the start of the Ashes comes the start of the Fantasy Ashes (email in to shortmidwicketpodcast@hotmail.co.uk to get involved). Aaaaaargh I'm excited!
Cor blimey - it's the Ashes! A preview of the Brisbane test filled with pure excitement. And with the start of the Ashes comes the start of the Fantasy Ashes (email in to shortmidwicketpodcast@hotmail.co.uk to get involved). Aaaaaargh I'm excited!
Monday, 1 November 2010
Ashes Build Up Bingo
We have now entered November - the month the Ashes starts. Unofficially Ashes build-up (such as the "war of words" and "gaining of momentum") has been going on since last August (when Ashes 2009 finished), but now we're into overdrive.
So here's your handy cut out and keep Ashes bingo game. You get one point every time someone comes out and says something here, and when you get enough points, you win a prize. Or something.
Ricky Ponting saying "aw mate" before every answer
An ex Aussie captain claiming England aren't good enough
An ex English captain claiming Australia aren't good enough
KP claiming he's ready and back in form
Shane Watson saying something stupid
An Aussie player writing off an English player
An English player refusing to write off an Aussie player
An English player slagging off John Buchanan
An Aussie player slagging off John Buchanan
John Buchanan slagging off an English or Aussie player
Talk of Michael Clarke taking over as Aussie captain
Talk of Cameron White taking over as Aussie captain
Talk of how well Monty Panesar is bowling in the nets
A stupid injury caused to a key English player talked down by Flower / Strauss
A stupid injury caused to a key English player talked up by associated press
Single figure scores in state cricket being just cause for someone being dropped
Somebody in form touted from nowhere to start in Brisbane
Calls from everywhere for Marcus North to be dropped
Support from Ricky Ponting for Marcus North
Michael Clarke writing something uninteresting on Twitter
Tim Bresnan insulting someone on Twitter
Monty Panesar coming out and saying how well he's "hitting his areas"
Doug Bollinger to feature in an Advanced Hair Studio advert with Shane Warne and Michael Vaughan
English media calling England under prepared
Aussie media calling England over prepared
Steve Finn touted as new Glenn McGrath
Calls for Steve Finn to be dropped for Chris Tremlett
Eoin Morgan getting sunburn
Ex-players / pundits / bloggers / current players calling for Nathan Hauritz to be dropped
Ex-players / pundits / bloggers / current players calling for Marcus North to be dropped
Talk of how a meaningless T20 game v Sri Lanka can affect the outcome of the Ashes
Glenn McGrath to predict a 5-0 Aussie win
To keep up to date with who has the all-important Ashes Momenutum, check out the very handy Ashes Momentum Tracker
Update: 3rd November - Meant to be a facetious list (with the final prediction being the most ridiculous of all), Glenn McGrath predicting a 5-0 whitewash actually happened. Weird.
So here's your handy cut out and keep Ashes bingo game. You get one point every time someone comes out and says something here, and when you get enough points, you win a prize. Or something.
Ricky Ponting saying "aw mate" before every answer
An ex Aussie captain claiming England aren't good enough
An ex English captain claiming Australia aren't good enough
KP claiming he's ready and back in form
Shane Watson saying something stupid
An Aussie player writing off an English player
An English player refusing to write off an Aussie player
An English player slagging off John Buchanan
An Aussie player slagging off John Buchanan
John Buchanan slagging off an English or Aussie player
Talk of Michael Clarke taking over as Aussie captain
Talk of Cameron White taking over as Aussie captain
Talk of how well Monty Panesar is bowling in the nets
A stupid injury caused to a key English player talked down by Flower / Strauss
A stupid injury caused to a key English player talked up by associated press
Single figure scores in state cricket being just cause for someone being dropped
Somebody in form touted from nowhere to start in Brisbane
Calls from everywhere for Marcus North to be dropped
Support from Ricky Ponting for Marcus North
Michael Clarke writing something uninteresting on Twitter
Tim Bresnan insulting someone on Twitter
Monty Panesar coming out and saying how well he's "hitting his areas"
Doug Bollinger to feature in an Advanced Hair Studio advert with Shane Warne and Michael Vaughan
English media calling England under prepared
Aussie media calling England over prepared
Steve Finn touted as new Glenn McGrath
Calls for Steve Finn to be dropped for Chris Tremlett
Eoin Morgan getting sunburn
Ex-players / pundits / bloggers / current players calling for Nathan Hauritz to be dropped
Ex-players / pundits / bloggers / current players calling for Marcus North to be dropped
Talk of how a meaningless T20 game v Sri Lanka can affect the outcome of the Ashes
Glenn McGrath to predict a 5-0 Aussie win
To keep up to date with who has the all-important Ashes Momenutum, check out the very handy Ashes Momentum Tracker
Update: 3rd November - Meant to be a facetious list (with the final prediction being the most ridiculous of all), Glenn McGrath predicting a 5-0 whitewash actually happened. Weird.
Monday, 11 October 2010
Who Is The Best In the World?
I was talking to a few people the other day about the merits of this India v Australia series. In the not too distant past, these two would be going toe to toe as the best two teams in the world. I don't know if they are today.
When I look at both teams, they both have some awesomely crap players. Marcus North is not a test player; neither is Hauritz. McGrath, Warne or Hayden they are not. There are some good journeymen players such as Bollinger and Katich, but they will not be remembered in 30 years as any of the best. Yes, there are some world-class performers in the Australian side, but it's fairly obviously a shadow of the all-conquering side of only a few years ago.
The Indian side is better, and with legends like Dravid and Tendulkar in the top order, they will beat most sides. But the bowling of Sreesanth, Ojha and Zaheer would struggle to worry the Richards, Gooches or Laras in their pomp.
When I look globally, I see plenty of brilliant players in the world's top sides, but I also see JP Duminy, Ian Bell and Dale Richards. Top level cricket isn't what it used to be.
When the Australian side of Warne, McGrath, Hayden, Langer, Gilchrist and Lee were tearing teams apart, they were clearly the best side in the world. Likewise the West Indian side of the 80s, and the England side of the 90s (spot the odd one out...). When sides would play against them, they would need to raise their games in order to compete, and any players not good enough would soon be found out, and taken away from test cricket. Without that sort of dominant team, too many test cricketers are being carried by the performances of their teammates, and racking up far too many test caps. Or grinding out one gritty innings to save their career. (Step forward Mr North).
Sure, everyone who plays test cricket must be half-good. They're probably better than me, and probably better than a few of their club / county / state mates. But are they test-class? Without teams being right at the top of their games, test cricket is suffering. The 2005 Ashes were contested by a team who were rightly regarded as the best in the world (and full of hall of famers), and a side who had built themselves up for that series, giving themselves a chance to overhaul that great side. It led to (perhaps) the best series of all time, with the standard of cricket superb throughout. 2009 was different. Australia were rebuilding having lost loads of players; England were trying to create a team after the loss of the coach and two captains. While the competition of the series was great, the overall quality of the cricket was poor. Yes, England won, so I'm not complaining, but nobody will be watching the 2009 DVD ahead of the 2005 six-disc boxset.
So what's the point of this blog? Basically, I am saying that the overall quality of test cricket is lower than it was a few years ago. We've seen Pakistan collapse for under a hundred three times in a four game series - unthinkable previously. And this week we've seen a player who isn't good enough to be playing in tests make a hundred. For Australia. In India. I'm sure this is a cyclical thing, and in a couple of years better players will be displacing their crap counterparts, and the natural order will be restored. But until then, we're going to have to suffer another few years of Marcus North. And Ian Bell.
When I look at both teams, they both have some awesomely crap players. Marcus North is not a test player; neither is Hauritz. McGrath, Warne or Hayden they are not. There are some good journeymen players such as Bollinger and Katich, but they will not be remembered in 30 years as any of the best. Yes, there are some world-class performers in the Australian side, but it's fairly obviously a shadow of the all-conquering side of only a few years ago.
The Indian side is better, and with legends like Dravid and Tendulkar in the top order, they will beat most sides. But the bowling of Sreesanth, Ojha and Zaheer would struggle to worry the Richards, Gooches or Laras in their pomp.
When I look globally, I see plenty of brilliant players in the world's top sides, but I also see JP Duminy, Ian Bell and Dale Richards. Top level cricket isn't what it used to be.
When the Australian side of Warne, McGrath, Hayden, Langer, Gilchrist and Lee were tearing teams apart, they were clearly the best side in the world. Likewise the West Indian side of the 80s, and the England side of the 90s (spot the odd one out...). When sides would play against them, they would need to raise their games in order to compete, and any players not good enough would soon be found out, and taken away from test cricket. Without that sort of dominant team, too many test cricketers are being carried by the performances of their teammates, and racking up far too many test caps. Or grinding out one gritty innings to save their career. (Step forward Mr North).
Sure, everyone who plays test cricket must be half-good. They're probably better than me, and probably better than a few of their club / county / state mates. But are they test-class? Without teams being right at the top of their games, test cricket is suffering. The 2005 Ashes were contested by a team who were rightly regarded as the best in the world (and full of hall of famers), and a side who had built themselves up for that series, giving themselves a chance to overhaul that great side. It led to (perhaps) the best series of all time, with the standard of cricket superb throughout. 2009 was different. Australia were rebuilding having lost loads of players; England were trying to create a team after the loss of the coach and two captains. While the competition of the series was great, the overall quality of the cricket was poor. Yes, England won, so I'm not complaining, but nobody will be watching the 2009 DVD ahead of the 2005 six-disc boxset.
So what's the point of this blog? Basically, I am saying that the overall quality of test cricket is lower than it was a few years ago. We've seen Pakistan collapse for under a hundred three times in a four game series - unthinkable previously. And this week we've seen a player who isn't good enough to be playing in tests make a hundred. For Australia. In India. I'm sure this is a cyclical thing, and in a couple of years better players will be displacing their crap counterparts, and the natural order will be restored. But until then, we're going to have to suffer another few years of Marcus North. And Ian Bell.
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