Thursday December 30, 2010 Such was England’s dominance, this Test felt old by the end of the second day. Its course was obvious and result assured. The dark skies that glared menacingly down on Australia’s batsmen on Boxing Day provided an appropriate opening scene. English conditions suited the visiting bowlers who moved and slid the [Read more]
Andrew Starkie’s Ashes Diary (10)
December 28, 2010 by 1 Comment
ASHES DIARY Entry 10 Monday December 27, 2010 Alighting at Jolimont, I inserted my Christmas present digital Walkman to discover Strauss had won the toss and elected to bowl. Again. Nassar shook his head and walked away. ‘Strauss has put the Aussies in. I can’t believe it,’ I said to the nearest person who happened [Read more]
ASHES DIARY- Entry 9
December 24, 2010 by 4 Comments
Friday December 24, 2010 It’s mid-afternoon and I’m lying under the tree in the backyard. It’s sunny, peaceful and quiet and the pre-Christmas madness has begun to dissipate. Early evening, I’ll meet family – parents, sisters, brothers-in-law, nieces and nephew – at St. Anthony’s, Fairfield. Afterwards, we’ll head back to Anne’s house, my elder sister, [Read more]
Andrew Starkie’s Ashes Diary (8)
December 19, 2010 by 1 Comment
ASHES DIARY Entry 8 Saturday December 18, 2010 Human nature is a funny thing; and we are equally funny creatures. Confidence is that elusive, yet essential ingredient for success in life and sport. We can spend our lives coveting, chasing, gaining, and losing it again. Confidence can turn Alastair Cook, averaging 30 for the year [Read more]
Andrew Starkie’s Ashes Diary (7)
December 17, 2010 by 2 Comments
ASHES DIARY Entry 7 Friday December 17, 2010 In a reflection of how confidently England are travelling, Andrew Strauss won the toss and elected to bowl on a green, yet firm Perth pitch expected to reward batsmen prepared to dig in and weather an early barrage. Nassar Hussain was heard yelling from the commentary box: [Read more]
Andrew Starkie’s Ashes Diary (6)
December 15, 2010 by 5 Comments
ASHES DIARY Entry 6 Tuesday December 14, 2010 Sorry, mostly a negative rant today; with a bit of positivity at the end. If I was confused by Australian selection policies before the Brisbane Test, things aren’t any clearer as we head to Perth. Consider Doug Bollinger. Instructed by Cricket Australia to play the IPL in [Read more]
Andrew Starkie’s Ashes Diary (5)
December 7, 2010 by 1 Comment
ASHES DIARY Entry 5 Monday December 6, 2010 The armless Ethiopian taxi driver picked up Adrian and I from Adelaide Airport, Saturday morning. We eased along Sir Donald Bradman Drive, skirted the edges of the city and headed into the inner southern suburbs to our modest, one ply toilet paper, clunking air-conditioner motel. In the [Read more]
Andrew Starkie’s Ashes Diary (4)
December 2, 2010 by 5 Comments
ASHES DIARY Entry 4 Wednesday December 1, 2010 Now the dust has settled on an un-Brisbane like pitch that didn’t offer its usual Australian victory, what did we make of the first Test? Although we never looked like losing, many believe there were more negatives than anything else for Australia. Is it all doom and [Read more]
Andrew Starkie’s Ashes Diary (3)
November 28, 2010 by Leave a Comment
ASHES DIARY Entry 3 Sunday November 28, 2010 In a Test bossed by bowlers over the first two days, there was always the chance this match may be ultimately determined by batsmen. Bell, Cook and Pietersen threatened big scores on day one, only to be stopped by Sidds’ slice of history and debutant Doherty who [Read more]
Andrew Starkie’s Ashes Diary (2)
November 26, 2010 by Leave a Comment
ASHES DIARY Entry 2 Thursday November 25, 2010 How many North Melbourne supporters claim an Ashes hat-trick on their birthday? None. Before today. Sidds will dine out on this for the rest of his life. When long retired and trawling the country sportsman’s night circuit, he’ll be introduced as the quick who got a [Read more]
Andrew Starkie’s Ashes Diary
November 25, 2010 by 3 Comments
ASHES DIARY Entry 1 Wednesday November 24, 2010 Welcome to my Ashes 2010/11 diary. During this Test series, I will be posting regular entries on the almanac website, consisting of observations, opinions, queries and idle thoughts. I love the Ashes as much as I love footy and the NMFC, so stay tuned and let me [Read more]
Roos season that was
October 3, 2010 by 4 Comments
Here’s my take on the season that was for the Rooboys: Season highlights: Our best win of the season came against Carlton in round 12. Friday night, big crowd, season on the line. I sat with a couple of typically arrogant Blue mates behind their interchange bench and rejoiced with every Lindsay Thomas goal and [Read more]
What a day!
September 29, 2010 by 2 Comments
by Andrew Starkie Wednesday of preliminary final week, a line of eight chairs is roped to the back fence of Reservoir Ticketek. Sticky-taped, scribbled signs warn: ‘Collingwood member. Don’t touch!’ The chairs are like sentries. Or night club bouncers. I brace myself for a Collingwood grand final. At the 11 minute mark, second quarter of [Read more]
Pleasant Sunday Evening Footy
August 26, 2010 by 1 Comment
West Coast Eagles versus North Melbourne 2.40pm, Sunday, August 22 Subiaco Oval, Perth It’s late Wednesday afternoon – three days since we played the Eagles – and I’m under the pump. Struggling for air halfway through a crazy working week, I’ve managed to steal an hour or so in which to write this piece. I [Read more]
I Don’t Like Sunday (Evenings)
August 19, 2010 by 2 Comments
North Melbourne versus St. Kilda 4.40pm, Sunday, August 15 Etihad Stadium, Melbourne There’s something definitely wrong about Sunday night footy. Something dissatisfying. Footy should signal the end of the working week, not the start. The journey to the game should be accompanied by a Friday night or Saturday arvo tingle of relief. When spectators sit [Read more]
“We’ll be right”
August 4, 2010 by 1 Comment
by Andrew Starkie Western Bulldogs versus North Melbourne 2.10pm, Sunday, August 1 Etihad Stadium, Melbourne During half-time, a craggy old Northerner wobbles up beside me and rests on the railing. He’s wearing a Kangaroo beanie and needs a walking stick to stay upright. We get to talking and his voice is like a firecracker as [Read more]
Oh, the pain
July 28, 2010 by 2 Comments
North Melbourne versus Essendon 7.10pm, Saturday, July 24 Etihad Stadium, Melbourne My mate MOC (his initials are M.O’C.) has been tormenting me our whole lives. He’s a typically boastful Bomber and has been shoving the perpetual success of his football club – and the relatively humble trophy cabinet of mine – down my throat since [Read more]
Still in the hunt
July 22, 2010 by 3 Comments
Richmond versus North Melbourne 2.10pm, Sunday, July 18 MCG The Eureka Game Despite the fact the Tigers are aiming for five wins in a row for the first time since KB was running around, and we were put to sleep by the Swanzzzzz last week, and Petrie and Thomas re-join Anthony and Ziebell on the [Read more]
Cats cruise as Roos lose Ziebell – and belief – early
July 6, 2010 by 1 Comment
Geelong versus North Melbourne 1.10pm, Sunday, July 4 Skilled Stadium, Geelong by Andrew Starkie ‘Confident?’ I ask the Roo beside me, taking my usual seat, front row, Melbourne end goals. In order to avoid disappointment, I always pre-purchase a ticket from the club for the annual Cattery game, and this is where they invariably put [Read more]
Levi’s wobbler keeps Roo hopes alive
June 10, 2010 by Leave a Comment
North Melbourne versus Brisbane 7.10pm, Saturday, June 5 Etihad Stdium, Melbourne Just when you think all hope is gone, footy gives you reason to believe again. When one victory brings your season back from the cliff’s edge. That happened on Saturday night. I wasn’t supposed to be there. I was supposed to be at home [Read more]
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