The Ascension of Pup

February 8, 2012 by 26 Comments

  The test summer has concluded in unanticipated rout. Australian success has spawned a thousand post-Argus paternity claims, whereas Indian failure is truly an orphan. Indeed, it seems India’s initial inclination is to pretend the summer never happened at all. But as we bask in the afterglow, Australian fans might still harbour a nagging doubt. [Read more]

Rescinding a decision

December 13, 2011 by 7 Comments

  by Sean Curtain It takes a big man to admit when he is wrong, and on this occasion, I am both of those. Last week, after many reds worth of soul searching, I declared that I no longer wished the selectors to include me in their considerations for a position in the Australian Test [Read more]

That’s Real Entertainment!

December 12, 2011 by 21 Comments

Owing to illness, Peter Flynn was unable to provide his scheduled report.   For those marketing types on constant lookout for ways to repackage cricket as an ‘entertainment product’, this match should hopefully serve as a reminder that cricket has long offered one of the best entertainment packages there is to be had in sport. [Read more]

Kiwis Falter, Aussies Take Advantage

December 12, 2011 by 26 Comments

Australia vs New Zealand. 2nd Test, Bellerive Oval, Hobart Day 3.   A catastrophic – but not unfamiliar – batting collapse by New Zealand in the morning session saw them forfeit their strong position in the Second Test. From the healthy, but hardly impregnable, overnight score of 3/139, the Kiwis lost their last seven wickets [Read more]

The Limits of Aggression

December 11, 2011 by 13 Comments

  Australian cricket has long worn aggression as a badge of honour. In our modern period of domination  that badge was often brandished with zealous fervour.  It gave our cricket with an uncompromising edge. Sometimes it seemed we courted controversy for its own sake, even when it was superfluous to the requirements of victory. In [Read more]

Green Pitch Draws Blood

December 9, 2011 by 4 Comments

Day One Patrick O’Keeffe   Despite predictions of a closely fought Test series, the First Test saw a comprehensive victory to an Australian side showing signs of regeneration. In media engagements, the New Zealand players promised a better showing in Hobart.   The New Zealand batsmen could have expected a flatter pitch. The Bellerive wicket [Read more]

Second Test Blog

December 9, 2011 by 31 Comments

A question: can two tests really constitute a series? Talk of Australia ‘sweeping’ this two game affair seems a little grandiose. There’s talk of a green pitch in Hobart. Maybe early, but the usual road would be expected at some stage. Can Michael Clarke win a toss? Any other thoughts  folks?

Come back Bill!

December 8, 2011 by 2 Comments

  There was one thing missing from Channel 9’s coverage of the First Test in Brisbane. Actually, many would argue that there were lots of things missing from Channel 9’s coverage and that there has been for a long time. But that’s a conversation for another time – or in the Comments section below if [Read more]

Qualified Joy in Kiwi Clobbering

December 6, 2011 by 26 Comments

  Two seasons ago Australia were undefeated in six test matches against the mediocre opposition put up by the West Indies and Pakistan. All that success served to achieve was to mask the deficiencies of an ordinary team, and set Australia up for last summer’s Ashes debacle.  So an easy win over a New Zealand [Read more]

Australia and Test cricket not done with yet

December 5, 2011 by 12 Comments

  by Andrew Gigacz This was a day when everything went right – maybe not for Phil Hughes, but for me and the rest of the Australians. Knowing that I’d be doing the Day 4 report for the Almanac, I headed out for my morning coffee with the intention of returning home to catch the [Read more]

Australia on top

December 4, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Australia V New Zealand – 1st Test – Woolloongabba Cricket Ground – Day 3 – 3 November, 2011 JJ Leahy New Zealand 295 & 10/1 Australia 427 First Session The grey leaden clouds of the first two days had been replaced white puffy ones barely moving against clear blue sky as Australia resumed at 145/3. [Read more]

Umpires’ Day at the Gabba

December 3, 2011 by 4 Comments

    The second day of the First Test between Australia and New Zealand will be remembered as a day when weirdness and officialdom took over the game. Actually, let me start again: the second day of the First Test between Australia and New Zealand will not be remembered.

AUSTRALIA v NEW ZEALAND – 1ST TEST, DAY ONE

December 2, 2011 by 17 Comments

  By Matt O’Connor I made a horrible error this morning, and forgot about the one hour time difference that Queenslanders insist upon preserving for no apparent reason. I tuned into Channel 9 at 10am Eastern Summer Time, thinking that its pre-match palaver might provide me with a few tit-bits for my Day One report. [Read more]

Brisbane Test Blog

December 1, 2011 by 37 Comments

The Australians may need name tags. For that matter, so may some of the Kiwis. But summer is here folks! And so’s the cricket. Anyone game to speculate on this game?

A few (twisted) words about Australia’s team to play NZ

November 30, 2011 by 5 Comments

  by Andrew Gigacz By this time tomorrow at least three, and possibly four, players will have made their Test debut for Australia. Dave Warner will complete his transformation from being a two-hour player to a five-day cricketer, and at least two of James Pattinson, Mitchell Starc and Ben Cutting will form part of the [Read more]