Hopefully our match starved Premier Cricketers will take the field this weekend. Round 8 is a Saturday/Sunday (3rd & 4th December) fixture. The heavy rains that hitMelbourne over the previous two weekends sabotaged Round 7,Geelong v Casey South Melbourne the only game to get a start on either of the past two Saturdays. It [Read more]
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? Almanac Admin
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]
Do not go gentle into that good night…
November 30, 2011 by 5 Comments
by Nick Withers Two facts I did not make up: Shane Watson has a book, and it is titled Watto. And you thought Australian cricket was on the mend? I’m sure Watto means well, but it’s a bit early to be crying bright about frail deeds, isn’t it? Crying bright about your frail back [Read more]
An offer I couldn’t refuse
November 29, 2011 by 9 Comments
by Mic Rees I recently received an invitation to attend the Footscray Edgewater Cricket Club’s 12th annual Chairman’s Luncheon. After some procrastination I foolhardily knocked back the generous offer. Fortunately my wife and a few work colleges told me that my original decision to decline was one of gross stupidity and I should reconsider. [Read more]
For Those Who Wait
November 29, 2011 by 3 Comments
Barry Nicholls’ new book – For Those Who Wait, the Barry Jarman Story – was launched by Ashley Mallett at the Adelaide Oval last Friday. The Australian’s Andrew Faulkner was there. You can catch his article about the night at the link below. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/sport/great-keeper-barry-jarman-lived-in-the-considerable-shadow-of-wally-grout/story-e6frg7rx-1226207503426 Almanac Admin
A Confederacy of Dunces* (Pt 1)
November 29, 2011 by 12 Comments
Poor governance is as integral to the folklore of cricket as WG Grace’s girth and Spofforth’s demonic gaze. For every cricketer who ever thought Yes I Can, there’s usually been an administrator coming up with a reason why he couldn’t. The rule of egg-and-bacon-tied buffers from Lords became entrenched in the Victorian era and [Read more]
Photo Essay: Michael Nesser
November 28, 2011 by Leave a Comment
By Peter Argent There was just a hint that this lad could have some real talent. In a team that got smashed at Adelaide Oval in a one-day mid week fixture against a modest Redbacks bowling attack, 21-year-old Michael Nesser gave an inkling that he may just be a little special. He collected his first [Read more]
Boy of the Match
November 24, 2011 by 3 Comments
By Nick Withers Johannesburg 2011. Where has Pat Cummins been? Why hasn’t he played forAustraliauntil now? What were the selectors thinking waiting only til now to debut him? The answers to these questions probably go something along the lines of a) in nappies; b) too busy sucking his thumb; and c) it would have [Read more]
Let’s Select The Test Side
November 23, 2011 by 19 Comments
by J.J. Leahy The new selection panel and coach should take some bold steps to plot the future Assuming all are fit, here is my team – 1. Shane Watson – still needed to open, but should go down to six so that he can contribute with the ball in the longer term 2. [Read more]
From deserts the…
November 22, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Australia’s fantastic victory overnight had many of the ingredients of Edgbaston 2005, but thankfully a better result for the visitors. The Aussie cause seemed to be lost for most of the abbreviated day’s play, yet in the end a bit of old-fashioned spirit got us through. It’s a bit weird to have the stomach [Read more]
SA v Aus – Day 5: St Cummins Day
November 22, 2011 by 14 Comments
Australia has won the second Test at The Wanderers in Johannesburg by two wickets. In a tense finish, Pat Cummins secured the victory. He played with a freedom of spirit and nonchalance that made any old dog feel even more battered and confused as we watched in our own muck in the middle of the [Read more]
South Africa V Australia – Johannesburg – Second test – Sunday
November 21, 2011 by 6 Comments
20 November 2011 – Day 4 South Africa 266 & 339 Australia 296 and 143/3 First Session South Africa resumed with an overnight lead of 199 and seven second wickets in hand. It was to be an extended two and a half hour session with an early start due to time lost on the [Read more]
Day 4: what’s not to like about Test cricket
November 21, 2011 by 31 Comments
I was in the car when play resumed on the morning of the fourth day at The Wanderers, my mind strongly of the view that the Australians would struggle to contain the South African batting line-up, and certainly were unlikely to dismiss them unless they attacked early. It has been an unusual Test wicket in [Read more]
Perfect media
November 20, 2011 by 8 Comments
JOHN KINGSMILL The best thing about radio cricket is that you know that it is on and that you don’t have to watch each delivery, each ponderous over. Radio lets you get on with your life. When life pauses, you flick a switch and it’s usually just at the right moment. The game is poised [Read more]
Lessons from Other Codes
November 20, 2011 by 1 Comment
My fellow Almanackers. I urged you to join me in launching the Football Improvement Federation of Australia (FIFA). We share a common love of Australian football. But I have become concerned about the decline and stagnation of the code. Games have become predictable, repetitive and defensive. There is not enough variety to keep fans [Read more]
Second Test Day 3
November 20, 2011 by 5 Comments
When the bowler most likely to snare you a wicket is an eighteen year old Test debutant with less than five first-class games to his credit, it is a reasonable assumption that some serious soul-searching regarding the make-up of your bowling attack would be occurring. It is also fair to say that half-way through a [Read more]
Australia eats spinach for breakfast; SA has rocket salad for lunch
November 19, 2011 by 3 Comments
Cricket: 2nd Test: RSA v Aust, Wanderers, Joh’burg, Day 2, Friday 18 November 2011: South Africa (266 & 0/0) versus Australia (296) Australia’s evaporation at Newlands masked the fact that most ofSouth Africa’s Test cricketers have not yet woken up in this mini-series. Had either Hussey or Watson held the chances given early by Amla [Read more]
Premier Cricket: Round 7 Preview
November 18, 2011 by 5 Comments
Round 7 of Premier Cricket will be played over the next two Saturdays (November 19 & 26), weather permitting. Here’s a brief look at those games. MATCH OF THE ROUND Frankston Peninsula (3rd) 20pts v Melbourne (4th) 20pts – AH Butler Oval Frankston 2011/12 FP WWLWLW – MCC LLWWWW Last time they met: Round [Read more]
Recent Comments