With the ‘Great Review of Australian Cricket’ just around the corner, I think it is important to address an issue that I’m sure will be at the bottom of the review panel’s ‘to-do’ list – cricketers in their thirties. Cricket Australia have made it quite clear in recent years that there is no place for [Read more]
ACT Comets – time to bring them back?
March 15, 2011 by 13 Comments
In a recent lecture [to a bunch of Knackers, and the world in general], Gideon Haigh said he believed we are witnessing the fourth major epoch in cricket as we know it. Each previous period instigated significant change to cricket. The first was when English cricket ‘died’ in 1882 and the Ashes cremated. The second was Bodyline [Read more]
We Want Cossie
March 10, 2011 by 8 Comments
In choosing Mike Hussey as the replacement player for the injured Doug Bollinger, the Australian selectors have missed a big opportunity to mould the national team into a group with which the general public could more easily identify, and once again grow to love. Much has been written about the “disconnect” that the grass-roots cricket [Read more]
The Cricket Debate Continues
March 7, 2011 by 16 Comments
From: John Kingsmill JTH Don’t want to be a sourpuss but 36 quick responses to your grumpy rave doesn’t suggest a disconnect at all between cricket fans and the CA product. It suggests the complete opposite. Disconnect is not caring at all. Second point. Real cricket people. I have some difficulty with that concept. It [Read more]
World Cup: Ireland defeat England
March 3, 2011 by 8 Comments
Take that for the Potato Famine! Ireland’s Kevin O’Brien has scored the fastest century in World Cup history to steer his side from 5-111 to an amazing upset win over the English. Almanac Admin
It’s never over til it’s over
February 24, 2011 by 1 Comment
It’s the end of summer, school is back but that’s the furthest thing from my mind as I stride out to bat in my U14’s grand final. Earlier GWB made an under par 132. It’s a hot day. I’m full of emotions. My determination to win leads a shaky backline of fear and disgust. You [Read more]
Knackers v Overland: a case for the mind, the body and the soul
February 21, 2011 by 18 Comments
by Straight Break Sport, some Greek with too much red wine in him decided, is about the mind, the body and the soul. That’s our problem. Of all the civilisations on which to base ours, we are stuck with the damn Greeks. They invented the gymnasium, which is not like the gymnasium in the United [Read more]
Almanac XI v Overland XI – Almanac Captain’s report
February 21, 2011 by 33 Comments
by Andrew Gigacz I believe it’s part of the unwritten ethos of the cricket commentating fraternity that at least once in a career the phrase, “well bowled, well played and well fielded; good cricket all around”, must be used. Had any of that fraternity been at Gillon Oval on Sunday to call the Almanac XI [Read more]
Almanac v Overland Photo Gallery
February 21, 2011 by 5 Comments
Evidence for the prosecution provided by Marion Butler (at least one family member had something to show for their efforts). John ButlerJohn Butler has fled the World’s Most Liveable Car Park and now breathes the rarefied air of the Ballarat Plateau. For his sins, he has passed his 40th year as a Carlton member.
Almanac XI primed
February 16, 2011 by 39 Comments
by ‘Straight Break’ Members of The Almanac XI made their way to the old Brunswick St Oval cricket nets last Sunday, and put in a strong session, in preparation for the much-anticipated fixture against Overland this coming Sunday. Peter Flynn put his captaincy aspirations in jeopardy by not turning up, while Gigs Gigacz served his [Read more]
Gideon Haigh’s book launch
February 16, 2011 by 5 Comments
I’m afraid I’ve done it again – that is, dashed off a new book. It’s called OUT OF THE RUNNING. It is about the 2010-11 Ashes series. You can see it here. https://www.penguin.com.au/lookinside/spotlight.cfm?SBN=9780670076017 It has Michael Clarke on the cover. Sad to say, despite the small fortune he must have spent on them, none of [Read more]
GIGA BITES 2 – Director’s Cut
February 14, 2011 by 6 Comments
Below is a significantly extended version of Giga Bites, which appeared in the Saturday Age on 12th February, 2011. by Andrew Gigacz DRAWING A LONG (SUPER) BOW(L) Super Bowl XLV was played this week and the Green Bay Packers’ winning score of 31 should have come as no surprise, especially given the fact [Read more]
Dis a Bill ity
February 11, 2011 by 5 Comments
I am bitterly disappointed at not being considered for the inaugural Knacker Cricket team. I have sought an opinion from a leading Tasmanian human rights lawyer and I must inform the organisers that an injunction will be placed on the game if I do not receive satisfaction. Phantom
SILVERWARE AT LAST: THE T20 BIG BASH FINAL 2010-11
February 11, 2011 by 3 Comments
Adelaide Oval, 5 February Finally, the silverware. Fifteen long years. I was there. I hadn’t intended to be but a mate who’d been having his ups and downs asked if we could catch up at the Oval, have a beer or two. Agreed. ‘See you there.’ We’d have a beer or two. The Redbacks didn’t [Read more]
Cricket Australia gets it wrong….again.
February 10, 2011 by 12 Comments
Cricket Australia has announced its chosen eight teams for next year’s Big Bash. Now I don’t really care about the success of the competition anyhow, I agree with John Harms’ comments that T20 is undermining traditional cricket. Nevertheless, if you were going to base a competition on “city” teams rather than the traditional State teams [Read more]
The Footy Almanac XI selected
February 9, 2011 by 16 Comments
The selectors are pleased to announce The Footy Almanac XI for the match against Overland on Feb 20. The team is: C.W.J. Little J.R. Butler A.T. Gigacz David Bridie T.C. Riordan T. Ivins D.A.C. Dawson P.J. Flynn C.D. Down Dave Goodwin G.C.J.D. Haigh Neil Belford (??) J.T. Harms (subject to a fitness test – and [Read more]
Details of the Footy Almanac XI’s inaugural match.
February 9, 2011 by Leave a Comment
The Footy Almanac XI v Overland To be played for the Jack Clancy Cup, currently sitting on the bar at the North Fitzroy Arms. 20 February, 2011 from midday At the historically significant Gillon Oval, Brunswick (corner Victoria and Pearson Sts) All welcome. The bar will be open to purchase drinks and nibbles. Or you [Read more]
Billy Midwinter and the Clyde Hotel
February 1, 2011 by 3 Comments
The Clyde Hotel, scene of the launches of the 2009 and 2010 editions of The Footy Almanac, has a great sporting link. The landlord was once Billy Midwinter, the only man to play Ashes cricket for both England and Australia. Peter Flynn uncovered two great yarns about Billy. Click on the links below to reveal [Read more]
East Coburg Blues
January 28, 2011 by 8 Comments
By Paul Daffey The day was beautiful, with clear sunshine beating down on a verdant outfield, which was the most that could be said for it. In a cricket sense the day was horrible. I was playing my second annual match for the East Coburg fourths. We (these things happen quickly) were expected to win [Read more]
Selection frustration
January 26, 2011 by 10 Comments
by Darren Dawson The name Brett Forsyth would be familiar to only the keenest of cricket fans. Don’t fret if you have never heard of him. Forsyth is a batsman who plies his trade for Dandenong in Premier (District) Cricket, the level immediately below the Bushrangers. It is worth noting that Forsyth, with 632 runs [Read more]
Recent Comments