Australia v South Africa – Hobart Test, Day 3: De Kock ton, Hazlewood’s sixfa, and Khawaja’s steel, as the Australians survive

November 14, 2016 by 4 Comments

Citrus Bob Utber is happy to record something of an Australian fightback thanks to Josh Hazlewood and Usman Khawaja. But our correspondent is already focusing on Australian selection for Adelaide.

Australian Cricket’s Woes: A letter to afar

November 14, 2016 by Leave a Comment

Middle Australia offers some thoughts on the malaise of Australian test cricket. Time for some to spend a day or two in the room of mirrors.

Almanac Cricket: The Umpire Strikes Back

November 14, 2016 by 16 Comments

Phil Dimitriadis is not proud of losing his cool on the cricket pitch, especially when umpiring.

Cricket and Politics

November 14, 2016 by 4 Comments

Middle Australia is perplexed about Warnie being touted as a potential Australian coach.

Australia v South Africa – Hobart Test, Day 1: Oops We did it again

November 14, 2016 by Leave a Comment

On the first day of a new Test match, many questions were asked of Australia’s batting, Mick Jeffrey had a few of his own on junior development of the game.

Australia v South Africa – Hobart Test, Day 2: A great day for Australia as the heavens open at Blundstone Arena

November 13, 2016 by 2 Comments

Plenty to ruminate over as the rain forces the cricketers and the spectators inside. Much pontification. Citrus Bob Utber has been chatting to all and sundry in and around Blundstone Arena.

Australia v South Africa – Hobart Test Day 2: What Did You Do Instead?

November 13, 2016 by 14 Comments

Rain stopped play, all day. What did you do with the extra time (if any) that this afforded?

Australia v South Africa – Hobart Test Day 1: Weight of expectation from leaden skies

November 13, 2016 by 5 Comments

The much-forecast rain, by and large, never turned up on Day 1 at Blundstone Arena. Unfortunately, neither did Australia’s batting, S Smith the honourable exception playing the quintessential captain’s knock.

Australia v South Africa – Hobart Test, Day 1: South Africans sharp, Australians not

November 12, 2016 by 7 Comments

Citrus Bob Utber pops in to Birchip en route to the airport and learns of the history of cricket in the town. Perhaps the local side would have performed better against the South Africans at the beautiful (but overcast) Blundstone Arena. Australia are bowled out for 85 in tough conditions, with the visitors absolutely superb.

Almanac Cricket – From Walters to Marsh: A brief history of the Australian No. 6

November 12, 2016 by 11 Comments

Mitch Marsh is something like the 50th Australian No. 6 since Doug Walters and with him Dave Brown thinks the selectors are trying something new

Hookesy at West Torrens

November 11, 2016 by 10 Comments

Mike Sexton meets Denis Brien, West Torren CC stalwart, and tells the story of a young and emerging David Hookes and a little-known test (legal) case. [Another quintessential M. Sexton yarn – JTH]

Australia v South Africa – Hobart Test: Call for writers

November 11, 2016 by 3 Comments

This is an invitation for writers of Test cricket; all styles, all ages; to submit their observations and thoughts on the Hobart Test. All welcome. Nominate a day.

Middle Australia on Cricketing Trends

November 11, 2016 by 3 Comments

Middle Australia introduces you to the new trend: Collapse. With it’s chief ambassador Shaun Marsh.

Blind, Deaf and Clueless: Why Australia Lost the Test

November 11, 2016 by 1 Comment

Phil Hill turns to the Laws of the game to explain why Australia lost in Perth. It appears South Africa got the Rabada green

Almanac Cricket: “Is this your fifty, mate?” A day at the Sheffield Shield

November 11, 2016 by 9 Comments

Tbone proves that a day out at the Sheffield Shield is worth more than the admission price.

Almanac Cricket: Enough of Trump. What is it about cricket?

November 10, 2016 by 4 Comments

Watching Cricket allows Jan Courtin the opportunity to unwind and relax. What is it about Cricket? Any takers?

Almanac Cricket: Who wants to be an off-spinner?

November 10, 2016 by 5 Comments

Following Nathan Lyon’s toil and turmoil at the WACA, Craig Dodson offers support as a member of the Offies’ Club.

Caught Lillee Bowled Marsh

November 10, 2016 by 6 Comments

Rod Marsh bowling at the WACA with Dennis Lillee keeping? Damian Balassone faces up to this reverse combination in his latest short poetry piece.

Almanac Cricket: Russell Jackson’s profile of Sam Almaliki, protector of community cricket (from The Guardian)

November 9, 2016 by Leave a Comment

Russell Jackson’s profile of Sam Almiliki, community engagement exec at Cricket Australia, is well worth a read. It first appeared in the Guardian where Russ is the sports editor.

Australia v South Africa – Perth Test Day 5: Blockheads of colour-by-number d.by Impressionists

November 8, 2016 by 15 Comments

E. regnans has recorded an Australian pub conversation from somewhere, anywhere, maybe everywhere. It seems cricket, Test cricket and the approach of senior cricket officials is the talk of the sporting world at the moment. It certainly is in this pub. [Much to consider here – JTH]