The WACA Hits Its ‘Used By’ Date

Brad Carr tells it like it is about the disgrace that is the WACA crowd ‘facilities’, and the shambles of WA sporting administration (and government in general).

The catches that won the Ashes

Jeff Dowsing reckons Australia’s catches won matches. England had more fumbles and bumbles than the Channel 9 commentary box.

CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS; THE S.S.S.C.A Christmas Eve Street Criggit Invitational

Steve Baker recounts a Christmas tale to gladden the heart and stir the memories of anyone who played a game of neighbourhood cricket in their youth. Sorry – criggit. (Also good for those fancying a bit of 80s Melbourne nostalgia.)

On the boundary

Vin Maskell and Paul Bateman share tales of how death illuminates life; and life illuminates cricket. Beautiful reflective story telling. Enjoy.

Lightning strikes twice – Tons of Fun at Washington Park

Ramon Dobb lets us know why cricket is alive and well at the grassroots level, with this stirring account of the adventures of Stinga, Suds, Fat Cat and Nudie (Snr & Jnr).

Third Test – Day 5: Recovery Stars

Peter Baulderstone reckons unexpected miracles are what keep us going. He shares the last day of the WACA test with blokes more down on their luck than Matt Prior. But they’re the ones smiling today.

Perth Test – Day 4: The Return of the Urn

Australians all let us rejoice, the urn is coming back. Some wonderful hitting by Watson and Bailey has Luke Reynolds in a very positive frame of mind.

Unplayable magnificence

The noble yorker – an art form with a past master, Joel Garner. Matt Watson says that injury aside, Johnson’s yorker to Broad is compelling vision: the most unplayable of deliveries, the most beautiful to watch.

The Other Ashes. The WA v England Media Soccer showdown.

Dennis Gedling lines up for WA in the ‘time honoured’ Ashes soccer cup. You’ll be the one laughing today, Dennis.

Third Test – Day 4: What have the Romans ever done for us? (The English team as Life of Brian)

Sean Curtain eavesdrops on the English team meeting. We are as good as the Aussies, apart from……………….

Ashes Test – Day 4: Watto!

Invers calls for Almanacker’s retractions and praise for the dazzling century by ‘our man’ Watto.

Perth Test – Day 3: Teeing Off

Andrew Else reckons the poms are all talk and no ticker. At least a moonboot will solve Stuart Broad’s perennial shoe lace dramas.

Perth Test – Day 3: Things I Saw Today

What a difference a few months make. Smokie Dawson contrasts England’s arrogant dominance in Manchester with their Day 3 capitulation under relentless Australian bowling and WACA heat.

Perth Test – Day 2: There’s Only One Eric Bristow

John Harms watches as the Poms try to arrest their drastic decline, and remembers a low-point in English history. [Includes one of the better descriptions of Warney’s Ball of the Century-Ed]

2013 End of Year Sale and Gift List

Is it better to give than receive? Tony Robb gives AFL powerbrokers, horse trainers, media ‘celebrities’ and the old enemies an extra big serve of Christmas comeuppance. With Santa best wishes to Kate, Carlton and Christian charity.

Perth Test – Day 1: A goodlookin batsman is like a goodlookin horse

The Almanac’s own Don Quixote (e.regnans aka David Wilson) and his faithful Rocinante (aka Clarrie Grimmett) journey through deserts, time and mind-bending heat to bring you this gripping saga of a gripping first day’s play at the WACA.

Perth Test – Day 1: Comeback Kings

Malcolm ‘Rulebook’ Ashwood is sick of Watto and calls for Santa’s return for Boxing Day. Why not make it Christmas every day?

Resurrection

Peter Baulderstone mixes his biblical metaphors to praise our saviour St Mitchell. A poetic tribute to a prodigal son returned. The crooked made straight? The scales lifted from our eyes? Praise be to him.

Ashes Diary 2013-14 – Entry No.2: Is sledging worth it?

Even if Australia win the Ashes, how will this series be remembered? And is Cricket Australia trying a new strategy by appealing to our inner-bogan?

The Diary of a Pub Cricketer

Ed Henty has published his diary of a summer of cricket playing with such luminaries as The Rev, Emu, Dutchy and Big Dog, in a league where there’s no LBW, you can’t get out first ball and the most important aspect of fielding is not spilling your beer.