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.

Almanac Music: The close shave

November 14, 2016 by Leave a Comment

Newtown saved by Hipsters? Crankypete puts this illusory scenario into words.

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

The Magic of the Cup: Semi Finals (Canberra Olympic)

November 12, 2016 by Leave a Comment

Dennis Gedling has kept the chain of support going in the FFA Cup. When his team is knocked out he follows that victor, until it is knocked out, and so on. It’s made for a terrific series. Here’s the Canberra Olympic semi-final story. [Interesting to see where DG goes from here! – JTH]

Almanac Racing – fascinating rather than fascinators

November 12, 2016 by 1 Comment

Back to Sandown. What has Crio got for us this week? Is Big Orange the ultimate omen tip after the US election?

Jobe Watson to hand back the Brownlow Medal

November 11, 2016 by 15 Comments

Jobe Watson today announced that he will hand back the Brownlow Medal awarded to him in 2012. How does this sit in your ledger?

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.

Almanac Music: Leonard Cohen is dead

November 11, 2016 by 14 Comments

Cask wine and conversation – with Spud Murphy and Susan Masotti, in a box Queenslander, Connan Street, Indooroopilly, circa1983. Leonard Cohen on repeat.

Add your Leonard Cohen tribute/comment/story.

Almanac Racing: Emus, cats and three-legged corgis and their place in training great mares

November 11, 2016 by 1 Comment

Road travellers to and from Perth will now learn of the unusual animal friendships which helped a horse become a superstar. Peter Sweeney reports. [Classic bush training yarn of a world class mare – JTH]

The Glory of ‘Stereo Stories’

November 11, 2016 by 5 Comments

The final live Stereo Stories show for 2016 will be held in Geelong on Sunday November 20

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.