The Ashes – Second Test: Cricket Snicks 2 with Citrus Bob
CRICKET SNICKS 2
The AFL season never ends does it? Just keep your eyes open for their regular daily bulletin on nothing. They did declare years ago that ‘every day there will be something about us (AFL) in the media’.
Who knew that Alex Carey was sponsored by ALDI? By the look of his keeping gloves you would think so. Showed his football talent when nothing was going to stop him taking the catch to dismiss Atkinson with team mate Marnus bearing down on him. Later in the innings a similar thing happened. Neither of them went for it!
Despite what many Aussies may think Joe Root is a very humble man. When he did reach that most elusive of centuries for him there was not the antics that we receive from some players. To a certain degree Travis Head is of the same mould.
Enough said about Nathan Lyon but good on him from showing his disappointment and not hiding behind CA and their thoughts. Not enough in our big sorts of Cricket and AFL do we really get the thoughts of the players concerned. Must toe the party line Barnaby!
Either a feast or a famine for Zac Crawley and that is why coach Baz sticks with him. Some of his shots yesterday were absolutely glorious particularly his cover drive and his push through mid-wicket.
Love watching the national anthems at any sport just to see if the athletes (a) know the words and (b) actually join in the singing. Australian athletes would nearly be at the bottom of the list except for the Wallabies. They would have naturally, been taught at school anyway. Yesterday – Joe, Marnus and Joffra top of the hits with voice. To many casualties for mine.
What a disgrace that time wasting by SPD at the end of the day topped of by Head calling for a helmet, using it for one ball and then discarding. It is getting worse each year but the powers that be continue to over a pittance in fines.
It irks me that the cameras and the producers continually go down the line as they have been doing for years. Like ‘singing’ the club theme songs – second rate.
Forgot to mention of the death of Robin Smith the fine Afrikaans come English batter yesterday. Again it makes you wonder how good would have South Africa been if there had not been apartheid and banned from playing at test level. Smith was a wonderful batsman.
There is no finer fielder in world cricket than Marnus Labuschagne. A upper catch to get rid of Jofra diving away to his right. I cannot remember him ever dropping a catch. Remember him fielding as third substitute against Pakistan way back when he took a brilliant catch at short leg.
Travis Head three runs from 23 balls. Nothing to hit from Archer and Atkinson. Is this the first time that two players with their surnames starting with ‘A’ have opened the bowling in a Test match?
More stories from Citrus Bob Utber can be read Here.
To return to the www.footyalmanac.com.au home page click HERE
Our writers are independent contributors. The opinions expressed in their articles are their own. They are not the views, nor do they reflect the views, of Malarkey Publications.
Do you enjoy the Almanac concept?
And want to ensure it continues in its current form, and better? To help keep things ticking over please consider making your own contribution.
Become an Almanac (annual) member – CLICK HERE
About Bob Utber
At 86 years of age Citrus Bob is doing what he has always done since growing up on a small farm at Lang Lang. Talking, watching and writing sport and in recent years writing books. He lives in Mildura with his very considerate wife (Jenny) and a groodle named 'Chloe on Flinders' and can be found at Deakin 27 every day.
Robin Smith was a fine batsman. Sadly he joins the long line of top sportsmen who self destruct when the lights go out.
“What do they know of life who only cricket/footy/etc know?”
There is very little honesty or self revelation to help ordinary mortals struggling in the AFL’s “mental health” policy.
On a positive note – Adam; Min Woo & Rory were a joy to watch – smiling and enjoying each other and rapturous crowds on Royal Melbourne’s genius layout. Sport at its finest.
We value it more when we see it so rarely (the enjoyment; the talent and the course).
Cheers from the Fatal Shore.
PETER_B -your quote from CLR James is most appropriate although slightly changed. I am presently writing a book about an extraordinary sportsman who played a variety of sports for his state who in today’s society would be regarded as “suffering a mental illness”. No mention in those days.
Marvellous crowd at RM and the boys acted like the women cricketers do. Enjoying one another despite the fierce competition at hand.
Cameron Green should be run out of town after playing that shot last night. The brain fade of a dimwit.
Puts the test on an interesting footing. Starc aside, the Poms will fancy themselves in the second dig.
What lead wins it for them? 300?
DIPS – was it a brain fade or did he have the jitters? Could not understand it although he was backing away to leg to play his shots.
The Poms will fancy themselves in the second dig but they will need to build up a huge lead. Yes, 300 sound reasonable but their bowling was tripe. Credit to Stokes who tried to lift his team when bowling. he was stuffed by the end of the day and still chased the ball to the boundary from his “trundlers”.
Must mention Root again – wish all players who reach a century could be as humble – very gracious.
CB the crown jewel was the AFL releasing there fixture at 6-30 in the morning when the Socceroos were playing in the World Cup talk about being paranoid.Likewise I enjoyed -Lyon’s honesty.V sad re -Robin Smith PB spot on thank you