New South Wales require another 568 runs with 10 wickets remaining. In one day.
I don't think that Tassie can lose from here. With Lambert promoted to, NSW may have an early slog and chase hard. The risk for them (obviously) is losing a few wickets. If this happens Tassie could easily roll their soft middle order. If they do, NSW will officially become our bitch.
Either way, I’m confident that Tasmania will win the Shield for the first time ever. Whatever, worst case scenario and they lose, I’ll just stress that the final is a load of rubbish and Tassie finished on top, and that was enough to win the shield for 75 years so everyone else can get fucked and we’re still the champions. And looking closer at the side only makes me happier.
Michael Di Venuto; Tim Paine; George Bailey; Sean Clingeleffer; Luke Butterworth; Adam Griffith; and Ben Hilfenhaus are all Tasmanians born and bred.
Travis Birt and Damien Wright are from elsewhere, but have only played first class cricket in Australia for the Tigers. Michael Dighton was a highly regard junior in WA, got 11 games for WA, but really has only had a decent run in the Apple Isle. Similar is Dan Marsh, who had 4 First Class games for SA, but has really hit his straps as a captain and batsman in Tasmania. I don't think the rest of the country (and maybe many Tasmanians) really recognise how well he has done here. 5000 runs at nearly 40 for Tassie is not to be sniffed at, given the seamer’s wickets of the 2001–5 period. Chuck in 127 wickets (also at around 40), and you’re looking at a solid set of figures.
Given that the experience of ‘fly-in’ players amounts to just 15 games from 2 players, this is a long way from the foreign legion of other state's second XI players that we've had in the past, and proves the wisdom of the selection panel's persistence with young and talented local players. This was despite some dreadful loses a couple of years back. Honestly, the state should be really, really proud of this team and I hope that they get the recognition that they deserve.
I’m particularly happy with the performance of Clingeleffer. I reckon that he’s the best keeper in Australia, and is a really good contributor with the bat. Yeah, he’s a bit of a nudger in the age of Gilchrist, but an average of 27 (and a 44 and 107 in a Shield final!) demonstrates that he’s no mug and well worth his spot. I hope the selectors get the message and don’t put pressure on Tim Pain and ruin him Wayne Phillips-style.
Friday, March 23, 2007
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Shield Final
At 3/139 chasing Tassie's total of 340, I'm a bit worried. Hopefully we can get the next load of wickets for just a few runs.
Riddled with the flu here, and with work all Thursday it's looking increasingly unlikely that I'll get to the game. My only hope is for rain, and the snot and fever to clear up on Friday!.
C'MON THE TIGERS!
C'MON THE STUD!
Riddled with the flu here, and with work all Thursday it's looking increasingly unlikely that I'll get to the game. My only hope is for rain, and the snot and fever to clear up on Friday!.
C'MON THE TIGERS!
C'MON THE STUD!
Bob Woolmer
From Peter Roebuck's SMH column today:
“To a greater and lesser degree all sportsmen die in hotels. That night Woolmer went to his room with its silences and accusing walls, an isolated figure trying to come to terms with futility.
Britain's Daily Mirror said his death was caused by an overdose of prescription medicine and alcohol, but his family pointed to stress.”
If that is the case, how depressing. He shouldn't have expected any more of the Pakistan cricket team, it's what the do! For all of the shit heaped upon him to drive him to that!
He could have quit, walked away and no-one would have thought any less of him.
“To a greater and lesser degree all sportsmen die in hotels. That night Woolmer went to his room with its silences and accusing walls, an isolated figure trying to come to terms with futility.
Britain's Daily Mirror said his death was caused by an overdose of prescription medicine and alcohol, but his family pointed to stress.”
If that is the case, how depressing. He shouldn't have expected any more of the Pakistan cricket team, it's what the do! For all of the shit heaped upon him to drive him to that!
He could have quit, walked away and no-one would have thought any less of him.
Ben Cousins
Peter Walsh on ABC radio reported that Cousins was told to come in for a random drug test prior to training. He then did a Rio Ferdinand and pissed off over the back fence, went missing, phone off, rendered himself uncontactable et cetera. He has form for this (remember the running away from the Breath Test? For mine, that should have seen him sacked, as it wasn't his first offence).
I'd imagine that the AFL has broader rules on this. If it is true, he'd be facing at least 18-month ban, I'd reckon.
What a dickhead.
I'd imagine that the AFL has broader rules on this. If it is true, he'd be facing at least 18-month ban, I'd reckon.
What a dickhead.
Gutted
I'm just gutted that the scrag lost all that weight. It literally has ruined my week.
I shall speak no more of it!
I shall speak no more of it!
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Racist!
Is it terrible of me to suggest that we check to bank accounts of Pakistan and Indian cricket players tomorrow?
Losing to Ireland? Bangledesh? Come on, surely they're not that ordinary.
Corruption would be the only solice for the Pakistan supporters now. If only their two bowlers had have passed their pre-World Cup "fitness" *wink, wink* *nudge nudge* tests.
Losing to Ireland? Bangledesh? Come on, surely they're not that ordinary.
Corruption would be the only solice for the Pakistan supporters now. If only their two bowlers had have passed their pre-World Cup "fitness" *wink, wink* *nudge nudge* tests.
The footy's back!
Setting up the tipping comp this year has forced me into a few predictions:
In another bold, and probably stupid move, I'm tipping Geelong to end years of heartbreak with a win over West Coast in the Grand Final.
Not so bold is my prediction that Matthew Lloyd will be a runaway winner of the Coleman medal.
Again, a safe bet that Chris Judd will win the Brownlow. More boldly, I predict that post-celebration he will announce his intention to sign for Essendon.
In a stab in the dark, I'm going with Alwyn Davey will be awarded the Rising Star award. I'm sick of top picks getting it, so here's hoping Bryce Gibbs does his knee by round three.
The surprise packet this year? The Catters. Both Abletts will run amock, and I reckon that they'll kick a few more goals this year with a more direct game plan.
Sydney must be due a few injuries, if they get even three of four to leading players, I don't think they have any depth to cover them. There's no way they'd cope with an injury crisis like Adelaide will be facing this year. Swans to just sneak into the Eight.
The real duds this year (I'm hoping), will be Collingwood and Hawthorn. Collingwood are a bit ordinary looking on paper. Any team that depends so much on Josh Fraser and Anthony Rocca are always going to struggle. Hawthorn have plenty of talent on their list, but I reckon three years of god-awful backwards chipping gameplan and team leaders like Richie "Fucken" Vandenberg will see them struggling for wins.
The Bulldogs were flattered by their finish last year. Their style may well get found out this year, and I reckon that Akker will do more harm than good. Also, if Brian Harris is your only dependable tall backman, you're in trouble.
Hopefully the Bombers will sneak into the eight. Mal Michael will strengthen the backline and free up Fletcher as an attacking half back option. We suffered last year with the change in kick in rule, where Fletcher's long, accurate kicking led to quite a few goals. With the necessity of him being tied to the goal square lessened, I think his kicking will again lead to plenty of attack. Lloyd back will also make a difference. If he can kick 80+ goals, Lucas 40+, and then Hird, Johns and Davey contributing, we have a potent attack. The problem will again be in midfield. Hopefully one of Jetta, Houli, Lonergan or Hislop will step up. Anyway, with so many Tasmanians on the list this year, we have to do well. Here's hoping Lee, Laycock, Lonergan and Hislop all get plenty of games (particularly Lee, because he's from the Burnie Dockers and we need a solid big man down back, and who better than a Burnie boy?).
West Coast
St. Kilda
Geelong
Fremantle
Melbourne
Adelaide
Sydney
Essendon
Port Adelaide
Footscray
Richmond
North Melbourne
Brisbane
Carlton
Hawthorn
Collingwood
In another bold, and probably stupid move, I'm tipping Geelong to end years of heartbreak with a win over West Coast in the Grand Final.
Not so bold is my prediction that Matthew Lloyd will be a runaway winner of the Coleman medal.
Again, a safe bet that Chris Judd will win the Brownlow. More boldly, I predict that post-celebration he will announce his intention to sign for Essendon.
In a stab in the dark, I'm going with Alwyn Davey will be awarded the Rising Star award. I'm sick of top picks getting it, so here's hoping Bryce Gibbs does his knee by round three.
The surprise packet this year? The Catters. Both Abletts will run amock, and I reckon that they'll kick a few more goals this year with a more direct game plan.
Sydney must be due a few injuries, if they get even three of four to leading players, I don't think they have any depth to cover them. There's no way they'd cope with an injury crisis like Adelaide will be facing this year. Swans to just sneak into the Eight.
The real duds this year (I'm hoping), will be Collingwood and Hawthorn. Collingwood are a bit ordinary looking on paper. Any team that depends so much on Josh Fraser and Anthony Rocca are always going to struggle. Hawthorn have plenty of talent on their list, but I reckon three years of god-awful backwards chipping gameplan and team leaders like Richie "Fucken" Vandenberg will see them struggling for wins.
The Bulldogs were flattered by their finish last year. Their style may well get found out this year, and I reckon that Akker will do more harm than good. Also, if Brian Harris is your only dependable tall backman, you're in trouble.
Hopefully the Bombers will sneak into the eight. Mal Michael will strengthen the backline and free up Fletcher as an attacking half back option. We suffered last year with the change in kick in rule, where Fletcher's long, accurate kicking led to quite a few goals. With the necessity of him being tied to the goal square lessened, I think his kicking will again lead to plenty of attack. Lloyd back will also make a difference. If he can kick 80+ goals, Lucas 40+, and then Hird, Johns and Davey contributing, we have a potent attack. The problem will again be in midfield. Hopefully one of Jetta, Houli, Lonergan or Hislop will step up. Anyway, with so many Tasmanians on the list this year, we have to do well. Here's hoping Lee, Laycock, Lonergan and Hislop all get plenty of games (particularly Lee, because he's from the Burnie Dockers and we need a solid big man down back, and who better than a Burnie boy?).
West Coast
St. Kilda
Geelong
Fremantle
Melbourne
Adelaide
Sydney
Essendon
Port Adelaide
Footscray
Richmond
North Melbourne
Brisbane
Carlton
Hawthorn
Collingwood
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