Clarke abandons teammates and fans
Allan Border famously banned wives and girlfriends from travelling with the Australian cricket team on the 1989 Ashes tour of England.
Border insisted that winning had to come first, and that’s what happened.
He still cops flak about the decision from some of the (ex) players’ wives, apparently.
However, it puts into context the decision by current Australian vice-captain Michael Clarke to return home from a tour of New Zealand to support his girlfriend model, Lara Bingle.
Bingle is said to be so distraught over former sexual partner Brendan Fevola distributing a nude photo of her that she’s suing him for an undisclosed amount. (more…)
Kim Hughes’ demise a crying shame
Hard to believe it’s 25 years since Kim Hughes broke down at a press conference at the Gabba while announcing his resignation from the Australian captaincy.
Mike Coward relives the moment in The Australian.
Kids today are so used to Australia winning they can’t relate to the turmoil that existed in cricket at that time.
The establishment had just been reunited with the World Series rebels and it was an unhappy alliance.
Hughes was the favorite son of the old school, but never won acceptance from the WSC professionals like Ian Chappell, Rod Marsh and Dennis Lillee. (more…)
Encourage cricket in Indonesia
The demise of the West Indies is rather sad, really. They were the dominant cricket power when I was a boy; today they’re a rabble.
Peter Roebuck has suggested they may be better off forming national sides based on their countries, eg Jamaica, Barbados, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, etc.
If they can’t get their act together as a confederation that may be the way to go.
There are only four top-rung nations at the moment: Australia, England, South Africa and India.
The second rung comprises Pakistan, Sri Lanka, New Zealand and West Indies. (more…)
Zimbabwe cricket success
Charles Coventry this week set a new world record score for batting in a one-day international cricket match.
The fact he achieved it for Zimbabwe against Bangladesh means it has largely slipped under the radar.
It was a marvellous achievement. (more…)
Australia coming back
It was a great bowling performance by Australia in the first innings of the fourth Ashes test.
Peter Siddle, who comes from my home region of the Latrobe Valley, took five wickets and Stuart Clark looked impressive in his comeback game.
Australia will win this match, which sets things up for a great finale at The Oval in London.
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The courage of Sutcliffe and Blair
Most Australians are dismissive or ignorant of New Zealand sporting achievements. They beat us at rugby most of the time and we beat them at cricket most of the time. That’s the extent of our interest and understanding.
I overcame parochialism and wrote once about how I enjoyed reading The Book of Fame.
It traces the story of the famous 1905 All Blacks, known as “The Originals”, on their pioneer tour of Britain, France and the United States.
Australia hardly ever played New Zealand at cricket before the 1980s; we didn’t consider them good enough.
Hence I had never heard of their 1953-54 South African tour before Graeme Smith’s heroics last week. (more…)
Michael Slater’s commentary
I wonder if Michael Slater has talked his way out of the Channel Nine commentary team.
Twice today he called “great shot” when batsmen hit catches. It’s obviously not a great shot if the hitter gets out.
I liked Slater’s daring as a batsman, but he’s a pretty ordinary commentator, in my opinion. (more…)