Has Australia plummeted to it's lowest level since the 1980s?

The next breed through are more worried about making the pages of social networks or their next model girlfriend on the arm while getting their underwear shoot.

The mongrel is gone and its been replaced with pretty boys.

Ricky Ponting was never a captain and his arrogance towards the opposition is pretty average considering it was Border, Taylor and Waugh before him which set up our strongest period.

Once Ponting got the keys to the mans car its been downhill.

Well Michael Clarke is also not contributing.
And still can anyone explain why the selectors feel that NSW state players do not nee dto perform at state level to warrant test selection.
Phil Hughes was always going to fail but we knew that beforehand and why on earth was Steve Smith even selected?

And yes the mongrel has gone, as the authorities are more concerned about opposing teams whinging than they are about sporting contests.Have a look how they blamed Andrew Symonds for being the recipient of racist chants. Yes blame the victim, just to keep the tourists happy as they suggested that they'd have gone home if they didn't get their own way.

Alan Border did the hardest yards. Captain Grumpy was dumped with a side void of proven expertise and the winning formula. But he soldiered on, even having to reprimand a few of his own players like McDermott on the field for not towing the line.

Then came the 3 Musketeers that changed Australian Cricket in many ways.
Bruce Reid began with his tall string-bean Left-Arm deliveries that caught the edge consistently or left the batsman with nothing but maidens passing him by. Bruce Reid basically did to the entire Windies side what x4 of their Bowlers did to others. Bruce Reid destroyed the Windies with pure accuracy and consistency. Alas, he was prone to back-problems and his career was bright but short.
Dean Jones brought into the game the slide-fielding and return-throw in one action. He also ran hard for 'every' run between wickets (Alan Border always hated batting with Jonesy  ;D) to put pressure on the fieldsmen. Dean Jone's 'attacking' philosphy was also with the first to wear more 'padding' against such things as Windies 'bouncers' - this game him the luxury to attack their deliveries more so.
Greg Matthews was Mr Motivation. He brought into the side a sense of zeal and character, his spin-bowling was good, his fielding was a follow-thru with Jones's but his prime weapon was his sense of Self. Never daunted and always charismatic - he rattled any sense of 'behaviour' out there on the field. He also pulled great personal batting, bowling and fielding moments out of the hat when needed most for the team. He thrived on adversity against the odds.

After these 3 Musketeers brought the winning formula. Mark Taylor and Steve Waugh hammered home the victory. Mark Taylor exhibited stout people skills in dealing with his team, the public and the opposition and backed it up with good batting scores. Steve Waugh - a student of the Dirk Welham ways (who excelled at Sheild/State level, but just didn't have the interest to do so at Test ) of using superb tactics brought a sense of intellect into the game. Put it this way, he was smart enough to bat at number 6 when the ball was nice and soft to make his batting look even better than what it was. Then there was that 'slow ball' that he ushered into the One-Day matches.

Ponting just made the numbers, but he was primarily a batsman and a damn good one too. His Captaincy has survived because there really wsn't anyone else to fill the void. It seems these days that Cricketeers think of themselves as automatic CELEBRITIES and to a point where it is more important than the game itself. But we see this in all sports today where the MEDIA has intruded to the point of running the games itself. Dare a Sportsperson to tell the Media to "bugger off" so they can concentrate upon their game? I think not, as I can't see the players not wanting to publish their biography book after just scoring a few centuries or going without their peroxide fake-blonde skank (aussie Geisha girl).
Andrew Symonds was a hypocrite. He cried about being called Monkey-Boy (god help us if Red-Heads are called Ranga's  ::) for Orangu-tangs) by the Indians and then took $millions to play in India along with other money-grubs while millions of Indians starved and etched a living out of rubbish tips. Steve Waugh goes on about the poverty and suffering of India but was too gutless to speak out against fellow cricketeers taking the money from the Indian Cricket Association.
Indian Cricket should be boycotted - what is happening to the people over there due to Caste etc, is far more atrocious than anything that happenned via Apartheid! >:(

Test = the Bowlers game. Long drawn out game that allows the bowler to 'expend' 5 balls in an over to set up an attacking 6th ball if need be.
The batsman tend to be small of nature and defensive - going for 4s into the boundery.
Super 8's = the Batsman's game. This is where Sri Lanka kicked off with attacking batting and became World Champs (yep - I was laughed at 4 years previously ;D ;)) . Darren 'Superman' Lehmann was also an attacking batter - which ironically suffered during the slower Test matches. This 'short game' puts pressure on the Bowler to be defensive - in other words, he must protect the runs rather than bother about capturing a wicket. This is where the Batsman became bigger in physic and power-hit 6's everywhere rather than shot defensive 4's along the grass. The bowlers became shorter and run-efficient with their defensive deliveries.

One Day cricket is definately a crowd puller but its structure and rules need change. Steve Waugh saw the obvious with Batsman being first in the line up = he who bats first = wins. Which is what happened mostly and predictably.

I sucggest a Batting side of specialist batsman and a Bowling side of specialist bowlers.
The game is hampered when specialist bowlers bowl to guys who can't bat like Glenn McGrath or 'Dutchy' Holland.
You wan't specialists against specialists. The best against the best.
Not part-time bowlers making up the numbers or guys who can't bat ...batting with just one run to win. Did anyone enjoy Graham Gooch bowl his boring medium pacers?

Also, turn the One-Day game into 25 over Innings x2  to make the predictablility of a win less ...predictable.

I've lost all interest in Cricket since the Indian Comp kicked off. Its a shame that the Shield/State game doesn't compete to do better.  ::)
There was a period where overseas players did want to play here.

:)

ponting and clarke should be fired, as should some of the selectors.

the bowling coach should be gone too

Yes, Ponting should have gone a few series ago.
But some Cricketers and sportsmen percieve their own 'personal records/stats' to be more important than the welfare of the team.
Take George Gregan - should have been dumped long before he eventually quit under pressure. But he wanted his own personal record enhanced - even though it cost the Wallabies a number of wins due to his inabilities.

Then there are those 'come out of retirement' guys like Michael Jordon who wished they hadn't.
I've only seen one guy make a successful resurgence from retirement and thats Danny Green in Boxing.
Most make a fool of themselves. When you retire - stay retired.

RULE: in 'Team' Sports - individual successes must be second place to the overall win/success of the team as a whole. If that player dissagrees - then go play a sport like Tennis or Golf by oneself.
Mark Gasnier's ego was pulled into line by Wayne Bennett - "either play with the team or not at all".

As for the Media saying "Bring back Warnie" - well thats how 'backwards' the Media is as well. Talk about having little faith in tomorrow's cricketeers  ::) Reminds me of George Piggins and how he nearly killed off the 'future' of South Sydney ...because of the "good old days" that he played in and went on about all the time.
Now the mass exodus from Parramatta has begun because 'Ex-Players' are bringing their "good old days" Egos into it by taking control of the Admin.  ::) (Price, Groth, etc)
...hasn't anyone seen the movie "The Club" with Graeme Kennedy and learned anything?

Good points there jasignature, especially about Alan Border.
But feel you maybe a bit incomplete with your comments.
That being, you mentioned that Andrew Symonds was abused by the Inidans but then played in the IPL. Is there a connection or do you think that a player's career should be limited due to the racism from the Indians?
And further, Adam Gilchrest retired from test cricket but then immediately signed up to the IPL, he chased the money, so wouldn't that also be as you defined hypocrisy?

See Phil Hughes failed again.
If only lotto was that predictable.

Yep - theres a lot of hypocrisy with Australian Cricketers 'taking the money' from the IPL (not ICA - which is what I wrote. Corrected.).
I think Symonds was the worst though.
He whined about the treatment he was copping over there and then turned around and got paid to play in their local comp.  :-?

Yeah Border was our toughest Captain of all. Anyone who can steer a ship to safety in treacherous waters is quite something.

I laugh at this Michael 'Pup' Clarke. Seemed he was deemed to be next Captain long before he proved himself. He's a bit of a Prima Dona and wannabe Celebrity for the Media. Personally, I think he is as tough as Kim Hughes was at the helm - can only cope if presented on a silver platter.

I think we've got another 10 years before we see some good Australian Cricketers come through again. The ones we have now have been tainted by the Media. Warne became 'Media' orientated AFTER he played the game. He has become so VAIN and in love with himself, that I swear he has had a face-lift or collagen enhancements along with a touch of make-up.  ;D

I think the Australian Cricketing Board needs to shut the Media out somewhat, sit down and get the Sheild/State level into full swing more so, especially when Australia is no longer a major International force.

I've yet to see Clarke offer any input to Ponting with field positions or bowling changes. Or is it that Ponting doesn't want that.
Nor has Clarke led by example with the bat. Clarke is a part time bowler but seldom bowls, but that's no excuse for him to seldom bat.
All he does is pat the others on the bum and smile.

Wonder if Lara knew of this 'behaviour'?

Yes, Warne does appear to have.
But can't see that as an issue, the guys basically retired and can look back at his accomplishments.
I tend to listen closely to what he says as they are far more indepth and accurate and I'm sure there's more to his comments than a lot of other commentators.
Recall when he captained Australia in the ODIs, he had something like a 10/11 success rate. ANd Warne would have been an excellant Test captain as well, which may have prolonged his career a few more years (he too kept playing int he IPL) but the autrhorities felt that outside issues were far more important than success on the field.

Yeah Warnie 'had it all' and even from a commentary point off the field. But now ...he seems a bit too distracted by his Celebritiness more than his cricketing glory days and his current knowledge. Just the way he talks with that Pommie Commentator and Mark Taylor - its like he is just running on vapors now. Sad to see really. Cricket is gone from him and its only his strong personality that is keeping him going.

Clarke wont last long.
Nor will Bingle hopefully. To me she is Australia's number one fake-blonde 'fabricated' aussie Geisha ...also known as a Skank.
Yuk! But we are seeing a lot of these girls come through now.

I'm surprised some of the new cricketeers haven't got their books on the shelves yet?

LOL
And that pommie commentator is a complete dill. I'm sure he loves the sound of his own voice and that he has a script written for him. And what's with the stupid rooster style haircut?
Yes we will probably see Phil Hughes book(s), and most other NSW players as well.
Haddin is far enough but what other NSW player deserves to be in the team?

Miss Anne Dryst wrote on Dec 16^th, 2010 at 9:05pm:

Has Australia plummeted to it's lowest level since the 1980s?

We must confront the fact that we aren't as good as we think we are. Also, there is a reluctance by the selectors to make changes. Clarke is very inconsistent and it may have something to do with his back spasms (aided by spending too much time on the nest with Lara). Ponting at 35 should retire to some rustic setting and write his memoirs. Johnson is too erratic to be considered a bowler and is a luxury we can't afford. Mr Cricket is on thin ice. The only thing Hughes should open is a can.

What has happened to the Cricket Academy that was supposed to work with young cricketers and get them ready for the big time?

Yes, sorry to see some players get past their prime, but why are some continually being selected even though they haven't deliverd (Michael Clarke).
But I still cannot fathom why Brad Hodge was continually overlooked, even though he has since retired from First Class cricket he is still performing incredibly well in ODs etc.
And why D Hussey was overlooked.
Seems to be a NSW bias as Hughes keeps failing as does Clarke yet they get picked. And now that Hughes has failed twice, will he be replaced with another failed NSW player (Jacques).
And what on earth does Cameron White have to do to get selected?

On a brighter note, could Australia actually win the Perth test?
Looks promising doesn't it.

Miss Anne Dryst wrote on Dec 18^th, 2010 at 7:26pm:

On a brighter note, could Australia actually win the Perth test? Looks promising doesn't it.

Poms    3 for 64

We could win easily now.
Cricket is the most important thing in the world.

LOL
You think?

Well I am looking forward to Boxing Day, for the after Christmas sales!

The prices get slashed.

Miss Anne Dryst wrote on Dec 18^th, 2010 at 7:38pm:

LOL You think? Well I am looking forward to Boxing Day, for the after Christmas sales! The prices get slashed.

A real cricketer would be watching the boxing day test - not shopping!  ;D

Wow, 5/81.


I may have to watch it tomorrow.

Miss Anne Dryst wrote on Dec 18^th, 2010 at 8:02pm:

Wow, 5/81. I may have to watch it tomorrow.

This is exciting!

Adelaide seems so long ago now.

Quote:

what on earth does Cameron White have to do to get selected?

I would not have a problem with him being selected but he reminds me of Shane Watson early in his career.

to me Shane started as a Bowling all rounder who was not a good enough bowler to hold a position in the team.

Cameron is the same, as a bowler he consistently fails to take wickets at international level.

Watson changed around and reinvented himself as a specialist batsman who can bowl and forced his way into the team.

White needs to change something to force selection, he is a very talented all rounder, I think his batting needs to be his focus as I can not see him getting in front of several of the young spin bowlers.

I think he would make a good captain if he can make the team.

I would like to see him make it - he is a great competitor.

Maybe White will get a go in the ODI's.
He'd have to be better than Ponting atm in any form of the game.

Anyway, hopefully we get a win on the board today to make the series interesting again.

how amazing, i heard it during the day a few times and saw the last few overs.
esp the last ball - totally crushing for england.

we stiil need some selectors given the boot and a new bowling coach.

Can we get rid of Laurie Daley and the other Selectors for the State of Origin and bring in Mark "Sparkles/the Hammer" McGaw as NSW Blues Coach ---> with his "Science of Sport" intellectual outlook and having been the only player to really give it to Meninga, if not better Meninga.

...I can see Meninga's lip curl at the news of McGaw taking the reigns.
;D

Every Coach has his 'era' or period ...and so should Selectors.

Miss Anne Dryst wrote on Dec 18^th, 2010 at 7:25pm:

Seems to be a NSW bias as Hughes keeps failing as does Clarke yet they get picked. And now that Hughes has failed twice, will he be replaced with another failed NSW player (Jacques). And what on earth does Cameron White have to do to get selected?

I never thought that I would type this sentence but here goes.........I agree with you Anne.

There has been a long running NSW bias. Just think of the way Dean Jones was treated in 1992, it was an absolute disgrace. It is also interesting how batsmen can fail time after time and keep their spots but bowlers have one bad game and are dropped.

Latest on Shane Warne: Liz Hurley dumps Warne after he is caught sending text messages to a married woman.
Besides the whole thing being 'ironic', I think Shane Warne has become a SEX ADDICT.

Yep, another Aussie Grub.

It_is_the_Darkness wrote on Dec 19^th, 2010 at 10:13am:

Latest on Shane Warne: Liz Hurley dumps Warne after he is caught sending text messages to a married woman.

Is Shane married?

Just for the record: Shane Warne has never phoned me nor has he sent me a text. He did offer to share a motel room with me but I declined.

I wonder how the story hit the media.
Would Shane have rung them?
Would Lizzy have rung them?
Would the wife have rung them?
Would the husband have rung them?

It_is_the_Darkness wrote on Dec 19^th, 2010 at 9:09am:

Can we get rid of Laurie Daley and the other Selectors for the State of Origin and bring in Mark "Sparkles/the Hammer" McGaw as NSW Blues Coach ---> with his "Science of Sport" intellectual outlook and having been the only player to really give it to Meninga, if not better Meninga. ...I can see Meninga's lip curl at the news of McGaw taking the reigns. ;D Every Coach has his 'era' or period ...and so should Selectors.

I would take the NSW Blues in a different direction. I would clone Mr John Hopoate 17 times and take on The Maroons with a team full of Mr Hopoates. I'd let those 130 fingers and thumbs go where they want to go and explore where they damn well please.

Back on cricket. How sad to think that a test is being played in South Africa right now between the number 1 and number 2 ranked test playing countries; India and South Africa. It means that Australia has slipped in the rankings and we are down there behind Tierra del Fuego and Pitcairn Island.

salad in wrote on Dec 20^th, 2010 at 7:02am:

I would take the NSW Blues in a different direction. I would clone Mr John Hopoate 17 times and take on The Maroons with a team full of Mr Hopoates. I'd let those 130 fingers and thumbs go where they want to go and explore where they damn well please.

Isn't John Hopoate a 'reincarnation' of the fictional Little Jack Horner?
Or did he just base his life on Jack?
Little Jack Horner
Sat in the corner,
Eating a Christmas pie;
He put in his thumb,
And pulled out a plum,
And said 'What a good boy am I!

---

;D

John Hopoate will be starring in a film: "Crouching Tiger - Hidden Finger"
;D

...I think Warne got off lightly with Hurley. She's a known "Gold-Digger" and she could have bowled Warne a real 'wrong-un' with him trying to play the major leagues. Lets face it, Warne was biting off more than he could chew with Hurley and so he ran back to something a lot 'cheaper'. Warne couldn't satisfy Hurley if he tried. ::)

I'll have to go to the Boxing day test.

bobby - I think so.
We may well have our 4 quicks terrorising the english :-)

hopefully, ponting will be injured

Quote:

THE pitch for the fourth Test in Melbourne has been switched, less than a fortnight before the match that could determine who wins the Ashes. Despite denials that a decision has been taken to help the home side, it is likely to diminish the impact of Graeme Swann, England's most potent threat. Australia took less than an hour in Perth yesterday to complete victory by 267 runs as they reinforced England's frailties on a surface with pace and bounce. With the series level at 1-1, England need only a win in either Melbourne or Sydney, but Australia have drawn fresh confidence before the traditional Boxing Day fixture. Changing pitches so close to a match is rare, but Channel 9 and Sky Sports have been told to move the position of their cameras, which must be directly behind the bowler to allow technology to operate accurately...........

Goodo

Sprintcyclist wrote on Dec 20^th, 2010 at 12:07pm:

bobby - I think so. We may well have our 4 quicks terrorising the english :-) hopefully, ponting will be injured

I changed my mind.
There are too many rules e.g.
http://www.mcg.org.au/sitecore/content/MCG/Website/Events/Policies/Conditions%20of%20Entry.aspx

Quote:

NO: Alcohol - Opened soft drink containers - Cans/glass - Torn-up paper - Musical instruments - Whistles - Flags with handles exceeding 1.6 metres - Fireworks/flares/laser lights - Chairs/stools - Rollerblades, skateboards or scooters - Animals (guide and hearing animals excepted) - Audio recording equipment/video cameras* - Any large article that cannot be placed under a seat - Any device that in the opinion of management has the potential to cause injury or public nuisance.

How can they tell if a camera can take video or not?
I have an SLR with a massive telephoto lens but it can't take video.
That would cause me grief at the gate.

I found more conditions.

http://cricket.com.au/pv_obj_cache/pv_obj_id_56BB7FC23F231EC20408395DC98D999AA9810000/filename/00000171-source.pdf

No cameras with focal lengths greater than 200mm allowed.
There goes the use of my 300mm telephoto lens.

Bobby. wrote on Dec 20^th, 2010 at 1:19pm:

I changed my mind. There are too many rules e.g. http://www.mcg.org.au/sitecore/content/MCG/Website/Events/Policies/Conditions%20of%20Entry.aspx Quote: NO: Alcohol - Opened soft drink containers - Cans/glass - Torn-up paper - Musical instruments - Whistles - Flags with handles exceeding 1.6 metres - Fireworks/flares/laser lights - Chairs/stools - Rollerblades, skateboards or scooters - Animals (guide and hearing animals excepted) - Audio recording equipment/video cameras* - Any large article that cannot be placed under a seat - Any device that in the opinion of management has the potential to cause injury or public nuisance. How can they tell if a camera can take video or not? I have an SLR with a massive telephoto lens but it can't take video. That would cause me grief at the gate.

Why is it that they allow visiting teams' supporters like the West Indies, India, Sri Lanka to play drums, pots, frypans and kettles, and have horns & whistles?
But they don't allow Australian teams' supporters to do the same?


Do you have to have dark skin to be allowed to make the nosie?

Anne.

Quote:

Why is it that they allow visiting teams' supporters like the West Indies, India, Sri Lanka to play drums, pots, frypans and kettles, and have horns & whistles? But they don't allow Australian teams' supporters to do the same? Do you have to have dark skin to be allowed to make the noise?

I don't think that's correct.
The whole cricket religion is dying.
A beer & a bit of noise used to be part of watching the game.
Streakers were also part of the fun but now they get a $5,000 fine
& they are never showed on TV.