Cricket

Aussie’s steal Flintoff’s Car

On July 17, 2009, In Cricket, flintoff, video, viral, By Warnie Wombat

Not the sort of thing you’d usually shout about but this is a classic! Looks like nothing can halt Freddie Flintoff from reaching the big game, not even two Aussie pranksters swapping his car for a dreaded pedalo.

Check out the video now then head over to eBay to bid on the actual pedalo Fred uses. We’re auctioning it off for charity, with every penny of the proceeds going to the Andrew Flintoff Foundation – a charity that helps fund physio wings in kids’ hospitals around the UK. So bid now and bid well.

Gideon Haigh’s Inside Out – book review

On April 8, 2009, In Cricket, Gideon Haigh, book review, By Warnie Wombat

Gideon Haigh's Inside Out

Not only is Gideon a great Aussie bloke but he is a highly talented and skilled writer whose limits know no bounds! Well, that’s not entirely true. If he could carry off his literary skills onto the cricket field he would surely be playing alongside Punter, Pup and Mitch but they don’t and he doesn’t! This is probably a good thing!

Inside Out is his latest offering; the usual sharp wit is there as is the effortless writing that we have come to know and love in recent times. Haigh is up there with Cardus and is without doubt “the don” of our time as far as author’s go. Enough flattery, he gets enough! The articles are taken from a variety of sources that include “The Australian”, Cricinfo and Wisden Cricketer.

The book takes a detailed look at the administration, Bodyline’s 75^th anniversary and a whole host of articles on Sir Donald Bradman to name but a few. In the book Gideon claims the best book written on Bradman is by Irving Rosenwater “The book is as superior to all other Bradman biographies as Bradman’s average is to those other batsmen”.

Putting Bradman to one side, Gideon devotes an entire section to commenting on various articles and books that have been published over time including Jack Fingleton’s “Cricket Crisis”. Fingleton’s book, published in 1946, is a retaliatory publication aimed at the bow of Sir Pelham Warner’s 1942 offering “Cricket between the two wars”. Both men give their account of that infamous dressing room incident that centred around the Australian captain Bill Woodfull and Sir Pelham Warner. Of the Australian captain, Fingleton with one hand commended his skipper as a fine fellow and with the other claimed “but Bodyline was a grim and ruthless battle into which a leader of mild gentility came somewhat poorly equipped”!

The modern form of the game is, as you would expect, covered in great detail. His thoughts on the twenty 20 phenomenon and its expansion to India and the highly successful IPL, or should that be renamed for one year only to SAPL?! The conflict between Andrew Symonds and Harbhajan gets a look in with two articles culminating in all that monkey business. Symonds it appears has played his last representative cricket for Australia and will no doubt bring out a biography that Haigh can dissect in the seasons to come.

So that’s it. Another Haigh collection comes to a close and is certainly a longer more fulfilling read than one of Gideon’s innings! Let’s hope we don’t have too long to wait to read what the genius has to say next and given that the 2009 Ashes are just around the corner we won’t have long to wait.

A wonderful collection of insightful articles covering the old fashioned cricket in the days of Ponsford, Bradman and Fingleton and the enigmatic characters of modern cricket.

Highly Recommended Read

I didn’t know honest Guv !

On March 29, 2009, In Cricket, Movies, News, Politics, By Warnie Wombat

You have to laugh don’t you. Well, that’s exactly what I did when I read this afternoon that the Home Secretary, yes the Home Secretary has been found out trying to pay for a TV package as part of her parliamentary duties – give me strength!

Smith and her husband

Her husband decided to watch a couple of “Adult” films on pay per view and then claimed for them back on expenses! Nothing wrong with his taste, everyone is entitled to watch what they want to as long as they are consenting adults, heck he even paid for “Surf’s Up” and “Ocean’s 13″ too. That said, are you trying to tell me you can’t distinguish between that and a bill for web connection? NO! What a pathetic excuse and from the Home Seretary Jacqui Smith herself!

Ms Smith said she “mistakenly” claimed for a TV package when billing for a web connection and would repay the cash.

Downing Street said she had done the “right thing” by quickly rectifying the “inadvertent mistake”.

The Home Secretary is already under investigation by the parliamentary commissioner for standards over her use of the second homes allowance.

MPs can claim for subscription television services but they have to be used wholly, exclusively and necessarily to perform their duties.

Home Sec - web connection anyone?!

BBC political correspondent, Gary O’Donoghue, said a source told him Ms Smith was “livid and shocked” when she found out about the films.

He said he was told Ms Smith was not at home when they were viewed and said she had no intention of resigning over the matter.

Mr O’Donoghue said he was told Ms Smith had given her husband a “real ear-bashing“.

Last month Ms Smith was criticised for claiming taxpayer-funded allowances for a second home while living with her sister.

But she insisted she had “fully abided” by the rules because she had designated her sibling’s house as her “main” residence.

Matt Laffan, an Australian inspiration 1970 – 2009

On March 10, 2009, In Australia, Cricket, Matt Laffan, News, By Warnie Wombat

Matt Laffan

Way back in 2001, Australian Story aired a special programme about Matt Laffan and his fight for a normal life, to play rugby and to dance. Just over a week ago, Matt Laffan lost his battle and died in Sydney, the city he loved.

Born in 1970, Matt was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder and was only given a short time to live, they didn’t think he would last a week such was his overwhelming odds against survival.

I had never heard of Matt Laffan until two days ago when Australian Story aired an updated programme to pay their respects to Matt on his passing on the 1^st March 2009. For those interested the programme will be repeated on Saturday 14^th March. It may also get a repeat showing on ABC2 on Tuesday. So please if you haven’t seen the episode, I highly recommend it.

Matt came across as a cheeky larakin with a mind as big as New South Wales and a heart to match. He loved flirting with the ladies although he claimed he never saw that he was a charmer and a good flirt – I’m sure he knew what he was doing but would rather not say!

“I have never taken to the Rugby paddock, but the game is in my blood. My old man has coached Rugby all my 37 years and thus it has been with me forever. And with it have come experiences and friendships and lessons learned that have assisted to shape me into the evolving man I am.”

For someone like me who never knew him; the best compliment I could give would be that I wish I had met him – a very inspiring character who would certainly not be short of a word or two! If you would like to learn more about Matt’s life then please visit his website. News of Matt’s death covered by ABC Australia.

A public appeal has been launched and if you would like to learn more about the “Matt Laffan Memorial Scholarship” then please visit the following website. The aim of the scholarship will support and inspire many more gifted people in the future who face some of the challenges Matt overcame. With this scholarship, the name “Matt Laffan” will still be resonating within the halls of St. John’s for many future generations, long after we’ve all gone.

Rest in peace Matt.

England travel to Trindad for 5th Test

On March 5, 2009, In Cricket, England Cricket, Trinidad, West Indies, By Warnie Wombat

Strauss will be hoping for a series leveller in Trinidad

England take on the West Indies on Friday, the same day Australia hope to secure a series win against South Africa in Durban. It’s a win or lose situation for England and unless they set out to attack and take the game to the hosts the series will be a confidence sapping defeat.

Following the horrific scenes in Lahore all eyes will be on Strauss and his merry men as they attempt to salvage a series draw against a team that has produced some dazzling cricket with extraordinary results. With one Test remaining in the series West Indies hold a slender 1-0 lead. At best England can only hope for a series leveller but anything other than a win will hand the unlikely series win to the hosts.

Sky bet currently have the West Indies as favourites to win the final Test match at 11/4 or 3.75 with England drifting at 13/8 or 2.62.

England interim coach Andy Flower has been taking about Steve Harmison in the press leading up to the final Test in Trinidad and he didn’t pull any punches either, Harmison will not be left wondering what he has to do, that’s for sure!

According to Flower Harmison is simply not up to standard and has little chance of being recalled to the starting XI,

“At the moment he hasn’t, otherwise he would have done it,” Flower said. “But I don’t think by any means that Steve’s finished. He’s still got a hell of a lot to offer. Fast bowling is long, hard work and at the age of 30 it is only going to get harder work, so it is up to Steve really. He’s got to put in the performances which make the selectors pick him time and time again. I’ve only known Steve a little while and we are still getting to know each other better now.”

He went on to say “”If hard work is just a base that you start with, that’s what he’s doing at the moment, but for you to be a successful international cricketer you have to be very hungry,”

“Only he knows how hungry he is to carry on the hard yakka of a fast bowler’s life. I think he still wants to do it: he’s proud of his career and proud to play for England.”

With a number of England batsmen in fine form the Test promises to be an enthralling contest between bat and ball. The fourth Test turned out to be a boring run fest that offered little chance of a result after both sides had completed their completed their first innings. Betfair, who are offering a free £25 bet for new customers have the draw at 5/4 and England at 2/1 for the win.

Sarwan who fell just nine runs short of a magical triple century in Barbados will be keen to continue in the same vain and help secure a draw at least. Both sets of bowlers struggled on a placid pitch but it was Swann who impressed everyone with a hard fought 5 for 165 from 50 overs.

Whatever happens in Durban and Trinidad this Friday, the cricketing fraternity as one will be hoping that the events from Pakistan will not be repeated and that the game of cricket will once again be in the spotlight for all the right reasons.

South Africa favourites to level series

On March 3, 2009, In Australia, Cricket, Cricket Australia, Pakistan, South Africa Cricket, Sri Lanka Cricket, Terrorism, By Warnie Wombat

Pakistan future in doubt

With the second Test match starting in Kingsmead, Durban this Friday Australia has its hands full according the latest odds across the board. Betfair have South Africa at 2/1 to win with Australia at 13/5 and the draw an outside chance at 6/4.

Despite the predicted second Test win for South Africa, Australia are clear favourites to take the series with odds of 4/5. South Africa is a distant 9/2 with a healthy offer of 11/4 for the draw.

I was quite surprised when I noticed this earlier today especially given the fact that Australia won the first Test in Johannesburg by 162 runs. In a shortened series anything could happen I guess and one thing is for sure – the Boks will be up for revenge after the bowlers failed to take advantage of the visitors in the first innings.

Following on from the terrible atrocities in Lahore today, it will be interesting to see how the players will handle the attack on the Sri Lankan team. Although none of the players sustained any critical injuries others within the party have perished and it is truly a dark day for cricket and Pakistan.

Australian captain Ricky Ponting had this to say in response to the gun attack in Pakistan:

“On behalf of the Australian cricket team I would like to express our deepest condolences to those who have been affected by the tragic events in Pakistan this morning. An act of violence like this is a terrible thing and when it involves those who are part of our cricketing family, players the world over are affected.

The wider cricketing community has been shocked by what has occurred and our thoughts and full support is with those involved.

We have spoken with members of the Sri Lankan team this morning and made them aware we are extremely saddened by what has happened and that our best wishes are with them all. We hope that those who have been injured in these attacks can make a full and quick recovery and return to representing their country soon.”

Only time will tell if Pakistan will play representative cricket in the near future but one thing is certain, no one will tour Pakistan for a number of years – if at all. The only avenue forward for Pakistan is to play at neutral venues, something they have done in the past. We all want to see a strong and committed Pakistan team play cricket and a terrorist attack such as this morning’s should not be the catalyst that sees them suffer.

Going back to Friday’s Test match I can’t see any changes in the Australian batting line-up or indeed the bowling attack, South Africa on the other hand may be tempted to make one or two changes. That said any changes will surely be reactionary as I believe both countries have their best eleven on show at the moment.

Betfair have an interesting side bet in regards to the toss! You can get odds of 6/5 for South Africa to win the toss and bat, 5/1 if they field. On the other hand should Australia with the toss and bat Betfair offer 11/10 on a batting decision and huge 9/1 on a fielding decision. The fielding option will certainly be a tempter for many a punter!

Gunmen shoot Sri Lanka cricketers

On March 3, 2009, In Cricket, Lahore, Pakistan, Pakistan Cricket, Sri Lanka Cricket, By Warnie Wombat

Sri Lankan team attacked

Terrible news coming out of Lahore this morning is that gunmen have attacked a bus carrying the Sri Lankan cricket team on its way to play in the Pakistani city of Lahore.

At least five members of the Sri Lankan cricket team were injured – two from bullets – and five Pakistani policemen escorting the team bus were killed.

This is a terrible attack and will be a huge blow to cricket in general and especially the general loving Pakistan community. We all know that cricket Pakistan have struggled over the last few years due to major concerns over security with major teams refusing to travel. This will certainly not help and it is unlikely that any team will travel to Pakistan for the forseeable future.

Cricket Australia are reported to be shocked by the news according to The Times of India.

Pakistani officials said about 12 gunmen were involved and grenades and rocket launchers have been recovered.

The BBC’s Barbara Plett in Islamabad says the incident will come as a big blow to Pakistani cricket.

Pakistan invited Sri Lanka to tour after India’s cricket team pulled out of a scheduled cricket tour following the deadly November attacks in the western Indian city of Mumbai.

Australia cruise to 162 run win in Johannesburg

On March 2, 2009, In Cricket, Cricket Australia, South Africa, By Warnie Wombat

Kallis under fire in Johannesburg

Australia have taken a one-nil lead in the three Test series against South Africa with an impressive 162 runs win against the Boks. The visitors have shown the true value of batting to number 10 over the last 12 months but no more so than here in Johannesburg.

Day five loomed bright and early this morning with the game finely balanced with both sides in with a chance of snatching victory. Unless the weather had intervened the draw was the only unlikely result especially with a full day’s play on offer.

Australia required eight second innings wickets for victory and South Africa just 276 runs to win, both a possibility given the pedigree of the two teams on show. Unfortunately for South Africa the win was very much a distant dream by lunch with the home side sitting on a precarious 5 for 247.

Tight bowling was the key to the early success as the visitors just sat back and waited for the mistakes to come. Hilfenhaus and Johnson bowled well and troubled both batsmen (Kallis and Amla) early on. Despite the onslaught they survived the double pronged attack until Siddle forced a mistake from Amla who held out to Hughes at mid-wicket.

Five runs later Andrew McDonald, who is still learning his international trade, applied constant pressure and it was AB De Villiers who lost his patience and fell to a leg before decision with Billy Bowden officiating. Aware of the importance of his wicket South Africa went to a referral but it was in vain.

Kallis struggled to push the game on and was eventually bowled by Johnson five runs short of a dogged 50. The promising and highly sought after Duminy shared a brief 39 run partnership with Boucher until Duminy gave Siddle his second wicket and Ponting’s first catch at second slip.

Morkel came and went for two and when Boucher was bowled by the dangerous Hilfenhaus the writing was on the wall. The final two wickets fell shortly after the tea interval with Johnson and Siddle cleaning up leaving Ntini the sole survivor on 0*.

The two teams now travel to the Kingsmead ground in Durban on the 6th March for the second Test.

Matt Hayden and Layne Beachley’s Beach cricket

On March 1, 2009, In Aim for The Stars, Australia, Beach Cricket, Cricket, Surfing, By Warnie Wombat

Hayden's Out !

They’re skilled, smart, sassy and with the help of the Layne Beachley Aim For The Stars Foundation, a new breed of female sports heroes will have their names on the lips of the nation this season. In a show of camaraderie for women in sport, Australia’s top female cricket and surfing champions battled it out in a beach cricket match to celebrate the ICC Women’s World Cup which kicks off in March as well as surfing’s ASP Women’s World Tour at the LG Mobile Roxy Pro, at Snapper Rocks, Gold Coast this weekend.

The event was designed to celebrate up-and-coming Australian female sports stars and inspire girls and women across the country to dream and achieve. Teams included representatives from the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars and the ASP Women’s World Tour with world surfing veteran Matt Hoy as umpire.

Promoting women in sport and supporting the dreams of Australian girls is a cause close to the heart of seven time ASP Women’s World Champion Layne Beachley. In 2003, Beachley established the Aim for the Stars Foundation, “encompassing academic, sport, cultural and community pursuits, my foundation offers ambitious and dedicated females an opportunity to receive financial and moral support to help them achieve their goals,” said Beachley, ” it is important that women sports support one another and what better way than to play some beach cricket, look out Southern Stars!”

Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars Cricketers

Matthew Hayden
Ellyse Perry
Alex Blackwell
Delissa Kimmince
Sarah Andrews

ASP Women’s World Tour Surfers

Layne Beachley
Steph Gilmore
Jessi Miley-Dyer
Sally Fitzgibbons
Sam Cornish

Delissa Kimmince, Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars cricketer and Female Development Officer at Queensland Cricket knows first-hand how inspiration and determination can see young women achieve great things.

“I grew up in a country town near Brisbane and at 12 I was selected as a shadow player for Darling Downs – but there wasn’t a girls team, so I couldn’t play or go away with them! But I tell the girls in my development squad if you work hard and wear a smile anything is possible. And now I’m representing my country at the Women’s World Cup. It’s a dream come true,” she said.

The ICC Women’s World Cup involves the world’s top 8 ranked teams, being Australia, India, New Zealand, England, West Indies, Sri Lanka, South Africa and Pakistan. Like our men’s team, Australia are the defending champions.

The tournament involves 25 matches played over 16 days. The opening match of the tournament between Australia and New Zealand will be held at North Sydney Oval on Sunday, 8 March 2009. The group stages will be held from 7 to 12 March, the Super 6 qualification stage from Saturday 14 to Thursday 19 March and the Final on Sunday 22 March 2009.

North shines bright to lead Australia fight back

On February 27, 2009, In Australia, Cricket, Marcus North, South Africa, By Warnie Wombat

Marcus North on his way to 117 on debut

Despite losing two very quick wickets on day one of the first Test at the New Wanderers Ground yesterday, Australia somehow dug deep and recovered to post a very respectable 466 all out.

Ponting (83) and Clarke(68) led the way yesterday with half centuries and it was left to Haddin and debutant Marcus North to continue the fight back today. North outlasted the more experienced wicket keeper (63) to put on a huge partnership with number nine Mitchell Johnson.

North continued to play positively and carried on the Australian tradition of trusting the tail – a trust that has been bountiful in recent times with Australia batting to number 10 comfortably. He marked his debut game with a wonderful 117 before he was stumped by Mark Boucher for 117.

Johnson then decided to hit out and within an over had despatched the spinner (Harris) for 26 off one over, an over that included three sixes.

Unfortunately for the number nine, the final two batsmen couldn’t stay in long enough to see Johnson reach his maiden Test century as he remained four runs short at 96 not out at the innings close. It really was a shame he didn’t reach the magical three figures, despite an unconventional batting style he certainly deserved to mark the innings with a century.

North became the 18^th Australian to hit a century on debut. In reply South Africa lost two early wickets namely Smith (0) and Amla (1). The home team currently stand on 3 for 85 with a long way to go in this Test match.

Milo’s Rambles

from one ramble to another, who knows what pops into my small head!….

Aussie’s steal Flintoff’s Car

Gideon Haigh’s Inside Out – book review

I didn’t know honest Guv !

Matt Laffan, an Australian inspiration 1970 – 2009

England travel to Trindad for 5th Test

South Africa favourites to level series

Gunmen shoot Sri Lanka cricketers

Australia cruise to 162 run win in Johannesburg

Matt Hayden and Layne Beachley’s Beach cricket

North shines bright to lead Australia fight back

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