The Surfer
Watson must justify easy ride
Peter English
25-Feb-2013
Alex Brown, writing in the Sydney Morning Herald, looks at the impact of Shane Watson and says it’s time for him to start showing he’s worthy of being the side’s allrounder.
Watson is one of the great paradoxes of cricket. On the one hand, he has been blessed with tremendous physical gifts; possessing the fast-twitch muscle fibres that enable him to fire down cricket balls at 145kmh, and the hand-eye coordination that led to a first-class double century. On the other, it is his body that has proved his greatest curse. Back, shoulder and hamstring problems are among the list of ailments to have sidelined him, all timed to inflict most harm to his career.
10 reasons to feel good about Black Caps
Sriram Veera
25-Feb-2013
Adam Parore believes the rediscovered killer instinct will serve Black Caps well in the World Cup.
This is the most exciting group of talent I've seen for some time, and already among our better one-day outfits. The challenge is to move ahead, to reach a 60 to 70 per cent win ratio instead of settling for 45 per cent. The signs are good. The quality we have just seen is superior to anything from the 1980s or my era - they are playing at a completely different level. Keep it up, and they will be hard for anyone to beat.
A late bloomer finds the best dry spell of his life
Peter Roebuck meets John Duckett, the aboriginal cricketer who recovered from an alcohol problem and rebuilt his life, and comes back impressed
Sriram Veera
25-Feb-2013
Peter Roebuck meets John Duckett, the aboriginal cricketer who recovered from an alcohol problem and rebuilt his life, and comes back impressed. Click here to read the article at Sydney Morning Herald.
Duckett spent the years between 13 and 28 behind bars, or in them. Now he opens the batting for his state's Aboriginal team, earns an honest living and raises a family. It is the tale of the fall and rise of a resilient man ... He grew up around violence and trouble and booze and failure.
Black Caps won, because they thought they could
Harsha Bhogle, writing in the Indian Express , feels that Australia might bounce back strongly at the World Cup.
Siddhartha Vaidyanathan
25-Feb-2013
Harsha Bhogle, writing in the Indian Express, feels that Australia might bounce back strongly at the World Cup.
Australia have been a great side not just because they were the best but because they were also the toughest. The second of those qualities will now be tested. It will be folly to put them out of even your smallest short-list, for the opposition to assume that the wounds are too deep.
Full postState versus country
Michael Horan says in the Herald Sun resting Australia’s players for Sunday’s domestic one-day final is another example of John Buchanan getting his own way .
Peter English
25-Feb-2013
Michael Horan says in the Herald Sun resting Australia’s players for Sunday’s domestic one-day final is another example of John Buchanan getting his own way.
In a move that smacks of damage control after the 3-0 whitewash in the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy series in New Zealand, the ban is the latest message to the cricket world that the coach and his selectors are in a state of panic.
First and foremost the players involved desperately want to play and to suggest a 50-overs-a-side match at domestic level is too great a risk to the physical and mental wellbeing of Hodge, Watson and company is, frankly, quite pathetic.
The Australian’s Peter Lalor also looks at the decision to prevent Brad Hodge, Shane Watson and Mitchell Johnson from playing at the MCG.
Full postThree logos and a principle
Neil Manthorp argues for the inclusion of the 'minnows' in the World Cup
Sriram Veera
25-Feb-2013
Neil Manthorp argues for the inclusion of the 'minnows' in the World Cup. His point? It helps in spreading the game and improves quality of cricket in these countries. How? Click here to read.
What does cricket want for itself in the future? To remain a game in which just eight teams can compete? It's not a very broadminded outlook.In order to grow the game in any country, money is required. And the easiest way to gather money in sport is to put it on television. So Ireland, Scotland, Holland and Bermuda can offer their sponsors television coverage and, consequently, command a far greater sum of cash.
... And for those who haven't noticed, the ICC has gone to a great deal of trouble and expense trying to make the minnow nations competitive and to guard against the humiliating thrashings which are so harmful to the image and reputation of the game.
Full postDo not adjust reality - it's true
Kanishkaa Balachandran
25-Feb-2013
Richard Boock, like thousands of other New Zealanders can scarcely beleive the 3-0 whitewash of Australia, pinching themselves silly after a ten wicket romp and two delirious 336+ chases. Unable to take the shock, he requests that someone please tell the Kiwis to warn them in advance before pulling off such stunts.
You could imagine the bedlam outside the medical clinics yesterday morning as thousands of New Zealanders lined up to have their eyes tested.
Yuvraj and Pathan upbeat ahead of World Cup
Yuvraj Singh speaks to Times of India 's Indranil Basu on his return from injury and World Cup preperations:
Siddhartha Vaidyanathan
25-Feb-2013
Yuvraj Singh speaks to Times of India's Indranil Basu on his return from injury and World Cup preperations:
Even though I played a couple of club level matches, I could only test my fitness level in my first comeback game for India. Then again, in Kolkata, I had a slight niggle in my back and I went for a routine check-up. Fortunately, the scan report was okay. Now, I am completely fit.
Meanwhile Irfan Pathan, who's fitness is also in question, was confident of being completely fit before the World Cup. Read his interview with Press Trust of India here.
Full postWorld Cup Babes XI
It's official ..
Andrew Miller
25-Feb-2013
It's official ... World Cup fever has begun! At least in the eyes of the British tabloids, who have been awoken from their midwinter slumber by England's upturn in fortunes (and Australia's fall from grace). So, trust the Super Soaraway Sun to put a different spin on it with their World Cup Babes XI. Featuring Australia's Holly Valance, India's Shilpa Shetty, New Zealand's Rachel Hunter ... and, err, Keeley.
Full postHussey tips World Cup scores of 400
Michael Hussey believes scores of up to 400 could be needed to win the World Cup, writes Iain Payten in the Daily Telegraph .
Peter English
25-Feb-2013
Michael Hussey believes scores of up to 400 could be needed to win the World Cup, writes Iain Payten in the Daily Telegraph.
"Maybe you look at scores of 340 on those grounds," Hussey says. "They are very small, the pitch is flat and with a fast outfield maybe 370, 380 or even 400 is a more realistic score. Probably 340 is only worth 280 on an Australian field."
Malcolm Conn says in The Australian the current crop of bowlers cannot win the World Cup.
Jonathan Millmow describes on stuff.co.nz the chaotic scenes after the second of the enormous run-chases.
Full post