The Cricket Thread
#106
Re: The Cricket Thread
My question is though, why should someone be considered over the hill if they are over 40 in any sport (or 30 even) FFS? Personally I think they stuck with Clarke far too long as Captain...smug prick that he is-he should have been replaced long ago (only reason he got it was that Warne blotted his copybook too many times with indiscretions with women) because of far too many reoccurrences of the hamstring injury that would have had anyone else out of the team long ago.
I'm surprised you even need to ask why you are considered over the hill beyond a certain age. The age at which this happens will vary from individual to individual and from sport to sport but Haddin is nearing the end as India's hardly express quicks showed in bouncing him out twice in Brisbane after failure in 1st test - good recovery day one in Melbourne though.
In tennis the game has got more physical and that's why there are few players under 21 in the top 100 men and the average age of the top 100 has been increasing. However, the point comes, even with someone as great as Federer, when you can't do what you once did. Fed is 33 and over the hill (as judged by no slams in last 10) despite being world 2 and just won the Davis Cup. He won 17 slams up to age 31.
Just your opinion about Clarke; I don't find him smug at all and 5-0 Ashes hardly evidence they persisted with him for too long. He's showing with his injuries that he's nearing the end though. You gave the reasons yourself why they didn't take a punt on Warne and went for Punter - he was good as a vice offering advice and suggestions and is good as a commentator.
#107
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Re: The Cricket Thread
As long as there is no more than 10% difference above original price, otherwise it is an offence under Queensland Scalping Legislation.
"What if I sell or buy a ticket at a price greater than 10% of the original ticket price?
The Act contains penalties for reselling and purchasing tickets to events at Stadiums Queensland facilities at a price greater than 10% above the original ticket price.
Sellers of scalped tickets face a maximum fine of 20 penalty units or $2,200
Buyers of scalped tickets face a maximum fine of 5 penalty units or $550
These provisions reinforce the terms and conditions currently attached to many tickets by event organisers and ticket agents, which prohibit the resale of tickets at a premium.
An offence is committed whether the ticket is sold or purchased prior to, or at the event."
Stadiums Queensland - Ticket Scalping
"What if I sell or buy a ticket at a price greater than 10% of the original ticket price?
The Act contains penalties for reselling and purchasing tickets to events at Stadiums Queensland facilities at a price greater than 10% above the original ticket price.
Sellers of scalped tickets face a maximum fine of 20 penalty units or $2,200
Buyers of scalped tickets face a maximum fine of 5 penalty units or $550
These provisions reinforce the terms and conditions currently attached to many tickets by event organisers and ticket agents, which prohibit the resale of tickets at a premium.
An offence is committed whether the ticket is sold or purchased prior to, or at the event."
Stadiums Queensland - Ticket Scalping
#108
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Re: The Cricket Thread
My question is though, why should someone be considered over the hill if they are over 40 in any sport (or 30 even) FFS? Personally I think they stuck with Clarke far too long as Captain...smug prick that he is-he should have been replaced long ago (only reason he got it was that Warne blotted his copybook too many times with indiscretions with women) because of far too many reoccurrences of the hamstring injury that would have had anyone else out of the team long ago.
#109
Re: The Cricket Thread
Either, or....who cares, never liked either much, but liked Clarke vastly less than Ponting.
To be honest, there seems to be a general lack of genuine characters left in the game anymore, most likely due to the influx of political correctness and media hype.
Last edited by The Bloke; Dec 26th 2014 at 11:30 pm.
#110
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Re: The Cricket Thread
More characters would be good. Clarke has a bit of A grade prick about him but its channelled in the right areas. Alistair Cook could learn a thing or 2.
#111
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Re: The Cricket Thread
I used to like Clarke, thought he was a better sportsman than ponting, he has since proved me wrong on numerous occasions. If there's one thing I insist upon its winning and losing with equal dignity and he can't he's a bell end. At least we know that cook can lose well
#112
Re: The Cricket Thread
The trouble is, now that there are 3 international forms of the game (sigh), with up to 3 different Australian Captains and CA's policy of rotation of players and "horses for courses" in each form, real characters are few and far between as the squad frequently changes. Couple with the media scrutiny, they all have to be squeaky clean and have good photogenic/boyish looks.......
#113
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Re: The Cricket Thread
I used to like Clarke, thought he was a better sportsman than ponting, he has since proved me wrong on numerous occasions. If there's one thing I insist upon its winning and losing with equal dignity and he can't he's a bell end. At least we know that cook can lose well
#114
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Re: The Cricket Thread
Clarky likes a bit of helm too . I'm hoping their faith in him is founded as I have no idea what goes on behind closed doors, I don't see how he can remain positive about the future though. That being said he's infinitely more tolerable than pup, who is a ****
#115
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Re: The Cricket Thread
Perhaps it was the faith CA showed in him after this. Katich was a damn fine batsmen and we really could have done with him opening a few years back.
Clarke was sent back from an NZ tour to deal with Bingle. He did that and came back and scored a tonne. Even after the Phil Hughes death Clarke played an amazing innings injured with no footwork.
I cant say i think clarke is a great bloke but he is a good captain and has a tremendous ticker.
Australia have done the right thing appointing Steve Smith. So far so good. Michael Clarke was just saying on channel 9 he believes Smith is the future. I reckon Clarke might call it a day soon and hand over the reigns.
#116
Re: The Cricket Thread
So, it seems, to be test captain:
You have to be a nice, loveable bloke (like Alistair); definitely not show confidence or exude confidence as you are taken by some to be a smug, pr**k, A Grade whatever. Cook thought about resigning as captain before the last Ashes series but - "Cook revealed he had considered his position as captain but was convinced by his wife to continue". That's a real leader.
The behaviour of your girlfriend is important (Bingle) but it doesn't matter about your own morals and the example you set (Warnie) because that makes you a character and the game needs more of this. Pieterson is a 'character' but he's not what a team needs. Warner was a real character to begin with but has been reigned in and the results (this test notwithstanding) show.
I can't help thinking Cook was extremely fortunate to have a team with Trott, Bell, Pieterson and himself in outstanding form with bat and Anderson, Broad and Swann in outstanding form with ball then add Prior with bat and behind the stumps and it isn't surprising he started off with the series win in India and 1st Ashes at home - I don't put a lot of it down to his captaincy and leadership. We all know what the quicker wickets and Johnson did to Cook, Trott, Pieterson, Prior and to a lesser extent Bell; Anderson is just a bit past his best so didn't do that well; Broad did do well.
You have to be a nice, loveable bloke (like Alistair); definitely not show confidence or exude confidence as you are taken by some to be a smug, pr**k, A Grade whatever. Cook thought about resigning as captain before the last Ashes series but - "Cook revealed he had considered his position as captain but was convinced by his wife to continue". That's a real leader.
The behaviour of your girlfriend is important (Bingle) but it doesn't matter about your own morals and the example you set (Warnie) because that makes you a character and the game needs more of this. Pieterson is a 'character' but he's not what a team needs. Warner was a real character to begin with but has been reigned in and the results (this test notwithstanding) show.
I can't help thinking Cook was extremely fortunate to have a team with Trott, Bell, Pieterson and himself in outstanding form with bat and Anderson, Broad and Swann in outstanding form with ball then add Prior with bat and behind the stumps and it isn't surprising he started off with the series win in India and 1st Ashes at home - I don't put a lot of it down to his captaincy and leadership. We all know what the quicker wickets and Johnson did to Cook, Trott, Pieterson, Prior and to a lesser extent Bell; Anderson is just a bit past his best so didn't do that well; Broad did do well.
#117
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Re: The Cricket Thread
I see the 'journeyman' has reached 1,000 test runs in 2014 - that must be a record for any journeyman for sure. He'll have a short run as captain as well apparently.
"Steve Smith personified leadership as Australia reached 5-259 at stumps on day one of the Boxing Day Test against India.
Smith continued his career-best form to finish 72 not out, steadying the hosts on a topsy-turvy Friday watched by a crowd of 69,993 at the MCG.
The 25-year-old is on the cusp of a third century in the series and passed 1000 Test runs for the calender year.
Smith displayed grit, refusing to give India the upper hand as wickets tumbled around him.
The rise and rise of Smith over the past year has been underlined by fluent strokeplay, fancy footwork, fidgeting at the crease and a lot of runs."
"Steve Smith personified leadership as Australia reached 5-259 at stumps on day one of the Boxing Day Test against India.
Smith continued his career-best form to finish 72 not out, steadying the hosts on a topsy-turvy Friday watched by a crowd of 69,993 at the MCG.
The 25-year-old is on the cusp of a third century in the series and passed 1000 Test runs for the calender year.
Smith displayed grit, refusing to give India the upper hand as wickets tumbled around him.
The rise and rise of Smith over the past year has been underlined by fluent strokeplay, fancy footwork, fidgeting at the crease and a lot of runs."
#118
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Re: The Cricket Thread
So, it seems, to be test captain:
You have to be a nice, loveable bloke (like Alistair); definitely not show confidence or exude confidence as you are taken by some to be a smug, pr**k, A Grade whatever. Cook thought about resigning as captain before the last Ashes series but - "Cook revealed he had considered his position as captain but was convinced by his wife to continue". That's a real leader.
The behaviour of your girlfriend is important (Bingle) but it doesn't matter about your own morals and the example you set (Warnie) because that makes you a character and the game needs more of this. Pieterson is a 'character' but he's not what a team needs. Warner was a real character to begin with but has been reigned in and the results (this test notwithstanding) show.
I can't help thinking Cook was extremely fortunate to have a team with Trott, Bell, Pieterson and himself in outstanding form with bat and Anderson, Broad and Swann in outstanding form with ball then add Prior with bat and behind the stumps and it isn't surprising he started off with the series win in India and 1st Ashes at home - I don't put a lot of it down to his captaincy and leadership. We all know what the quicker wickets and Johnson did to Cook, Trott, Pieterson, Prior and to a lesser extent Bell; Anderson is just a bit past his best so didn't do that well; Broad did do well.
You have to be a nice, loveable bloke (like Alistair); definitely not show confidence or exude confidence as you are taken by some to be a smug, pr**k, A Grade whatever. Cook thought about resigning as captain before the last Ashes series but - "Cook revealed he had considered his position as captain but was convinced by his wife to continue". That's a real leader.
The behaviour of your girlfriend is important (Bingle) but it doesn't matter about your own morals and the example you set (Warnie) because that makes you a character and the game needs more of this. Pieterson is a 'character' but he's not what a team needs. Warner was a real character to begin with but has been reigned in and the results (this test notwithstanding) show.
I can't help thinking Cook was extremely fortunate to have a team with Trott, Bell, Pieterson and himself in outstanding form with bat and Anderson, Broad and Swann in outstanding form with ball then add Prior with bat and behind the stumps and it isn't surprising he started off with the series win in India and 1st Ashes at home - I don't put a lot of it down to his captaincy and leadership. We all know what the quicker wickets and Johnson did to Cook, Trott, Pieterson, Prior and to a lesser extent Bell; Anderson is just a bit past his best so didn't do that well; Broad did do well.
Last edited by scrubbedexpat098; Dec 27th 2014 at 9:19 pm.
#119
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Re: The Cricket Thread
I can't recall him ever blaming anyone but himself and his team and always praises the oopposition.
Perhaps I've missed something.
#120
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Re: The Cricket Thread
We clearly don't watch the same matches then. Remember the bad light last year? I don't doubt his skill, but as a bloke and a sportsman he's a shocker