Australia playing Test cricket in England at dinner time in the middle of winter is about as good as it gets. Australia playing F50 cricket in England at dinner time in the middle of winter is not as good as it gets, but it's not bad.
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Watching the Broncos sans State of Origin players, I agree.
Fix the fucking scheduling independent commission.
Same for the Storm. Butchered every year by SOO. The NRL season should be one match against every team, alternating home-and-away every second year, with three weekends set aside for rep footy.
Asked it before, but will Cummins' less-than-classic action handle repeated outings, or will he endure regular visits to the physio, a remodelled action and a subsequent loss of pace?
Just having Alastair Cook flashbacks. As the boys on Fox said, his technique revolves around a short back lift, not playing many shots and accumulating a shit load of runs.
Eddie needs to find a way to score quicker. He defends fine, but keeps getting out for mediocre scores because he has not eked enough runs while at the crease. Might pay him to stop getting out leaving the agate.
Jeez, our batsmen are shit batsmen and so are our tail-enders, damn their eyes and their britches. Why don't we ever have whopping 8th and 9th wicket stands in ODIs? it just gets done to us, not done by us.
Still, this series doesn't really matter after all.
I'm usually one of the more optomistic AGB-ers, but I have to say that we don't look very good at the moment. We don't know who our best side is, and I don't think we know which combination to put them in, either. Steve Smith shouldn't be anywhere near the XI let alone the squad, and I think Wade should be batting higher. It's all very well experimenting and keeping an eye on the future, but..... Poms! If we lose this series I'll be well pissed off, innit.
Sid, hope you have an umbrella. Glad to see Steve Smith 'rotated' out. Hope he's never 'rotated' in again. For those without the 'Channel of the Year' which Fox Sports 3 continually has watermarked in the top right hand corner of the screen the cricket is available live on Channel 9's digital GEM channel.
No, we don't look very good at the moment, Carrot, but then I'm not an optimist.
We are playing a more settled and talented line-up and I don't think there is much that can be added to this squad apart from Mike Hussey.
I don't think Smith should really be in the squad but then I feel sorry for him. He got one game then he was dumped and Clarke won't bowl him. Surely if he's in the best 11, which you would hope the 11 for the first match would represent, then he's worth more than one shot?
I wouldn't be putting my hard earned on any of our quicks pulling off a throw like that, our runout attempts have been downright woeful in recent times.
That's interesting coming from a Demons fan. Two wins, 1 vs the GWS Ramraiders (Israel Folau playing reserve grade) and the other a fluke of match fixing proportions. Have you played the mighty Suns yet? Harmichael Kunt is preparing for his game of the year, so watch out!
One thing about the Eels, and the Panthers for that matter, is that even though they are losing we can always watch our first grade teams going on to victory, just under other clubs colours eg. Bulldogs, Sharks, Manly.
Without Parra and Panthers there would be no NRL. We are the NRL feeder teams. We trial 'em, you buy 'em. Even the entire state of QLD couldn't produce a home grown half for their one city team and had to poach Penrith's finest in Peter Wallace.
On that score, did you know that Mr "Qeenssslander! Qeenssslander! Qeenssslander!" Bill Moore is actually a New South Welshman? Good Lord, the man's a Tenterfied Saddler.
Keep fighting the good fight Biggy. Its funny, Americans generally complain that cricket is too complex when it is actually simple, and non-Americans that baseball is too simple when it is actually complex. Either way, except for an NZ bowler attempting to catch a Pollard drive which took his finger with it and on to the boundary, and the outfield claiming Taylor (shoulder), Pollard (shoulder) and Oram (knee), they were a couple of entertaining and very well attended games.
As for Aus-Eng ODIs. Pass. Maybe if Wimbledon and Le Tour weren't on. But doubtful.
Anyone dare to challenge the point of view that Israel Folau is 23 years of age and played 7 first grade games so far in the AFL?
From my point of view, Israel is a female septuagenarian and Hall of Famer, with a career spanning 2,000 plus AFL games, 23,000,000 plus in the NRL, 5 seasons as linebacker and quarterback for 10 NFL clubs, as well as Super Bantamweight champion in three boxing divisions.
Not to mention he's "one of the great athletes in Australian sport", but that goes without saying. Actually, he's THE greatest athlete in Australian sport, ever.
A certain ex QueenSlander forward who appeared with head bandaging before the last SoO match, claiming an injury from falling out of his bed, actually received that injury as a result of his mrs finding him in flagrante delicto, and hurling a lamp at his head, accurately hitting the mark.
In his defence, said forward who had a blinder on the weekend, claimed to mrs that this is a "passage of right" and then name by name nominated various QLD players who were likewise pursuing similar rights of passage. Said cuckolded mrs the next day rang each and every wife nominated and relayed the allegations.
As a result, said forward was dropped, at the demand of fellow QLD players, having nothing to do with performance on the field.
Hard to see NSW winning this, home town refing was never going to penalise according to the rules. We've seen the Storm regular season, seen them in the finals, and the interpretations change. Nothing new here.
Still, NSW constantly kicking on the 3rd or 4th, must be a deliberate ploy by Sticky, is killing us. QLD forwards are dominant.
Second last try from 3 forward passes in the lead up, the last a shepherd. But, pressure counts and if you give the ref the chance to rule away then you're gone. We dropped off. Game over at half time.
All on the back of shithouse kicking from Pearce who also played Carney into non-existence. Forwards were dominated, with only the mighty Luke Lewis showing go forward and urgency when called on in the second half. T-Rex not used well. Strategic play, set play, nowhere.
NSW were never going to get the rub and Stuart was never a coach who would either select, or strategise a winning team. (how long did it take to know that Uate couldn't defend the wing you cockhead. I met you once in Canberra and you wanted a fight, I'll fucken punch your head in you little jump up slut of a flake).
Kudos QLD. Well played NSW, the better team for heart but, marketing forces, an idiot coach who will probably sign the death warrant for Parra, done you in.
Still, we return, at the local parks and grounds at the Sydney South West and East, the heartland.
Ah yes, that's what I come to AGB cricket to read: whinging by loser NSWmen.
Just flicking through the channels now mOnty, you fat arsed goose, and, you know, I can't find any cricket for the life of me. No wait, there's the shark steam cleaner on channel 94, I think it is. But, still, doesn't look like some barge arsed bearded weirdo from outer know nothing imbecilic west, so you're off the hook you bloated sack of shit.
MOnty, in all honesty, I always thought you were the most rancid sort of deadset losering loser cunt who couldn't fuck a wombat even if it was mowed down and flattened by an interstate b-double.
You'd try though, wouldn't ya mate. You'd give it the good old heave ho, flat stick, try hard, late night talk back talking munching, union rep, tax payer bludging, occ health and safety, safety walking, safety talking, loud mouth dribbling, spewing dribbling, Geeelong idiot rambling, incest breeding, cuntarsed mud flap reaming, good old fashioned Ozzie shit talking, big noting, wouldn't you, you fucked up piece of flatulent piece of shit?
Yes, well, ahem, perhaps it was a little of the top, but, if it wasn't for Bill Harrigan and QLD crowd favourite Tony Archer all would be well. Now, just gotta fix this piano somehow before the mrs and kids get back from holidays.
If it wasn't for Slater, Inglis, Hodges, Thurston, Lockyer, Smith, Civoniceva, Myles et al, NSW would have won one of the past seven series.
For all the bs put up by both sides of the border, when it comes down to it, QLD just have better players than NSW. It's to the cockroaches credit that they've only had one series whitewash, in 2010, during this time.
I mean the utter mediocrity Mitchell Pearce has played seven games in a row as NSW half-back! If NSW had played the Broncos Pete Wallace at 7 they probably would have won this series.
You're a bigger man than I mOnty, so it's appreciated.
One good thing to have come out of the detritus of Wednesday evening is this Shark Steam Portable that's just arrived in today's deliveries. I don't recall purchasing it, but it's absolutely magnificent at getting out hard to remove vomit and blood stains from the couch. I should do the ad.
Just 30 more minutes till D-Day when the mrs and gang get here. Just gotta hide this incredible ladder come sawing horse work bench with scaffolding, the Ab Wave, Dual Saw and Nicer Dicer.
I humbly suggest that as penance to the aggrieved, yet still amiable, m0ntgomery, M. Patard should undertake a stint of community service which would involve lodging 10 (unique) troll comments at Catallaxy Files. All comment replies from the Atlas Chuckers would also have to be answered as a requirement of this blogging community service.
In the meantime, I've examined your list and what strikes me as extraordinary is the profound levels of loyalty and commitment that only Queenssslander!'s have.
Imagine the humble willingness of all seven (7) Broncos to forgo a higher pay day due to SoO appearance just so that the News Ltd B team could stay under the salary cap.
Awe inspiring stuff from Petero Civoniceva, Justin Hodges, Ben Hannant, Corey Parker, Sam Thaiday, Ben Te'o and Matt Gillett. That's not even to mention players hovering about SoO selection like Wallace. Bravo Broncos, bravo.
Not even the News Ltd A fantastic four (4) - Cam Smith, Billy Slater, Cooper Cronk, Dane Nielsen - could match the B team in terms of salary sacrifice.
Whilst most other clubs suffer the annual fate of having their teams chewed up and spat out due to salary cap pressures, after having won a premiership or many playing Origin, not so News Ltd A and B. And it's all due to Queeeensssslander!'s pride, spirit and preparedness to live in relative poverty.
Yes, 'tis true as stated above, it's just not fair on top of this that these two News Ltd teams suffer as well from missing half their teams due to to SoO commitments on top of their sacrificing of their weekly pay.
The Broncos have lost plenty of Origin standard players in the past five years due to salary cap pressure: Ben Teo (signed by Souths! How do THEY do it?!), Dave Taylor, Michael Ennis, Darius Boyd, Israel Folau, Karmichael Hunt, David Stagg.
Where they are ahead of the pack is in their third party deals which they use over the whole squad not just on 3 or 4 players and they have a whole city's rl corporate dollar to themselves. But the rest of the comp is catching up in that department.
Meanwhile the Panthers pay Jenning $700k a year and throw him in reserve grade which says something about the organisational abilities of both clubs administrators. Hopefully that's something Gus can sought out for you lot, apparently he wants to off load Jennings.
As for the Storm, Cronk took a large pay cut (from a Titans offer, see Souths) so he could keep playing with Smith and Slater and win Premierships. For many years the Storm were cheating, they were caught and heavily punished for it. So I don't see a News Ltd conspiracy where you do.
Forgot, Broncos lost Brent Tate too (2007). But I guess NSW media girliemen love the 'Broncos never lose a player they want to keep' saying too much to give a damn about reality
Broncos are administered far better than the rest of the comp?
Yes, that's what I said. News Ltd is able to get their people to sacrifice money just for pride in the jumper. It shouldn't be under-rated. NSW teams could not be able to maintain 7 plus SoO players within a cap due to our inherent greed.
'NSW teams could not be able to maintain 7 plus SoO players within a cap due to our inherent greed.'
It'd be tough because there are so many Sydney teams fighting for the same corporate dollar for third party deals and also, a lot of the time, over the same juniors. Manly however do have 10 (current or former) Origin players in their team, plus Cherry-Evans and 2 NZ internationals.
OF the Broncos starting 17, 15 are local juniors. A lot of those guys are on their first pro contracts and when that's up they'll leave and new players from the 20's will come into the side. Gerard Beale (who I also forgot) is a good example of this, as he's leaving for St. George next year.
This isn't cricket related but it is related to all sports, and wider. "Olympic legend Michael Johnson says":
"‘Over the last few years, athletes of Afro- Caribbean and Afro-American descent have dominated athletics finals.
‘It’s a fact that hasn’t been discussed openly before. It’s a taboo subject in the States but it is what it is. Why shouldn’t we discuss it?’
...
‘All my life I believed I became an athlete through my own determination, but it’s impossible to think that being descended from slaves hasn’t left an imprint through the generations.
‘Difficult as it was to hear, slavery has benefited descendants like me – I believe there is a superior athletic gene in us.’"
People who say Afro-Caribbeans and Afro-Americans have an inherited advantage cop an absolute hiding whenever they open their mouths. Be interesting to see how much blow-back Johnson gets, and how long a "taken out of context" will take.
Well, I'm glad he said it and not an ex-RSL President.
I very much doubt whether Johnson's astute and honest observations will get a wide press, though it will be interesting to see if he's forced into a retraction and clayton's apology of the "if I have offended anybody" variety. That Daily Mail comment thread got shut down pretty quickly.
But, it is a very good subject. I was marveling the other week out loud, to no one in particular, the English propensity to create sports. If there were a gold medal for such things I'd reckon they'd come in top of the podium. The modern Olympics themselves were brought about by the French and English I believe, hoping for a cultural renaissance of sorts.
Which reminds me of something BoltA keeps on illogically saying, that race doesn't matter, it's culture that's important. Which makes me wonder, where did the culture come from?
One need only observe the various cultural aspects of that quintessential English game of cricket, when observing the various approaches throughout the Commonwealth.
It's a fascinating subject and I thank Mr Johnson for bringing it to the public's attention. Though, I don't think genetic capacity for athletics can be attributed to slavery, as in "slavery has benefited descendants like me". Unless he means the slaves were emancipated in cultures that were conducive to bringing out the best in various genetic types.
Convict slavery has benefited me and mine. Now we get to pay income tax, state and federal excise taxes and duties, a GST and now a Carbon Dioxide tax. Thank God life time slavery was banned.
I would giggle like a schoolgirl at the sight of Pat taking on the denizens of Catallaxy. Though I suspect he probably has much in common with them, politically.
M. Patard , as my late night commenting may suggest, I spent most of the eve at the Slug and Lettuce catching up with an old school friend of mine over a carlton draft or three.
My mate is, unfortunately, a cockroach, though like yourself a fine fellow and definitely not of the 'Alisa Zinov'yevna Rosenbaum' socio-political type, and assuredly on OUR side (wink, wink, nudge, nudge).
We got to talking about our discussion vis a vis the Broncs and Storm and...gulp...I admit, you are right, the deck is stacked in the favour of the News Ltd teams. The main things we could think of to have a more competitive competition across the board were a draft and reduction in Sydney teams. The Penrith Eels does have a rather mediocre ring to it but tough decisions must be made.
PS-my god you have an odd debating technique. Did you learn it from 'scotch-irish'...lol.
No need for a joint venture when we've got the Cronulla Panthers, the Canterbury Eels and the Parramatta Sea Eagles. It's just the finances we need to sort out.
Actually, what the NRL needs is a second Brisbane team. The problem with this is that News Ltd A, Melbourne Storm, really *is* the second Brisbane team, and would lose feeder teams like the Brisbane Norths Devils. What's more, both News Ltd A & B would be vying for the same region. Thus is the problem with the NRL supporting a team in a state that doesn't want one.
Further, Channel Nein disrespects the Storm in Vic, making it a double whammy for league expansion.
Once the rights are sorted, and hopefully a fair dinkum broadcaster is on board, the Storm situation can be reassessed. Storm feeding area be reassesed and a 2nd Brisbane team brought in to the comp.
What the NRL also needs is a Perth team, which is a natural for the place given all the South Africans and Kiwis now living there. The Sharks would be perfect for relocation to a place like Cottesloe Beach.
Wow, the English bowling is great at Chester-le-Street. Bowler-friendly conditions but the bowling is full and larvely. Aussies in the manure up to the waist and sinking. I wish they'd take Nick Knight with them.
Just for a change England bowl in dream conditions, then bat in dream conditions, which I suppose was on the cards when the Aussie tail got among the runs.
Good luck rationalising the Sydney NRL teams now. Twenty years too late. Rationality is not compatible with rugby league any more. It is a busted arse minor comp.
I await the next rights deal, as do most clubs who are dying for a handout, literally. If they don't get a billion over five years, they're stuffed. They probably won't.
Watching the Broncos sans State of Origin players, I agree.
Fix the fucking scheduling independent commission.
Posted by: Cameron | Friday, June 29, 2012 at 08:29 PM
Same for the Storm. Butchered every year by SOO. The NRL season should be one match against every team, alternating home-and-away every second year, with three weekends set aside for rep footy.
Posted by: Tony | Friday, June 29, 2012 at 09:14 PM
Mind you, Nine and Foxtel will root that fixture up the gonga. No chance they will sacrifice several rounds.
Posted by: Tony | Friday, June 29, 2012 at 09:15 PM
Asked it before, but will Cummins' less-than-classic action handle repeated outings, or will he endure regular visits to the physio, a remodelled action and a subsequent loss of pace?
Posted by: Tony | Friday, June 29, 2012 at 09:23 PM
'Nine and Foxtel will root that fixture up the gonga.'
Spot on. Quantity not quality rules. Or 'product' as the cool guys say.
I think the Storm have even lost 2 games BEFORE Origin games this year. Which says something for their mindset.
Posted by: Cameron | Friday, June 29, 2012 at 09:35 PM
ps I love the way you capitalise the T in Test.
Posted by: Cameron | Friday, June 29, 2012 at 09:43 PM
I value Tradition.
Posted by: Tony | Friday, June 29, 2012 at 09:51 PM
To True.
Just having Alastair Cook flashbacks. As the boys on Fox said, his technique revolves around a short back lift, not playing many shots and accumulating a shit load of runs.
What's not to like?
Posted by: Cameron | Friday, June 29, 2012 at 09:58 PM
Wish we had a Cook. Real opener.
Posted by: Tony | Friday, June 29, 2012 at 10:00 PM
Ed has all of the qualities. Except the runs.
Posted by: Cameron | Friday, June 29, 2012 at 10:06 PM
We 'deserved' that wicket (Cook). Plenty of pressure.
Posted by: Cameron | Friday, June 29, 2012 at 10:18 PM
Cummins hits Bofart flush in the head. Priceless.
Posted by: Cameron | Friday, June 29, 2012 at 10:27 PM
Eddie needs to find a way to score quicker. He defends fine, but keeps getting out for mediocre scores because he has not eked enough runs while at the crease. Might pay him to stop getting out leaving the agate.
Posted by: Tony | Friday, June 29, 2012 at 10:29 PM
Fuck, just 'cause he knocked you off twitter 'cause a few of your redneck commenters went after his batty boy mate Roers.
(cough, cough, Hannagan)
Posted by: Cameron | Friday, June 29, 2012 at 10:34 PM
Shit that Bopara's a bludger of a batsman. Nothings changed there.
Posted by: Cameron | Friday, June 29, 2012 at 10:44 PM
He just got out! Let the gods record my comment was before the Indian pretender got out.
Posted by: Cameron | Friday, June 29, 2012 at 10:46 PM
Bopara getting dropped after the fourth Test cost us the Ashes in 2009.
Posted by: Tony | Friday, June 29, 2012 at 11:01 PM
Hannagan is in a trance again, watching the Squeels stink up another NRL season.
Posted by: Tony | Friday, June 29, 2012 at 11:02 PM
Don't forget the (pink) Panthers.
No doubt News Ltd is to blame.
Posted by: Cameron | Friday, June 29, 2012 at 11:06 PM
That's right. Pat barracks for two sides. UnAustralian.
Posted by: Tony | Friday, June 29, 2012 at 11:09 PM
Rumour has it he BATS both ways as well.
Posted by: Cameron | Friday, June 29, 2012 at 11:20 PM
Patty boy.
Posted by: Tony | Friday, June 29, 2012 at 11:25 PM
Tens of fans line up for the first official game of cricket in the USA... *crickets chirping*
http://www.fark.com/comments/7187406/Tens-of-fans-line-up-for-first-official-cricket-game-in-US-crickets
// some interesting and/or ignorant comments from Seppos in amongst that lot
Posted by: Big Ramifications | Friday, June 29, 2012 at 11:33 PM
Americans...I continually TRY and give them the benefit of the doubt.
Posted by: Cameron | Saturday, June 30, 2012 at 12:01 AM
Jeez, our batsmen are shit batsmen and so are our tail-enders, damn their eyes and their britches. Why don't we ever have whopping 8th and 9th wicket stands in ODIs? it just gets done to us, not done by us.
Still, this series doesn't really matter after all.
Nope, that doesn't help.
Posted by: Lou | Saturday, June 30, 2012 at 04:29 AM
Tony I wish we had a Cook too...
Posted by: Lou | Saturday, June 30, 2012 at 04:32 AM
ODIs are much more relaxing when you realise none of them matter a tinker's cuss.
Posted by: m0nty | Saturday, June 30, 2012 at 09:28 AM
I try to convince myself that these matches don't matter, but, well, Poms.
Posted by: Tony | Saturday, June 30, 2012 at 11:52 AM
But, well, Poms... and I live in the UK. I don't think I'd give a tinker's cuss either if I didn't live here.
Posted by: Lou | Saturday, June 30, 2012 at 04:36 PM
I care: £57 worth. (Off to the Oval tomorrow.)
Posted by: Sid Smith | Saturday, June 30, 2012 at 09:00 PM
You should get a whole match, weather looks clearish.
Posted by: Lou | Sunday, July 01, 2012 at 06:11 PM
Clearish? So a beautiful England summer's day.
Posted by: Tony | Sunday, July 01, 2012 at 06:35 PM
I'm usually one of the more optomistic AGB-ers, but I have to say that we don't look very good at the moment. We don't know who our best side is, and I don't think we know which combination to put them in, either. Steve Smith shouldn't be anywhere near the XI let alone the squad, and I think Wade should be batting higher. It's all very well experimenting and keeping an eye on the future, but..... Poms! If we lose this series I'll be well pissed off, innit.
Posted by: Carrot | Sunday, July 01, 2012 at 08:14 PM
Lousy signal here at the Oval. Good start tho. If you r a Pom.
Posted by: Sid | Sunday, July 01, 2012 at 08:25 PM
Crap first over from Bresnan. Again.
Posted by: Sid | Sunday, July 01, 2012 at 08:31 PM
Missis taking dozens of pix of S Broad. So hope he breaks a leg. Rain!
Posted by: Sid | Sunday, July 01, 2012 at 08:34 PM
Rain has stopped. Bits of blue sky now. Yes, this is England.
Posted by: Sid | Sunday, July 01, 2012 at 08:46 PM
Sid, hope you have an umbrella. Glad to see Steve Smith 'rotated' out. Hope he's never 'rotated' in again. For those without the 'Channel of the Year' which Fox Sports 3 continually has watermarked in the top right hand corner of the screen the cricket is available live on Channel 9's digital GEM channel.
Posted by: Soups | Sunday, July 01, 2012 at 08:46 PM
Sid, hope you have a pair of sunglasses. Forrest out unluckily down the legside.
Posted by: Soups | Sunday, July 01, 2012 at 09:20 PM
No, we don't look very good at the moment, Carrot, but then I'm not an optimist.
We are playing a more settled and talented line-up and I don't think there is much that can be added to this squad apart from Mike Hussey.
I don't think Smith should really be in the squad but then I feel sorry for him. He got one game then he was dumped and Clarke won't bowl him. Surely if he's in the best 11, which you would hope the 11 for the first match would represent, then he's worth more than one shot?
Posted by: Lou | Sunday, July 01, 2012 at 09:35 PM
These poms, they never miss!
Posted by: Vindicate | Sunday, July 01, 2012 at 11:27 PM
You know you are in trouble when Skinny Finn is conking them from side-on.
Posted by: Tony | Sunday, July 01, 2012 at 11:41 PM
O'Morgs was not exactly starring in the field over the last few overs.
Posted by: Tony | Sunday, July 01, 2012 at 11:56 PM
I wouldn't be putting my hard earned on any of our quicks pulling off a throw like that, our runout attempts have been downright woeful in recent times.
Posted by: Vindicate | Sunday, July 01, 2012 at 11:57 PM
Would be a nice day to see Good Mitch, if he still exists....
Posted by: Vindicate | Monday, July 02, 2012 at 12:39 AM
3 no balls in 2 overs. With this sort of bowling, he'll get more no-balls than anyone else and that's the aim of the sport, isn't it?
Posted by: Lou | Monday, July 02, 2012 at 01:06 AM
Surprised at how little stick Mitch got. Less than he deserved, I reckon.
Sorry I went quiet, lads. I kept writing posts but they disappeared into the ether. Anyway, right result ... eh?
Posted by: Sid Smith | Monday, July 02, 2012 at 05:02 AM
Just back from a plate of Liège waffles, a bag of truffles then a flick of the channels and I see that Mitchell Johnson is bowling. Mon Dieu!
Lee, Johnson, McKay and Doherty: this is it, is it? THIS IS IT, IS IT!!!? De la merde sur les jambes!
Another channel change just in time to see M. Clarke take a forlorn swipe of nothingness, an indifferent perplexity of shaking head and off he goes.
Why do we set ourselves up like this? Pourquoi? Because we are masochists, c'est pourquoi.
Posted by: M. Patard | Monday, July 02, 2012 at 10:22 AM
watching the Squeels stink up another NRL season
That's interesting coming from a Demons fan. Two wins, 1 vs the GWS Ramraiders (Israel Folau playing reserve grade) and the other a fluke of match fixing proportions. Have you played the mighty Suns yet? Harmichael Kunt is preparing for his game of the year, so watch out!
One thing about the Eels, and the Panthers for that matter, is that even though they are losing we can always watch our first grade teams going on to victory, just under other clubs colours eg. Bulldogs, Sharks, Manly.
Without Parra and Panthers there would be no NRL. We are the NRL feeder teams. We trial 'em, you buy 'em. Even the entire state of QLD couldn't produce a home grown half for their one city team and had to poach Penrith's finest in Peter Wallace.
On that score, did you know that Mr "Qeenssslander! Qeenssslander! Qeenssslander!" Bill Moore is actually a New South Welshman? Good Lord, the man's a Tenterfied Saddler.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbgShiaal6E
Posted by: M. Patard | Monday, July 02, 2012 at 10:50 AM
Keep fighting the good fight Biggy. Its funny, Americans generally complain that cricket is too complex when it is actually simple, and non-Americans that baseball is too simple when it is actually complex. Either way, except for an NZ bowler attempting to catch a Pollard drive which took his finger with it and on to the boundary, and the outfield claiming Taylor (shoulder), Pollard (shoulder) and Oram (knee), they were a couple of entertaining and very well attended games.
As for Aus-Eng ODIs. Pass. Maybe if Wimbledon and Le Tour weren't on. But doubtful.
Posted by: Russ | Monday, July 02, 2012 at 12:59 PM
“From our point of view he’s 23 and seven games into a career which is showing some potential and he’s got two years left to run.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/afl/israel-folau-a-rugby-league-and-union-poaching-target/story-e6frexx0-1226414936880
Anyone dare to challenge the point of view that Israel Folau is 23 years of age and played 7 first grade games so far in the AFL?
From my point of view, Israel is a female septuagenarian and Hall of Famer, with a career spanning 2,000 plus AFL games, 23,000,000 plus in the NRL, 5 seasons as linebacker and quarterback for 10 NFL clubs, as well as Super Bantamweight champion in three boxing divisions.
Not to mention he's "one of the great athletes in Australian sport", but that goes without saying. Actually, he's THE greatest athlete in Australian sport, ever.
Posted by: M. Patard | Wednesday, July 04, 2012 at 12:32 PM
GP?
Posted by: Tony | Wednesday, July 04, 2012 at 01:09 PM
Late mail:
A certain ex QueenSlander forward who appeared with head bandaging before the last SoO match, claiming an injury from falling out of his bed, actually received that injury as a result of his mrs finding him in flagrante delicto, and hurling a lamp at his head, accurately hitting the mark.
In his defence, said forward who had a blinder on the weekend, claimed to mrs that this is a "passage of right" and then name by name nominated various QLD players who were likewise pursuing similar rights of passage. Said cuckolded mrs the next day rang each and every wife nominated and relayed the allegations.
As a result, said forward was dropped, at the demand of fellow QLD players, having nothing to do with performance on the field.
Get your money on the Blues.
Posted by: Runyon Pat, at the track | Wednesday, July 04, 2012 at 07:53 PM
Ah yes, that's what I come to AGB cricket to read: whinging by loser NSWmen.
Posted by: m0nty | Wednesday, July 04, 2012 at 08:07 PM
Try off the back of a penalty for holding down in the tackle. 2 penalties to nil. Looking for the square up.
Posted by: Runyon Pat, at the track | Wednesday, July 04, 2012 at 08:40 PM
Hard to see NSW winning this, home town refing was never going to penalise according to the rules. We've seen the Storm regular season, seen them in the finals, and the interpretations change. Nothing new here.
Still, NSW constantly kicking on the 3rd or 4th, must be a deliberate ploy by Sticky, is killing us. QLD forwards are dominant.
Second last try from 3 forward passes in the lead up, the last a shepherd. But, pressure counts and if you give the ref the chance to rule away then you're gone. We dropped off. Game over at half time.
Final score, a flogging for NSW.
Posted by: mOnty's anti | Wednesday, July 04, 2012 at 09:15 PM
All on the back of shithouse kicking from Pearce who also played Carney into non-existence. Forwards were dominated, with only the mighty Luke Lewis showing go forward and urgency when called on in the second half. T-Rex not used well. Strategic play, set play, nowhere.
NSW were never going to get the rub and Stuart was never a coach who would either select, or strategise a winning team. (how long did it take to know that Uate couldn't defend the wing you cockhead. I met you once in Canberra and you wanted a fight, I'll fucken punch your head in you little jump up slut of a flake).
Kudos QLD. Well played NSW, the better team for heart but, marketing forces, an idiot coach who will probably sign the death warrant for Parra, done you in.
Still, we return, at the local parks and grounds at the Sydney South West and East, the heartland.
Posted by: mOnty's anti | Wednesday, July 04, 2012 at 10:17 PM
Ah yes, that's what I come to AGB cricket to read: whinging by loser NSWmen.
Just flicking through the channels now mOnty, you fat arsed goose, and, you know, I can't find any cricket for the life of me. No wait, there's the shark steam cleaner on channel 94, I think it is. But, still, doesn't look like some barge arsed bearded weirdo from outer know nothing imbecilic west, so you're off the hook you bloated sack of shit.
MOnty, in all honesty, I always thought you were the most rancid sort of deadset losering loser cunt who couldn't fuck a wombat even if it was mowed down and flattened by an interstate b-double.
You'd try though, wouldn't ya mate. You'd give it the good old heave ho, flat stick, try hard, late night talk back talking munching, union rep, tax payer bludging, occ health and safety, safety walking, safety talking, loud mouth dribbling, spewing dribbling, Geeelong idiot rambling, incest breeding, cuntarsed mud flap reaming, good old fashioned Ozzie shit talking, big noting, wouldn't you, you fucked up piece of flatulent piece of shit?
Not that I mean anything by that.
Posted by: mOnty's anti | Thursday, July 05, 2012 at 03:09 AM
Off your meds again Pat?
Posted by: Vindicate | Thursday, July 05, 2012 at 04:05 AM
Nah, just tired and emotional, all up feeling somewhat unvidicated.
That's how it is, that's the way it goes...until your favourite people have their heads in the guillotine, or better yet, your own.
Posted by: mOnty's anti | Thursday, July 05, 2012 at 04:29 AM
Looks like it's Pat's-cracked-it-again o'clock.
Posted by: Tony | Thursday, July 05, 2012 at 12:09 PM
Fair rant.... didn't mention sleeping tablets though
Posted by: chrisl | Thursday, July 05, 2012 at 08:42 PM
Yes, well, ahem, perhaps it was a little of the top, but, if it wasn't for Bill Harrigan and QLD crowd favourite Tony Archer all would be well. Now, just gotta fix this piano somehow before the mrs and kids get back from holidays.
Posted by: mOnty's anti | Friday, July 06, 2012 at 10:37 AM
If it wasn't for Slater, Inglis, Hodges, Thurston, Lockyer, Smith, Civoniceva, Myles et al, NSW would have won one of the past seven series.
For all the bs put up by both sides of the border, when it comes down to it, QLD just have better players than NSW. It's to the cockroaches credit that they've only had one series whitewash, in 2010, during this time.
I mean the utter mediocrity Mitchell Pearce has played seven games in a row as NSW half-back! If NSW had played the Broncos Pete Wallace at 7 they probably would have won this series.
Posted by: Cameron | Friday, July 06, 2012 at 11:11 AM
I would so fuck that wombat.
Pat, you remind me of the abusive jokers over at Catallaxy Files, where I have also been trolling lately. I won't take it personally.
Posted by: m0nty | Friday, July 06, 2012 at 11:46 AM
Catallaxy Files: 'Australia's leading libertarian and centre-right blog'.
Sought of like saying your 'Afghanistan's number 1 rock band'!
I hope you're punching below your weight with the libertards m0nt. Don't get 'em too angry, they might chuck a copy of 'Atlas Shrugged' at you!
Posted by: Cameron | Friday, July 06, 2012 at 12:23 PM
Atlas Chucked.
Posted by: Tony | Friday, July 06, 2012 at 12:37 PM
You're a bigger man than I mOnty, so it's appreciated.
One good thing to have come out of the detritus of Wednesday evening is this Shark Steam Portable that's just arrived in today's deliveries. I don't recall purchasing it, but it's absolutely magnificent at getting out hard to remove vomit and blood stains from the couch. I should do the ad.
Just 30 more minutes till D-Day when the mrs and gang get here. Just gotta hide this incredible ladder come sawing horse work bench with scaffolding, the Ab Wave, Dual Saw and Nicer Dicer.
Posted by: M. Patard | Friday, July 06, 2012 at 12:46 PM
Wow, it even removes shart from bed linen. Truly incredible product.
Posted by: M. Patard | Friday, July 06, 2012 at 12:48 PM
Atlas Chucked...would hurt if it hit you:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_longest_novels
Posted by: Cameron | Friday, July 06, 2012 at 12:55 PM
It's a product of gigantomania.
Posted by: M. Patard | Friday, July 06, 2012 at 01:00 PM
m0nty vs. M. Patard/mOnty's anti
I humbly suggest that as penance to the aggrieved, yet still amiable, m0ntgomery, M. Patard should undertake a stint of community service which would involve lodging 10 (unique) troll comments at Catallaxy Files. All comment replies from the Atlas Chuckers would also have to be answered as a requirement of this blogging community service.
Yours faithfully,
Cameron the Conciliator
Posted by: Cameron the Conciliator | Friday, July 06, 2012 at 01:10 PM
Will do Cambro.
In the meantime, I've examined your list and what strikes me as extraordinary is the profound levels of loyalty and commitment that only Queenssslander!'s have.
Imagine the humble willingness of all seven (7) Broncos to forgo a higher pay day due to SoO appearance just so that the News Ltd B team could stay under the salary cap.
Awe inspiring stuff from Petero Civoniceva, Justin Hodges, Ben Hannant, Corey Parker, Sam Thaiday, Ben Te'o and Matt Gillett. That's not even to mention players hovering about SoO selection like Wallace. Bravo Broncos, bravo.
Not even the News Ltd A fantastic four (4) - Cam Smith, Billy Slater, Cooper Cronk, Dane Nielsen - could match the B team in terms of salary sacrifice.
Whilst most other clubs suffer the annual fate of having their teams chewed up and spat out due to salary cap pressures, after having won a premiership or many playing Origin, not so News Ltd A and B. And it's all due to Queeeensssslander!'s pride, spirit and preparedness to live in relative poverty.
Yes, 'tis true as stated above, it's just not fair on top of this that these two News Ltd teams suffer as well from missing half their teams due to to SoO commitments on top of their sacrificing of their weekly pay.
All praise the humble Queenssssslander!
Posted by: M. Patard | Friday, July 06, 2012 at 01:28 PM
The Broncos have lost plenty of Origin standard players in the past five years due to salary cap pressure: Ben Teo (signed by Souths! How do THEY do it?!), Dave Taylor, Michael Ennis, Darius Boyd, Israel Folau, Karmichael Hunt, David Stagg.
Where they are ahead of the pack is in their third party deals which they use over the whole squad not just on 3 or 4 players and they have a whole city's rl corporate dollar to themselves. But the rest of the comp is catching up in that department.
Meanwhile the Panthers pay Jenning $700k a year and throw him in reserve grade which says something about the organisational abilities of both clubs administrators. Hopefully that's something Gus can sought out for you lot, apparently he wants to off load Jennings.
As for the Storm, Cronk took a large pay cut (from a Titans offer, see Souths) so he could keep playing with Smith and Slater and win Premierships. For many years the Storm were cheating, they were caught and heavily punished for it. So I don't see a News Ltd conspiracy where you do.
Posted by: Cameron | Friday, July 06, 2012 at 01:46 PM
Forgot, Broncos lost Brent Tate too (2007). But I guess NSW media girliemen love the 'Broncos never lose a player they want to keep' saying too much to give a damn about reality
Posted by: Cameron | Friday, July 06, 2012 at 01:52 PM
Two of the players you named went to AFL on contracts no one could match, not even News Ltd (is QLD owned by News Ltd yet?)
And, I didn't even mention the Cowgirls with 4 SoO players of their own: Jonathon Thurston, Brent Tate, Matthew Scott, James Tamou.
Mate, seven SoO players, 7. Hooweee, Queenssslander!
Posted by: M. Patard | Friday, July 06, 2012 at 02:17 PM
'...AFL on contracts no one could match...' because of the salary cap.
I'm not entirely sure what your point is. The majority news ltd owned Broncos are administered far better than the rest of the comp?
ps-the Cowboys are owned by the Cowboys Leagues Club.
pps-the Broncos also lost Petero in 2007.
Posted by: Cameron | Friday, July 06, 2012 at 02:31 PM
Broncos are administered far better than the rest of the comp?
Yes, that's what I said. News Ltd is able to get their people to sacrifice money just for pride in the jumper. It shouldn't be under-rated. NSW teams could not be able to maintain 7 plus SoO players within a cap due to our inherent greed.
Queeensssslander!
Posted by: M. Patard | Friday, July 06, 2012 at 02:34 PM
'NSW teams could not be able to maintain 7 plus SoO players within a cap due to our inherent greed.'
It'd be tough because there are so many Sydney teams fighting for the same corporate dollar for third party deals and also, a lot of the time, over the same juniors. Manly however do have 10 (current or former) Origin players in their team, plus Cherry-Evans and 2 NZ internationals.
OF the Broncos starting 17, 15 are local juniors. A lot of those guys are on their first pro contracts and when that's up they'll leave and new players from the 20's will come into the side. Gerard Beale (who I also forgot) is a good example of this, as he's leaving for St. George next year.
Posted by: Cameron | Friday, July 06, 2012 at 02:49 PM
This isn't cricket related but it is related to all sports, and wider. "Olympic legend Michael Johnson says":
"‘Over the last few years, athletes of Afro- Caribbean and Afro-American descent have dominated athletics finals.
‘It’s a fact that hasn’t been discussed openly before. It’s a taboo subject in the States but it is what it is. Why shouldn’t we discuss it?’
...
‘All my life I believed I became an athlete through my own determination, but it’s impossible to think that being descended from slaves hasn’t left an imprint through the generations.
‘Difficult as it was to hear, slavery has benefited descendants like me – I believe there is a superior athletic gene in us.’"
(http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2167064/London-2012-Olympics-Michael-Johnson-descendants-slaves-medals-sprint-finals.html)
It's a very good subject. Genes do give capacity, and that capacity doesn't stop at the neck.
Let's hope this new openness to discussing genetic implications expands into the broader debate on...various subjects.
Posted by: M. Patard | Friday, July 06, 2012 at 06:04 PM
People who say Afro-Caribbeans and Afro-Americans have an inherited advantage cop an absolute hiding whenever they open their mouths. Be interesting to see how much blow-back Johnson gets, and how long a "taken out of context" will take.
Posted by: Tony | Friday, July 06, 2012 at 06:23 PM
I kick ass at running fast.
Posted by: Big Ramifications | Friday, July 06, 2012 at 07:01 PM
Well, I'm glad he said it and not an ex-RSL President.
I very much doubt whether Johnson's astute and honest observations will get a wide press, though it will be interesting to see if he's forced into a retraction and clayton's apology of the "if I have offended anybody" variety. That Daily Mail comment thread got shut down pretty quickly.
But, it is a very good subject. I was marveling the other week out loud, to no one in particular, the English propensity to create sports. If there were a gold medal for such things I'd reckon they'd come in top of the podium. The modern Olympics themselves were brought about by the French and English I believe, hoping for a cultural renaissance of sorts.
Which reminds me of something BoltA keeps on illogically saying, that race doesn't matter, it's culture that's important. Which makes me wonder, where did the culture come from?
One need only observe the various cultural aspects of that quintessential English game of cricket, when observing the various approaches throughout the Commonwealth.
It's a fascinating subject and I thank Mr Johnson for bringing it to the public's attention. Though, I don't think genetic capacity for athletics can be attributed to slavery, as in "slavery has benefited descendants like me". Unless he means the slaves were emancipated in cultures that were conducive to bringing out the best in various genetic types.
Posted by: M. Patard | Friday, July 06, 2012 at 07:06 PM
Convict slavery has benefited me and mine. Now we get to pay income tax, state and federal excise taxes and duties, a GST and now a Carbon Dioxide tax. Thank God life time slavery was banned.
Posted by: M. Patard | Friday, July 06, 2012 at 07:26 PM
fuck
Posted by: Cameron | Saturday, July 07, 2012 at 02:49 AM
pat hanagan nhas a small penis...
Posted by: Cameron | Saturday, July 07, 2012 at 02:56 AM
Now I know what it feels like to be on the other end of abuse. And I don't like it, waaaaaaahhh.
Posted by: M. Patard | Saturday, July 07, 2012 at 09:18 AM
I would giggle like a schoolgirl at the sight of Pat taking on the denizens of Catallaxy. Though I suspect he probably has much in common with them, politically.
Posted by: m0nty | Saturday, July 07, 2012 at 11:11 AM
Ayn Rand, full name Alisa Zinov'yevna Rosenbaum, is not my sort of gal, that's for sure and certain.
Posted by: M. Patard | Saturday, July 07, 2012 at 11:45 AM
M. Patard , as my late night commenting may suggest, I spent most of the eve at the Slug and Lettuce catching up with an old school friend of mine over a carlton draft or three.
My mate is, unfortunately, a cockroach, though like yourself a fine fellow and definitely not of the 'Alisa Zinov'yevna Rosenbaum' socio-political type, and assuredly on OUR side (wink, wink, nudge, nudge).
We got to talking about our discussion vis a vis the Broncs and Storm and...gulp...I admit, you are right, the deck is stacked in the favour of the News Ltd teams. The main things we could think of to have a more competitive competition across the board were a draft and reduction in Sydney teams. The Penrith Eels does have a rather mediocre ring to it but tough decisions must be made.
PS-my god you have an odd debating technique. Did you learn it from 'scotch-irish'...lol.
Posted by: Cameron | Saturday, July 07, 2012 at 02:03 PM
No need for a joint venture when we've got the Cronulla Panthers, the Canterbury Eels and the Parramatta Sea Eagles. It's just the finances we need to sort out.
Posted by: M. Patard | Saturday, July 07, 2012 at 02:11 PM
Actually, what the NRL needs is a second Brisbane team. The problem with this is that News Ltd A, Melbourne Storm, really *is* the second Brisbane team, and would lose feeder teams like the Brisbane Norths Devils. What's more, both News Ltd A & B would be vying for the same region. Thus is the problem with the NRL supporting a team in a state that doesn't want one.
Further, Channel Nein disrespects the Storm in Vic, making it a double whammy for league expansion.
Once the rights are sorted, and hopefully a fair dinkum broadcaster is on board, the Storm situation can be reassessed. Storm feeding area be reassesed and a 2nd Brisbane team brought in to the comp.
What the NRL also needs is a Perth team, which is a natural for the place given all the South Africans and Kiwis now living there. The Sharks would be perfect for relocation to a place like Cottesloe Beach.
Posted by: M. Patard | Saturday, July 07, 2012 at 03:08 PM
Wow, the English bowling is great at Chester-le-Street. Bowler-friendly conditions but the bowling is full and larvely. Aussies in the manure up to the waist and sinking. I wish they'd take Nick Knight with them.
Posted by: Lou | Saturday, July 07, 2012 at 09:32 PM
Blimey. 200 is a fair score in those conditions and after the slow start.
Posted by: Tony | Saturday, July 07, 2012 at 11:28 PM
Just for a change England bowl in dream conditions, then bat in dream conditions, which I suppose was on the cards when the Aussie tail got among the runs.
Posted by: Tony | Sunday, July 08, 2012 at 12:34 AM
Go hard, go early (go obvious): we ain't regaining the Ashes next year.
Posted by: Tony | Sunday, July 08, 2012 at 01:01 AM
Good luck rationalising the Sydney NRL teams now. Twenty years too late. Rationality is not compatible with rugby league any more. It is a busted arse minor comp.
I await the next rights deal, as do most clubs who are dying for a handout, literally. If they don't get a billion over five years, they're stuffed. They probably won't.
Posted by: m0nty | Sunday, July 08, 2012 at 02:06 AM
Yep, I thought the wicket was flattening out nicely for England. There was no way that Hussey was playing it that easy earlier on. Oh well.
Posted by: Lou | Sunday, July 08, 2012 at 02:42 AM
Wow, this match has been good to watch for reasons unconnected with Aus winning. I've given up on that.
I'm not sure that any player in Aus under the age of 30 is capable of rotating the strike and not too many of the older dudes can either.
Wonder what BNG will say to his charges?
Posted by: Lou | Wednesday, July 11, 2012 at 04:28 AM
The only one who didn't make a right gash of that innings was George Bailey.
Christ, the barrel is really bare.
Posted by: Lou | Wednesday, July 11, 2012 at 04:48 AM