THE WASTED MONEY

The Worst Pieces of Cricket Memorabilia Ever

Firstly a disclaimer, good readers: I own an alarming amount of cricket books, memorabilia and tat associated with the game and thus it is a bit rich for me to be passing judgement on the people who buy the items that follow.

Hard to believe Rusty actually shelled out good money for Brett Lee's Stump Scam, just as it is equally hard to believe he included a classic Qantas bag in such dubious company.

Comments

[Rusty]

Well, I paid $65 for the Qantas bag and about the same for an Adidas number used by the 1971-72 World XI with similar insignia. So I guess I am slightly ahead of the "Powerhouse" buyers in the credibility stakes, just.

I don't own anything that appeared on TV and I'm pretty sure that the only "limited edition" items I have are AB's "Beyond Ten Thousand" and a Tuby Jug of WG Grace that was a 21st birthday present from a well-meaning family friend. It's worked its way from the exile of boxes in the shed onto to one of the Wisden shelves as the years have passed. As much as we all hate the term "cricket tragic", wrapped up as it is in the fraudulent boasting of politicians, it would probably apply well to anyone with more than one Toby Jug.

So yeah, not a loser at all, you see.

[Tony Tea]

I've never had much in the way of cricket paraphernalia. Some books, Australian Cricket and Cricketer magazines, Test Match game, a cap which leaked dye all over my head, and a few autographs.

[Rusty]

I once accidentally bid on Brendan Julian's WA cap and won it. Managed to flog it off again on eBay for the same price. Hundred and fifty bucks. Don't drink and eBay.

[lou]

I've got a Chicago Cubs cap, does that count?

[Tony Tea]

If you're a chucker, yes.

[Big Ramifications]

http://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/afl/gallery-e6frg23c-1226607658786?page=1

[Big Ramifications]

http://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/afl/gallery-e6frg23c-1226607658786?page=1

[Big Ramifications]

http://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/afl/gallery-e6frg23c-1226607658786?page=1

[The Mongrel]

Loved the Blade Runner reference in the Essendon mankini publicity shots. Wonder why they never took off :-)

For the scamorabilia, the Qantas bag is way cool. Retro, subtle and understated.

The pic of Warnie would go very nicely above a bar. As for the rest, the less said the better.

[lou]

The lifesize Shane Watson doll could be auctioned off. I'd pay a couple of quid for it if that would stop it being selected for the Ashes tour.

[Tony Tea]

Who's the guy who was in the pool?

[Big Ramifications]

Who's the guy who was in the pool?

Apologies for laying a big Polly Waffle in your comments section, Tone Capone. I had honourable intentions of posting them in your AGB Footy forum, even though it probably hardly gets read due to lack of updates.... but every single comments section was CLOSED.

So I went for the best match in the first half dozen AGB Cricket posts.

ESSENDON 1990

A decade before Cathy Freeman dashed to gold at the Sydney Olympics, The Bombers were toying with the idea of sending out their players in lycra bodysuits. Essendon even wheeled out (from left) Andrew Manning, John Barnes and Kieran Sporn to model the various designs.

To be fair, AFL jumpers have evolved along these lines, although thankfully footy shorts have not only survived but become more loose-fitting. And, as Freeman later put it, "I could have been wearing a pink tutu, with black stilettos and a fluorescent orange wig and still won."

ps: If they were up in each others biz any more then it would have been this.

[Tony Tea]

No worries, Sizzlechest, Polly Waffle away. I love it. I've given up on writing about footy; too depressing on heaps of levels.

[Big Ramifications]

HEAPS OF LEVELS:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQyXeLSL0II