Twenty20 cricket is growing on me. Admittedly I was not a fan, nor was I impressed with the concept of a world cup whilst the format is still in its infancy but I must say I have been pleasantly surprised by the action and excitement of the game.
Tactics, captaincy and bowling has had to change with the big hitting, sixes becoming the order of the day creating an exciting spectacle. Ideally manufactured for television audiences, Twenty20 cricket has big bucks and a global audience at its wake.
It’s like a carnival with music when a batsmen hits a six and between overs, introducing a new batsmen or bowler, it’s like watching WWE wrestling. Add cheerleaders into the mix and cricket looks less like a five day marathon and more like the hundred metre dash.
There lies cricket’s new excitement. Speed!
Cricket has been accused of being too slow and not exciting, especially for complete foreigners of the game but twenty20 is finding new audiences and new fans, dare I say it could potentially challenge baseball in a premier league-esque format?
Creating leagues with India, South Africa and New Zealand are pushing corporations and cricket into new markets with the possibility of players extending their careers and playing for other enterprises in other nations.
The concept is mind-blowing as the possibility is that Kevin Pietersen, Ricky Ponting or Muttiah Muralitharan could represent a New York based team. Glenn McGrath believes twenty20 will make cricket a ‘global sport’ and in the future, nations like the USA and Russia may become competitive.
What ever the case, this concept has surprisingly grown on me and the pace at which it is growing feels just right. Bring on the global tournaments!
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Make Steve Price Captain
No player is more deserving of the captaincy of the Australian Kangaroos than Steve Price. The captain of the Warriors has been a perfect ambassador for the game and would be a just reward for the years of service he has given rugby league.
With Darren Lockeyer and Danny Buderus notable absentees for the test series at the end of the year, the Australian selectors will look for leadership amongst a new looking team. Unfortunately Price is not guaranteed his position amongst the other props vying for a spot.
Price is a natural leader and should be selected and named captain regardless of his poor relationship with coach Ricky Stuart. Baring injuries that could be attained in the finals series, my Australian team looks as follows:
Justin Hodges (Broncos)
Jarryd Hayne (Eels)
Mark Gasnier (Dragons)
Jamie Lyon (Manly)
Greg Inglis (Storm)
Scott Prince (Titans)
Jonathan Thurston (Cowboys)
Steve Price (Warriors) ©
Cameron Smith (Storm)
Willie Mason (Bulldogs)
Nathan Hindmarsh (Eels)
Anthony Watmough (Eagles)
Dallas Johnson (Storm)
Ryan Hoffman (Storm)
Luke Bailey (Titans)
Anthony Laffranchi (Titans)
Kurt Gidley (Knights)
With Darren Lockeyer and Danny Buderus notable absentees for the test series at the end of the year, the Australian selectors will look for leadership amongst a new looking team. Unfortunately Price is not guaranteed his position amongst the other props vying for a spot.
Price is a natural leader and should be selected and named captain regardless of his poor relationship with coach Ricky Stuart. Baring injuries that could be attained in the finals series, my Australian team looks as follows:
Justin Hodges (Broncos)
Jarryd Hayne (Eels)
Mark Gasnier (Dragons)
Jamie Lyon (Manly)
Greg Inglis (Storm)
Scott Prince (Titans)
Jonathan Thurston (Cowboys)
Steve Price (Warriors) ©
Cameron Smith (Storm)
Willie Mason (Bulldogs)
Nathan Hindmarsh (Eels)
Anthony Watmough (Eagles)
Dallas Johnson (Storm)
Ryan Hoffman (Storm)
Luke Bailey (Titans)
Anthony Laffranchi (Titans)
Kurt Gidley (Knights)
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Time to qualify
Parramatta, North Queensland, Manly and Melbourne are the last four teams standing and come September 30, one of these teams will be the 2007 NRL Premiers. The Eels and the Cowboys could definitely spoil Storm and Sea Eagles plans of the grand final.
Parramatta, like the Cowboys had very convincing wins over the Bulldogs and the Warriors respectively. For Parramatta, I was most impressed by Brett Finch and Tim Smith whose form has been on and off but it all came good when it was needed.
The Eels travel south to the AFL capital and the Telstra Dome to face premiership favorites, the Melbourne Storm next weekend. The Eels will have to lift another 20% if they are any chance of defeating the red hot storm.
Melbourne are poised to be at Homebush on September 30 and I see them knocking off the Eels next weekend. For mind Cooper Cronk and Cameron Smith hold the key for the Storm in what should be a classic qualifying final.
Manly face a difficult challenge against an enthusiastic and young Cowboy forward pack plus the likes of Thurston, Bowen, Aaron Payne and Ashley Graham. This game will be frenetic, fast paced and could go either way.
Despite the fact that Manly have been the better side all year I think the Cowboys will spoil the party.
When all is said and done, this is it. No more talk, three more games, four teams down to two and then there will be one:
Cowboys V Storm: Telstra Stadium, September 30…
Parramatta, like the Cowboys had very convincing wins over the Bulldogs and the Warriors respectively. For Parramatta, I was most impressed by Brett Finch and Tim Smith whose form has been on and off but it all came good when it was needed.
The Eels travel south to the AFL capital and the Telstra Dome to face premiership favorites, the Melbourne Storm next weekend. The Eels will have to lift another 20% if they are any chance of defeating the red hot storm.
Melbourne are poised to be at Homebush on September 30 and I see them knocking off the Eels next weekend. For mind Cooper Cronk and Cameron Smith hold the key for the Storm in what should be a classic qualifying final.
Manly face a difficult challenge against an enthusiastic and young Cowboy forward pack plus the likes of Thurston, Bowen, Aaron Payne and Ashley Graham. This game will be frenetic, fast paced and could go either way.
Despite the fact that Manly have been the better side all year I think the Cowboys will spoil the party.
When all is said and done, this is it. No more talk, three more games, four teams down to two and then there will be one:
Cowboys V Storm: Telstra Stadium, September 30…
Australian rugby unveils next generation
Berrick Barnes was not the only Australian putting his mark on Rugby last night with Channel Ten commentator Rupert McCall providing the voice that in my op-inion has been missing from Australian rugby broadcasting for some time.
Firstly Barnes looked all class in only his second test for the Wallabies perhaps dare I say, looking like the ready made replacement for the retiring legend, Stephen Larkham. Barnes injected himself with an inexperienced experience and nervous calmness.
Looking right at home, the new Number 10 provided some missing playmaking that Australian rugby has lacked in recent time and joined forces with Matt Giteau to be dominating across the park.
The first half was the best rugby the Wallabies have played since the 2003 Rugby World Cup with Number’s 1-15 all contributing, looking like a real cup contender. The Wallabies second half was however a different story with the Aussies struggling to inject that attack that was scintillating in the first half and defense that was questionable.
Lote Tuqiri must go as he failed to inject himself at all in attack, knocking the ball on at least three times and missing simple tackles on his wing. Tuqiri must fine form in the next games against Fiji and Canada or his place will be in jeopardy for the finals series.
Australia still have to formulate an eighty-minute game of football but they will be proud of their effort beating Wales at Millennium Stadium and taking one step closer towards the quarter finals.
The Wallabies look like possible contenders for the William Webb Ellis along with their southern hemisphere SANZA counterparts: South Africa and New Zealand. Unfortunately no northern hemisphere team look like cup contenders with England and France well off the pace and Ireland, Scotland and Wales looking like making their exit in the quarters.
Barnes was not the only shining light of Australian rugby last night but unknown commentator Rupert McCall provided the ‘balls’ that Australian rugby has missed with Gordon Bray and Greg Clark’s play-by-play style. McCall was more of the ‘Ray Warren’ excitement style but not too over the top. McCall presents ‘Sport’s Today’ on 4BC talk radio Brisbane weeknights but could have a career as the new voice of Australian rugby.
As Australia heads towards the quarters, South Africa and New Zealand are starting to put together their play and look like the favorites to hold the William Webb Ellis in 2007.
Firstly Barnes looked all class in only his second test for the Wallabies perhaps dare I say, looking like the ready made replacement for the retiring legend, Stephen Larkham. Barnes injected himself with an inexperienced experience and nervous calmness.
Looking right at home, the new Number 10 provided some missing playmaking that Australian rugby has lacked in recent time and joined forces with Matt Giteau to be dominating across the park.
The first half was the best rugby the Wallabies have played since the 2003 Rugby World Cup with Number’s 1-15 all contributing, looking like a real cup contender. The Wallabies second half was however a different story with the Aussies struggling to inject that attack that was scintillating in the first half and defense that was questionable.
Lote Tuqiri must go as he failed to inject himself at all in attack, knocking the ball on at least three times and missing simple tackles on his wing. Tuqiri must fine form in the next games against Fiji and Canada or his place will be in jeopardy for the finals series.
Australia still have to formulate an eighty-minute game of football but they will be proud of their effort beating Wales at Millennium Stadium and taking one step closer towards the quarter finals.
The Wallabies look like possible contenders for the William Webb Ellis along with their southern hemisphere SANZA counterparts: South Africa and New Zealand. Unfortunately no northern hemisphere team look like cup contenders with England and France well off the pace and Ireland, Scotland and Wales looking like making their exit in the quarters.
Barnes was not the only shining light of Australian rugby last night but unknown commentator Rupert McCall provided the ‘balls’ that Australian rugby has missed with Gordon Bray and Greg Clark’s play-by-play style. McCall was more of the ‘Ray Warren’ excitement style but not too over the top. McCall presents ‘Sport’s Today’ on 4BC talk radio Brisbane weeknights but could have a career as the new voice of Australian rugby.
As Australia heads towards the quarters, South Africa and New Zealand are starting to put together their play and look like the favorites to hold the William Webb Ellis in 2007.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Lackluster television
Is the cupboard completely bare? Is there anything left that Channel 9 could possibly show us or are they conceding defeat and deliberately losing nights.
Let’s look at last nights schedule:
730 – i-caught
830 – 1 v100
930 – CSI
Firstly I watched i-caught and didn’t mind it. Ok it was just a collection of clips from YouTube but I like ‘the battle of Kruger national park’, nevertheless waste of time prime time television, it should been on FOX 8 with Cheaters and World’s wildest waste of time police chases.
1 v 100: Is it just me or does no one care about game shows? Has there not been a MASS OVERKILL of them. 1 v 100 is nothing different from any of the other game shows that have been launched. It will not challenge City Homicide or Desperate Housewives.
CSI: Ok, Nine is infatuated and has NOTHING else to show. ER had been rating poorly, so they pull it for CSI repeats again. I mean how many times can you repeat the one episode? I don’t know but surely every CSI episode would have been shown 3 or 4 times?
So what are the television producers doing over at 9 and why do they allow such poor excuses for television to air? They have been a fantastic television station and I just wonder what’s being made and who is making these decisions?
The one shining light is Temptation and they’re pulling it for Millionaire. Is Millionaire going to do any better or even beat Home and Away?
Of course it’s not if anything it will do worse because (despite the fact I like him) Eddie McGuire is host and we will see him 5 times a week. He tried 5.30 Millionaire and that failed why would it work in the 7pm timeslot?
I find it bizarre that 9 are continually back pedaling, undoing mistakes and re-scheduling cancelled series... Here comes Burke’s Backyard, what’s next Hey Hey It’s Saturday??
Let’s look at last nights schedule:
730 – i-caught
830 – 1 v100
930 – CSI
Firstly I watched i-caught and didn’t mind it. Ok it was just a collection of clips from YouTube but I like ‘the battle of Kruger national park’, nevertheless waste of time prime time television, it should been on FOX 8 with Cheaters and World’s wildest waste of time police chases.
1 v 100: Is it just me or does no one care about game shows? Has there not been a MASS OVERKILL of them. 1 v 100 is nothing different from any of the other game shows that have been launched. It will not challenge City Homicide or Desperate Housewives.
CSI: Ok, Nine is infatuated and has NOTHING else to show. ER had been rating poorly, so they pull it for CSI repeats again. I mean how many times can you repeat the one episode? I don’t know but surely every CSI episode would have been shown 3 or 4 times?
So what are the television producers doing over at 9 and why do they allow such poor excuses for television to air? They have been a fantastic television station and I just wonder what’s being made and who is making these decisions?
The one shining light is Temptation and they’re pulling it for Millionaire. Is Millionaire going to do any better or even beat Home and Away?
Of course it’s not if anything it will do worse because (despite the fact I like him) Eddie McGuire is host and we will see him 5 times a week. He tried 5.30 Millionaire and that failed why would it work in the 7pm timeslot?
I find it bizarre that 9 are continually back pedaling, undoing mistakes and re-scheduling cancelled series... Here comes Burke’s Backyard, what’s next Hey Hey It’s Saturday??
Storm Warning
Melbourne Storm will consider anything bar winning the Telstra Premiership in 2007 as a failure. The red hot Storm deserve the title and are playing better football than any other team in the finals race.
Cooper Cronk, Cameron Smith and Billy Slater are key to the Storm attack that has looked electric. Dallas Johnson, Ryan Hoffman and Brett White have amicably led the forward pack in both attack and hard hitting defence.
With the grand final now only three weekends away who will the Storm be facing? Manly, New Zealand or North Queensland, provided they knock off the winner of Parramatta and Canterbury.
This week: Parramatta v. Canterbury.
Judging by both games last weekend it could go either way. A Bulldogs outfit with Sonny Bill Williams looks menacing giving the Dogs more go forward and brutal defence. The likes of Ben Roberts and his outside men need to do more against a backline led by Jarryd Hayne, Kri Inu and Timana Tahu.
On paper it should probably be the Dogs and I think they will come into their own come this weekend. Either way it will be a cracker of a game.
North Queensland v. New Zealand
New Zealand need to find something if they are any hope of knocking off the boys from Townsville. Wade McKinnon will have to be scintillating but needs support from under performing halves Michael Witt and Grant Rovelli. The likes of Lauiki need to feed off Steve Price and Ruben Wiki if the Warriors are to be any hope.
The Cowboys look too strong especially if Matty Bowen and Jonathan Thurston are given an inch. Their forward pack although is seriously depleted with Carl Webb looking to be on the outer. This could be their weakness and something New Zealand should target: up the middle.
In summary I am picking Canterbury and North Queensland which will take us to:
- Melbourne v Bulldogs
- Manly v North Queensland
Let’s see what happens after this week before I get too far ahead of myself... but here is my early prediction: Melbourne v Manly grand final...
Cooper Cronk, Cameron Smith and Billy Slater are key to the Storm attack that has looked electric. Dallas Johnson, Ryan Hoffman and Brett White have amicably led the forward pack in both attack and hard hitting defence.
With the grand final now only three weekends away who will the Storm be facing? Manly, New Zealand or North Queensland, provided they knock off the winner of Parramatta and Canterbury.
This week: Parramatta v. Canterbury.
Judging by both games last weekend it could go either way. A Bulldogs outfit with Sonny Bill Williams looks menacing giving the Dogs more go forward and brutal defence. The likes of Ben Roberts and his outside men need to do more against a backline led by Jarryd Hayne, Kri Inu and Timana Tahu.
On paper it should probably be the Dogs and I think they will come into their own come this weekend. Either way it will be a cracker of a game.
North Queensland v. New Zealand
New Zealand need to find something if they are any hope of knocking off the boys from Townsville. Wade McKinnon will have to be scintillating but needs support from under performing halves Michael Witt and Grant Rovelli. The likes of Lauiki need to feed off Steve Price and Ruben Wiki if the Warriors are to be any hope.
The Cowboys look too strong especially if Matty Bowen and Jonathan Thurston are given an inch. Their forward pack although is seriously depleted with Carl Webb looking to be on the outer. This could be their weakness and something New Zealand should target: up the middle.
In summary I am picking Canterbury and North Queensland which will take us to:
- Melbourne v Bulldogs
- Manly v North Queensland
Let’s see what happens after this week before I get too far ahead of myself... but here is my early prediction: Melbourne v Manly grand final...
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