If the ongoing Test series between Australia and New Zealand has taught us one thing, it’s this: Australian pitches are currently flatter than at any other point in living memory. But this is not another think-piece decrying the loss of sporting wickets. It is not written to empathise with the plight of the fast bowler, … More Off Spin in Australia: A Thankless Task
1: You came into the South Australian side in the 2000-01 summer, aged just 17, having come through all the age-group levels. Coming through all those development sides, how had they prepared you for the step up to professional cricket, and what was the junior infrastructure like in South Australia at the time? Cameron Borgas: … More 20 Questions: Cameron Borgas
It’s spring in Australia. The AFL and NRL Grand Finals have passed, Bathurst is coming up. The men in their baggy greens are on a low-key overseas tour (or perhaps one that is cancelled). But around Sydney, a new sporting competition is starting up. There’s no glitz and glamour as the best domestic cricketers from … More Understanding the Matador
Australia haven’t tasted Ashes success in England since 2001, a series remembered for Steve Waugh’s century on one leg, Adam Gilchrist’s terrifying hitting, Mark Butcher’s 173* to win the unwinnable for England, and the forging of the Hayden-Langer opening partnership that would dominate Test cricket for the next 5 years. Throw in some bizarre English … More From ‘women’s cricket’ to ‘cricket’
“I was, naturally, nervous – that whole process [of getting to First Class cricket] had taken from when I went to South Melbourne as a 17 year old in 1972, until 1978, and I can still remember – I got hit on the pads first ball. The loudest appeal you’ve ever heard. It was one … More Mick Taylor, an unrebellious rebel
Originally published on theroar.com.au The Ashes has been a disaster for Australia. England are our ultimate rivals and to be skittled for 60 is nothing short of embarrassing. However the time to dwell is passing and it’s onwards and upwards for a team about to experience “change not seen since the South African rebel tour”, … More Australia’s ‘out of the Ashes’ squad
THE ASHES ARE BACK! Australia go into this series overwhelming favourites after winning the last series convincingly by a 5-0 margin. However the English are demonstrating significant signs of improvement after a 1-1 test series and 3-2 ODI series against New Zealand. Mix in the home ground advantage of the English against the confidence and form of … More The Boldest of the Bold – 2015 Ashes Predictions
“Ryan Harris has retired from all cricket effective immediately.” The post, sitting right at the top of my Facebook newsfeed, stung sharply. I jolted out of half-attentiveness. Cricket, at its root source, is entirely unfair, unjust, unkind.
Michael Clarke’s back issues forced him to put the more delicate art behind him. Andrew Symonds faded into obscurity after the Sydney Test. Stuart MacGill followed his lack of conventionalism by retiring mid-series in 2008. Brad Hogg played three Tests, averaging over 60 with the ball, which led him to a semi-surprising retirement. Simon Katich … More Jason Krejza; ‘I always meant to be an attacking bowler’
Leg spin is the most difficult art to master. As a very rubbish leg-spinner myself, I understand that perfectly well. Women’s cricket is a perfect example of just how hard it is – aside from Dane van Niekerk leading the South African attack, and Amelia Kerr making waves as a 14 year old for Wellington, … More Six Ball Over: Kristen Beams
