Cricket = Action = Art

That's Gotta Hurt

noreply@blogger.com (Martyd) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 08:13:00 +0000

Well you would like to think so, and judging by the faces on the old timers losing a series 4 - 0 will not be a happy memory when they look back on their illustrious careers.

Retired, Pissed Off

noreply@blogger.com (Martyd) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 07:24:00 +0000

A key injury to a modern cricketer - what a surprise.

Hard to fathom given the amount of time and money spent on their conditioning.

Perhaps they could try bacon/egg/sausage for breakfast, 20 fags before tea and a few pints at days end, and see if that helps.

Punter In Profile

noreply@blogger.com (Martyd) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 08:13:00 +0000

Ponting might be getting old but the feeling of scoring a double ton never does.

How Times Have Changed

noreply@blogger.com (Martyd) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 19:48:00 +0000

Flash back to 2008 - Brad Hogg seems somewhat unhappy about announcing his retirement from international cricket. He needn't have been, because in in 2012 he is back (at the age of 41) in the Aussie T20 side and looks like he might go to another World Cup!

Not quite a new world order, but T20 seems to have changed cricket in the same way that Limewire/Napster et al has changed music. All the oldies are back out performing live 'cause it is the easiest way for them to make some money.

Good on you Hoggy, I just hope you have more left to offer than Meatloaf!

Copybook Shot

noreply@blogger.com (Martyd) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 04:43:00 +0000

From T20 to ODI, how long before the off shuffle scoop becomes a legit Test shot?

What Chance A Bunsen Burner?

noreply@blogger.com (Martyd) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 08:15:00 +0000

Nathan Lyon watches the flight of his delivery while pondering the chances of a bit of turn in Adelaide, and whether he will get a chance to exploit it.

Brothers In Cricket

noreply@blogger.com (Martyd) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 08:54:00 +0000

Past Black Cap Peter Ingram's boys, Jamie and Tommy, pictured celebrating their old mans record breaking T20 opening stand with Jamie How. The boys also seem to be making a statement about Dad's current facial hair styling - Jamie thinks there should be more curls, Tommy would like to see it rubbed off.

Get Happy

noreply@blogger.com (Martyd) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 19:13:00 +0000

Saeed Ajmail expressing the joy that comes with ten wickets in a match and the test defeat of an old foe.

England may have some early season blues but these Pakistani boys are starting to become a very competitive unit - watch out India!

Exit, Stage Right (Slowly)

noreply@blogger.com (Martyd) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 18:58:00 +0000

Not a walk to oblivion for MS, just a little enforced time to reflect.

What Are You Looking At?

noreply@blogger.com (Martyd) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 07:28:00 +0000

Which to be unfair to KP is a pretty reasonable question?

Lucky Haddin

noreply@blogger.com (Martyd) — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 19:31:00 +0000

Why lucky? Well if it wasn't for the fact that the rest of his team is kicking arse there would be serious questions being asked about his performance to date. He shouldn't be scratching his head he should be doing odd jobs for Warner, Pup and the bowlers.

All I Wanted For Xmas Was A Five Day Test

noreply@blogger.com (Martyd) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 21:29:00 +0000

Great knock by Warner, he has every right to be happy.

On the other hand I am not so pleased.

A summer test series in Aussie is a summer tradition where I can usually stay (fairly) impartial and enjoy the cut and thrust of the action while the Kiwi summer is blowing and raining itself into autumn.

There is very little fun to be had watching a ritual execution where those about to meet their maker don't even appear to have the will to fight for their last breath.

It is going to very hard to get up much enthusiasm for the ODI series to follow and I suspect even the Aussie fans are going to get a little tired of the slaughter - perhaps all those Indian fans who didn't turn up to the stadiums back home knew more than we thought.

Welcome Back Monty

noreply@blogger.com (Martyd) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 23:53:00 +0000

Great to see Monty turning his arm over again, if for no other reason than the camera loves him.

Pulverised In Paarl

noreply@blogger.com (Martyd) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 07:20:00 +0000

It would appear that Sri Lanka paid more attention to the scenery than they did to the game of cricket. It takes a bit of pressure of that other team that scored 47 a few months back.

The WACA Wave

noreply@blogger.com (Martyd) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 07:17:00 +0000

If you are going to play at the WACA it is best you spend a little time taking your head out of the line of the ball while still keeping your eye on it.

Big Bash Up

noreply@blogger.com (Martyd) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 00:19:00 +0000

Brad Hogg seems pretty happy about this whole T20 thingy.

Even though I still think it is a travesty of a cricket game it is hard to argue that T20 isn't working for a whole range of players and spectators. Where there is money I guess there will always be a fair degree of happiness.

Back In The Saddle

noreply@blogger.com (Martyd) — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 20:51:00 +0000

Strauss gets his bossy on.

There is nothing like a bit of a break to reinvigorate the control freak in all of us.

C'mon Then!

noreply@blogger.com (Martyd) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 19:42:00 +0000

Pound for pound is there a better all round cricketer than Kallis?
If he was an Aussie or an Indian would they be building bronze statues in his image?

One Game, Many Emotions

noreply@blogger.com (Martyd) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 23:10:00 +0000

The Middle Order

noreply@blogger.com (Martyd) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 20:09:00 +0000

Normal Service Resumes

noreply@blogger.com (Martyd) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 21:28:00 +0000

Having helped to highlight Kallis's double duck in the last test it would be remiss of me if I didn't help celebrate his double hundred in the current test.

Just one of a number of "old fellas" proving they have still got it - I wonder if some of the Mature Indian Middle Order will catch the trend?

Just Not Comfortable

noreply@blogger.com (Martyd) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 19:39:00 +0000

Zaheer Khan's body language seems to sum up how the Indians are feeling about batting at present. They haven't figured out the bounce or the pace as yet, which is kind of strange given that it should come as no surprise. Makes you wonder what all those coaching staff have been doing in the last few weeks?

Lucky for Zaheer he gets to come out and bowl away some of his frustration.

Little Master - Young Master

noreply@blogger.com (Martyd) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 22:32:00 +0000

You would have to think young Arjun Tendulkar would be a handy bowler if he has spent any time bowling at the old man in the backyard.

Pimp My Cap

noreply@blogger.com (Martyd) — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 20:10:00 +0000

Yes I know it is for a very good cause, but there are plenty of causes out there. Perhaps the marketing boys (and girls) at Cricket Australia are missing a trick when it comes to colouring up their team.

Tillers Gets Happy

noreply@blogger.com (Martyd) — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 03:46:00 +0000

Not a bad New Year's present - a win, a wicket and somebodies hat.