Well that is it from me for this season.
I will hopefully be back next year to cover the bushrangers as best I can.
Perhaps next year the VCA may grant me the Interviews I asked for.
Depending on what happens with Cricket With Balls I might even have more time to write and watch the Vics.
I would like to thank all the people who made this blog possible and the ones who supported it.
Big Daddy for all but suggesting it.
Sime for telling me it was the important blog,even though he never read it.
To the pseudo couple I stalked.
All the Victorian players who google their own names.
The cricket slags who tried to work out if the players had girlfriends.
Nice Bryce, Dirty Dirk & Future PM for the way they play the game.
To Banh, Moses, Sarah (even if she did delete some of her comments), Nashy and all the others who commented.
The Vics for giving me such a season to follow.
As for me, Cricket With Balls will continue unabated, and also some of you may not be aware that I also have an afl blog.
It's called footy on ice, so if your interested pop on over.
Because a day without blogging is a day without venting about crap no one wants to listen to on the bus.
Cheers.
Uncle J Rod.
PS Thanks to Ken Piesse as well. Not that I've ever met him, had advice from him, or any sort of contact at all. But thanks.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
v for venereal
Is it over?
Can I return to normal programming?
My boys have been humbled.
There is a passage from V for Vendetta that sums up how I felt before the game.
Dominic: What do you think will happen?
Finch: What usually happens when people without guns stand up to people *with* guns.
Victoria has a very good team, but not a great team, NSWales has an armoury.
The pain of the situation is the false hope that you build up.
If NSWales were 2 for 400 on the first day, I could have said, well ok, they are too good, the deck is too flat, we aren’t up to it.
But on the first day Peter Sizzle and Dirty Dirk threw Nswales around a little.
Siddle was damn near unplayable, and Dirty Dirk got out some very handy batsmen with some very good bowling.
Even the batting looked good whilst the big three were around, but once they went, Victoria went into collapse mode, and that as they say, was severely fu©ked up the ass.
Nice bryce got thrown around the crease like a blow up doll.
Dirty Dirk was fast but not particularly virile.
Future Pm David Hussey was assassinated and then performed seppuku.
The Big Bear and the X man got some small grooves happening in the second dig, but were down right ugly in the first.
And SOT Jewell was awoken from his slumber, but still couldn’t quite get up the hill.
Course there were good things.
Peter Sizzle took 9 wickets with a shoulder that Jesus couldn’t fix. (His shoulder reco is next week).
Brett Lee did not make a hundred, Stuey MacGill got slapped around.
We made them win the game.
They only made 280 in the first dig.
Three finals in one year.
From this side we only lose 1 player for next year.
Bryce McGain gained good experience, always good for a young chap like him.
But please.
Next year, oh for fu©ks sake, let it be next year we win, please aliens let us be good and win the shield next year, or let us be sh1t and for it not to matter by January.
Thanks boys, been a pleasure following you as always.
Never boring.
Can I return to normal programming?
My boys have been humbled.
There is a passage from V for Vendetta that sums up how I felt before the game.
Dominic: What do you think will happen?
Finch: What usually happens when people without guns stand up to people *with* guns.
Victoria has a very good team, but not a great team, NSWales has an armoury.
The pain of the situation is the false hope that you build up.
If NSWales were 2 for 400 on the first day, I could have said, well ok, they are too good, the deck is too flat, we aren’t up to it.
But on the first day Peter Sizzle and Dirty Dirk threw Nswales around a little.
Siddle was damn near unplayable, and Dirty Dirk got out some very handy batsmen with some very good bowling.
Even the batting looked good whilst the big three were around, but once they went, Victoria went into collapse mode, and that as they say, was severely fu©ked up the ass.
Nice bryce got thrown around the crease like a blow up doll.
Dirty Dirk was fast but not particularly virile.
Future Pm David Hussey was assassinated and then performed seppuku.
The Big Bear and the X man got some small grooves happening in the second dig, but were down right ugly in the first.
And SOT Jewell was awoken from his slumber, but still couldn’t quite get up the hill.
Course there were good things.
Peter Sizzle took 9 wickets with a shoulder that Jesus couldn’t fix. (His shoulder reco is next week).
Brett Lee did not make a hundred, Stuey MacGill got slapped around.
We made them win the game.
They only made 280 in the first dig.
Three finals in one year.
From this side we only lose 1 player for next year.
Bryce McGain gained good experience, always good for a young chap like him.
But please.
Next year, oh for fu©ks sake, let it be next year we win, please aliens let us be good and win the shield next year, or let us be sh1t and for it not to matter by January.
Thanks boys, been a pleasure following you as always.
Never boring.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
sam peckinpah presents
I know Victoria have no hope of winning the pura Sheffield cup Shield.
I’m not stupid, although once I spent 8 minutes trying to get my headphone jack into my ear whilst holing the earplug in the other hand.
No one is going to get over 600 runs to win a final.
It just aint possible, Don Bradman couldn’t do it, Natalie Portman couldn’t do it, and neither can Future Pm David Hussey.
But, that hasn’t stopped him trying.
Not only that, but he has managed to wake up Nick Jewell as well, who apparently wants to play one day cricket next year.
They put on 52 to runs in just under 9 overs against Bracken and MacGill.
Hussey hit two sixes in an over off MacGill, ok so that is so out of the ordinary.
But Nick Jewell hit the ball regulary off the square and played attacking cricket shots.
That has to mean something, doesn't it.
To me the whole Hussey and Jewell slogathon reminds me of the end of the wild bunch, when the outlaws all look at each other, nod and stroll calmly to their death by shedding as much blood as physically possible.
Hussey would be a great man in the wild west, he would eventually die spectacularly, but on the way he would take down about a hundred guys, and he doesn't have nearly as gay a walk as John Wayne.
I see Nick as the straigh laced gunslinger whom all the baddies think is crap, but is obviously good by the way the director shoots him.
Then he helps the hero right at the end, without getting his suit dirty.
This game is deader than Alan Ladd, but why not kick some ass on the way out.
If beating NSWales is not possible at least make their millionaires look like clowns for 5 minutes.
Or let the Huss go down with one hell of a bang.
I’m not stupid, although once I spent 8 minutes trying to get my headphone jack into my ear whilst holing the earplug in the other hand.
No one is going to get over 600 runs to win a final.
It just aint possible, Don Bradman couldn’t do it, Natalie Portman couldn’t do it, and neither can Future Pm David Hussey.
But, that hasn’t stopped him trying.
Not only that, but he has managed to wake up Nick Jewell as well, who apparently wants to play one day cricket next year.
They put on 52 to runs in just under 9 overs against Bracken and MacGill.
Hussey hit two sixes in an over off MacGill, ok so that is so out of the ordinary.
But Nick Jewell hit the ball regulary off the square and played attacking cricket shots.
That has to mean something, doesn't it.
To me the whole Hussey and Jewell slogathon reminds me of the end of the wild bunch, when the outlaws all look at each other, nod and stroll calmly to their death by shedding as much blood as physically possible.
Hussey would be a great man in the wild west, he would eventually die spectacularly, but on the way he would take down about a hundred guys, and he doesn't have nearly as gay a walk as John Wayne.
I see Nick as the straigh laced gunslinger whom all the baddies think is crap, but is obviously good by the way the director shoots him.
Then he helps the hero right at the end, without getting his suit dirty.
This game is deader than Alan Ladd, but why not kick some ass on the way out.
If beating NSWales is not possible at least make their millionaires look like clowns for 5 minutes.
Or let the Huss go down with one hell of a bang.
go peter sizzle
Now I know that the Vics are foxing.
Surely no one would allow Beau Casson to make runs unless they were playing with the minds of the opposition.
I said if he made a hundred this game it would take 5 days, he has certainly proved my point for me.
Congrats to Peter Sizzle on getting 8 wickets in this match so far.
That is a hell of an effort, if only someone else could take wickets as well the Vics might actually finish this innings.
The good news is Brett Lee might make his maiden (I’m assuming) first class hundred.
I am still pretty confident Victoria can score up until 900 runs, but any more than that and we might struggle a bit.
Surely no one would allow Beau Casson to make runs unless they were playing with the minds of the opposition.
I said if he made a hundred this game it would take 5 days, he has certainly proved my point for me.
Congrats to Peter Sizzle on getting 8 wickets in this match so far.
That is a hell of an effort, if only someone else could take wickets as well the Vics might actually finish this innings.
The good news is Brett Lee might make his maiden (I’m assuming) first class hundred.
I am still pretty confident Victoria can score up until 900 runs, but any more than that and we might struggle a bit.
Monday, March 17, 2008
those cheeky monkeys
Getting the score at lunch, and knowing that in all reality the game has well and truly slipped beyond our grasp, I was disconsolate for all of about 30 seconds.
There were no tears, but there was a general malaise that had affected by very being.
However then a lightbulb went on above my head.
I remembered David Hussey and his double hundred to beat the speedblitz blues a couple of years back.
This is obviously what Victoria has been planning the whole time.
How else would the let a rookie make a spectacular hundred.
I am sorry boys, I just never saw it coming.
So now I’m assuming that this is a cunning plan that is intended to inflict maximum pain on New South Wales.
Sounds like a brilliant idea, just don’t take it too far gents, because if they make, say 800 runs, like the look like doing, Hussey is only good for about 400 of them, and after that the rest of you are going to have to share them.
But kudos to you on this wonderful initiative.
There were no tears, but there was a general malaise that had affected by very being.
However then a lightbulb went on above my head.
I remembered David Hussey and his double hundred to beat the speedblitz blues a couple of years back.
This is obviously what Victoria has been planning the whole time.
How else would the let a rookie make a spectacular hundred.
I am sorry boys, I just never saw it coming.
So now I’m assuming that this is a cunning plan that is intended to inflict maximum pain on New South Wales.
Sounds like a brilliant idea, just don’t take it too far gents, because if they make, say 800 runs, like the look like doing, Hussey is only good for about 400 of them, and after that the rest of you are going to have to share them.
But kudos to you on this wonderful initiative.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Assassination leads to the down fall of Victorian civilisation
Every Victorian fan knew the collapse was coming.
We have done it all year, it wasn't abou to change now.
We knew that without Hussey to slap them around the NSWelsh would be able to plug away for long enough until the longest tail of all time was exposed.
White, was set up beautifully by Clark, very similar to how he set up Sehwag, but what hurt about it was that White was just starti8ng to look good.
Then Hodge, fu©ken Hodgey, padded up to MacGill from around the wicket and the stumps were damaged.
Crosthwaite, the x man, was gone before I’d even realised he was in, edging to his enemy behind the stumps.
Then sizzling Siddle came in, predictably Lee came straight on, and payback was swift, merciless and very unlike Lee.
Lee hit him with a beauty, Siddle laughed, Lee sledged Siddle smiled.
Next ball Lee bowled a ball that would have dethroated a number 112, instead it flicked sizzle’s shoulder and he was given out before Haddin completed the catch.
Then the Facebook kid McGain came out, you could see he wanted to get behind the ball, but out of love for his son, he couldn’t quite get there. Eventually Lee bowled a straight one and McGoo was put out of his misery.
Harwood came out next, and Lee tried to kill him as well, he batted ok for a moment or two, before cutting an obvious front foot no ball to gully.
Then Dirty Dirk came in, he stood right in behind the ball, perhaps because he wasn’t quick enough to move out of the way. Then he got hit with a straight one.
All out, and now we are in more trouble than a white DJ capping a black woman a nappy haired ho.
Lee who bowled tripe all day, ok not tripe, but not great, seemed to be saving himself for Peter Sizzle, and he tore the tail apart.
MacGill got the important wicket of Hodge, and he bowled really well from beginning to end.
Clark worked over Jewell and White like a seasoned pro, and Bracken bowled ok.
Beau Casson was not required.
Michael Clarke was the sniper on the grassy fu©ken knoll.
We have done it all year, it wasn't abou to change now.
We knew that without Hussey to slap them around the NSWelsh would be able to plug away for long enough until the longest tail of all time was exposed.
White, was set up beautifully by Clark, very similar to how he set up Sehwag, but what hurt about it was that White was just starti8ng to look good.
Then Hodge, fu©ken Hodgey, padded up to MacGill from around the wicket and the stumps were damaged.
Crosthwaite, the x man, was gone before I’d even realised he was in, edging to his enemy behind the stumps.
Then sizzling Siddle came in, predictably Lee came straight on, and payback was swift, merciless and very unlike Lee.
Lee hit him with a beauty, Siddle laughed, Lee sledged Siddle smiled.
Next ball Lee bowled a ball that would have dethroated a number 112, instead it flicked sizzle’s shoulder and he was given out before Haddin completed the catch.
Then the Facebook kid McGain came out, you could see he wanted to get behind the ball, but out of love for his son, he couldn’t quite get there. Eventually Lee bowled a straight one and McGoo was put out of his misery.
Harwood came out next, and Lee tried to kill him as well, he batted ok for a moment or two, before cutting an obvious front foot no ball to gully.
Then Dirty Dirk came in, he stood right in behind the ball, perhaps because he wasn’t quick enough to move out of the way. Then he got hit with a straight one.
All out, and now we are in more trouble than a white DJ capping a black woman a nappy haired ho.
Lee who bowled tripe all day, ok not tripe, but not great, seemed to be saving himself for Peter Sizzle, and he tore the tail apart.
MacGill got the important wicket of Hodge, and he bowled really well from beginning to end.
Clark worked over Jewell and White like a seasoned pro, and Bracken bowled ok.
Beau Casson was not required.
Michael Clarke was the sniper on the grassy fu©ken knoll.
the final - tea day 2
Brad Hodge is looking pretty good early on, he looks like he is set for at least a 60 odd.
Nick Jewell is getting an A grade work over from Stuey Clarke.
I usually love watching Stuey Clarke work a batsmen over, but this is painful. It’s like watching a kid melt an army figure, if that army figure was a tall ex footballer.
Stuey MacGill is a pretty cluey dude, he has somehow noticed that Nick Jewell is not an umpire, and he also felt the need to tell Jewelly of this fact.
Jewell had decided to play for stumps straight after lunch, but then he got bored, hit it straight to Thornley and ran himself out.
Was a bit odd.
“Dominic Thornley, he knows what its like to play 3 pura cup finals,” Brendan Julian. I’m assuming he would, being this is his third final.
Then Future PM David Hussey came out and played like he was playing a club game, flew to 9 off 7 and then got dropped at gully by the young opener Hughes.
Hussey offcourse next over put his head down, and got in behind the line and defended.
Actually he just slapped another 4.
It’s a very tense point in the game, because 2 wickets here and NSWales are in charge, if not, these two are very adept at putting on big fast partnerships that demoralise attacks.
The fifty partnership is up off almost as many balls. The Future PM just makes things happen. Sign the petition.
Hussey is given out for no real reason at all.
Conspiracy.
Had to be, how else would Michael Clarke get out the great man.
I don’t even know why they
appealing? It wasn’t LB, it wasn’t caught, perhaps it was because he is too damn good.
One more wicket and we are in all sorts.
Hodge strolls to a Hussey inspired 50.
Worst thing about the blatantly pro NSWales decision was it means we don’t get to see Hussey V MacGill.
As I write that, the commentators are saying that krab katich was hiding MacGill from Hussey.
Little bitches.
White looks a little dodgy, but that is nothing new for him at the start.
Hodgey is looking very comfortable.
That’s tea.
2 wickets that session, and odd suicide by SOT, and a callous assassination on the Future PM.
Nick Jewell is getting an A grade work over from Stuey Clarke.
I usually love watching Stuey Clarke work a batsmen over, but this is painful. It’s like watching a kid melt an army figure, if that army figure was a tall ex footballer.
Stuey MacGill is a pretty cluey dude, he has somehow noticed that Nick Jewell is not an umpire, and he also felt the need to tell Jewelly of this fact.
Jewell had decided to play for stumps straight after lunch, but then he got bored, hit it straight to Thornley and ran himself out.
Was a bit odd.
“Dominic Thornley, he knows what its like to play 3 pura cup finals,” Brendan Julian. I’m assuming he would, being this is his third final.
Then Future PM David Hussey came out and played like he was playing a club game, flew to 9 off 7 and then got dropped at gully by the young opener Hughes.
Hussey offcourse next over put his head down, and got in behind the line and defended.
Actually he just slapped another 4.
It’s a very tense point in the game, because 2 wickets here and NSWales are in charge, if not, these two are very adept at putting on big fast partnerships that demoralise attacks.
The fifty partnership is up off almost as many balls. The Future PM just makes things happen. Sign the petition.
Hussey is given out for no real reason at all.
Conspiracy.
Had to be, how else would Michael Clarke get out the great man.
I don’t even know why they
appealing? It wasn’t LB, it wasn’t caught, perhaps it was because he is too damn good.
One more wicket and we are in all sorts.
Hodge strolls to a Hussey inspired 50.
Worst thing about the blatantly pro NSWales decision was it means we don’t get to see Hussey V MacGill.
As I write that, the commentators are saying that krab katich was hiding MacGill from Hussey.
Little bitches.
White looks a little dodgy, but that is nothing new for him at the start.
Hodgey is looking very comfortable.
That’s tea.
2 wickets that session, and odd suicide by SOT, and a callous assassination on the Future PM.
the final - lunch day 2
I think I have a nickname for Peter Siddle.
Peter Sizzle.
Oh yeah, I like it.
Just perusing the paper and the reason he looked like he was giving birth yesterday was that his tooth was infected.
At some stages it looked like he had swallowed about 3 teeth.
Sizzle accounted for Bracken quite easily.
And that brought out the two stuey’s, two of my favourite tailenders in world cricket.
Stuey Clark got a couple away, and Stuey MacGill looked like a man who hasn’t held a cricket bat in 8 years.
Dirty Dirk finished off Clarke with a short ball he didn’t seem to watch but still hit to deep backward square.
The Speedblitz blues on their way to the grandstand at 280 odd.
I haven’t wanted to jinx this or anything, but the Vics opening partnership is already the best for the year. Probably not statistically, but in real terms this is the best they have looked.
Not sure if I jinxed them, but 10 runs after I wrote the above sentence, Lord Mash got a nick of bracken, typical out for an opener. Must say that the Krab Katich probably made a mistake not giving Bracken the new ball.
Was a pretty quiet first session for the Vics, they lost just L9ord Mash, but overall played the best domestic bowling attack in the world very well.
Nick Jewell was not always pretty, but he is not a pretty guy, he is an old school opener. And so far has done his job.
Bracken was the best of the bowlers for the Blues.
Honours go to the bushrangers for this session.
If Jewell can occupy the crease, the Vics have the cattle at the other end to very quickly get the 280 very quickly.
Highlight of the session was Shane Harwood saying he would take a tooth infection if it got him a five fa.
Peter Sizzle.
Oh yeah, I like it.
Just perusing the paper and the reason he looked like he was giving birth yesterday was that his tooth was infected.
At some stages it looked like he had swallowed about 3 teeth.
Sizzle accounted for Bracken quite easily.
And that brought out the two stuey’s, two of my favourite tailenders in world cricket.
Stuey Clark got a couple away, and Stuey MacGill looked like a man who hasn’t held a cricket bat in 8 years.
Dirty Dirk finished off Clarke with a short ball he didn’t seem to watch but still hit to deep backward square.
The Speedblitz blues on their way to the grandstand at 280 odd.
I haven’t wanted to jinx this or anything, but the Vics opening partnership is already the best for the year. Probably not statistically, but in real terms this is the best they have looked.
Not sure if I jinxed them, but 10 runs after I wrote the above sentence, Lord Mash got a nick of bracken, typical out for an opener. Must say that the Krab Katich probably made a mistake not giving Bracken the new ball.
Was a pretty quiet first session for the Vics, they lost just L9ord Mash, but overall played the best domestic bowling attack in the world very well.
Nick Jewell was not always pretty, but he is not a pretty guy, he is an old school opener. And so far has done his job.
Bracken was the best of the bowlers for the Blues.
Honours go to the bushrangers for this session.
If Jewell can occupy the crease, the Vics have the cattle at the other end to very quickly get the 280 very quickly.
Highlight of the session was Shane Harwood saying he would take a tooth infection if it got him a five fa.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
the main players today
The Krab Katich – batted like he has all year, took the facebook kid nice byrce to get him out. Was in control for most of the day, but is out now, and cannot hurt us for a day or two.
Phabulous Phil – seems to have lost all touch at the moment. Lucky he had the Krab free flowing at the other end, because he was stuck in a hole, hole, holeee, and it was deep, deep, deeeeep. Siddle eventually ended his innings.
Once in a generation Clarke - looked bubbly, fresh, alive, in control and went out on tea just when his team really needed him. Perhaps he thought he was still playing for Australia where that sort of behaviour is tolerated.
Their brad – was a little flighty early on, but then he took complete control, and although he never looked like taking the game away from victoria he did look like he was gonna make it uglier. Then he went out in the last over of the day.
Brett Lee – spent all day ducking and weaving, getting hit, slashing to the boundary before Dirty dirk bowled a ripper.
Dirty Dirk – was brutal early on, pretty good with the reverse swing, and then looked tired and flat with the second new ball. But still angered one through the crease to end Lee’s day and set up Victoria for tomorrow.
Peter Siddle - is about 20 has had more shoulder operations than a centre half forward, but somehow he just picks up wickets like other people pick up socks. Another 4 today, and I’ve seen him bowl a lot better as well.
The facebook kid Nice Bryce – not his best day, but he dines on Krab tonight.
Angry man Harwood – bowled some good spells, but is still the bet when it reverse swings.
The Big bear – Captained well, no matter what the fox sports team said, and bowled pretty well. Also seemed to have a new cap on.
Our Brad – dropped catches, miss fields, falling over and generally making me laugh.
Phabulous Phil – seems to have lost all touch at the moment. Lucky he had the Krab free flowing at the other end, because he was stuck in a hole, hole, holeee, and it was deep, deep, deeeeep. Siddle eventually ended his innings.
Once in a generation Clarke - looked bubbly, fresh, alive, in control and went out on tea just when his team really needed him. Perhaps he thought he was still playing for Australia where that sort of behaviour is tolerated.
Their brad – was a little flighty early on, but then he took complete control, and although he never looked like taking the game away from victoria he did look like he was gonna make it uglier. Then he went out in the last over of the day.
Brett Lee – spent all day ducking and weaving, getting hit, slashing to the boundary before Dirty dirk bowled a ripper.
Dirty Dirk – was brutal early on, pretty good with the reverse swing, and then looked tired and flat with the second new ball. But still angered one through the crease to end Lee’s day and set up Victoria for tomorrow.
Peter Siddle - is about 20 has had more shoulder operations than a centre half forward, but somehow he just picks up wickets like other people pick up socks. Another 4 today, and I’ve seen him bowl a lot better as well.
The facebook kid Nice Bryce – not his best day, but he dines on Krab tonight.
Angry man Harwood – bowled some good spells, but is still the bet when it reverse swings.
The Big bear – Captained well, no matter what the fox sports team said, and bowled pretty well. Also seemed to have a new cap on.
Our Brad – dropped catches, miss fields, falling over and generally making me laugh.
the final - stumps day one
If Brad Hodge has fielded worse than this I’d like to see it.
The plans for getting the wickets is bowl short to Thornley and bowl wide of off stump to Haddin. The Thronley plan could work, the Haddin one is working for Haddin.
NSWales are really trying to cut loose and regain their authority, but right at the moment they look like they are about to lose a wicket and capitulaion may follow.
And then the mad Ballaratarian continued to work Thornley over until he didn’t get an edge through to the keeper but was given out anyway.
So he should be.
Peter Siddle looks like he is about to give birth to a beautiful baby girl. The man is going through seriously painful breathing at the moment, and he’s off the ground.
Beau Casson just doesn’t look like a cricketer, and I’m not just saying that because he doesn’t have a fat @ss.
Casson just played a bouncer from Harwood like a disabled blind boy who is ducking a pumpkin.
Mark Waugh and Greg Blewett bagged Ashwell Prince going for 180,000 in the IPL.
Casson played for stumps from the first ball he faced. He made 99 in his last dig, if he were to do that in this match Victoria will never get a bat.
Haddin is seeing them very well, but Casson is doing his best to make sure he doesn’t face too many balls.
Casson eyes light up when White bowled a half tracker, and found a way to edge between slip and keeper for 4.
Even though McGain is keeping the NSWelsh, especially Haddin, honest. White is really bowling well, he is creating a chance per over.
The new ball has been ignored.
As I say that they take it and Peter Siddle puts Casson out of everyone elses misery and he walks.
He may well have been given out anyway, but, I couldn’t imagine a real NSWelshman walking against the Vics in a final.
Siddle backs his batting skills by bouncing Lee and all but decapitating him.
Lee is given a real work over by Siddle, who must have bought a new chest guard and arm guard dfor this game. He just ripped one into Lee’s gloves.
The momentum has just swung back to NSWales, Haddin and Lee are using and abusing the new ball and the Vics looked very flat.
Dirty Dirk bowled and absolute ripper on the second last ball of his day and made Brett Lee look a little silly.
Now the Vics are up and firing and Bracken lets a very fast ball hit his hip.
Next nut Siddle, who looks like he has gone 26 rounds with Jack Johnson in Cuba, shot one into Haddin’s pads and the Vic’s celebrate a great day.
8 for 260 odd, well hello, those odds of 3.30 I got are looking pretty damn hot right now.
The plans for getting the wickets is bowl short to Thornley and bowl wide of off stump to Haddin. The Thronley plan could work, the Haddin one is working for Haddin.
NSWales are really trying to cut loose and regain their authority, but right at the moment they look like they are about to lose a wicket and capitulaion may follow.
And then the mad Ballaratarian continued to work Thornley over until he didn’t get an edge through to the keeper but was given out anyway.
So he should be.
Peter Siddle looks like he is about to give birth to a beautiful baby girl. The man is going through seriously painful breathing at the moment, and he’s off the ground.
Beau Casson just doesn’t look like a cricketer, and I’m not just saying that because he doesn’t have a fat @ss.
Casson just played a bouncer from Harwood like a disabled blind boy who is ducking a pumpkin.
Mark Waugh and Greg Blewett bagged Ashwell Prince going for 180,000 in the IPL.
Casson played for stumps from the first ball he faced. He made 99 in his last dig, if he were to do that in this match Victoria will never get a bat.
Haddin is seeing them very well, but Casson is doing his best to make sure he doesn’t face too many balls.
Casson eyes light up when White bowled a half tracker, and found a way to edge between slip and keeper for 4.
Even though McGain is keeping the NSWelsh, especially Haddin, honest. White is really bowling well, he is creating a chance per over.
The new ball has been ignored.
As I say that they take it and Peter Siddle puts Casson out of everyone elses misery and he walks.
He may well have been given out anyway, but, I couldn’t imagine a real NSWelshman walking against the Vics in a final.
Siddle backs his batting skills by bouncing Lee and all but decapitating him.
Lee is given a real work over by Siddle, who must have bought a new chest guard and arm guard dfor this game. He just ripped one into Lee’s gloves.
The momentum has just swung back to NSWales, Haddin and Lee are using and abusing the new ball and the Vics looked very flat.
Dirty Dirk bowled and absolute ripper on the second last ball of his day and made Brett Lee look a little silly.
Now the Vics are up and firing and Bracken lets a very fast ball hit his hip.
Next nut Siddle, who looks like he has gone 26 rounds with Jack Johnson in Cuba, shot one into Haddin’s pads and the Vic’s celebrate a great day.
8 for 260 odd, well hello, those odds of 3.30 I got are looking pretty damn hot right now.
AB reads my blog (probably)
Fleming compared the Krab to Laxman, steady on chap, comments like that will get you a gig on channel 9.
I said yesterday Victoria has a fielding advantage.
Well they are giving that away with some beautifully shoddy work.
The Vics are playing this game on their terms, which is good and bad. They have decided on part time off spin while McDonald clogs up the other end.
They like to slow the game down, make it a war when they bowl, that is how they make their bread.
That said, White took it too far, Hodge bowled 3 overs too many, and when the change was made the breakthrough was had.
Siddle got Jacques with a very nice nut, was touch and go, but Siddle’s appeal was what won Rocket Tucker over.
He has bowled very well the young man.
Jacques has out crabbed the Krab today, fairly ordinary effort.
Michael Clarke comes out, with a 1st class average of 42, that Brendan Julian says are nice numbers.
No they are piss poor for a man of his talent.
The ball has started to reverse, so the angry man from Ballarat has been brought back on, in what could be his last game of cricket for Victoria.
Clarke is batting intelligently, he doesn’t look in great form but is rotating the strike, Phil Jacques should be watching this.
ALLAN BORDER JUST CALLED DIRK NANNES DIRTY DIRK.
Does he read my blog.
McGain tricks Katich with some flight and Nick Jewell does something he never threatened to do for Richmond, he takes an overhead mark.
McGain really likes bowling to katich, he is the only bowler who has had the wood on him this year. THis is the 4th time he has got his wicket I think.
Dirty Dirk comes round the wicket and Clarke is out, you fu©ken beauty.
Pretty plumb that, Clarke lost a bit of balance.
This is a sexy session, the money men are all but gone. One more wicket and Beau Casson has to come out.
Very good first day so far on a flat wicket.
Bring on session 3.
I said yesterday Victoria has a fielding advantage.
Well they are giving that away with some beautifully shoddy work.
The Vics are playing this game on their terms, which is good and bad. They have decided on part time off spin while McDonald clogs up the other end.
They like to slow the game down, make it a war when they bowl, that is how they make their bread.
That said, White took it too far, Hodge bowled 3 overs too many, and when the change was made the breakthrough was had.
Siddle got Jacques with a very nice nut, was touch and go, but Siddle’s appeal was what won Rocket Tucker over.
He has bowled very well the young man.
Jacques has out crabbed the Krab today, fairly ordinary effort.
Michael Clarke comes out, with a 1st class average of 42, that Brendan Julian says are nice numbers.
No they are piss poor for a man of his talent.
The ball has started to reverse, so the angry man from Ballarat has been brought back on, in what could be his last game of cricket for Victoria.
Clarke is batting intelligently, he doesn’t look in great form but is rotating the strike, Phil Jacques should be watching this.
ALLAN BORDER JUST CALLED DIRK NANNES DIRTY DIRK.
Does he read my blog.
McGain tricks Katich with some flight and Nick Jewell does something he never threatened to do for Richmond, he takes an overhead mark.
McGain really likes bowling to katich, he is the only bowler who has had the wood on him this year. THis is the 4th time he has got his wicket I think.
Dirty Dirk comes round the wicket and Clarke is out, you fu©ken beauty.
Pretty plumb that, Clarke lost a bit of balance.
This is a sexy session, the money men are all but gone. One more wicket and Beau Casson has to come out.
Very good first day so far on a flat wicket.
Bring on session 3.
the final - lunch day one
Victoria are clearly foxing with NSWales early on.
By dropping Katich or Jacques, depending on which commentator was speaking, they were setting NSWales up for a huge fall.
The opening bowling spells were top class.
Dirty Dirk was snorting with authority on his way in to the crease.
His first five overs went for 5. The commentators said he bowled a bit short, for him he was actually quite full.
My biggest concern was that he didn’t fall over enough. That is when he is in top form.
Peter Siddle was on fire early on, he got rid of Hughes with a nice delivery then he completely dictated to Jacques for the longest time.
International coaches will store this tape for their next time they play Australia.
If you had never seen Siddle or Jacques play before, you would think Siddle was the international player and Jacques the domestic player.
But importantly he is still there.
Harwood started a bit way ward, I think he was way too keen to get Katich’s wicket.
Then he got his groove back, and while he didn’t look brutal, he certainly continued to make Jacques look average.
McGain looked to trouble both batsmen when they defended him, when they attacked him though they looked comfortable.
Andrew McDonald bowled an interesting spell where all he really seemed to do was bowl quick off spinners.
The Krab katich batted pretty well, when Jacques let him face. He looks very awkward when McGain pins him down, and McGain really likes bowling to him.
It’s a flat pitch, and Victoria are going to try choke NSWales to death.
NSWales have a very skinny batting line up for this match, if these two are both in at tea, the Vics are gone, but if they can get either out, the Vics have a real show here.
Moment of the session, Brad Hodges hissy fit, after dropping whomever it was.
I was making lunch, i thought it was katich, but the commentators kept saying different names.
By dropping Katich or Jacques, depending on which commentator was speaking, they were setting NSWales up for a huge fall.
The opening bowling spells were top class.
Dirty Dirk was snorting with authority on his way in to the crease.
His first five overs went for 5. The commentators said he bowled a bit short, for him he was actually quite full.
My biggest concern was that he didn’t fall over enough. That is when he is in top form.
Peter Siddle was on fire early on, he got rid of Hughes with a nice delivery then he completely dictated to Jacques for the longest time.
International coaches will store this tape for their next time they play Australia.
If you had never seen Siddle or Jacques play before, you would think Siddle was the international player and Jacques the domestic player.
But importantly he is still there.
Harwood started a bit way ward, I think he was way too keen to get Katich’s wicket.
Then he got his groove back, and while he didn’t look brutal, he certainly continued to make Jacques look average.
McGain looked to trouble both batsmen when they defended him, when they attacked him though they looked comfortable.
Andrew McDonald bowled an interesting spell where all he really seemed to do was bowl quick off spinners.
The Krab katich batted pretty well, when Jacques let him face. He looks very awkward when McGain pins him down, and McGain really likes bowling to him.
It’s a flat pitch, and Victoria are going to try choke NSWales to death.
NSWales have a very skinny batting line up for this match, if these two are both in at tea, the Vics are gone, but if they can get either out, the Vics have a real show here.
Moment of the session, Brad Hodges hissy fit, after dropping whomever it was.
I was making lunch, i thought it was katich, but the commentators kept saying different names.
Friday, March 14, 2008
lets go david's
There is just no logical out come in which Victoria will beat NSWales.
Batting, bowling & Keeping are all stacked well and truly in their favour.
Victoria only leads them in fielding and coaching.
Important areas, but perhaps less so that the other 3.
But let me grasp at one straw, just so that I have enough motivation to actually watch the game.
A champion team, can beat a team of champions.
We have seen it before.
Ofcourse Victoria are not really as champion team, but they are a bloody good team, and NSWales can’t really be a team, because they just don’t get to play together.
That is Victoria's one redeeming feature, the fact they play together every week.
People will argue that Cricket is a different kind of team sport, that individuals are the main factor.
But for every Jacques Kallis there is a Justin Langer.
And Victoria have a very good team spirit.
They come back from the dead so often you’d swear they were Zombies.
Victoria only plays its best cricket when they are down and out, or when no one expects them too?
I ask you, does anyone expect anything from them?
Read any paper, listen to any sports radio, you will all hear the same thing, Victoria simply cannot win.
So what do they have to lose, they have already lost, they migh as well go out there and just play.
And if NSWales slip, even for a moment, Victoria will be all over them like a Jehovnah’s witness on a confused Christian.
All the bushrangers need to remember is that reputations don’t take wickets and test caps don’t make runs.
Batting, bowling & Keeping are all stacked well and truly in their favour.
Victoria only leads them in fielding and coaching.
Important areas, but perhaps less so that the other 3.
But let me grasp at one straw, just so that I have enough motivation to actually watch the game.
A champion team, can beat a team of champions.
We have seen it before.
Ofcourse Victoria are not really as champion team, but they are a bloody good team, and NSWales can’t really be a team, because they just don’t get to play together.
That is Victoria's one redeeming feature, the fact they play together every week.
People will argue that Cricket is a different kind of team sport, that individuals are the main factor.
But for every Jacques Kallis there is a Justin Langer.
And Victoria have a very good team spirit.
They come back from the dead so often you’d swear they were Zombies.
Victoria only plays its best cricket when they are down and out, or when no one expects them too?
I ask you, does anyone expect anything from them?
Read any paper, listen to any sports radio, you will all hear the same thing, Victoria simply cannot win.
So what do they have to lose, they have already lost, they migh as well go out there and just play.
And if NSWales slip, even for a moment, Victoria will be all over them like a Jehovnah’s witness on a confused Christian.
All the bushrangers need to remember is that reputations don’t take wickets and test caps don’t make runs.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
the final countdown do do do dum dum dum
The Sheffield pura Shield cup final is fast approaching.
Well not fast, its approaching about a day at a time.
I will need to find myself a couch that sits in front of a foxtel TV in order to see any of it.
The thought that Victoria, a proud and beautiful state, could lose to NSWales, a vicious pack of heathens, sickens me.
Victoria, gentleman that they are, have decided to use the players that have been available all year.
NSWales, vile scum that they are, have selected a bunch of ring ins.
I suggest they leave them out, last time I saw Lee And Clark bowl for their state they looked ordinary.
But they have nothing on our Bryce.
There is some contention over whom shall be picked, out of Quiney and Mash.
Even though I think Quiney is the better batsmen, Mash can dig himself into the crease and hold on, where Quiney is more likely to play the flashy innings.
But we have a middle order full of people who can play the flashy innings. Also the few times I have seen Quiney play spinners, it has never been that impressive to me.
With the bowlers according to the dailies the last place is out of Dirty Dirk and Clinton Mckay.
Sure I am biased by the fact Dirty Dirk is involved, but he is the logical choice out of these two.
Clinton has a very good recent record, looks in decent form, and is taking wickets.
Dirty Dirk is an angry growling warrior who would stab you in the eye with a pen to get your wicket.
For a Final I know who’d I prefer.
I’ve looked over NSWales side quickly and I have seen some problems for them.
Their bowlers have not taken a lot of wickets for them this year, and a few of their batsmen haven’t made many runs for them either.
There are some new names in there, Clark, Clarke, Bracken and Lee to name a few, but they only sound impressive if you say them out loud.
I suggest you don’t do that.
Instead I suggest you artificially find some reason to think we can win, like Bryce is a better bloke than Stuey, or Brett Lee will disrupt the team with his constant singing in Hindi.
Well not fast, its approaching about a day at a time.
I will need to find myself a couch that sits in front of a foxtel TV in order to see any of it.
The thought that Victoria, a proud and beautiful state, could lose to NSWales, a vicious pack of heathens, sickens me.
Victoria, gentleman that they are, have decided to use the players that have been available all year.
NSWales, vile scum that they are, have selected a bunch of ring ins.
I suggest they leave them out, last time I saw Lee And Clark bowl for their state they looked ordinary.
But they have nothing on our Bryce.
There is some contention over whom shall be picked, out of Quiney and Mash.
Even though I think Quiney is the better batsmen, Mash can dig himself into the crease and hold on, where Quiney is more likely to play the flashy innings.
But we have a middle order full of people who can play the flashy innings. Also the few times I have seen Quiney play spinners, it has never been that impressive to me.
With the bowlers according to the dailies the last place is out of Dirty Dirk and Clinton Mckay.
Sure I am biased by the fact Dirty Dirk is involved, but he is the logical choice out of these two.
Clinton has a very good recent record, looks in decent form, and is taking wickets.
Dirty Dirk is an angry growling warrior who would stab you in the eye with a pen to get your wicket.
For a Final I know who’d I prefer.
I’ve looked over NSWales side quickly and I have seen some problems for them.
Their bowlers have not taken a lot of wickets for them this year, and a few of their batsmen haven’t made many runs for them either.
There are some new names in there, Clark, Clarke, Bracken and Lee to name a few, but they only sound impressive if you say them out loud.
I suggest you don’t do that.
Instead I suggest you artificially find some reason to think we can win, like Bryce is a better bloke than Stuey, or Brett Lee will disrupt the team with his constant singing in Hindi.
Monday, March 10, 2008
a dead rubber
The game against Queensland ended in a Victorian victory.
It was not a momentum building win, but Hussey, White and McKay all had good games.
Crosthwaite is back, which now means Victoria ticks my entire Sheffield shield winning boxes.
I have missed X, Wade never really made an impression on me, I felt we
Dirty Dirk came through well, and with Siddle and Harwood to come back we have a wide variety to choose from.
Pattinson will probably be the one to miss out. And then its out of McKay, Siddle and Harwood for the two remaining spots.
Dirty Dirk is the only obvious selection, which says a lot in his first full year in the team.
The Big Bear did make some odd decisions, such as opening the batting with a night watchman.
My thoughts on night watchman are well known but opening with one is njust a new breed of stupidity.
Now we go to Sydney and take on the Australian A eleven.
The good news is the most on form bowler will not be playing, the bad news is Lee, Clark and Bracken are replacing him.
If Hussey makes a double tonne on the first day, or Dirty Dirk takes 8 for, we can probably win.
That seems quite likely.
It was not a momentum building win, but Hussey, White and McKay all had good games.
Crosthwaite is back, which now means Victoria ticks my entire Sheffield shield winning boxes.
I have missed X, Wade never really made an impression on me, I felt we
Dirty Dirk came through well, and with Siddle and Harwood to come back we have a wide variety to choose from.
Pattinson will probably be the one to miss out. And then its out of McKay, Siddle and Harwood for the two remaining spots.
Dirty Dirk is the only obvious selection, which says a lot in his first full year in the team.
The Big Bear did make some odd decisions, such as opening the batting with a night watchman.
My thoughts on night watchman are well known but opening with one is njust a new breed of stupidity.
Now we go to Sydney and take on the Australian A eleven.
The good news is the most on form bowler will not be playing, the bad news is Lee, Clark and Bracken are replacing him.
If Hussey makes a double tonne on the first day, or Dirty Dirk takes 8 for, we can probably win.
That seems quite likely.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
theres a bear in there
So the Vics lost badly.
It’s a sad story, that means not much to th scheme of human existence.
But Cameron White threw his weight around like a drunken sumo, and that lifts the heart of humanity.
He did exactly what I hoped he would do, swing away.
Alas like pretty much all Victorian games this year, we only had one batsmen find his groove.
Victoria and NSWales combined looked pretty ordinary this weekend, so take that any way you'd like,
At least NSWales, dodgy mofos that they are, will get back a barrage of test and one day players.
We might be lucky enough to get Dirty Dirk and Mr Denton, and boy do we need them.
Our current bowling line up looking rather like a eunuch.
McKay, Wise and Harwood can all bowl, but non looks likely to get out Jacques, the krab Katich, Haddin, and Clarke in a no holds barred draw to the death.
But who cares, Cam is back baby.
The Vics checklist for Victory.
Inspirational and innovative captain, check.
3 gun batsmen, check.
Bat all day grafting openers, check check.
Australia’s best Spinner, check.
Nuggetty keeper who would rip the heads off live bats to win, negative.
One gun all rounder, check.
3 fast bowlers from real life, check.
So its not all bad.
It’s a sad story, that means not much to th scheme of human existence.
But Cameron White threw his weight around like a drunken sumo, and that lifts the heart of humanity.
He did exactly what I hoped he would do, swing away.
Alas like pretty much all Victorian games this year, we only had one batsmen find his groove.
Victoria and NSWales combined looked pretty ordinary this weekend, so take that any way you'd like,
At least NSWales, dodgy mofos that they are, will get back a barrage of test and one day players.
We might be lucky enough to get Dirty Dirk and Mr Denton, and boy do we need them.
Our current bowling line up looking rather like a eunuch.
McKay, Wise and Harwood can all bowl, but non looks likely to get out Jacques, the krab Katich, Haddin, and Clarke in a no holds barred draw to the death.
But who cares, Cam is back baby.
The Vics checklist for Victory.
Inspirational and innovative captain, check.
3 gun batsmen, check.
Bat all day grafting openers, check check.
Australia’s best Spinner, check.
Nuggetty keeper who would rip the heads off live bats to win, negative.
One gun all rounder, check.
3 fast bowlers from real life, check.
So its not all bad.
Monday, March 3, 2008
not on our game
I haven’t been covering this game with my standard aplomb.
I’ve fallen behind.
I have made mistakes.
I think it’s the fact I already know Victoria are in the final.
Luckily for me Victoria have made just as many mistakes.
Selections based on caution.
Winning the toss and having a brain fade.
Bad batting.
Luckily for the Vics the NSWelsh are struggling against Tasmania, not the redbacks as I previously alluded to.
The fact of the matter is Victoria look tired and flat, so do NSWales.
Perhaps it’s a bit like how Ali and Frazier fared after the thriller in Manilla.
But NSWales are ahead of us on percentage, so we are the team that needs to climb out of the funk.
This needs to happen today.
I know we are 430 odd runs behind, but boys you need to swing away like drunken wife beaters,
You need piss into the wind.
You need to just attack tis chase like your oprah on a bucket of caviar.
We need momentum, we need a spark, we don’t need a draw and the score at 5 for 232.
Come on fellas, lets do this shit.
I’ve fallen behind.
I have made mistakes.
I think it’s the fact I already know Victoria are in the final.
Luckily for me Victoria have made just as many mistakes.
Selections based on caution.
Winning the toss and having a brain fade.
Bad batting.
Luckily for the Vics the NSWelsh are struggling against Tasmania, not the redbacks as I previously alluded to.
The fact of the matter is Victoria look tired and flat, so do NSWales.
Perhaps it’s a bit like how Ali and Frazier fared after the thriller in Manilla.
But NSWales are ahead of us on percentage, so we are the team that needs to climb out of the funk.
This needs to happen today.
I know we are 430 odd runs behind, but boys you need to swing away like drunken wife beaters,
You need piss into the wind.
You need to just attack tis chase like your oprah on a bucket of caviar.
We need momentum, we need a spark, we don’t need a draw and the score at 5 for 232.
Come on fellas, lets do this shit.
Saturday, March 1, 2008
PM is great, home final is going
I understand some of you may be bored with all this talk of David Hussey.
But the dude continues to be amazing.
Today he went out at 4/129.
Nothing spectacular about that, except he bats at number 4 and was out for 84.
He seems to bat on different pitches than all his team mates.
Ofcourse all of this may mean jack and sh1t as Victoria look a very shaky 7 for 217 chasing over 400.
The good news is, Cam is not out on 50odd, the bad news is 7 batsmen are about and NSWales are grinding away against the worst first class team in Australia.
The game and the home final are slowly slipping away, and bloody Magoffin of all muppets is the one who has done it to us.
For those who don’t know, Magoffin is one of those tall for nothing WA quicks, who either bowls like Bruce Reid or Scott Muller.
There seems to be no middle ground on the guy.
Our bowlers struggled to take wickets on the first day, but someone, I’m not sure who, thought that the bowling line up looked a little flabby.
There is two days to go, but I think the home final has already left the building.
Bryce got a nice 2 wickets on the first day though, always nice to get wickets on the first day at the Waca.
Remember last year when we looked really great and all we won was 2020.
This year is starting to look eerily similar.
Feels like watching Saw, and then Saw 2.
And as much as i hated saw 2, i fu(c)king despised saw 3.
But the dude continues to be amazing.
Today he went out at 4/129.
Nothing spectacular about that, except he bats at number 4 and was out for 84.
He seems to bat on different pitches than all his team mates.
Ofcourse all of this may mean jack and sh1t as Victoria look a very shaky 7 for 217 chasing over 400.
The good news is, Cam is not out on 50odd, the bad news is 7 batsmen are about and NSWales are grinding away against the worst first class team in Australia.
The game and the home final are slowly slipping away, and bloody Magoffin of all muppets is the one who has done it to us.
For those who don’t know, Magoffin is one of those tall for nothing WA quicks, who either bowls like Bruce Reid or Scott Muller.
There seems to be no middle ground on the guy.
Our bowlers struggled to take wickets on the first day, but someone, I’m not sure who, thought that the bowling line up looked a little flabby.
There is two days to go, but I think the home final has already left the building.
Bryce got a nice 2 wickets on the first day though, always nice to get wickets on the first day at the Waca.
Remember last year when we looked really great and all we won was 2020.
This year is starting to look eerily similar.
Feels like watching Saw, and then Saw 2.
And as much as i hated saw 2, i fu(c)king despised saw 3.
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