Tabla de contenidos para January 2018 en Inside Cricket

Ambivalence is a place where conflicting feelings co-exist. It’s what you get when you watch your mother-in-law drive over a cliff in your new Cadillac, according to David Mamet. The selection of Tim Paine as Australia’s wicketkeeper and Cameron Bancroft as opener highlights, more than any other selections in recent history, the difficulties of national selection and the ambivalences, contradictions and inconsistencies that arise out of it. Paine and Bancroft are both deserving of selection, yet if logic or decency had prevailed, neither would have made it, it might be argued. They were selected according to conflicting criteria: Bancroft on hard, empirical evidence, Paine on a hunch. An educated guess. The latter is as valid as the former. Sometimes the best result rigorous research can yield is an educated guess.…

OLD HAT? Australia’s left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Starc created history at Hurstville Oval in Sydney by becoming the first bowler to take two hat-tricks in one Sheffield Shield match, for NSW against Western Australia in November 2017. He became the first bowler in nearly 40 years, and only the second Australian after Thomas Jimmy Matthews in 1912, to perform two hat-tricks in the same first-class match. Matthews’ is cricket’s only instance of a double hat-trick in a Test match. The eight who took first-class double hat-tricks are Alfred Shaw (Nottinghamshire versus Gloucestershire, 1884), Albert Trott (Middlesex versus Somerset, 1907), Thomas Jimmy Matthews (Australia versus South Africa in the 1912 Manchester Test, both hat-tricks on the same day), Charles Parker (Gloucestershire versus Middlesex, 1924), Ronald Jenkins (Worcestershire v. Surrey, 1949), Joginder…

Tell me about your new book. How is it different from the other books you’ve written? Well I haven’t retired before, for a start. The book is all about the lighter side of broadcasting, the fun I’ve had doing Test Match Special down the years. I talk about special moments in the commentary box, with great commentators like John Arlott and Brian Johnston, in the early days, and more recently, Graeme Swann, Phil Tufnell Michael Vaughan and Geoff Boycott. How do you feel about giving up commentary? I was only doing five or six games a year for the last few years anyhow. I’m still so busy, though. Talking, afterdinner speaking, making television commercials, a bit of reality TV. I’m on stage 120 nights a year doing either my one-man…

The Stars have had that look of a team hungry for a title for a few seasons now, and this might just be their year. They came very close last BBL. Signing Ben Dunk was a great move. Dunk is versatile, can larrup an attack, keep wickets and trundle. Last season, he was Strikers’ leading run-scorer with 364 fast runs in eight matches. In BBL|03, he was Player of the Tournament. The man has been a seriously good BBL batsman. Young Seb Gotch was a dark-horse last BBL, but will emerge into the light. His 48 against Scorchers in the semi-final was belligerent and a morale lifter. Bowling-wise, the Stars have shown they’re looking to the future by recruiting young left-arm paceman Jackson Coleman. Coleman might or might not get…

If Sheffield Shield form is anything to go on, and if we ignore problems of availability, the Sixers will take out BBL|07. Alas, it’s not that easy. Starc, Hazlewood and Lyon simply won’t be available for obvious reasons. The fact that they’re all in great form is meaningless, and their inclusion in the squad is as relevant to the Sixers as a silent letter – they’re part of it, but it goes on without them. Batsman Jordan Silk has been doing well in his native Tassie, as has Jackson Bird, who might still get a national call-up if any of the remaining three of our Big Four sustains injury. If not, he’s there for the long haul. Nick Maddinson might be available for the entire BBL|07. Daniel Hughes, however –…

“Sydney or the bush” should be their nickname. Never has that old saw been more apt. In seven campaigns, they’ve had four spoons and a title. They had a terrible BBL|06 and were, for once, eclipsed by their cross-town rivals. They have a lot to prove. But they are always dangerous. Despite the loss of leading runscorer Khawaja, and the retirements of Hussey and Kallis, who got them the previous year’s title, they were never far away. This year might see them list further, or vault to the top. It’s hard to tell. This might be young batsman Ryan Gibson’s breakout year. He’s a talent to watch. Their attack will benefit enormously from a young offie with a deadly doosra, Arun Nair. He gets good spin and quickness through the…

1986-87 Tri-Series finals, MCG and SCG After setting up a surprising finals confrontation in the Tri-Series after the West Indies failed to make it, Australia and England engaged in a willing contest, but, as was the case in the Tests, England proved too good. Specifically, Ian Botham, the larger-than-life England all-rounder, proved too good. He won one with the bat, scoring a rapid 71 from 51 balls to guide his team to a six-wicket victory, then he won the other with the ball, when England, defending a meagre 186, dismissed Australia for 179. Botham got the crucial breakthroughs, dismissing the top order of Allan Border, Greg Ritchie and Geoff Marsh. It was enough for a 2-0 clean sweep. 1975 World Cup semi, Headingley Australia defeated England in a semi-final in…

NEW BALL Essential assets Quick through the air Great variation Good lowerorder bat Calm, clear thinker Great perspective With an imposing presence on and off the field, Henry Thornton is poised to become a key member of the next generation of Australia’s fast-bowling cartel. After having just been upgraded from a rookie contract to a full contract with the NSW Blues, the 20-year-old tearaway quick has enjoyed runaway success. A myriad of bowling variations, in combination with his raw pace, make him one of the better long- and short-form bowling prospects to rise through the ranks. With a swag of first-grade wickets for Easts Dolphins in the NSW Premier Cricket competition, and four List-A games for the Cricket Australia XI in this season’s JLT Cup, Thornton has already made his…

RUN OF THE MILLER South Africa’s David Miller thrashed the Bangladesh attack in October to register the fastest-ever T20 International century. After Hashim Amla did the softening-up with a superb 85, Miller came to the wicket. Thirty-five balls, seven boundaries and nine sixes later, he brought up his century. The Proteas posted 4-224 in their 20 overs. Miller was dropped before scoring a run. Five of his sixes came from the first five balls of the 19th over, bowled by Mohammad Saifuddin, who up to that point must have thought the game was easy, as he conceded only 22 runs from his three overs to that point and dismissed Amla and de Villiers. South Africa won the second T20I by a whopping 83 runs. ENTER VIRENDER! The Delhi and District…

HERE’S HOW THEY’LL FINISH In a privileged albeit busted-arse broke previous life as a travel writer, I found myself in a great restaurant in a super-flash hotel in the opulent nation-state of Dubai. And there, as gondolas floated by on the hotel’s own system of canals, I enjoyed the mother of all steaks, a medium-rare Chateaubriand that cost (someone else) $US100 and came with an ornate steak-knife shaped like an Arabian dagger. And they were gastronomic good times, oh yes, for it was truly a bloody good steak. The Big Bash League is not that steak. The Big Bash League is more a light and fluffy piece of pavlova with sticky bits and tangy meringue, topped with cream and banana and all the sweet fruits of the forest. It’s colourful…

They’ve signed Matthew Renshaw, and to say the jury is out on this one is no knock on Matt. His strength as a Test cricketer is judiciousness, courage against a very different kind of bowling, and the ability to compile an innings. On the other hand, he’s a smart batsmen, and might see BBL as an opportunity to hone his slogging skills. He has done well in the JLT One-Day Cup, where he took the governer off to great effect. Of course, Renshaw’s availability will be in question if he’s selected for the Ashes, and does well – less likely with Bancroft’s first Test success. Skipper McCullum partnered well with Lynn to plunder attacks last season, and their partnership was only curtailed when Lynn was called up. Heat has one…

The Hurricanes are pulling out all stops. They’ve appointed the highly-experienced and accomplished South African, Gary Kirsten, as coach. Kirsten will be a great mentor to the young talent, and will work well with captain, George Bailey. Bailey is a serious BBL performer. Last season he scored three half-tons in a total of 249 runs at an average of 49. The loss of Tim Paine will be felt. The enthusiastic vice-captain was excellent behind the stumps last year, and augmented that with 227 runs. His selection in the World T20 XI to Pakistan is testament to his ability. One of Australia’s better fast-bowling prospects, David Moody, joins. This is his first BBL stint, but it’s anticipated he’ll be an instant success. The only reason he hasn’t bobbed up with Scorchers…

Five minutes to go until the first ball of the first Ashes Test at the Gabba. Would you rather be anywhere else? 9:56am. I’m sitting in the upper deck at the Vulture Street end. The honey glow of Brisbane’s morning sun warms my face. I scan the crowd: it’s not that long since breakfast, but already there’s more flesh than clothing on show. There’s also fashion, Brisbane-style: a bloke in front of me has a blow-up banana for a hat and a young girl to my right has a Mitch Johnson moustache pencilled under her nose – and he’s not even playing! 9:57am. Is that a swimming pool to my left? Hang on – there are also deck chairs and umbrellas. What is this? Copacabana Beach? 9:58am. The crowd is…

When it began, not many suspected the Australian team was entering a season of decline. It was still strong with old muscle, suffused with talent and possessed an air of God-breathed good fortune. They’d beaten India in India, then swept aside New Zealand and Pakistan during the Australian summer. England was a team on the rise, though not many might have anticipated a resurgence that changed the face, even the physical look, of English cricket forever. Suddenly the comparatively doughy but historically doughty Poms showcased a tall, muscular, sturdy new generation, led by Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff and Kevin Pietersen. Most importantly, they had Michael Vaughan. There was nothing between them at the end of five Tests. Even the man of the series award was split between Flintoff, a force of…

Techshot is a world first in cricket-specific, muscle memory batting aids. By promoting a bent front-elbow position, the innovative design trains the batter to strike the ball later. Techshot allows the batter to repeat the same motion time and time again. Repetitive use can convert the new, late striking position to muscle memory for improved stroke play in front of the wicket. RRP: Youth Batting Trainer $85, Adult Batting Trainer $90. The official men’s Australian Cricket One Day International Home Shirt by ASICS. The replica shirt features the same fabrication as that worn by the team. Made using lightweight performance polyester with excellent moisture wicking properties it is designed to keep the players cool and dry. RRP: $120. The shirt features: • Excellent moisture wicking properties • 40+ UV protection…

Had a bowl against Steve Smith at the Sydney Cricket Ground the other day – as one does. It was one of those promotional things PR folk dream up to sell stuff (in this case razors) which invited journos to bowl to Smith, and face Mitch Starc and Pat Cummins in the nets. And it was all a bit of a lark. And yet it made me sad. Well, not sad. But wistful. So wistful. And not because Smith launched my slow-medium malarkey out the ground, because he did not. But rather because the great man couldn’t get bat on me. Because I couldn’t hit the pitch. Because you know that song by that guy, Toby Keith, that goes, “I ain’t as good as I once was. But I’m as…

"I'm just glad I'm on the same team as him. I don't want to be facing it. It was incredible down there – he changed the game on its head on the night of day two.” Daniel Hughes on Mitch Starc’s blazing first game. "You try some funky stuff and every now and then end up looking like an idiot, so it was nice for it come off for a change" Alyssa Healy explaining her “funky” stumping of England’s Tammy Beaumont in the third ODI of the women’s Ashes series, when she ran after the ball and slapped it back onto the stumps before the batter got back to the crease. “It is this lack of equality, clear favouritism and push of friendship-based agendas that is cruelling the cricket landscape.…

There are a couple of things the naysayers should consider before they discard out-of-hand the concept of four-day Tests. Firstly, cricketers adjust their thinking to the allocated length of a game; if they’re told it’s 20 or 50 overs, or four or five days, they’ll play accordingly. And secondly, in this decade, about 75 percent of the Tests played to a conclusion have occupied less than 400 overs. The 400-over figure is important, but in the meantime, it should also be remembered that the game at Test level has quickened appreciably in recent times. Both the T20 format and the Decision Review System (DRS) have contributed to speeding up the game, with batsmen playing more shots, while bowlers’ chances of receiving a favourable decision have increased. We’re continually told that…

The Scorchers are still the team to beat. They have veterans in their pomp, tyros in their full youthful splendour, and, as we keep saying, stability that is actually a secret to winning T20 tournaments, even in a culture of transience. Most of their team will be available all BBL season. The ability to play together and stay together is invaluable, especially when someone the calibre of Bancroft and Shaun Marsh might not be able to front. Marsh is prolific in the format. Averages might not matter so much as strike rates, but Marsh averages over 50 in BBL. That matters! Voges is back, and still making a mark. He’s also a respected, unifying leader. Mitchell Johnson will actually confirm he’s one of the best T20 players in the world.…

The only problem the Renegades have is a big one: consistency. That might change this season, as they have the experience, especially in attack, to subdue any line-up, and they boast an excellent mix of youth and experience. The perennial Brad Hodge has joined after his stint in Adelaide, and will be a boon to their batting. Aaron Finch might be selected for national duties at the back-end of the competition, but he continues to be a force. Dwayne Bravo returns, and hopefully brings the full arsenal of his skills with him, injury-free. Brad Hogg is back for the ‘Gades, and that’s good news. He might be 46, but for drawing power and, indeed, firepower, Hoggy is a vital addition. Age has not yet wearied him, and despite a knee…

The Strikers need to drop their habit of dropping the big ones. All-rounder Michael Neser gave notice that he’s in the mood for a hit-out when he scored a whirlwind 122 for QLD in the JLT One-Day Cup match against WA. It came off just 81 deliveries. Neser is mainly a bowling allrounder, but now the Strikers will be looking forward to him putting his mind and muscle to the batting task. The relatively inexperienced pace attack will be boosted by Peter Siddle, who will be the perfect mentor for the cadre of young quicks as he leads by hard-working, accurate bowling example. Jono Dean maintained his breakneck strike rate last season, making the most of his two appearances after an injury to Jayawardene, and the Strikers will be depending…

HERBERT SUTCLIFFE, 1924 In one of the most amazing performances from an opening batsman in history, the great Herbert Sutcliffe scored 734 runs in the five Tests of the 1924 rubber. Not only that, he batted an entire day four times in the series! MARK TAYLOR, 1989 In Australia’s breakout 1989 series, opener Mark Taylor scored 839 runs at 83.90, including two centuries and five 50s. It was his emergence as a world-class opener after a faltering start to a promising career. On days one and two of that series, first Taylor and then Steve Waugh came of age. By the time the 5th Test rolled around, Taylor was busy sharing a demoralising 329-run opening stand with Geoff Marsh. It began a trend for Taylor of scoring a ton in…

Anyone au fait with English cricket knew of Freddie. He was considered a powerful but flighty workhorse who could bowl around 135 clicks, already susceptible to the sorts of injuries a fast-bowler of his size and weight was bound to sustain. So it was no small shock when he burst into Aussie consciousness as a menace who could regularly toss jagging daggers at 145-plus. It wasn’t that he took 24 wickets at 27.29 in the 2005 Ashes series. Or that he scored 402 runs, including one magnificent century and three half-centuries. There have been more remarkable series stats. But Freddie was all about impact; striking at the right time in the right place. In 2005, he enjoyed one of the most impactful series any man, ever, enjoyed on a cricket…

●●●●●● A legen dary over! ●●●●● Excellent line ●●●● Hit the spot ●●● Made us play ●● Through to the ‘keeper ● Take ‘em off THE JOURNEY MY STORY, FROM BACKYARD CRICKET TO AUSTRALIAN CAPTAIN STEVE SMITH WITH BRIAN MURGATROYD. ALLEN & UNWIN. RRP $34.99 Certain sportspeople give you a strong sense of some infinite purpose being worked out in their lives and careers. This seems more the case with Steve Smith than with many of his predecessors as leader – many other sportspeople. Smith’s book is written with an awareness of this purpose and he seems to want his readers to learn from his journey, rather than merely to relate it. Smith is an unassuming man, and thanks to that and no doubt the efforts of ghostie Brian Murgatroyd,…