i think modern equipment and the modern game has contributed a lot to the aussies downfall ...edges on bats these days compared to say 30 years ago are much much wider ...they might help David Warner top edge a few leg side 6s but "going hard" at the ball with edges that size produces an automatic slip catch
there seems to be no young emerging batting talent in Australia for the longer form of the game ,yes plenty of limited overs players.There was a clamour in the 70s that players were playing one day shots in test matches to get out and this reminded me of australian batting
did we win this series or did Australia lose it ?
Not been mentioned but i think having to cope with Phil Hughes passing took a lot out of Michael Clarke and MC went up miles in my estimation as to how he managed the situation
Before we shed too many tears at Michael Clarke exiting, and before we gush forth with too many plaudits about what a great sportsman he was, how honest he was, what a great guy he was, etc, etc...
Just remind yourself what an arrogant, disrespectful, nasty piece of work he was too...
I think we need to distinguish the difference between on the field and off the field persona.
Yes Clarke went too far but anyone who knows anything about Jimmy Anderson will tell you that there are two different individuals - one on and one off the pitch.
It all went too far and it perhaps took subsequent events to define the line that should not be crossed.
2015, Clarke on Anderson: “you don’t wish injury on anyone" 2011: Clarke to Anderson: "get ready for a broken fecking arm"
As a Channel 9 commentator, (Shane) Warne has access to the audio from the stump microphone and claimed on Twitter on Monday he had heard Anderson's threat to Bailey, who was fielding at short leg.
"@MClarke23 [Clarke's twitter name] stuck up for his debutant Bailey as he should have too as capt after Anderson said he wanted to punch Bailey in the face!" wrote Warne.
"I think it's a disgrace that @MClarke23 has been fined. What about what Jimmy Anderson said to Bailey, which wasn't heard. Unfortunately only Clarke's reaction to Anderson's was heard live, we all heard Anderson's sledge that led to Clarke reacting! To me it should just stay out in the middle. They all shook hands had a giggle & moved on. By fining Clarke it's made a big deal out of it."
2015, Clarke on Anderson: “you don’t wish injury on anyone" 2011: Clarke to Anderson: "get ready for a broken fecking arm"
As a Channel 9 commentator, (Shane) Warne has access to the audio from the stump microphone and claimed on Twitter on Monday he had heard Anderson's threat to Bailey, who was fielding at short leg.
"@MClarke23 [Clarke's twitter name] stuck up for his debutant Bailey as he should have too as capt after Anderson said he wanted to punch Bailey in the face!" wrote Warne.
"I think it's a disgrace that @MClarke23 has been fined. What about what Jimmy Anderson said to Bailey, which wasn't heard. Unfortunately only Clarke's reaction to Anderson's was heard live, we all heard Anderson's sledge that led to Clarke reacting! To me it should just stay out in the middle. They all shook hands had a giggle & moved on. By fining Clarke it's made a big deal out of it."
As captain of a Test side, playing in the Ashes, you *have* to adhere to the Spirit of the Game. No ifs, no buts. It's the duty of the captain to make sure the Spirit of the Game is upheld.
For the record, there are only seven sections. So, surely any Ashes captain can read, understand and adhere to the Spirit. Here are some of the highlights:
The captains are responsible at all times for ensuring that play is conducted within the Spirit of the Game as well as within the Laws.
The Spirit of the Game involves RESPECT for Your opponents
It is against the Spirit of the Game to direct abusive language towards an opponent
It is against the Spirit of the Game to seek to distract an opponent either verbally or by harassment
If being a cricketer is about performance, ability and entertainment, then Michael Clarke was one of the all-time greats.
But being a cricketer is about more than that; it's about upholding and honouring the Spirit of the Game as well, then Michael Clarke has been a very, very bad cricketer.
So I am happy to bid a fond farewell to a brilliant, talented, admirable performer. But I am happy also to say good riddance to a petulant, spoiled, nasty, selfish cheat.
Yes I agree Chizz and I don't believe that the death of Phil Hughes, had any effect on The Ashes result.
Hey, The Aussies won the World Cup a few months ago. It didn't trouble them then.
Bang on.
Clarke is a c--t of the highest order, he had his own little clique with Shane Warne and barely mixed with the rest of his team.
Johnson and Harris papered over the cracks in the last Ashes but as you have seen from public comments from Buchanan, Hayden, Symonds, Watson, Martyn and others Clarke was deeply disliked because of his 'me first' attitude.
He tries to be silky smooth in public but most people down here know what he is really like.
I don't think many of the English lads, are angels when it comes to the verbals or sledging. Don't like it much myself, but Jimmy is allegedly one of our worst culprits, and I don't think he would have lost much sleep over Clarkes comments.
I was 'a bit' boozed at the Kent v Aussies game and gave a good natured review of Clarke's field positions and attacking intent from the the bar opposite the main stand (I hope no one heard me!). He bit big time and started all the coffee shaking hand gestures.
I don't think many of the English lads, are angels when it comes to the verbals or sledging. Don't like it much myself, but Jimmy is allegedly one of our worst culprits, and I don't think he would have lost much sleep over Clarkes comments.
The thing with sledging, it's identical to piss taking amongst your pals. Just saying 'you're a c*nt' over and over isn't funny nor is it clever. The common theme with what a lot of international batsmen have said is they have absolutely no problem with being ripped but our Jimmy may have the anger and attitude but not necessarily the wit to pull off a good sledge. It's 85 mile an hour delivery followed up by him yelling 'wanker' at whoever is occupying the crease. Allegedly of course
Spirit of cricket my arse. No such thing. Both teams sledge each other terribly, and Anderson is the worst culprit. I'm no fan of sledging but it will go on regardless
Spirit of cricket my arse. No such thing. Both teams sledge each other terribly, and Anderson is the worst culprit. I'm no fan of sledging but it will go on regardless
However, you cant suggest that Oz, by far, are not the worst culprits - why do you think there's always a player who gets annoyed by it downunder, namely, Jimmy, Kohli,Dhoni and quite a few others. Its just like being bullies in the playground - its not cool , noone likes it - and its narcissistic. Anyone who wants to give the likes of Clarke,Warner,Haddin,Hayden a good black-eye will have me cheering them on.Scum.
As an aside, David Willey scored a 40 ball 100 tonight in quarters of 20/20 v Sussex - fastest 100 this season - it was astonishing- including taking Michael Yardy for 34 in one over - and the only four was only a metre yard short of being six.
Just have to follow up on The President's, rather one eyed interpretation of the level of sledging that goes on. I would agree that the last series in Oz, was very poor for sledging, with the Australians going a little too far.
However I have Graeme Swan admit on more than one occasion, that the English lads gave as good as they got when it came to the verbals, particularly in the two preceding Ashes series. Given those sides included the likes of KP, Prior, Broad, Swan, Bresnan and Anderson, I don't think that is particularly surprising.
Also, as other have alluded to, there is a difference between sledging, and all out abuse, which is what seems to be the modern trend.
Just have to follow up on The President's, rather one eyed interpretation of the level of sledging that goes on. I would agree that the last series in Oz, was very poor for sledging, with the Australians going a little too far.
However I have Graeme Swan admit on more than one occasion, that the English lads gave as good as they got when it came to the verbals, particularly in the two preceding Ashes series. Given those sides included the likes of KP, Prior, Broad, Swan, Bresnan and Anderson, I don't think that is particularly surprising.
Also, as other have alluded to, there is a difference between sledging, and all out abuse, which is what seems to be the modern trend.
Not denying that England don't do it,(Jimmy being the worst) - but the habitual sledging/abuse all the time is solely in the domain of the Aussies - its THEIR disease. Also, the other insidious and childish ways such as denying KP his space in the crease in 2013 by Clarke and this year Warner and Lyon deliberately stopping Stokes from 'sweeping' his crease at the end of each over. They are like a pack of baying hyenas - and need, in my opinion, a hefty kick up their jacksie with a good size 13- with some also hefty side swipes as an afterthought- with their leader brought 'daaahn'.
One thing the Aussies do with even more zest than gloating when they beat us is tearing into each other (ex-players especially) when they lose to us. If we could utterly humiliate them at the Oval then the frenzy could be hilarious.
I made the mistake of saying to a South African sports nut (aren't they all) on Saturday that Clarke seemed fairly reasonable compared to some, I got a furious chapter and verse on him and his various offences. I stood corrected.....!
Comments
a few things to ponder
i think modern equipment and the modern game has contributed a lot to the aussies downfall ...edges on bats these days compared to say 30 years ago are much much wider ...they might help David Warner top edge a few leg side 6s but "going hard" at the ball with edges that size produces an automatic slip catch
there seems to be no young emerging batting talent in Australia for the longer form of the game ,yes plenty of limited overs players.There was a clamour in the 70s that players were playing one day shots in test matches to get out and this reminded me of australian batting
did we win this series or did Australia lose it ?
Not been mentioned but i think having to cope with Phil Hughes passing took a lot out of Michael Clarke and MC went up miles in my estimation as to how he managed the situation
Just remind yourself what an arrogant, disrespectful, nasty piece of work he was too...
Hey, The Aussies won the World Cup a few months ago. It didn't trouble them then.
Yes Clarke went too far but anyone who knows anything about Jimmy Anderson will tell you that there are two different individuals - one on and one off the pitch.
It all went too far and it perhaps took subsequent events to define the line that should not be crossed.
2011: Clarke to Anderson: "get ready for a broken fecking arm"
As a Channel 9 commentator, (Shane) Warne has access to the audio from the stump microphone and claimed on Twitter on Monday he had heard Anderson's threat to Bailey, who was fielding at short leg.
"@MClarke23 [Clarke's twitter name] stuck up for his debutant Bailey as he should have too as capt after Anderson said he wanted to punch Bailey in the face!" wrote Warne.
"I think it's a disgrace that @MClarke23 has been fined. What about what Jimmy Anderson said to Bailey, which wasn't heard. Unfortunately only Clarke's reaction to Anderson's was heard live, we all heard Anderson's sledge that led to Clarke reacting! To me it should just stay out in the middle. They all shook hands had a giggle & moved on. By fining Clarke it's made a big deal out of it."
For the record, there are only seven sections. So, surely any Ashes captain can read, understand and adhere to the Spirit. Here are some of the highlights:
The captains are responsible at all times for ensuring that play is conducted within the Spirit of the Game as well as within the Laws.
The Spirit of the Game involves RESPECT for Your opponents
It is against the Spirit of the Game to direct abusive language towards an opponent
It is against the Spirit of the Game to seek to distract an opponent either verbally or by harassment
If being a cricketer is about performance, ability and entertainment, then Michael Clarke was one of the all-time greats.
But being a cricketer is about more than that; it's about upholding and honouring the Spirit of the Game as well, then Michael Clarke has been a very, very bad cricketer.
So I am happy to bid a fond farewell to a brilliant, talented, admirable performer. But I am happy also to say good riddance to a petulant, spoiled, nasty, selfish cheat.
Clarke is a c--t of the highest order, he had his own little clique with Shane Warne and barely mixed with the rest of his team.
Johnson and Harris papered over the cracks in the last Ashes but as you have seen from public comments from Buchanan, Hayden, Symonds, Watson, Martyn and others Clarke was deeply disliked because of his 'me first' attitude.
He tries to be silky smooth in public but most people down here know what he is really like.
metreyard short of being six.Edited for Boycott Riviera.
However I have Graeme Swan admit on more than one occasion, that the English lads gave as good as they got when it came to the verbals, particularly in the two preceding Ashes series. Given those sides included the likes of KP, Prior, Broad, Swan, Bresnan and Anderson, I don't think that is particularly surprising.
Also, as other have alluded to, there is a difference between sledging, and all out abuse, which is what seems to be the modern trend.
I made the mistake of saying to a South African sports nut (aren't they all) on Saturday that Clarke seemed fairly reasonable compared to some, I got a furious chapter and verse on him and his various offences. I stood corrected.....!
Cinderella knew when to leave the ball.
That would be very bad form chaps. Remember, the convicts must be bruised and battered from their dismal efforts so far.
We shoild not glo...
Oh go on then. Fill yer boots lads!