sidelined

Australia has the Ashes safely in its keeping. Nominally, the rest of this series is a ‘dead rubber’, the sort that, historically, Australia did poorly in. But Warne and McGrath are bowing out after Sydney; Warne is on 699 test wickets; McGrath has a point to prove before his last series, the one-day World Cup.
If [...]

It is official. Shane Warne has announced his retirement from all forms of international and domestic cricket after the fifth Ashes test in Sydney. The greatest bowler in test history will stride the green stages of world cricket no more. It is a little surprising as there were hints he would go on but Warne [...]

Stories abound that Warney will call it quits after the Sydney test.
Is this the end of Australia’s greatest texting cricketer?
Update: Foxsports is reporting that McGrath is going to retire after Sydney as well.

The balance of nature has been restored and the Ashes are now once more with their rightful owners.

Photo from SMH
You may now gloat at will.

Adam Glichrist’s century was the stuff of legend. Micheal Hussey’s ton just reminded everyone of what a talent he is. Which was the theme in the Sunday papers. If you hadn’t had a chance to view the scorecard you’d be forgiven thinking they were the only two centurions. Michael Clarke’s excellent knock of 135 not [...]

Ray Price

Worrisome news for Eels and league fan in general with the news that Parra great Ray Price has undergone surgery for bowel cancer. The good news is that Price and his surgeon are confident that they have removed the tumour:

Price said scans revealed the “silent killer” cancer had not spread to other [...]

This is make or break for the Poms, Andrew Symonds is getting a run, and if Australia wins here, we regain the Ashes.
I’m actually pleased Symonds is playing, and I hope he does well. He’s an inspiration to many people from ‘different’ backgrounds in Queensland, and although he’s West Indian by extraction, growing up in [...]

Former Aussie quick Geoff ‘Henry’ Lawson has a great post on his SMH blog regarding Australia’s current selection policy and obsession with allrounders:

Shane Watson is treated like a 50 Test veteran who must be rushed immediately back into the team on full fitness, and outstanding limited overs player Andrew Symonds is considered the ‘next best’ [...]

Today’s Herald’s front page has a beautiful story about our seven-time surfing world champion, Layne Beachley. It’s about how she decided, a few years back, that she was not going to surf for the sake of titles. She would brush off the nastiness of her rivals and instead be friendly, happy and constantly improve herself [...]

I just couldn’t allow the opening para of a story on news.com.au about a racehorse trainer being kicked by one of his charges to pass. It reads LEGENDARY WA horse trainer Fred Kersley is in a stable condition …