Blogs & Pods

Date: December 7, 2012 / Posted by Glenn Mitchell

Twenty20 cricket. The very mention of it solicits varied responses. Traditionalists tend to ignore it, while the younger generations and those who have little interest in longer form cricket flock to it like moths to a flame. It is in many ways seen as more entertainment and razzamatazz than it is cricket with dancing girls, […]

Date: November 30, 2012 / Posted by Glenn Mitchell

Ricky Ponting’s announcement that tomorrow’s first Test will be his last ends one of the greatest careers in Australian, and world, cricket. It will be his 168th appearance in the baggy green, equalling the record held by the man who preceded him as Test skipper, Steve Waugh. He had long stated that he had unfinished […]

Date: / Posted by Glenn Mitchell

The WACA Ground, venue for tomorrow’s third Test between Australia and South Africa, has a history of hosting some of the most controversial and spectacular occurrences in Test history. Perth as a Test venue is a reasonably recent development with local hero Graham McKenzie delivering the first ball to England’s Brian Luckhurst on 11 December […]

Date: November 27, 2012 / Posted by Glenn Mitchell

Another week, another injured Australian bowler. It’s like living in a land created by Lewis Carroll. James Pattinson has become the latest casualty among the country’s pace bowling ranks, ruled out for the four remaining Tests of the summer with a side/rib injury. Pattinson is a terrific talent (31 wickets at 22) but his litany […]

Date: November 23, 2012 / Posted by control

It was on this day, 38 years ago, that Viv Richards first swaggered onto a Test ground. The Indian fans in Bangalore that day got the first glimpse of a gait that soon become recognized by cricket fans around the globe. His debut was inauspicious with scores of 4 and 3. It was the other […]

Date: November 22, 2012 / Posted by Glenn Mitchell

At times it appears that sport exists in a parallel universe, detached in its own little realm where reality seems to no longer exist. Once again this strange phenomenon materialized yesterday in the wake of Damien Oliver’s suspension. Following the announcement of Oliver’s ten-month ban, Victorian Jockeys Association general manager, Des O’Keeffe addressed the media […]

Date: November 16, 2012 / Posted by Glenn Mitchell

In the end, the first Test at the Gabba petered out to a draw, albeit with the odd moment of tension. But both times Australia was in the field it was aided greatly by the fact that it needed only nine wickets to terminate the South African innings. Had the match gone down to the […]

Date: November 13, 2012 / Posted by Glenn Mitchell

In the lead-up to the opening Test in Brisbane, Mickey Arthur, the coach of the Australian team said he believed that Jacques Kallis was second only to Sir Donald Bradman when it comes to the greatest players to have graced the field. A huge call, but one coming from a man who saw plenty of […]

Date: November 10, 2012 / Posted by Glenn Mitchell

There is a reason that Test cricket is spelt with a capital ‘T’. Simply, it is because it is the ultimate Test – of character, technique, courage, skill, persistence, stamina and dedication. Test cricket has a set of conundrums that sets it apart from many other ball sports. It is these tenets that make the […]

Date: November 9, 2012 / Posted by Glenn Mitchell

Tomorrow’s first Test at the Gabba sees the start of cricket’s world heavyweight championship. Over the next three weeks – in Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth – the coveted world number ranking one will be decided. Should the incumbent, South Africa come out on top it will further vindicate its recent dominance of the longer form […]