Line in the Sand

“The more things change, the more they stay the same”. So the saying goes, and so the Kiama Cricket Club continues to prove.

Reading back over old stories, and old correspondence, I never cease to be amazed by the truth of this statement. As I write this, another season of cricket is drawing to the finals stage, and once again Kiama appear to be losing the plot just at the defining moment.
An unbiased observer may well accuse me of being a tad pessimistic. Following another thumping victory for Kiama's 4th Grade side – their fifth in succession – all four of the Club's teams appear to be heading for finals berths, a feat not achieved since the 1994/95 season, the last season Kiama won the Club Championship. I would counter this by adding that the following season, 1995/96, Kiama finished either last or second-last in every Grade. But this is about the present, not the past. Split Enz told us that “History never repeats”. I certainly hope they are accurate.

Whispers and back-room conversations are circulating, belying the good results that appear on the surface. All is not 'peaches and cream' in the land of the Cavaliers, and it is time to tackle it head on. For too many years, our Club has festered beneath the surface with rumblings of bad blood between all parties concerned, and in the long run, it is this that contributes to the downfall of the Club - on the field, and off the field. Many people are sick of it, and talk of trying to end it. But good intentions do not always convert themselves to reality, and in some cases just contribute to the muckraking behind the scenes, rather than bringing it all to the surface.

1st Grade are in serious danger of throwing away all the good work of the season so far, and falling out of the finals at the final hurdle. The disappointing efforts against Lake Illawarra and Albion Park have already been documented in this column, and need not be revisited. The first match after Christmas also finished in a ugly loss to last season's Premiers. Having restricted Albion Park to just 155, Kiama faltered in their chase, eventually falling for just 97. In their second innings, Kiama had an outside chance to press for outright points, but a clumsy and lazy display of fielding, resulting in at least four dropped catches, put paid to any thoughts in this direction.
Following last week's disappointing result, only one change was made to 1st Grade, the captain retaining faith in the team, and giving them the opportunity to put right what had gone wrong the previous match. To then see their opponents race to 1/100 with the bat must have been distressing. Bowling them out for 139 would then have been a relief, though a troubling one in regards to the ineffectiveness of his opening bowlers. To then find themselves at 6/24, following the batting woes that have troubled the side this season, would have been shocking. I can guarantee you that everyone at 2nd Grade were in disbelief when that score was relayed to us. Falling 31 runs short on 1st Innings leaves 1st Grade a lot of work in order to save face this weekend.

2nd Grade appear to have dug themselves out of trouble, thanks mainly to Mick Norris, who carried the team on his own shoulders with 17 of the team's ordinary 101 (2nd top score to Josh Elliot's slashing 20), and then bowling 13 precision overs on a goat track to claim 6/14 with the ball, restricting Shellharbour to 45 in reply. At 1/120 in their 2nd Innings, with a lead already at 176, 2nd Grade dodged a bullet that a lackadaisical start should have ensured would wound them. It is to be hoped that, apart from Mick's efforts, skipper Steven Holz's 3/0 off 2.1 overs embarrassed the other seamers in the team. Bowling only what he asked of his front line bowlers, Steve proved his theory, where his seamers apparently could not.

There are a wide range of issues that need to be raised here – for the good of our Club, and for the good of our Club spirit, and for the good of our Club's on-field performance. Some of the problems creating brick walls as barriers within our community are listed below :

1. We have a situation where it appears that players from each Grade are unable to congregate with those from other Grades. It seems that there is a reluctance for players from different Grades to mix with each other socially, and the blame for this bounces back between each group like a rally in a tennis match, without any real effort being made to solve it rather than rebuff it.
2. We have batsmen who are clearly batting out of position in their team, and therefore doing themselves and their side no good at all.
3. We have players who believe that they are being crucified by their captains, and seem to be unable to get past this belief and just put runs or wickets on the board to help their cause. Not only this, they are unable or unwilling to discuss this with their captain face-to-face, and solve any issues or problems they may have in a mature fashion.
4. We have bowlers who say they know the line and length they should be bowling, but are either deliberately bowling to a different plan, or are simply incapable of performing what should be the relatively simple task of bowling to this line and length. Any bowler who says they cannot bowl at the stumps should start concentrating on their batting instead.
5. We have players whose season figures (some for longer than this season) are absolutely deplorable, and yet they have failed to be dropped from their side, apparently because they are either favoured by their captain above those performing in a lower grade, or because apparently no one in a lower grade is performing well enough to replace them. On the other hand, we have players in Grades who have done more than enough to suggest they should be playing in a higher grade, and yet they are apparently superfluous to the needs of those higher grades when it comes to selections.
6. We still have a number of players in our Club who only seem capable of performing to the extent of their talents when it suits them, and are full of excuses when things don't go their way. They are also the first people to kick up a stink when they get dropped for this lack of performance, and immediately begin bagging anyone who has an off week in the hope it will get them back in the team they want to be in.

These are not just my observations. This list has been compiled from conversations with a wide variety of people from within and outside of our Club. Mine is not a lone voice. These are the collated concerns of a Club, and a community who watch our Club with interest.

We have made made too many advances this season, and in the past few seasons, to allow this opportunity of success to slip from our grasp.
As individuals, we must be tough and honest in our self-assessment, and be able to improve our performance on the field and give 100% at all times, to be of the greatest benefit to our team and our Club. We must be aware of the performances of those around us, in our team and in our other Grade teams, and congratulate and commiserate with them.
As Grade teams, we must be aware of the results of our other Grade sides, and be positive and supportive in their own efforts of reaching for finals glory. We must be able to mingle with them, sit and talk with them, have a beer with them, and realise and remember that, when all is said and done, we are a CLUB first, a TEAM second, and an INDIVIDUAL third.
We must support our captains, their tactics and decisions, and perform to our peak for them. In return, our captains must support their team, always thinking of the team, but realise that there are eleven players in a team, and each needs their own support and ego-stroking. The old adage has never been truer – a good team will always beat a team of good players. Ensuring everyone is a part of each weekend's performance, whether as an active participant or a willing back-up, is absolutely essential.

People will say I am being a hypocrite by coming out with all of this. They will point out that I have been a selector for this Club on four separate occasions, and each time walked away of my own accord. They will look at a captaincy record in Grade cricket at two Clubs that shows I presided over only one victory in almost 20 matches in charge. They will point out that I do not attend training, and that I only return to the Grand after a match every second weekend. They will suggest that someone with such average figures as my own has no right to start pointing the finger at others, and to come out and basically call into account the desire, heart and guts of our Club. It will be suggested that there are better channels to front these concerns than on a website of my own thoughts. In many cases, I will be called an old dickhead past a prime on the cricket field that amounted to very little, who thinks he knows everything about cricket, and knows basically nothing.

Every one of these points has its truth.
The problem is, so does every point I have raised here. And we cannot sweep them under the carpet any longer.

If it wasn't time to be concerned after last week's result in 1st Grade, then you can be damned sure it is time to be concerned now. It isn't just a 1st Grade problem however – it is a Club problem.
It is time for every member of this Club, who has the desire and hope to see our Club once again rise to being the best in our district, to be aware of what is happening – and in their own way, help to solve these issues. In many cases, it will have to be a personal adjustment. But all changes begin with the individual, and finish in Club glory.

Halfway to Eternity

The Christmas/New Year break has arrived, with Kiama appearing fairly comfortable in the top three grades in regards to finals positions, and having won their past three matches in 4th Grade.

At the start of the season, the Cavaliers couldn't have asked for a better position to be in.

4ths find themselves a little below mid-table after the first half of the season, but have put some good performances together over the past five weeks. They are one of the most youthful sides in the competition. Having learned how to win, they are beginning to go on with the job.
The majority of this side have played together now for 18 months. The most pleasing part of this is that players from this team are beginning to make strides into higher grades, and make their mark. Winning matches in 4th Grade is always an optimum result. From a Club point of view, the best part of 4th Grade winning is seeing young individuals performing and learning, and then moving on to the higher echelons to do the same thing.
4th Grade are not without a chance of making the finals, but to do so they will have to find a way to defeat the teams from other Clubs that are made up heavily of older, more experienced players, from Oak Flats and Lake Illawarra. It is not beyond them if they can continue to improve at the rate they have been.

3rds have had a diverse season, where almost any result is possible on any given day, but are still established in the top two at the break. Despite the revolving door of playing personnel that all Grades have faced this season, 3rds have, for the most part, pulled themselves out of dire situations to pull victory from the jaws of defeat. The only stumbling block was the disconcerting outright loss to Lake Illawarra, where the side was bowled out twice in a little over three hours. More pleasing was the repeat of last season's final round where, having lost first innings points to Oak Flats, the Cavs came back to snatch outright points in a thrashing run chase last on the second day.
Like last season, 3rd Grade have the look of a potential finalist. Even the most cynical observer could not possibly believe that they will perform in Jan/Feb 06 like they did in Jan/Feb 05, where they could barely scratch two victories together. The job now is to finish in the top two, and carry on from there.

2nds have had a shaky ride, but still find themselves in 4th spot heading into January, with a good draw in front of them if they are good enough to take advantage of it. Having dropped the opening match to Shellharbour, and had rain interruptions against Gerringong and Jamberoo, the side has done well to be in the position it finds itself in. In a strange twist, Kiama find themselves struggling a little, in what is undoubtedly the weakest 2nd Grade competition in years. Player unavailabilities and weather haven't helped, but the batting in the side is struggling, and the tail can't be relied on to score the runs every week. The two matches this season against Albion Park has proven that they are no longer the force they once were, and that most of the teams are on an even keel.
Finishing second last season proved to be no advantage, and the likelihood of finishing in the top two this season is slim. The job at hand is to find a batting order that works, and a bowling attack that is balanced.

1sts have bounced back after last season's disappointments to sit safely in 3rd position, in a breakaway from the bottom four sides. In fact, apart from the capitulation against Lake Illawarra, it could have been seen to be a perfect start, despite the loss to Albion Park and washout against Oak Flats. The outright defeat by an innings of Warilla in the second round, followed by first innings points over Jamberoo, and the repeat of these victories in the one day games, was a wonderful achievement – perhaps felt more by the elder former First Graders in the Club than those who actually participated in these matches.
The team still appears to be feeling for its optimum balance, and this will be an important part of the post-New Year proceedings. Settling on the batting order, as well as the bowling attack that will serve 1st Grade best will be imperative if they are going to secure a finals position, and then proceed from that position to challenge for the title.

If – and I do say if – all of the Club's players are available for selection in January, it is going to pose the selectors some interesting problems. Once again in Kiama, there appears to be surfeit of bowlers, and a lack of batsmen (or, at the very least, a lack of batsmen scoring runs!). There continues to be discussion regarding the Club's three best glovemen, and how they will be selected for the remainder of the season. 2nd Grade, at full strength, seem to have 11 bowlers to fit into 3 or 4 spots available, and no one seems to be able to agree as to who deserves those spots.

No doubt, the selectors and captains will be spending Christmas dinner wracking their brains over what will be the best combination for everyone concerned. What is just as important is that every player is steeling themselves to give their all, no matter where they are selected to play. We are, after all, a Club.

To all readers of Through The Eyes Of The Almanack (all four of you...), may Christmas be everything you are looking for, and may you make Boxing Day without a hangover. Cheers.

Through the Nervous Twenties

One of the great things about the Kiama Cricket Club is the number of dynasties that are involved – the many generations from the same family that continue to be involved in Kiama Cricket.
The Wolf family are a prime example. Ross is a former premiership winning player from the lower grades, a former Junior President, and current Club President. Jill is the First Lady of Kiama Cricket. Sam opens the bowling for First Grade, and is the reigning Curator Of The Year. And last weekend, Tim Wolf may have made the breakthrough that finally has him reaching the heights that his potential has promised.

For a number of seasons, Tim has been the most consistent scorer of double figure innings in the history of cricket (...possibly. That may be a bit extreme). His problem has been that, once he has made a start, he has been unable to go on and make a big score. In five years of grade cricket, he had in fact made just two half centuries – one in 2nd Grade in 2001, and his maiden 1st Grade half century last season.

On the occasion of his 1st Grade 50, Tim then expressed to me his disappointment of something I had written in the pre-season on the Club website, where I had said that he needed to make runs in 2nd Grade before being considered for 1st Grade (Tim played the entire season in 1sts without playing 2nds at all). Following an animated discussion, we agreed to disagree over the issue, but my parting words were that now he had made his first 50, he needed to make sure he followed it up with further big scores, and not rest on his laurels.
One of the things that I admire about Tim is that he is always willing to tell you what he thinks, and doesn't hide behind his words. Though we by no means agreed on this issue, he was happy to have it out with me, and then get on with it. It is a shame we don't have more of this kind of thing in the Club.

This season, Tim has shown greater maturity in his batting. Though he still has the T-Bone Swat happening regularly, he has shown a greater aptitude for building an innings, and to apply himself in a time of need. Not only that, he has improved his play against spin bowlers dramatically – something that in my opinion has been his greatest downfall in recent times. This season, he has played those spinners that he has faced with patience and security.

I was unfortunate enough to miss his century on the weekend, which is a great regret. It is always a great thing to see a batsman score their first ton, and then wonder where it will lead them to in the future.
For me, I will be hoping he can do what I suggested to him almost 12 months ago to the day – follow it up with more of the same. He has a great opportunity now to make some big scores for the rest of the season, and perhaps even challenge for a spot in 1st Grade.

The first century is always a buzz, but if you can't follow it up, you will never become the batsman you could be. I know this from personal experience. I hope Tim never has to find that out.

Superstitious? You Bet!

When it comes to cricket superstitions, I am perhaps one of the biggest followers. One of the biggest detractors of my position has been Sam Wolf. Sam and I don't have a problem on this. We just happen to disagree. Vigorously.

One of cricket's biggest superstitions points (in Australia at least) is the number 87, and all the different variations and combinations that 87 can come in. On this number, it is customary for playing personnel and spectators to raise their feet off the ground, and not change their seating position. This is to ward off the evil cricket spirits, who are just waiting to swoop in and ruin the day.
Sam has, for a short time anyway, never done this, refusing to believe in the unlucky number.

Just over two years ago, Jason Wills was on 87 in a 2nd Grade game against Oak Flats, when I reminded all those around us to lift their feet. One Shane Ashton, in his first match for 2nds, did not know the protocol, did not lift his feet, and Jason was stumped for 87. Shane received much vitriol for his actions.
Sam has since claimed that he, too, did not lift his feet, though this is not my recollection. My guess is that, since Sam decided to go on this one man crusade, he has changed the facts to suit his own purposes. Needless to say, Sam was at this event, and should have learned his lesson, whether he participated or not.

Last weekend, with 1st Grade washed out, there was a big crowd watching 2nds as they pulverised Lake Illawarra at Cavalier Park. With a great partnership being forged by Tim Wolf and AJ Savage, the signs were looking good for Sav to score a big hundred.

And then he came to 87.
Sam Wolf refused to lift his feet.
Sav was dismissed for 87.

I have no problem with Sam airing his beliefs, and not standing on ceremony along with the rest of his teammates. I have no problem with Sam sticking his nose up at superstitions other cricketers happen to believe in. I guess I do have a problem when Sam cannot admit his mistake when his pooh-poohing of standard superstitions is the sole reason for the demise of a teammates innings!

One wonders what may occur in this season's 1st Grade final, when the number 87 rears its ugly head. Will Sam stick to his guns, and be the sole reason for their demise, or will he finally heed the call, and join the masses to ward off the cricketing evil..

One day, he will learn... and probably the hard way...

Twice in a Day? How Can That Be?!

What is it that occurred to have 3rd Grade, undefeated in 2005/06 until last weekend, collapse twice on the one afternoon? Is it simply a case of being 'under-strength', with players required for duty in higher grades? Or were their opposition, Lake Illawarra, far superior to them in this respect? Or was there a lapse in application and devotion with the bat for the weekend?

The question begs asking, if only because of the alarming effort of practically being bowled out twice in half a day's play. Sometimes it can be a one-off thing, but sometimes it is a symptom of something far greater, and is not so easily solved.

It would be easy to blame the loss of personnel, but certainly the team that took the field last Saturday had players who were experienced and talented enough not to have fallen to such an ignominious outright defeat. Lake Illawarra have a good 3rd Grade outfit, but not one that should have caused that much damage. Could it be that, having been sent back in after being dismissed so quickly in their first dig, the minds of the batsmen were not set enough for the challenge of batting through the remainder of the day?

3rd Grade players have made no secret of the fact that they believe they can win this season's premiership. No doubt, there will be further occasions during the season when they have players unavailable, due to other commitments, or to promotion to higher grades as a fill-in or as a reward for personal success.

In recent years, Kiama's policy, certainly after the Christmas break, has been to leave 3rd Grade almost untouched, in order to give the team the best structure to win that elusive premiership. In all of those years, and I can go back at least the past ten, it hasn't worked.

Perhaps the best way to form the best team in 3rd Grade, is to continue to move players up and down the Grades as is necessary, and when it comes to the finals, the best possible side can be chosen on performance and merit. Trying to qualify players in past years doesn't seem to have worked. Let's just pick the best teams we can, and worry about the finals WHEN we reach them!

Let's also hope 3rd Grade's batsmen can go out this weekend, put last week's performance behind them, and get a big total on the board, to exorcise those cricket demons.

The Difference Between Winning and Losing

What is it that gets a team into the top echelon? That creates such an atmosphere within the team that they can ward off any opposition?

For years, Warilla have had that aura – that no matter what situation they found themselves in, and no matter what the mood within the side was, they were almost always able to extricate themselves from it, and find a way to win. Now, with the loss of many of its player base, they are finding it difficult to replicate this.
On the other hand, Albion Park, who had their worst season in years in 2003/04, picked up some players, drew on the strength of the squad they had, and are now reigning premiers – and beginning to create their own fortress.

A case in point .
Last weekend, Kiama played Albion Park at Keith Grey Oval in a one day fixture. After a wonderful display of bowling and fielding, Kiama restricted the home side to just 156, which is a very gettable total. It probably could have been better, but Dan Abela and Jess Hancock rescued the side from 6/90, and managed to play a vital role in the middle order, and help Park squeeze up to their final total.

In reply, although the scoring was slow, Kiama did not lose a bucket load of wickets, and appeared in a good position to push for victory. Here, however, Albion Park’s experience in winning these games came to the fore. Every time Kiama appeared to have the winning of the game, they lost a wicket, setting them back again. For instance, every batsman on the South Coast would have taken on Warren Campion’s throw from the outfield to go for a second run. Jaya Hartgerink did just this – and was run out when his throw hit the wickets direct at the bowlers end with Jaya a metre short. The middle order fell to LBW’s, and the all-rounders fell to impetuosity when a calm approach would have served better.

Even after all of this, Kiama needed just over a run a ball with two wickets remaining – and less after Sam Wolf dispatched a ball over the mid-wicket fence. Unfortunately, the tail was not up to the task, and the side fell 15 runs short.

Despite the loss, the side took heart from their performance. The bowling and fielding was superb, and is proving to be the base on which the side is building its semi-final charge. The batting also looked good, without producing the total that was required.
But this is where Albion Park has the edge – the ability to win the close games, which Kiama has yet to perfect. That is the difference between being a competitive side, and a premiership side.

Firsts will have learned a lot from the weekend. Rather than losing heart, they should have gained it. They are not far away from being a side that will not just challenge for a finals position, but can push for that elusive First Grade Premiership.

Kiama Kollapse

For the past two seasons, I have been told that a certain phrase that is synonymous with the Kiama Cricket Club is “not to be mentioned” anymore. I have been told that it instigates negative energy, and it (the phrase, that is) does not provide for good Club spirit.
Well, I'll tell you what. When our teams stop performing the Kiama Kollapse, I will stop mentioning it. There's a reason why it is a Kiama phrase. It is because of incidents such as occurred to First Grade last weekend.

In a weekend where 4ths suffered another unfortunate defeat, 3rds continue to march on their merry way, and 2nds finally got a weekend off for rain (ironically, having prayed for one for about three years, it was on the one weekend when I wasn't playing anyway...), it was the capitulation of 1st Grade that was the talk of the town.

Let it be fairly stated here that I have not seen one ball of a First Grade match bowled this season. Nor have I been able to attend any training sessions. I am also not privy to the selectors and Grade captains thoughts. Please keep the above information in mind as you read the following.

1st Grade's match against Lake Illawarra at Cavalier Park looked as though it was going to be a result for the good guys early in the afternoon, after the bowlers had done a magnificent job in dismissing their opponents for 115 - especially after Lake had been 1/54. Dale Scifleet bowled what some are regarding as his finest spell of bowling, finishing with 4/9 off 9 overs.

115 runs is still a total that had to be achieved, and sometimes chasing a small total is a difficult thing to do. That said, being 6/19 in the chase pretty much gave the side no chance of victory. Having worked their guts out to achieve such a small victory target, the Kiama bowlers must have been seeing red at now being expected to get the runs as well. In the end, the side were bowled out for just 48. This is the 18th lowest total by a Kiama 1st Grade side in the 60th year of the South Coast District Cricket Association. Not a proud moment to be hanging our cap on. I wasn't at the Grand last Saturday, but I hope our guys were bleeding.
On Sunday, 1sts took on Nowra in the Second Round of the statewide Country Cup knockout. Having racked up 6/183, they rolled Nowra for 120, advancing to the next round. There were two interesting performances in this game - 2nd Grade's John Simon scored 47 not out to pin the middle order together, and 2nd Grade's Matt Unicomb took four wickets with the ball to hasten the end of the match.

Obviously, there is no need for panic here. It is 1st Grade's first defeat for the season. Along with this, the top four sides – Lake Illawarra, Albion Park, Oak Flats and Kiama – have broken away from the bottom four sides by a comfortable margin, and appear to have take control of their season. Kiama have played three of the bottom four sides and defeated them all. They play Shellharbour City this weekend, and a win there will confirm their dominance of those sides.
As I have also mentioned before, there is little pressure being applied by players in 2nd Grade presently. Certainly, there is little to be gained from elevating a player from 2nds who has not been dominating in that Grade themselves.
In all likelihood, 1st Grade will remain unchanged this weekend, barring unavailabilities. And that is how it should be. But one would suspect that some of the players will be warned that another failure would place their position in jeopardy.

John Simon has already done enough to suggest he will handle 1st Grade with a minimum of difficulty. Matt Unicomb, though still young and inexperienced in Grade cricket, has also shown he has plenty of ability with bat and ball, and could even be considered a chance to play in the near future.
While most of the talk in the Club is which bowler will eventually find their way back to 2nds, it is the batsmen who are under-performing, and must surely be beginning to run out of chances.

In the top six, you would expect Dale Scifleet, Matt Meurant and Rob Farrell to be safe in their position (Rob may feel otherwise, having copped some rough treatment on occasions in recent years). Should a change be going to be made, it would be the other three who are under pressure.

Ben Jones began the season with a scintillating 41, followed it up with a duck against Warilla, a patient 15 against Jamberoo, and 1 in last weekend's debacle. Ben has always looked to bat for long periods. As an opener, the job is to see off the new ball and the opening bowlers, in order for the middle order to prosper later on. No one could argue that Ben does not do his damndest to ensure this occurs. More runs would also be an asset.

Jaya Hartgerink last season won the 1st Grade Batting Aggregate, despite being shuffled around the order like the Ace of Spades. As an opener, Jaya averaged 25.78 – in all other positions, from three to six, he averaged 9.50. Most of Jaya's career has been as an opener, and that is where he has enjoyed his successes. This season, he has been batting five, and has 15 runs at 5.00. Whenever I have played with Jaya, he has always been more comfortable at the top of the order, where he knows when he is going in to bat. To me, it is his best position for himself, and for the team. It is certainly not my position to be seen to be influencing selections and captaincy decisions (not that any of our four captains would be), but one wonders if everyone's best interests are being served.

Mitch Gowland is a current NSW Under 17 representative with a brilliant future ahead of him. This season, he has not been able to get going with the bat at all. He has also been taking his Higher School Certificate exams, which is a difficult time in itself. It doesn't disguise the fact that, this season, including Sunday's match, he has played five innings without reaching double figures. Stretch it back into last season, and it comes to eight innings in succession. Mitch has the credits, and deservedly so, but it must be added that if anyone else in the Club had had such a run, it is highly unlikely they would be lining up in 1st Grade this weekend.
From the local paper, I believe that Mitchell was this week chosen to replace Tony McCabe in the South Coast Burns Cup side for the final against Shoalhaven this weekend. While everyone in the Kiama Club will be happy for his selection, it is at least the final proof that representative teams are not chosen on form...

This is not a witch hunt, just a topic of discussion amongst those in the Club in the past few days. As I have said, First Grade are still in a sound position, and a win this weekend will get the same winning feeling back. But we are still a Club, and the selectors started the season by saying that if you perform you will be elevated, and if you underperform, you will be relegated.

It makes for an interesting weekend of cricket coming up.

Middle Order Blues

1st Grade and 3rd Grade continued to prove that the faith they have in themselves this season is well founded, after telling victories over the past weekend. 2nd Grade blew a great opportunity to take down Albion Park, while 4th Grade again fell just short in their match. And the Middle Order Blues played their part in each of the matches.

Firstly, though, let's focus on 1st Grade. The last time Kiama 1st Grade won their first three rounds was way back in 1986-87 – ironically in my first season of 1st Grade – when they in fact won their first four matches, before running into Warilla, and losing by 104 runs on the first innings.
(Note : In 1992-93, 1sts were undefeated for the first seven rounds, though four of those were draws in a season disrupted by rain).

In itself this is a wonderful achievement. In the big picture, it is a good start, and not to be disregarded, but also not used to begin resting on laurels.
Beginning their chase on the second day at 2/37, 1sts quickly lost three wickets to find themselves precariously placed at 5/64, and not even halfway to their target of 149. Four double figure scores from batsmen 6, 7, 8 and 9 got the side home to an important victory. The four single figure scores from batsmen 2, 3, 4 and 5, however, would have been of some concern.

2nd Grade, as the final example here, were charging at 3/85, and looked to be doing it comfortably in their chase for 217. The unfortunate retirement of Anthony Savage at this score, however, caused a commotion. A glimpse at the scorecard would see 1, 0, 0, 0 and 0 littering the middle of the innings, turning a good chase into a dog's breakfast.

I am not suggesting that this is a crisis of immediate concern, but it is something that the respective skippers of all Grades will be watching. While 1st Grade keep winning, there will be no urgency to make any changes to the side.
Of some concern to Matt Meurant will be that John Simon is the only 2nd Grader who has made consistent runs. Tim Wolf has looked good without making a big score yet, and Nathan Barr leaves for overseas at the end of the month. The back-up is not abundant.
The same can be said for the bowling. Josh Elliott and Mick Norris have both taken wickets, but both have gone for runs as well.
The return of Josh Jones this weekend will alleviate most concerns in this regard, but some form needs to be found in 2nd Grade soon to enable the pressure to be kept on 1st Grade.

The enigma that is Tommy Mayes has captured the imagination of the Club after just three appearances. His wonderful double against arch-antagonists Albion Park in 3rd Grade on the weekend, where he took four wickets for 40 runs in the first innings, and then scored a match-winning 63 opening the batting, has seen his stocks soar. He must be doing well, because the chorus of calls from regular 3rd Graders accusing 2nd Grade of being about to 'poach' him from their ranks have grown in strength. This is a sure sign that they don't want to lose him.

2nd Grade's loss to Albion Park has put them in an unenviable position. A loss in the next round to Gerringong will not definitely put them out of finals contention, but it will make it an extremely unlikely proposition. This young team has shown signs of being able to compete in this Grade, but have so far not been able to string together good batting and bowling performances consistently. With the teams either side of them undefeated, it is time for 2nds to come out fighting and give them the support they need. A losing 2nd Grade side does not bode well for either 1sts or 3rds. This is the match that 2nds must come out, and show they are a force to be reckoned with.

Five Times!

One of the drawbacks to being an active lower Grade cricketer is that you miss some important milestones in 1st Grade of players you respect and are also friends with.

Last weekend, Sam Wolf came through with arguably the bowling spell of his career, snaring his first five wicket haul in 1st Grade. His 5/25 spanned a 17 over straight spell. All five wickets were top order batsmen.

It is a mark of the continued maturity of Sam Wolf the Cricketer, that this was possible. Playing a Jamberoo side that contains batsmen that, though perhaps not out-and-out sloggers, are capable of some hard cross-bat hitting, on a ground that is intimidatingly small for a bowler if you are not on song, it takes patience and a good line and length to pull off bowling figures like those that Sam returned.

Three seasons ago, Sam was a good 3rd Grade bowler, knocking on the door of 2nds, but he had some control problems. He made his 1st Grade debut that season, eventually being ordered out of the attack after 1.5 overs against Warilla for continued head-high full tosses (I think that is the polite way to phrase it). He finished the season in 3rd Grade, with half the wickets at almost twice the cost as he had achieved in the previous season. Something had to change.

The following season, Sam's work ethic at training and in cricket in general picked up dramatically, and the results showed. He played the entire season in 2nd Grade, apart from one match in 1sts, and finished with 32 wickets at 14 for the season. His bowling had improved out of sight, he was staying taller in delivery, and his line and length had become good enough to trouble the best batsmen 2nd Grade could provide.
Last season, Sam graduated to 1st Grade on a full-time basis. Though 18 wickets at 26 doesn't sound impressive, it is the knowledge he gained from playing the entire season, being able to watch what the other 1st Grade bowlers did to take wickets, that was invaluable.
And now, the benefits are obvious. In just the 3rd match of the season, Sam now has 11 wickets at 11, has become the opening bowler Kiama needs, and the foil that 1sts need when Josh Jones returns to the fold.

No one now trains harder, or works harder at their game, than Sam Wolf. No one is more enthusiastic or passionate about the Kiama Cricket Club. He has assumed the mantle of leader of the Club's Victory Song, and he guards it with both honour and glee.

No doubt in his own mind, and most certainly in the minds of his 1st Grade opponents, he has now graduated as a 1st Grade Bowler.

It was a shame not to be there to share it with him.

Four of a Kind, or a Straight Flush

It is a rare event when it can be said that Kiama have won all four Grades, but the past weekend was one of them. They were of varying degrees, against varying opposition. Comparing them, one may get a glimpse of what lies ahead.

1st Grade's victory by an innings over Warilla is one that should be celebrated to the maximum, and used as evidence that the team combination is heading in the right direction. Much has been said of the lack of success our Club has had against Warilla, and needs not be repeated. In the end, the victory was an emphatic one.
Having said that, the opposition are acknowledgably at their weakest in memory. Historically, Warilla have fought between themselves on and off the field, but always pull together (in a manner of sorts) when required to gain victory on the field. Now, it appears, they are unable to summon up that ability at will, which makes them vulnerable for the remainder of the season. Up against a Kiama side that is as well drilled as any that I can remember, Warilla were simply unable to match their enthusiasm and spirit.
It is important for 1sts to continue to build on their impressive start, and not get caught taking opposition for granted. The next two matches are against perennial finalists Jamberoo, and big improver of the past two seasons Lake Illawarra. In four weeks time, the story may be heading towards that happy ending.

2nd Grade had the distinct pleasure of not only rolling Warilla for just 95, but of asking them to follow on. That was where the joy really ended, as Warilla batted out the day to finish at 7/250, and some of the gloss of the first innings points was taken away with it.
Though the win made up partly for the first round loss, it also emphasised that 2nd Grade this season do not contain the firepower they have had in recent seasons. There is a sense in the team that it is building up to that, and that the side will be right in the mix come finals time. Yet, with only 12 rounds scheduled in the 2nd Grade competition, and one of those a bye, one slip could mean the difference between playing finals and watching from the sidelines. Losing to Shellharbour, and the inability to force the outright against Warilla are both equations that would have been reversed in the past 2 seasons.

3rd Grade completed an easy outright victory over the hapless Rail Red side, which gave them the best possible start to the season. It's interesting to hear around the traps that 3rds are 'almost certainties' to win the premiership this season. Without attempting to compare this season's side to any other, it must be remembered that last season 3rds were undefeated at Christmas, and only just snuck into the top four. Three seasons ago, Kiama fielded what I consider to be the best ever 3rd Grade side our Club has put on the paddock – and they too were defeated in the semi-final.
There is a hell of a lot of cricket to be played between now and March. No matter what the quality of the players available to 3rds this year, they still have to combine as a team, and win the important games. The Rail is not a good guide. Albion Park and Oak Flats will be the guides as to the fortunes of our 3rd Grade aspiriations this season.

4th Grade started their season with a victory, again against The Rail, and got good contributions from their young brigade. Eric Mete, Ben Runge, Matt Cook, Mitch Formosa, Grant Regan and Dave Tobin all did good things, and is a promising sign for the side during the coming season. Most of this side played together last year, and are developing nicely as a squad. One would not expect it to be too long before some, if not all, of these guys are gracing the field in higher grades.And that is the big picture with 4th Grade. Winning games will be great, but the development of the players in the side will be ever so much more important.

The Coming of Age

While the weekend saw a lot of good news for the Kiama Cricket Club, it did contain perhaps two of the best stories in individual performances, both of which have probably been coming for some time, and both of which were from opening batsmen.

Dale Scifleet has threatened for the past couple of years to break through and translate his obvious talent into runs and wickets. At a time when Kiama Cricket needs him to do it the most, it looks as though he may finally have taken that step.
Kiama 1sts were jumping on Saturday, having finally broken a 15 year hoodoo, and taken 1st innings points in their clash with Warilla. In the midst of this achievement stood the growing colossus of Dale Scifleet.
Coming on as first change as 1sts attempted to dismiss the Kookaburras, Dale snared 3/23 with his increasingly improving bowling. Dale has always shown himself to be a bowler with an ability to bowl quick, though unfortunately his frame has sometimes been unable to cope with that strain. For the first time since he was 16, he now appears fit and strong enough to cope with the demands he places on himself in delivery.
With no rest for the wicked, Dale, having helped decimate Warilla for just 98, immediately straps on his pads, and walks out to open the innings for Kiama's reply. He is in form, having scored 65 not out in the first match. Now, however, he must do it against one the competition's historically striongest teams.
Though two early wickets fell, Dale is resolute, and with his skipper, they steer Kiama past the mental barrier imposed for so long. From here, the job is not finished, Dale bats on, dominating the attack, until, like Kiama batsmen in the nineties before him, he cuts a ball on to his stumps, prematurely ending his innings on 94, when a maiden 1st Grade century beckoned.
What does it all mean. From the sidelines, what it means is that Dale has finally found himself as a cricketer, managing to meld the talent with the work ethic on and off the field that is required to succeed. His selection for South Coast is testimony to that, and the possibility of reaching Southern Zone and, maybe, Country, would be an extension of that.
More than anything else, Kiama's great hope for the past six years finally appears to have materialised, and with it, 1st Grade's best chance for success in many years.

A few kilometres away, at Bonaira Street, another prodigal was making a mark of his own. Simon Pearson seems to have spent the last few seasons in the shadows, appearing briefly in the higher grades, but generally forced to work his trade in 3rd Grade, where he was playing on the weekend.
After his skipper had won the toss and decided to bat against The Rail Red, Simon strapped on his pads and walked out to face the music.
The side was loaded with faces that, in talk at the Grand, were expected to do the real damage. But while Savage, Wills, Gunning, Bombaci, Park and Lawler made their contributions, Simon played as he always does, accumulating his runs without anyone realising how well he is going.
Playing at Oakleigh Park, I had an indication that he was doing well by the frequency of the phone calls from his father, Ian. The final one came at around 4.30pm, when Ian could barely contain his glee by announcing, “Simon made his hundred, and I was there to see it!”.
Simon has been unfortunate that his chances in the higher grades have often been one-off cameo's, when others have been unavailable for a weekend. On his 1st Grade debut, he put his hand up for the Number 3 position against the toughest assignment in South Coast cricket...(and promptly shouldered arms to an inswinging rocket and lost his off stump). He has the ability to make a solid 1st Grade batsman, given the opportunity to stake a claim, and the desire to make it happen.

These are just two of the stars from last weekend. The Warilla victory in 1st Grade may have drawn the headlines, but these two players have every right to feel very pleased with their start to the season.

Time to Stand Up and Be Counted

With all Grades getting on the paddock this weekend, we will finally get an indication as to how all of the Clubs are travelling in the new season.

1st Grade have a wonderful opportunity to charge away early in the season against recent powerhouses Warilla at Cavalier Park. Early indications are that the Kookaburras may well find the going a lot tougher this season, and 1sts must take advantage of that in the coming match. 1st Grade have an abysmal record against Warilla, having won only 5 matches out of the 45 played between the two sides since Warilla’s initial season in 1979/80 – the last victory coming on December 22, 1990. If Kiama are to move forward this season, they must overcome this to do so.

2nd Grade had a rough start; falling to an opponent they should have defeated comfortably, and will be looking to rectify that against Warilla at Oakleigh Park.
2nds will be in the mix again this season, but their charter has been reformed from recent seasons. Unlike recent times, the 2nd Grade side is expected to be filled with players who are aiming at playing 1st Grade, rather than with players who for one reason or another will not gain elevation to the top Grade.
The selectors have been consistent in this attitude throughout the pre-season. It may affect the overall playing strength of the side, but it will certainly improve the long-term strength of the 1st Grade side, and this is what the Club must be aiming for.
The match against Warilla, who are angling the same way themselves, will be the benchmark. Win the game, and the season is back on track. Lose the game, and the focus may change entirely.

3rd Grade has a wealth of playing talent to sift through and call upon as a result of 2nd Grade’s charter. The team for the weekend’s match against The Rail Red at Bonaira Street has an abundance of talent and experience, and must be seriously thinking about a maiden premiership. Containing players like Jason Wills, AJ Savage, Simon Pearson, Jeff Lawler, Luke Bombaci and Ryan Gunning, this side, if it stays together, should be one of the dominating sides of the summer.
The Rail has two sides in the 3rd Grade competition this season, and if recent history is any guide, it should be a fairly comfortable victory to the Kiama side.

4th Grade will hope to reap the rewards of last season’s youth investment policy, by pushing for more victories, and the further development of the Club’s future. Most of the kids who played last season have returned for another crack, and no doubt the experience that they gained from last season will benefit them enormously.
They face The Rail in their first match, and will be confident of putting a win on the board.
The word from around the Club is to keep an eye on youngster Eric Mete. We shall see how his season progresses.

So – away we go. The coming few weekends will soon tell the tale of how Kiama can hope to go this season. If they perform to their potential, it should be one of the most exciting in recent years.

3. Midnight Oil / 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. 1982. 4/5.

This was one of the first four or five albums I ever purchased, having first become intrigued by the singles being played on the radio and the music videos being played on "Sounds" and "Countdown". Even at that time of my life it was the hard rock side of music that was luring me in, and Australian pub rock was one of those things it was probably cool to listen to for a teenage male. But, with the advent of videos, how could you not be drawn in by the fury that was Midnight Oil? Some of their most lasting anthems come from this album.

Once I actually had the album, there was even more to it than that. The moody opening song "Outside World" really lulls you in, without even knowing with the keys and Peter Garrett's vocals strangely efficient. Its sereneness is followed by the more frantic and demanding nature of "Only the Strong", often leading to my being "locked in my room... and I just wanna screeeeeeeeaaaaammm!!!" whilst listening to it.
The heart of the album follows, and it stacks up against the middle of any album ever recorded. "Short Memory", my all-time favourite Midnight Oil song "Read About It", "Scream In Blue", "U.S Forces" and "Power and the Passion" are all songs that everyone of Generation X know the words to - certainly in Australia. Just fabulous songs, all with their own message, and still all brilliantly enjoyable. They all still hold up as well today as when they were recorded 30 years ago.
This is all a tough act to follow, and the end of the album for me suffers a little because of it. However, "Tin Legs and Tin Mines" still has quirkiness that makes it endearing.

All in all this is one of the finest albums to come out of Australia. While some believe Diesel and Dust or Blue Sky Mining rank above it, this to me will always be Midnight Oils' finest moment.

Rating:  "There must be some solution but I just don't know".  4/5

2. The Beatles / 1. 2000. 5/5.

This was a greatest hits collection released in 2000, containing 27 of their best songs. It may appear out of place amongst most of the rest of the albums that will be on here, but when you grow up with parents who grew up with The Beatles, you are going to be drawn along somewhat. It can't be denied that they were groundbreaking.
One of the things with The Beatles too, is that to say this is their definitive best of is open to personal opinion. There are songs missing for me, as I am sure there would be for most fans.

I have always enjoyed their pre-experimentation years more than their later, non-touring session albums. Pure rock and roll pop songs like "She Loves You", "Can't Buy Me Love", A Hard Day's Night", "Eight Days a Week" and "Help!" have generally been my favourite type by the band. This being said, two of my absolute favourite Beatles songs are "Eleanor Rigby" and "Penny Lane", which certainly don't fit into this category.

Everyone knows The Beatles. Everyone knows The Beatles songs. You may not love the band or their music, but you sure as hell know the words to most of their songs. It's almost a prerequisite in the modern music world. This collection does a pretty fair job of putting together their decade in one package.

Rating:   "Love you every day girl, always on my mind".  5/5

1. Metallica / ...And Justice For All. 1988. 5/5.

Following on from three ground-breaking and all-time great metal albums, offset by the tragic loss of bass guitarist Cliff Burton, Metallica returned to the studio and produced an album that arguably outstripped them all.

Let’s get through the negative from the outset. New bass guitarist Jason Newsted could just as well have taken an extra six months off for the effect he has on this recording. If he had been turned down in the mix any lower, then his amps would have been at -1, not 11. Turn the bass up on your stereo when you listen to the album. You get the bass drum ticking away like a metronome in your chest, but the bass guitar is still in the background.
There can also be a case made for just how tight and exacting the instruments are on this album. Is it sterile as some have suggested, or just clinical? It's open to opinion and interpretation. There is no doubt that there is a much fuller sound on their album that follows this one, but does that make it better? In 1988, this was the bees knees.

...And Justice for All is a testament to the amazing growth in the band, to all that they had seen and learned in the previous years, both as artists and people. Hetfield's lyrics are cutting and concise, blisteringly brutal in places, much like the music that accompanies them. There is nothing friendly or polite here. Hetfield takes his thoughts and shoves them up you nose with force. Feel his anger at the stupidity rife in the world. It is a subtle as a blow from a brick to the head. Environmental issues ("Blackened"), injustice ("...And Justice for All"), the horrors of war ("One"), and even politely informing your parents of their wrongs ("Dyers Eve") are all covered here.

It's not just the lyrical content that shines here. The progressive arrangement of the songs is amazing. as heavy as they are, the time changes and the arrangement of the song structures is ahead of its time, so far ahead of what any other metal band of any denomination was doing at the time. It was the benchmark for metal moving into a new decade.

What can you say about one of the all-time classics. This album blew away even the metal world when it was released in 1988. It was just another step up from what Metallica had achieved before, and is a masterpiece.
Arguments will always ensue as to the greatest Metallica album. Rest assured this is as close as you can get if you don't already believe it is. Almost without peer was the tour which followed this album. I can vouch that it still remains one of the best I have ever seen. It also became the turning point in Metallica's career. It was the close of the first chapter of their story. For many, it went downhill from this point. Others believe that the best was yet to come. Almost all will agree that this was a ground breaking classic.

Rating:  "Blackened is the end... winter it will send..."  5/5

1st Impress and 2nds Decompress

A marginal first weekend of competition has raised as many questions as it may have answered for the Kiama Cricket Club.

1st Grade, playing for the first time in coloured clothing and with a white ball, couldn’t have been much more impressive in their defeat of The Rail at Croome Road Oval. Bowling out their opponents for just 165 was a great effort with a virgin bowling attack, while the chase was one of Kiama’s best in the past 15 seasons, losing only two wickets in the chase, and with more than 13 overs to spare.
This was the type of performance that announces a team’s intentions for the season. Some will scoff that it was “only against The Rail”, but most Club’s will have taken the result very seriously indeed.

The performance of 17 year old Matt O’Brien was outstanding. In just his 10th 1st Grade match, he took 5/26. It was his second five wicket haul in 1st Grade, in just his second season. He becomes just the 41st Kiama player to take multiple 5 wicket innings in 1st Grade. Not since Darren Gregory has the Club had a spinner so young with so much talent and maturity. His will be a season worth watching.

Dale Scifleet’s all-round effort is the kind of performance that Kiama has been looking for from him for the past couple of seasons. His start is excellent news for 1sts, and very encouraging.
He should almost definitely have secured himself a start in the Burns Cup side as well, where no doubt he will do himself and his Club proud.

As an opening effort, Matt Meurant would be pleased with the victory. The boys were certainly on a high back at the Grand Hotel beer garden after the match. Their enthusiasm and excitement bodes well for the coming weeks.

On the other side of the coin, 2nd Grade could not have been more disappointed with their loss to one of last season’s stragglers, Shellharbour City. Though it was a side that was not at full strength, the team should still have defeated the opposition they faced.

Apart from John Simon, whose patient 53 held the innings together, the batting failed to fire against some excellent patient line and length bowling from the Shellharbour side. Their bowling was, in fact, a perfect execution of what is required in one day cricket.
2nds always appeared a bowler short, especially after Jason Wills’ knees buckled for the ninetieth time in his career. Josh Elliott finished with 3 wickets, and though he was not at top pace, will expect to get better as the weeks roll on.

Things will be clearer following the next round, especially with the beginning of the lower grade competitions. Already, however, Kiama are beginning to feel very confident about the season ahead.

Charge of the Cav Brigade

After six months of dissection, decision and discussion, the new South Coast cricket season begins this Saturday, with First and Second Grades kicking off their 2005-06 campaigns. The eager anticipation, following the recruitment of Matt Meurant as Coach and 1st Grade skipper, can now be funnelled into on-field enthusiasm and performance.

Apart from the confidence that is currently flowing through the Club at all levels, it is important to view the coming season as the beginning of a rebuilding and reinventing phase, and not the end. Both 1st and 2nd Grades are likely to be bursting at the seams with youth, and as always, that youth will take some time to adjust to what it is facing, and what is expected from it.

1st Grade will spend the first two rounds without key all rounders Josh Jones and Tim Richardson. This will place more pressure on their replacements, and on the established players in the squad. 1st Grade also has the added bonus of playing the first match in coloured clothing and with a white ball for the first time, with little practice behind them. It will be a test of their character as to how they are able to cope with these innovations on such short notice.

Over the course of the two trial matches held over the past weeks, the fielding and bowling from the 1st Grade players has looked sharp and enthusiastic. The fielding will be important, as every run saved is one less left to chase.
The bowlers will need to step up and deliver their best to cover those players who are unavailable in the initial rounds. Early breakthroughs will be important, and Dale Scifleet and Sam Wolf will need to achieve these in the first round clash to help their bowling partners once their opening burst is complete.
The batsmen have had one good day and one ordinary day. Last season, the batting was the side’s weak link. That needs to be rectified this season. It wasn’t through a lack of talent. Many of the same faces will be doing the job again this season. This season, however, they need to start converting. It is highly unlikely players will be persevered with this season if they are unable to perform.

Several changes must occur within the culture of the Club for greater success to be achieved. The attitude, and performance, of some of the players would be at the top of that list.
There has never been any doubt about the standard of players within the Kiama Cricket Club – their ability is not in question. The problem has stemmed from the fact that, in general, these talented youngsters suffer from one, or a combination, of the following afflictions – a fear of the opposition, a confidence–sapping negativity towards cricket, a lack of heart and determination, an inability or unwillingness to train, and a deplorable lack of team and Club spirit.
These problems must be identified and agreed upon. Then they must be cured. Not an easy thing to do on any count.

The individual must take responsibility for their own behaviour and performance. It is all well and good to blame poor umpiring, a dodgy deck, or a team mate’s dropped catch or bad call. In the long run, it is the individual’s responsibility to come back from that – rise above it, and continue to put in the effort that is required. If an individual gets dropped a Grade, spitting the dummy impresses no one, and does themselves, their team mates, and the Club, no good whatsoever.

The good news is this appears to be happening already. For our sake’s, let’s hope this continues.

We can either be a Club that strives to be the best it can be, while retaining the humour and enjoyment of the game that we have always had, or we can become a social club, that eventually would fold because all of the people in our Club who care about Cricket would play elsewhere, or not at all.
The answer appears obvious.

The season looks to be one of the most important in the Club’s history. Despite the loss of some players, the playing roster for 2005-06 appears stronger than was originally feared. The kids in the squad (i.e. – those 18-22 years) have shown the willingness and desire to step up and become better cricketers, and attempt to win a 1st Grade Premiership. The first steps have been taken.

It’s time to rally the troops, and roll out the cannons – time for all Cavaliers to stand up and be counted, be they players, partners, ex-players or supporters.
It’s time to get some fire in the belly, some steel in the heart, and make ourselves a force to be reckoned with again.
Nothing can hold back this Club, except itself.
Let’s sweep past the doubts, and beyond that lies the secret to winning those elusive Premierships…

The Relationship is Over

I lost someone close to me today. They walked out on me for another. We had been together for sixteen glorious years. And now it is over.

I guess the signs have been there for awhile. There is no doubt that I have been faultering recently, my form a little below par. Perhaps I had forgotten how important it is not only to show that I care, but to put the effort into maintaining that care.

There had been rumours circulating for the past eighteen months of this other "beau". That they were staking a claim for what was mine. Of course I heard all of this, but I never really believed it could come true. How could they entice from me what I had held so dear for so long?!

Sure - we've had the usual hurdles in our relationship. I remember during June of 1997, we had a rocky time. There were thoughts that we may part company, that we had fallen apart. But we held together, fought our way through that rough patch, and consolidated our relationship stronger than ever.

I still remember fondly our union in 1989. The excitement. The passion. The joy of coming together. It was all unforgettable. Over time, our bond just seemed to grow stronger. I had begun to believe that it would never end. That we would never be separated from each other...

And now - "they" are together. My Prize, and the Heathen.
It is so difficult to accept or believe after sixteen years together.

But I haven't given up hope. We may be apart now, but maybe there is still a chance for us. If I give those two their time together - maybe 12 to 14 months.
And then, I will launch my bid to win my Prize back.

And I will stop at nothing, to reclaim what is rightfully mine....

Revenge

I have just one thing to say.

I hope the Poms enjoy the next 12 months as holders of the Ashes.

Because in the first week of January 2007, we shall complete the 5th Test of the next Ashes series in Sydney, and we will have them back!

And I intend to be there to celebrate the beginning of the our next 16 year reign as holders of cricket's greatest prize....

Through the Crystal Ball

Now that the unpleasantness is over, it is time to look into the crystal ball, and seek out the future of Australian cricket.

Despite losing the Ashes, the comparative closeness of the series in all barring the First Test could theoretically allow the national selectors to continue with the current side during the upcoming domestic summer - especially against the weakening West Indians.

But the Ashes series only proved these things -
a) That without Warne and McGrath, Australia would struggle to bowl out any other international side twice.
b) That Langer and Ponting are the only batsmen assured of long-term national selection.
c) That the majority of next-best options are either under-prepared or aged on the wrong side of 30.

You can be almost assured that the international careers of Gillespie, Kasprowicz and MacGill are effectively over. Gillespie was given enough chances for three men in an attempt to overcome his form slump, and still failed to find any cure for his ineffectualness. Kasper was given two Tests, albeit at late notice, to do enough to be retained, but was also unable to find his old zip and ball movement. MacGill was a victim of poor programming, which led to a lack of consistent match bowling, which therefore gave him little chance of being injected into the series - this despite the fact that Australia's other leg-spinner took an astounding 40 English wickets in just five Tests!!! Despite his continued credentials, one suspects that, when an opportunity comes along this summer to play two spinners in the same Test eleven, that the selectors will begin blooding a youngster to be the successor to Warne's throne, while the King still reigns to guide him.

Those on notice that the end may be approaching include Hayden, Martyn and Katich. Hayden's epic knock at The Oval was a bonus for him and the team, but doesn't eradicate the twelve months of struggle he has been through. He won't be immediately abandoned, but he will need to rediscover his touch to last the summer. Both Martyn and Katich were victims of some dreadful LBW decisions during the Ashes series, which stymied their progress, but both must still face the reality of the numbers they posted. They were not good enough, in a batting line-up that struggled.

It is not a time to panic. Nor is it a time to stand idle. The selectors must continue to be vigilant in regards to the ageing of its player base, and ensure that there is a smooth and consistent transition within the team.

A glut of runs and wickets over the Australian summer will make careers of those on the fringes. Players such as Phil Jaques, Dan Cullen and Cameron White are the next generation. Their time may soon be upon us. Following the Flintoff phenomenon, players like Shane Watson, Dominic Thornley and even Andy Symonds may find they have a chance to become Test all-rounders.
Any player, with age on their side (sorry Michael Bevan), who comes out this season, and can score 1000+ runs, or take 40+ wickets, may find themselves fast-tracked into this Australian team, such is the need to find some youthfulness.

This now shapes up as the most important 12 months in Australian cricket in two decades. Our champions are heading towards the exit door, and new ones must be found to replace them.