Even Day Leaves Test and Series in the Balance

Day One at Ranchi was an unfamiliar feel. The pitch played fine. Australia's number six scored runs. India's spinners didn't halt progress. Australia almost felt on top. Day Two ended with a much more familiar feel to the series, and while the result isn't set yet, there is an air of inevitability creeping back into the contest.

1. Glenn Maxwell. He got to that century that he craved, and the innings as a whole was terrific, and helped rescue Australia from a grim position to a good position. Today the runs he scored were more of the flashy variety that we are used to from the Big Show. He wasn't as secure at the crease, he was looser in his technique. His century was a flashing cut shot just wide of gully. He was dismissed a couple of overs later to a loose shot, but at least not an audacious one. We celebrate the innings, but await whether it is the start of something big or just a false dawn.
2. Steve Smith. Like yesterday, there is little that can be added. He batted through the innings to remain not out, guiding his team to a first innings total of 451 that was a necessity for Australia's chances in this match. 
3. It was Ravinda Jadeja who again forced his way through the batting order, finding the ball more grip and rip than on the first day. On these types of surfaces he shows why he is so successful, his accuracy depriving any runs being scored, and when the ball misbehaves he tends to strike. On the other hand, it was interesting to note the genuine lack of threat that was evident from Ashwin. Certainly the pitch was a major part of this, as was shown by the same lack of penetration by the Australian spinners. But with no success, the swagger was noticeably absent.
4. The return of Pat Cummins to Test cricket could not have gone too much better. He was swift, he was accurate, and he showed all the tricks he has learned in six years. To be honest, it was wonderful to watch. No matter what thoughts I may have had on selection issues leading to his recall, it was great to see that mop of black hair and steely blue eyes ripping the ball down the wicket in a Test match again. He claimed the only Indian wicket to fall, by mixing short balls and full balls and slower balls. Today will be a sterner test (no pun intended) but the opening spells were a terrific start.
5. I still believe Nathan Lyon is bowling too fast to be truly effective. Yes, his 8-fa in the 2nd Test would seem to show I don't know what I'm talking about, but that was a different surface. Surely here, where currently the only problem is the lower bounce of the wicket, it would be beneficial to try and beat the batsman in the air, giving the ball a bit of flight and variety in speed.
6. For the first time this series, the Indian batsmen must be licking their lips. Day 3 can be their day to show their fans that they are ready to seize the initiative back and put the Australians to the sword. Vijay and Pujara look set last night, and their middle order partners must be looking forward to batting on this surface. Without the threat of massive spin and variable bounce from the Australian spinners, the batsmen can again treat them with the disdain they tend to feel for them. If they cannot do that today, they will have some issues in forcing a victory in the time remaining.
7. Virat Kohli again did not appear on the field during Day 2. For some reason however, the injury he sustained to his shoulder on Day One has been deemed as an 'exterior' injury, which means he does not have to serve a time penalty and not bat higher than number seven in the order. This seems somewhat extraordinary, given the fact that he had to go for an MRI and that it is said that he has ligemnt damage. I don't recall any external ligaments on the human body. Once again, if this was anyone else would it be allowed? All it looks like from the outside is that the Indians have decided that their best chance to have their captain get back into scoring runs is to ensure he didn't have to field for a day and a half while Australia scored 450 runs, instead drinking tea in air conditioned comfort.

Not for the first time this series, today is set up to be a beauty, one that will be of great influence in this series. As an Australian, it could turn out to be tough as everything is set up for India's batting to dominate the day. However, the Australians bowling this series has continued to surprise, and if they can find a way to get into the middle order which hasn't fired in this series, then perhaps once again they can find a way to take the initiative. Pat Cummins taking 10 wickets would be a great start.

40 Years Ago - Centenary Test 1977 Australia V England

Today - March 17 - marks exactly 40 years to the day that the Centenary Test concluded at the MCG, with Australia defeating England by 45 runs - the exact margin that they had won by 100 years previously.
It therefore marks exactly 40 years to the day that I had appendix removed, as I was taken to hospital for the procedure that day. Dad was forced to watch the scintillating final session of the match from the TV in the waiting room as I was being prepared for surgery. Sorry Dad.

For those that haven't seen this video, I can  only suggest you take the 70 minutes to watch it. It was (from my hazy memories of when I was 7 years old) an amazing match, and with so many amazing performances it is impossible to list them all.

Enjoy!

Songs of My Life #50 - Spandau Ballet - I'll Fly For You - 1984

Songs of My Life #50 - Spandau Ballet - I'll Fly For You - 1984.

In the first half of the decade of the 1980's, Spandau Ballet had the music world at their feet, with hit albums and hit songs across the globe. Anyone who grew up during those days could not help but be exposed and influenced by their material.

I could have chosen any number of their songs here (and may do so in the future) - "True", "Gold", "Only When You Leave" - but I have chosen "I'll Fly For You" for two reasons. Firstly, it struck a chord with me on its release, and I recall it being on the radio quite a bit at the time, especially on Kasey Kasem's American Top 40.
Secondly, in an age when the music video was the most important of all artforms in order to sell your product, this is perhaps the most convoluted story ever told in such a video clip. Apart from watching Tony Hadley walk around pining after his woman, and then the rest of the band infiltrating the court case, and then amazingly breaking her out of the police car during mardi gras - can anyone really work out what the hell is going on? Lucky it's a good song, because... well...

Revisiting The Twilight Zone: S4 E16: On Thursday We Leave for Home

Revisiting The Twilight Zone: S4 E16: On Thursday We Leave for Home

This episode has everything that Rod Serling loves to present to you in his own written episodes. He is brilliant at showing the frailty of human endeavour. At how power can corrupt an individual or a group. He takes a scenario and uses these to highlight these human flaws in a science fiction story in his usual brilliant and clever way.

Such is the fate of Brooks Hanlan - sorry - William Benteen, who for thirty years has held together the stranded society on a rock in space, unquestionably in charge in order to survive. When a ship signals it is coming, everyone is happy that they will be able to return to Earth. But as with stories like this where a man in power realises he will lose that position, he begins to rail against it.

Everything about this story is terrifically done. James Whitmore is excellent in the role of the troubled and confused Benteen, whose mad lust for power, as in all of Serling's stories, leads to his eventual downfall. It may be somewhat predictable all the way through, but it is in the acting and the way it is told that makes it worthwhile.

Rating: Another one bites the dust.  4/5

Smooth Surface Allows Smith to Sail on Calmer Waters

For all the talk before the match as to what the surface was going to offer in this 3rd Test match in Ranchi, it was still going to be obvious that batting first would be an advantage. From the moment the coin fell in Australia's favour, they then had to grind their way to a position of strength. They're half way there.

1. What to do about the Flat Track Bully? Once again David Warner has been found out on a surface that isn't an Australian road. Today he was so confused he bunted a little full toss back to the bowler! His mindset is completely shot. He is at his best when he is being positive without being over aggressive. So far this series we haven't seen that at all. The mental game here has been well and truly won by India.
2. what happened to Matt Renshaw? His finest asset in his short career to date has been his constant leaving of the ball outside off stump. It is what has made the bowlers bowl to him. He was terrific early, and looked set to make a huge score. Then Yadav returned and began to reverse swing the ball that was about an hour old, and Renshaw lost his mojo and started stabbing at it outside off, eventually culminating in his wicket. Let's hope it is a one off, because he greatest asset so far has been his patience. We don't need the Warner Factor to start rubbing off on him.
3. Shaun Marsh again managed to disappoint. His typical series of one big contribution and then several non existent ones appears to be right on track. So too Peter Handscomb who got his fifth straight start only to fall when he should have been set. Both will be disappointed. One wonder, on this surface, what Usman Khawaja would have achieved. It looked to be perfect for his play...
4. So here is the conundrum. Glenn Maxwell's selection on tour and then for this Test goes against everything that selection should be. Or at least that's what I've written here for the past week. And yet, today Maxwell showed that he can bat, and that he can bat to the conditions and the fate of the match. Everyone knows he can bat, but it is the constant flurry of unorthodox shots that eventually leads to his downfall that pisses off the Australian public. But today, they were all shelved. He defended well. He pushed for singles, He rotated the strike. When the ball was in his zone he launched it into the outfield - but safely. He played the perfect foil for his skipper at the other end. It wasn't until he was on 74 that he deigned to try a reverse sweep, and very nearly lost his wicket. Then it was put away until stumps. In essence, it was the kind of innings that we sort of knew he was capable of, but were unsure if it would ever happen. It's a day he should be proud of. What comes today though is the next chapter. All that good work is ruined if he doesn't push on in exactly the same way today and makes good on the selectors faith in his ability.
5. There's not really much more that can be said of Steve Smith. Whereas he had the series' only century before yesterday, he had effectively been given five lives in that knock. Yesterday it was flawless apart from one french cut. 5000 Test runs, 19 Test centuries, but most importantly once again he has stood up as captain of his country, after all of the vitriol of the past week, and lead the way by getting is team into a position of strength. His serious demeanour when acknowledging his teammates on reaching that century indicates he isn't finished yet.
6. Just to note - once again, not one Indian applauded Smith's century. And not one word was mentioned about this lack of acknowledgement. If that's the way it is, fine, but don't go screaming to mommy if the Aussies show the same lack of respect when an Indian reaches that milestone.
7. Interesting to note that once there is little help in the wicket, it is the Indian seamers that come to the fore and not their spinners. Yadav was superb again yesterday, with excellent reverse swing, and Ishant solid. The two spinners toiled and bowled the majority of the overs, but without that doctoring effect were less than effective. How the surface plays over the next 3-4 days will be interesting indeed.
8. What is with Virat Kohli? Did anyone really think he could have damaged his shoulder in the way he tried to dive and field the ball? The fact that he was off the field for more than half the day, and left Rahane in charge, lessened India's impact. It will be interesting now to see where he is allowed to bat if he doesn't take the field today.

Australia couldn't have asked for a better day than yesterday. And while one of the combatants was unsurprisingly at the forefront of the battle, it was Glenn Maxwell's contribution from 4/140 that has gotten Australia to within sight of a 450 first innings total. Few people would have seen that coming 24 hours ago.

Revisiting The Twilight Zone: S4 E15: The Incredible World of Horace Ford

Revisiting The Twilight Zone: S4 E15: The Incredible World of Horace Ford

Moving back and forth in time is a difficult proposition for a science fiction writer, but this tale touches upon some excellent home truths. Horace Ford is wonderfully played by Pat Hingle, who makes you believe he is a grown man who is transgressing to his childhood as he continues to thinking about the great times he had as a child. In fact, it's all he ever talks about.

When he decides to revisit his old street that he grew up in, he discovers that it is just as he remembers it - too much so in fact, as he meets up with his old childhood protagonists, who are all still 10 years old. What transpires is a lesson that we all possess selective memory when it comes to some things in our past, and that sometimes we can romanticise those memories.

It mightn't be a wonderfully pleasant episode to watch, but it is well written, and excellently acted, and the final outcome pulls all the strings together in the right order.

Rating: Are the good memories just a shadow?  4/5

Songs of My Life #49 - Hear 'n Aid - Stars - 1986

Songs of My Life #49 - Hear 'n Aid - Stars - 1986

Following on from “Do They Know It’s Christmas” with the biggest UK pop artists in 1984, and then “We Are the World” with the biggest US pop artists in 1985, Jimmy Bain and Vivian Campbell from Dio came up with an idea to have a similar type of benefit song, recorded by musicians from the heavy metal genre. When they proposed this to band leader Ronnie James Dio, they wrote the song together, and put together the project that was entitled ‘Hear ’n Aid’ which went forward and recorded the song entitled “Stars”. It was recorded on May 20 and 21, 1985, but unfortunately problems between the artists many varied record companies meant tit could not be released until early 1986, negating the impact it had. Not that it stopped me – I still bought the 12” vinyl single on its release and played it to death.

The song not only gives many of the best metal vocalists of the time the chance to showcase their wares – names like Eric Bloom from Blue Oyster Cult, Don Dokken, Kevin DuBrow from Quiet Riot, Rob Halford, Dave Meniketti from Y&T, Paul Shortino from Rough Cutt, Geoff Tate from Queensryche and Dio himself, it was unique from the other projects in that it gave the guitarists of the metal industry space to show what they were made of, and it is this section that really makes the song what it is. Carlos Cavazo from Quiet Riot, Donald Roeser from Blue Oyster Cult, Brad Gillis from Night Ranger, George Lynch and Yngwie Malmsteen, Eddie Ojeda from Twister Sister, Neal Schon from Journey, Craig Goldy (soon to be in Dio) and Vivian Campbell. Along with this the kings of melodic guitar Dave Murray and Adrian Smith from Iron Maiden provided the rhythm melody throughout. Backing them all is the choir, with even more greats from the era lending their vocal support for the chorus of the song.

It might be a bit cheesy, but as a collection of great metal artists at the time, it was brilliant. I still love it, just to see and hear them all again in their pomp.

975. Blaze Bayley / Endure and Survive (Infinite Entanglement Part II). 2017. 3.5/5

Taking on the second album in his Infinite Entanglement concept trilogy, Blaze Bayley returns in his quest to continue his relevance in the heavy metal field with Endure and Survive (Infinite Entanglement Part II). There is little doubt that Blaze has been a little bit hit and miss over recent releases. For me it has come from not having a solid backing band and writing conglomerate, but I could be completely mistaken. With the setting for his concept piece already in place and the same co-writers in place, it should have made the writing here a bit more solid.

Starting off with the title track “Endure and Survive” Blaze sets sail on his conceptual journey on the right note, his vocals soaring above the fast paced chorus and dual melodic guitars plying their trade throughout. “Escape Velocity” continues along this path with pleasing effects. “Blood” too moves along driven by the double kick of the drums, but it is the almost ritual chanting of the lyrics that tends to hold up this song. It feels a bit staged rather than comfortably going along with the flow of the music, it comes across as stop start. As the middle of the song becomes the story telling part played by the characters involved, it just makes it hard to fully enjoy. However, it is the end of the song that proves to be the real mover, and shows where the direction should have been all along.
“Eating Lies” slows the album back to a lesser tempo, giving a different emphasis on the band and showing off Blaze’s vocals in different scenario. I still don’t know if I like this song or not. For the most part it doesn’t grab me, yet I do like Blaze coming through the quagmire into the emotive highs he can show, and once again the excellent guitaring by Chris Appleton is showcased in another solo spot that is worth rating the song on alone. “Destroyer” follows a similar path, in a way that is difficult to describe. There doesn’t seem to be much that is brilliant here, but a snatch of vocals and the majority of the guitar solos are terrific and make it worthwhile listening to. The best song on the album is “Dawn of the Dead Son”, one where all of the band are best utilised, and the music and vocalist come together in their best possible light. Its power metal guitar leanings give it the best sound of any song on the album, and Blaze also gives us the soar of his vocals that seem to be missing for the most part on this album. Great song.
The acoustic solitude of “Remember” is enjoyable enough, twinning together his frequent collaborators for another crack after their efforts on the preceding album. The song does have enough energy in the vocals to not make you completely lose your focus on what has come before it, but really it is only forgivable in the sense that it is a part of the story being told for the concept album itself. “Fight Back” brings the album back to life with its double kick and hard strumming rhythm, allowing Blaze to control the song with his vocals, and leave the open air for the excellent solo to chime in towards the end. “The World Is Turning the Wrong Way” chugs along more than gathering momentum, and while it is more than listenable it just feels like it is missing something. “Together We Can Move the Sun” is Blaze’s attempt at the epic closer, clocking in at over 8 minutes and combining the emphatic and soulful vocals mixed with the intrinsic guitar solo, before moving to the quiet and reflective take for the second half of the song. More’s the pity with the constant repeating of certain lyrics over and over, which just ends up becoming annoying rather than definitive. And of course, there is the spoken word element to close out the track, setting the story up for its conclusion to come in the third album of this concept trilogy.

As I have probably mentioned in the review for the preceding album, I am all for Blaze coming out with this concept idea and pursuing it in his own way and with his own style. As an artist it is great to see him still in the market place and making great music. But the trilogy idea is a difficult one to keep on track, especially if it tends to water down the style of music that you have garnered your fans with. Listening to this album for the past couple of weeks, I have found my enjoyment for it growing over that time. The problem is, when I have switched to another album to compare it with, such as Silicon Messiah or The Man Who Would Not Die there has been no comparison. They just metal up harder and faster, and it’s that style of Blaze’s music that I’ve always loved. It isn’t as prevalent now as it was. That will continue to be a stumbling block for me no matter how much I admire the man and his music.

Rating:  It's no The Empire Strikes Back.  3.5/5

Revisiting The Twilight Zone: S4 E14: Of Late I Think of Cliffordville

Revisiting The Twilight Zone: S4 E14: Of Late I Think of Cliffordville

Ahhhhh. I would watch this episode just for Julie Newmar. She is great as Miss Devlin - yes, you can probably work out who she works for with a name like that - and when she smiles and laughs she just lights up the screen. Awesome.

What makes it even better is that it once again shows the folly of the time traveller. Old bozo William J. Feathersmith has everything in the world and he's just fleeced yet another old rich person. But he's still not happy. So, having been approached by Miss Devlin, who sells the home truths about his position, he is transported back in time, so that he can make even more money with his knowledge of the future.

Of course, if you aren't completely prepared for your travelling through time there are things you will forget - and when making a deal with a person of no morals you will also probably find you have been cheated. Of course by the time Feathersmith works all of this out he's in danger of being stranded with nothing, so he makes a final deal to return to his present time, but a present time based on what he has now changed in the past.

While it not be a perfect scenario, it is pleasant enough to be watched, and with that twist that the Twilight Zone can always manage to provide.

Rating: Be careful not to have all your eggs in one basket.  4/5

Songs of My Life #48 - Judas Priest - Freewheel Burning - 1984.

Songs of My Life #48 - Judas Priest - Freewheel Burning - 1984.

Back in the mid-80's when Rage first started late Friday and Saturday nights on the ABC, there was always a period between 2 and 4am on Sunday morning where they would play half a dozen metal songs. One of their favourite ones to play was this music video. It seemed to be on every weekend for about 6 months. And that was great, because not only is it one of the best ever Judas Priest songs, it is hilariously 'stuck in the 80's' when you watch it now.

The star of the show in this song is the dual and duelling guitars. Glen Tipton and K. K. Downing are on fire throughout this song, and the harmonies are terrific. Add in Halford's vocals and you have yet another pearler from the legends of the genre.

Revisiting The Twilight Zone: S4 E13: The New Exhibit

Revisiting The Twilight Zone: S4 E13: The New Exhibit

If you are going to become obsessed with wax figures, it would probably be best not to make them some of the biggest mass murderers in history. Especially not if you are anywhere near the Twilight Zone.

The question that needs to be asked is this; is it believable that a man would become so obsessed with these wax figures that he would ignore what was happening around him? To his credit, Martin Balsam makes this episode work, because he has you believing that his character is this wrapped up. His performance, as always, is fantastic.

What is best about this episode is the ending. It leaves you in a quandry - was it the figures that came to life to kill all of these people in the basement, or was it actually Martin who killed them, and hallucinated that it was his figures? I like how it is left open for you to interpret as you will.

Rating:  Just melt the bastards already.  4/5

Josh's First Cricket Game for Albion Park Public School

Even though they usually only pick kids from 5th and 6th Class, Josh (4th Class) played today in the first round of the PSSA Knockout against Shellharbour. He finished 1 not out with the bat and took 0/2 off his three overs. The team was knocked out by Shellharbour - Albion Park 9/53 off 25 overs and Shellharbour 4/54 off 22 overs - but he still has two years to help the school improve.

I was reminded why umpiring is a thankless job, having been drafted in as one of the few in attendance with a suckers personality. But it is a great spot to watch the game unfold.

Revisiting The Twilight Zone: S4 E12: I Dream of Genie

Revisiting The Twilight Zone: S4 E12: I Dream of Genie

In a twist on the usual 'genie in the lamp' stories, our hero George P. Hanley is as usual a down-on-his-luck kinda guy who comes to possess a mystical lamp. When the genie appears (wonderfully played by the droll Jack Albertson) he is informed that he only gets one wish (people have misused the old three wishes theory) so to use it wisely.

He imagines himself with the three usual trappings of such a predicament of love, money and power. What realises from his imaginings is that in the long run, he isn't cut out for any of those things. So what does he do? Something completely original - to become the genie of the lamp, and be the one who grants those wishes! Terrific. A great end to an imaginative story. Once again it was probably padded out too long, but for a different take on this story it was enjoyable to watch.

Rating:  Open Sesame!  4/5

Songs of My Life #47 - Sunnyboys - Alone With You - 1981

Songs of My Life #47 - Sunnyboys - Alone With You

This got some airplay back in the day in 1981, and I still remember it being one of those songs when I was in 6th Class that I enjoyed.

It wasn't until some years later that I heard the two albums that were the real deal from the band, before they moved on their own paths and the band was only kept alive by various 'session' artists and Jeremy Oxley as the only original member.

What I like about it is its simplicity, and while it is from that Australian pub rock era, post-punk and all, it's not as frantic as some of those bands. It's almost gentle in its musical exposition, but that great rhythm riff underneath the vocals all the way through makes it entertaining and 'head bopping'. What a shame they couldn't keep it together and go on from this, and Jeremy Oxley's well publicised problems with schitzophrenia made this difficult (if you haven't seen it, watch this if you can: http://thesunnyboy.com.au/)

NRL Week 2: Are the Dogs Done Already?

Week 2, and already in trying to do my tips, I couldn't find a certain winner. All eight games seemed to be evenly matched, whether it was a weaker team getting the home ground advantage or just two teams on an even keel. Or, perhaps more likely, I just haven't got a clue when it comes to rugby league after 40+ years of watching and trying.

1. It was a game of dropped ball and strange options, but the Roosters vs Bulldogs game was a beauty, entertaining right to the very end. Still couldn't draw a crowd, which one can only assume will be a continuing problem with the Thursday night game, whoever is playing. The Bulldogs like last week had no passing or kicking game. The spine of hooker/halves/fullback is just not up to it. They are in real trouble. Josh Jackson was forced into the centres because of an injury and was a real liability. It didn't help the Bulldogs cause. The Roosters will be pleased with their victory over a team that should be a hell of a lot better than they are performing. They again tried to surrender a huge lead in the second half but again managed to hold on. the 28-24 win makes them 2-0, a much better feeling than the Dogs 0-2.
2. I didn't see the Warriors vs Storm game, played in atrocious conditions, though by tipping the Warriors I guess I put too much weight on their back. The 26-10 victory highlighted once again the excellent defense of the Storm team, and leaving opposition teams the job of having to try and find a way to penetrate it if they are to compete with them this season.
3. While everyone sprouted praise and amazement at yet another golden point game between the Broncos and the Cowboys, I was more interested in the refereeing decisions that allowed it to come to pass. For awhile it looked as though the Cowboys were copping revenge for last week with a penalty count at 5-1 and the leniency tending towards the Broncos. Then it looked as though it was time to even up that count (even wife Helen said this exact thing - "so do they just try and even up the penalties at the end of the match?"). The blatant forward pass that led to a Broncos try overshadowed two others I saw that were not even mentioned, simply because no try came from them. And if JT had kicked that field goal at the end of regular time with the two man screen set up to block the Broncos chasers, would it have been disallowed? In the end, I enjoyed the game but have trouble barracking for either team. A draw would have sufficed for me.
4. It had been almost 12 months since their last win, but after their impressive showing against the Warriors last week... surely this was the week for the Newcastle Knights. Well, it was, and it was a happy team, support crew and supporters who cheered them on at Newcastle to their 34-26 victory. Still, the Titans were cruelled by injury, spending almost half the game with only one man on the interchange bench and an inability to hold onto the ball at crucial times. Still, given the increasing drama around him, will the injury to Jarryd Hayne actually be a blessing?
5. After three tries in the first 12 minutes to lead 12-0, could anyone have predicted the collapse of the Sea Eagles? Losing to the Rabbitohs 38-18 after that start was just... awful. Truly terrible. And now two losses at home to start the season, where on earth do they go from here? An 8-3 penalty count against them again, and a 56-44 possession count against them. Souths made a remarkable turnaround from last week's thrashing which was almost as remarkable as how bad manly was.
6. For the first half of their match against Cronulla, the Raiders again seemed to be on the wrong side of every penalty and decision. This was evened up quickly in about three minutes before half time, but by then the damage appeared to be done. Cronulla just run roughshod over the Raiders in the second half as the game fell into their hands. Metres run, line breaks and offloads were all decisively in the Sharks favour. Again, after last week, who saw this coming?
7. It's good to know what happened to the Tigers and the Panthers last week. Obviously the Panthers just thought they had to turn up to beat the Dragons, and the Tigers really were just motivated to beat Robbie Farah. So, this week the Panthers knew they had to play, and the Tigers had no motivation whatsoever. What a rubbish effort from them. If Brooks and Moses are trying to sell themselves around for next season they are going the wrong way about it. The good news for the Tigers is that at least Bryce Cartwright looks to be out for a while with injury.
8. With Russell Packer doing a Martin Bella (look up 1994 Grand Final for reference), meaning the Dragons were on the back foot from the first minute, it seemed an unfair advantage by the end of the game. However, an enthusiastic young Eels team took their chances and ended up dominating in a 34-16 victory that halts the progress made by the Dragons in the first round, Somehow the Eels get a third away game in succession next week as well as a five day turnaround. That seems a tad unfair.

The end result for me? A great tipping card of 1 from 8. But more importantly, it showed that the results last week that may have appeared a surprise at the time (ie Tigers, Panthers) were rectified this week. This season's likely finalists have already showed their hand.

Songs of My Life #46 - The Offspring - The Kids Aren't Alright - 1998

Songs Of My Life #46

With the slow sinking in the west of the grunge element in the mid-1990's, the return of punk influenced alternative music made a rise. The Offspring had a run of four fairly brilliant albums in this time, flavoured with short sharp songs with short sharp messages.

While I got on board much earlier with the excellent 'Smash' album (like most of my generation) and the brilliant 'Ixnay on the Hombre', this song remains one of my favourites. Lyrically it is hard hitting, and musically it is fast and frantic and energetic, like their very best material is.

Cummins Selection Proves Selectors Don't Need the Sheffield Shield

So here we are again. Discussing the reasons - or lack thereof - behind the decisions of the Australian National Selection Panel (NSP). Not since the days of Andrew Hilditch's reign as Chairman of Selectors have we come across so many decisions that appear so baseless on form and so relying on other factors. We have reached a point where despite the overwhelming credentials of the four men who make up the NSP, the question has to be asked as to whether they are adequately performing their job to the standards that are expected of them.

The selection of Pat Cummins to replace Mitch Starc for the final two Tests in India goes against everything that should be a part of the natural selection process in regards to picking Test teams. And yes, I know I say this a lot, and I know I have absolutely nothing to back my claims that I know how the job should be done, and these four are obviously know their job. But this constant and consistent ignoring of any kind of form in first class cricket and the Sheffield Shield, which has been the proving ground for Australian cricket for 125 years, is just infuriating. If I was a first class cricketer at the moment, I would be furious, and I would be reconsidering what I was doing. It just doesn't seem to matter any more how many runs you make or wickets you take in our premier first class competition, because that is just being ignored. Completely. Because apart from Matt Renshaw and Pete Handscomb, every other player who seems to get a call up these days is getting judged on white ball form, and not red ball form. And it is a joke. I honestly don't care how much these four tell me "he's got talent" or "he's got that x factor" or "he can change a game in a session". Because that's all I'm hearing about why guys get selected. Whatever happened to "well, he's scored 2000 runs in the last two seasons at an average of 70. That's good form" or "He's taken 100 Shield wickets in the last three years at an average of 24 and a strike rate of 48. That's an impressive stat". Nope. It's got nothing to do with how many runs or wickets you have anymore, it's all about 'he can change the game in a session'. Of course, the fact that he's done that once or twice in fifty games doesn’t matter, just the fact that he CAN do it.

I sound cranky? You better damn well BELIEVE I'm cranky. Picking players in rep teams because they know your father or they saw you score 50 against their son's team or they bowled your son out happens in country cricket (the South Coast especially). It should NOT be the basis of selecting the national team, and this is getting really scary.

Mark Waugh has been especially cautious when speaking about Pat Cummins this summer. He has always spoken of the programme that has been set out for him, and each step has been carefully designed to ensure he doesn't break down again. All summer, as intimated by Waugh, it has happened as he said. There is no doubt he was being built up to play against England next summer. Now, out of the blue, that carefully prepared programme has been thrown out of the window.

Meanwhile, form bowlers around the country are left scratching their heads. I said this earlier, but it is worth mentioning again. This season, Chadd Sayers has taken 50 wickets at an average of 18.60. He is at the top of the wicket takers list this season in the Sheffield Shield. Last season, he took 32 wickets at an average of 27.78. That is a good form line. Also this season, Chris Tremain has taken 37 wickets at an average of 18.24. He is third on the wicket takers list this season in the Sheffield Shield. This week he also scored his maiden first class century. Last season, he took 36 wickets at an average of 21.05. That is a good form line. I watched Tremain bowl against NSW at the SCG in a Shield game in November on a surface not unlike what is being delivered in India. He was dangerous. Tall and quick. He wouldn't be out of place.

Neither has been chosen. How do they feel this afternoon? Disappointed? Gutted? Cheated? How about all three? Instead, a guy who is a very talented bowler but has played only one first class game in 6 years in suddenly on the plane to India, and given the record of this selection panel very likely to play his second Test match next week.

Like all Australians, I hope Cummins succeeds. If he plays I hope he gives the Indians curry. I'd be happy for the four members of the NSP to sledge me over social media if he does. Even though that will prove the NSP was right in many people's eyes, I still will not believe it justifies the complete ignorance of the form of the Sheffield Shield competition and its participants. Who is to say that Sayers or Tremain would not succeed in India? More importantly, would they play in front of Hazelwood and Bird anyway? Should Cummins?

Today the NSP with its four current members was reaffirmed for the forseeable future. Trevor Hohns becomes Chairman (again) and with Lehmann and Chappell will select the Test and ODI teams. Mark Waugh joins Lehmann as sole selectors for the T20 side. Why?! What reasons can there be that we have one member of the panel who ONLY selects the T20 team, a team that plays half a dozen games a year?! This is madness, completely and utterly.

Sadly, I don't think this is the end of my ranting over selections in the Australian Test team, rightly or wrongly. We have tough times ahead by the feel, and the only people who have the ability to change that, but will accept no responsibility for their actions, is the NSP.

Starc Injury to Cause Selection Consternation

JUST IN: Aussies rocked by Mitchell Starc injury bombshell: https://t.co/PjkWihXGlj #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/YPKttsuWfd

— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) March 10, 2017

Just so this is out there before the actual decision is made - there are only two possible options for the National Selection Panel (NSP) to make when it comes to who is going to replace Mitchell Starc in India.

No, it is not Pat Cummins and it is not James Pattinson.

This season, Chadd Sayers has taken 50 wickets at an average of 18.60. He is at the top of the wicket takers list this season in the Sheffield Shield. Last season, he took 32 wickets at an average of 27.78. That is a good form line.

This season, Chris Tremain has taken 37 wickets at an average of 18.24. He is third on the wicket takers list this season in the Sheffield Shield. This week he also scored his maiden first class century. Last season, he took 36 wickets at an average of 21.05. That is a good form line.
I watched Tremain bowl against NSW at the SCG in a Shield game in November on a surface not unlike what is being delivered in India. He was dangerous. Tall and quick. He wouldn't be out of place.

One of these bowlers must be the choice to go to India. Why risk either Cummins or Pattinson for the sake of two Tests. Their aim must surely be to be ready for next season's Ashes contest. Take either Sayers or Tremain, and give them the chance to be around the squad and experience Test cricket.

*now waits patiently for NSP to completely fuck up another selection call*

Songs of My Life #45 - Anthrax - Only - 1993

Songs of My Life #45 - Anthrax - Only.

When it was announced that Joey Belladonna was leaving Anthrax, I admit I was concerned about what the future of the band held. John Bush was brought in on lead vocals, whose work with Armored Saint at that time I hadn't heard. However, how was he going to fit into Joey's shoes, and could the band continue the heights they had with their previous albums.

My word yes they could.

This was the lead single from the album Sound of White Noise, and when this came out I was blown away. John didn't have the high pitched notes that Joey did, but he brought a different kind of heavy to the mix, and the songs as written were just perfect for him.
"Only" has it all. The great rhythmic drumming from Charlie Benante, that sensational bass line from Frankie Bello, the awesome riffing from Dan Spitz and Scott Ian, and the introduction of Bush as vocalist.

Yes this was a change in style from the band, no doubt partly to do with the grunge element that was seeping into metal at that point in history and also to accommodate the difference in style of Bush's vocals, but I still love this album, and I love this song.

Selection Idiosyncrasies Haunt Australia's Chances

The Mitchell Marsh fiasco, and the selection bungle that followed, is as much to be concerned about as any of this other childish back and forth in regards to the DRS controversy still being played out in India. It is much more at the heart of what still cruels Australian cricket in their hope to return to world dominance.

Mitch Marsh was chosen for the tour to India, more on previously identified talent than performance. He wasn’t the only one (yes I’m looking at you Glenn Maxwell), but his selection came further under the microscope this week, when he was sent home from the tour with a damaged shoulder. Yes, this is apparently the same shoulder that was injured during the January ODI series against Pakistan that meant he was under a cloud to tour. Something that was never mentioned again until the recent Test finished. This surely raises the question as to whether he was fully fit at any time to perform the duties asked of him as an all-rounder in the Test team. As it was, he bowled a total of five overs in two matches. What would have happened had he had to shoulder (no pun intended) a larger burden with the ball? Would he have been able to do it? And if he didn’t would the support staff or selectors have taken the blame for that? It seems a rather big risk to make, given that he hasn’t been contributing anything worthwhile with the bat. Can the selectors fully justify the decision to play Marsh at all, let alone if he is carrying an injury? It is yet another example of the mixed messages the panel is sending to players.

And it continued with the decision to send Marcus Stoinis as Marsh’s replacement in the squad.

No one can disparage what Marcus Stoinis did in that one ODI innings in New Zealand. It was a terrific knock, which fell just short of leading Australia to victory. It should be noted however that it was played without pressure on his back, as the unlikelihood of a victory allowed him to free his arms and swing hard. The boundaries were also very VERY short, such that even if he hadn’t been striking the ball so well, they would have managed to clear the boundary. The wicket was also flat and the white balls were no longer swinging. Everything was in his favour – and he took it, admirably – but the conditions are nothing like he will face in first class cricket, and certainly not in a Test series in India.

This is where Australia’s selection policy must one again be brought to bear. The figures as presented by Brydon Coverdale are significant.

2016-17 Shield runs: Henriques 659 at 65.90, Cartwright 520 at 37.14, Wildermuth 501 at 35.78, Stoinis 172 at 15.63

Australia pick Stoinis.

— Brydon Coverdale (@brydoncoverdale) March 8, 2017

And again, when Chairman Trevor Hohns came out and said that the selectors went for whom they considered the strongest bowler, Brydon was on board again with a logical response.

Australia have taken 40 wickets in two Tests, Marsh bowled 5 overs in total and there's an 8-day rest between Tests. But yeah nevermind. https://t.co/iTkD1SO1qe

— Brydon Coverdale (@brydoncoverdale) March 9, 2017

Which poses the question once again – why are players being chosen in Test squads on form in shorter form cricket or on past form and not current form in first class cricket?

George Bailey was chosen for the 2013/14 Ashes series on the back of scoring a thousand runs on the concrete roads and small boundaries that make up an ODI tour of India. Everyone likes George. He’s the kid who is always smiling and you really want to succeed, but just never quite makes it. And he smiled all the way through that five Test whitewash on home soil. Yet by the end of the series it was shown that his feasting of attacks against deliveries that are gun-barrel straight on flat decks wasn’t able to be transferred to the Test arena, despite his crowd pleasing effort in taking 28 runs off one James Anderson over in Perth – perhaps his most memorable innings. But the experiment of picking a player on one day form came to an inevitable end.
Other players have come and gone in the same fashion for pretty much the same results. Glenn Maxwell has been tried before, and within a week we will likely see him tried again. Xavier Doherty couldn’t convert one day frugalness to Test match success. Ditto Michael Beer. James Faulkner got one Test as a fill in and hasn’t threatened since. Any number of other players could be put forward as examples. Let’s face it – how did Sam Haezlett get chosen on that ODI tour of New Zealand? And how does Usman Khawaja go from averaging 50 in the home series Tests to missing out in India? Stoinis may not play a Test in India, and no one doubts his credentials, but surely form, and the CORRECT form, should be the leading category in selection in the national team.

The selection bungles came thick and fast in the recently completed home series as well. Joe Burns couldn’t regain his place at the top of the order for the first Test against South Africa. He was brought in to replace the injured Shaun Marsh in Hobart, and was wiped out like the rest of the team in that shambles of a Test match, before being shown the door once again. Likewise Joe Mennie and Callum Ferguson. Mennie had form from the previous season on his side, and yet after one Test where he bowled in one innings he was immediately discarded like a piece of rotten cheese. And Ferguson was chosen as much for his maturity and past record as he was for anything else resembling current red ball form. His two innings both ended badly, and again like Mennie he wound up on the garbage heap. Whatever happened to giving a player a chance to find his feet? If every player in history was treated the same way… we’d have lost some greats. It was confusing and abhorrent to watchers and supporters, let alone what the players thought about it. Chadd Sayers kept getting picked in the 12, and then staying as 12th Man. Given his season in first class cricket, surely his form warranted a chance on the field. Hilton Cartwright was chosen out of the blue in both the ODI team and the Test team. He finally got a chance in the final Test as the all-rounder to help burden the load of the bowlers, and got four overs while scoring a respectable 37 with the bat. Not good enough to go to India though, even as a replacement for the man who replaced him in the team. What the hell is going on?!?

Then take the selections after this, for the Adelaide Test against South Africa. The selectors chose Matthew Renshaw, Peter Handscomb and Nic Maddinson to debut. Renshaw was green, but was averaging 45 in first class cricket, and came off a century and a half century in the Shield game against NSW. He has since proven to be worth his weight in gold. Handscomb had scored a double century against NSW as part of his season tally. He too has been a standout. Both of these players were chosen ON form and IN form. Maddinson’s form was shaky, averaging in the low 30’s, while the man who everyone (well, I did) thought would be selected was Kurtis Patterson, who was also IN form and was averaging in the low 40’s. Maddinson was unable to do what his other two debutants did and score runs immediately, though perhaps circumstances could be mentioned. What should be mentioned was that the selectors gave him THREE Tests (not ONE) to find his feet. When he was unable to do so, he was moved aside for Cartwright to get his opportunity. Maddinson has since gone through a publically tough time following his sacking, though he has now returned to first class cricket, hopefully a better cricketer who will get another chance down the line. One wonder though what would have happened had Patterson been given his chance, ON form and IN form. Maybe we would already have our number six established in the Test team, and wouldn’t even be speaking of this.

And let’s not forget the wicket keeper. Peter Nevill was unceremoniously sacked as keeper after Hobart, with his batting cited as the reason for his being dropped. There was no one who challenged him as being the best keeper in the country, yet now he wasn’t good enough to be in the Australian team. Matthew Wade was reinstated. Wade was generally regarded as the ‘least confident’ keeper in the country. Yes, I should have written ‘worst’. But his batting was what got him back into the team.
When he was dropped, Nevill was averaging 22.28 in Test cricket. This season in the Sheffield Shield he has scored 529 runs at 58.77. When Wade was chosen again, he was averaging less than 20 in Shield cricket. Since his return to the Test team he has scored 118 runs at an average of 14.75. he has also averaged at least one missed chance with the gloves per Test. And yet, there appears no pressure on his position. Indeed, it appears he will be offered one of the highest contracts by Cricket Australia for the next season. This is Selection Criteria Gone Mad.

What is the point of all of this? It is to highlight the inconsistencies in the selection of players for the national team, and it continues with Marsh’s injury and Stoinis being selected over other candidates. It will come again if (when) Glenn Maxwell plays in the 3rd Test, when Darren Lehmann was quoted just three months ago as saying “how can you select someone in the Test team who hasn’t scored a century in over two years?” Well, it’s more than two years now, and he still hasn’t scored a century. But he’s on this tour, and probably about to get another Test cap. If he does, then you can probably expect to hear more from me then.
It is a new world for cricket. Players look to be selected more on instinct and potential than they ever have before. Some players seem to get a hundred chances to perform while others are cast aside after barely a fleeting glance. It can’t be a good way to instil confidence in the teams that are affected if players are always looking over their shoulder the second they get selected. I know it’s easy to say being an armchair critic, but ask Mitch Marsh and Peter Nevill how they feel about their respective selection stories and I think you will find where the truth lies.