Kiama Academy v Kiama Blue - Derby I

Well... I suppose someone has to write something about this game, though 20 hours after the completion of the game my left knee has locked up and the result still lays heavy in the heart.

The game could not be faulted, as I suppose the result shows. The fact that the game was won off the second last ball with nine wickets down should show how tight and tense it became.

I thought winning the toss and batting was a big bonus for us. The outfield was dead slow, however, and we just couldn't get away to a target that was formidable enough to defend comfortably.

I thought the Blues bowling was superb. Mark and Hooky bowled great line and length, giving nothing away, and especially with the slow outfield the batsmen were lucky if they could find a single. Steve Hudson and Matt Clapham batted well, and in the long run lost their wickets more out of frustration than anything else.
Chris Park and Frank Weir were also terrific, changing their pace well which made it even more difficult to score under the conditions. It is still an underrated ability to bowl good medium pace with a bit of swing or seam, and both these two guys did it perfectly. With our young blokes looking for quick runs in the final ten overs, no better example could be made for the success of bowling straight and full in those final overs than Chris' bowling figures of 7/30. He bowled perfectly for the situation and fully deserved his success.
Special mention too to the other two bowlers for the Blues. It was the first time I had faced both Vaughan Thistlethwaite and Adam Czulowski, and both bowled well. Vaughan was quicker than I expected, and he bowled good line and length. He has something. Adzy also bowled a good spell when i was required in the middle of the innings.

For our guys, Jani played the most responsible innings I have seen from him. He picked the right ball to hit on most occasions, and didn't allow any frustration at the slow outfield to discourage his batting. It was only when we reached the final ten overs, and required a kick along that he took some risks, and was eventually dismissed. His 26 was worth at least 50 to our team in those conditions.
The ever reliable Jason Wills top scored with 31, and played his usual hand, scoring quickly at a time when the team needed a lift.
With Jani and Jason getting the team to the 41st over before being dismissed, the kids batting lower had no chance to play themselves in, and as a result their scores bear no reflection on their ability. They all took on the role without any thoughts of their own 'stats' which was gratifying.

112 mightn't look like many, but conditions were the same for both sides, and the message to our guys was that singles would be difficult, and that if we kept the pressure on we could get our opponents to make the mistakes.

This was also the first time I had seen Mitch Nevins bowl, and he was pretty impressive. He bowled full and straight, and gave nothing away. Given that, as with all our kids, they can only bowl short spells, it was unfortunate for our side when he had to be relieved after his 5 overs cost just 5 runs.
Maxy Fitzsimmons replaced him, and saw two of his first three balls go for four to the deep fine boundary. Next ball, he plucked out Chris park's off stump. Smiling all the way, Maxy could only say "I can't believe he took those two balls from off stump for four!!" Maxy bowled well until he had some no ball trouble in his fifth over that then seemed to take his concentration.

The next two wickets were identical. The Blues had already had a couple of flirtations with run outs on the slow outfield, where direct hits would have seen them out. Their luck couldn't hold (we told ourselves in the field) and sure enough, Tim Delaney hit a ball toward cover and straight away. Matt Clapham dived superbly at cover, stopped the ball and fom his knees threw the ball to keeper Jan Haubruck to complete a brilliant run out of Ernie Church. Two overs later, and new batsman Vaughan Thistlethwaite played the exact same shot... for the exact same result, this time Tim being the victim. Terrific stuff. Matt has proven himself to be one of the best fieldsmen inthis Academy team, and thes two run outs were as good as I have seen in a number of years.

At 3/21 we had our noses in front, but a great partnership of 65 for the fourth wicket changed all that. Brad Church summed up after about an over that hitting the ball along the ground was going to result in no runs, and correctly began to go the aerial route instead. Moving around his crease, picking the right ball to hit, and also seizing upon gaps inthe field to pick up easy singles, he changed the course of the match. He was well supported by Vaughan, who was keeping the ball along the ground, but keeping out the good balls and turning over the singles when he could.

Jake Ashley had replaced Maxy at the Kendall's end, and took a bit of tap in two overs from Churchy. However, he continued to bowl straight and full and gave nothing easy away, and he came back from this really well. He could easily have let it slip away, but he fought back well and continued to ask questions of the batsmen. Very impressive.

With the last throw of the dice we brought Gavin Hartley back into the attack, and he got Chruchy to tickle one down legside that was well caught by keeper Haubruck. Jani was going to be one of our bowling weapons, but with the late defection of our regular keeper (and is it true he ditched us to go on a camping trip? If so, he may struggle to come straight back into a side where everyone else is keen every week... anyway... I digress...) he filled in more than admirably with the gloves. In particular his keeping to myself and jason was excellent.
Anyway...
Next ball Hooky lost his middle stump, and suddenly our guys knew we were back in with a sniff of victory, and they lit up again.

The guy who now had the most pressure on him was Jake Lee. I had left him late, more through necessity, but now he was going to have to bowl his off spin at the death. And he did so absolutely superbly. He showed no fear, he tossed the ball up to the bat, and asked questions of al the batsmen. Given the situation of the game, his spell was the one that impressed me the most all day. he may not have taken a wicket in his 6 overs, but bowling in tandem with the veteran Wills at the other end, he kept the pressure on and wasn't afraid to give the ball air. Great stuff.

At Jase's end, wickets were tumbling, but we were never able to convincingly stop the flow of runs as well. Vaughan was terrific and solid, though I felt we were a chance to get him through inexperience... until his father came in to bat, pulled him aside and gave him some encouragement. I didn't hear what was said, but I can guess that it was "don't throw your wicket away, we can get this in singles" or something along those lines.

Anyway... into the last over, just Vaughan and the almost immortal Frank Weir at the crease, and we had tied them down until the second last ball, when Vaughan calmly took a step down the wicket and hit the ball straight down the ground to the unprotected bounday for four, and the game was lost (or won, depending on your colour allegiance).

It had been a terrific game. I was, and am, tremendouly proud of the effort our guys put in. We were pretty much behind all day, but were never out of the contest. Apart from maybe four or five overs during the Church/Thistlethwaite partnership, our guys were up and and the ball, keen and sharp. Steve, Jason and Gavin were terrific, unflappable under the difficulty of the chase, and were constantly upbeat and helping the young guys stay focused. Jake Ashley and Matt Clapham in particular were great in the field, and Jani terrific with the gloves on. More than anything, we had taken on a side that made the semi-finals last season in Third Grade, and fought them to the wire. For our young blokes, they did themselves proud.

To Brendan and his boys go my congratulations. It was a competitive game with neither side giving any quarter - but without the nastiness you get when playing certain other teams. With so many kids on both sides playing well, our Club's future would appear bright.

And just in case you are wondering... despite all this glowing optimism and back slapping - yes, losing did hurt. Moreso when I got to the Club, as the only 3rd Grader, and the skipper of the losing team, and everyone asking "What happened in 3rds?" i got sick of that after about 65 seconds. Once I had gotten home and kicked the dog and smashed the washing machine with my bat I guess a little bit of the frustration leaked out...

I'm already ensuring I am available for the rematch in March. We may have lost this one, Blue Team, but we'll get you next time! *shakes fist defiantly*

3rd Grade Academy vs Albion Park

Another steamy day made itself available to the Kiama Gold Academy 3rd Grade side as they looked to add yet another victory to their season over the Albion Park side.
From all reports, Albion Park won the toss and decided to bat, and quickly had their most experienced and dangerous batsman Trevor Horton back in the pavilion bowled by Frei Ulfsson. This was all news to me as I arrived at the ground at 12.42pm following various traffic incidents and the necessity to drop off my daughter at her grandparents before entering the fray (no pun intended).

Once back on the field, I admired the salvos of both Frei and the revitalised Gavin Hartley, who pounded in off his five steps, swung the ball both ways and generally caused mayhem amongst the ill-equipped Albion Park batsmen.
Frei's six over spell produced another great return of 1/10 and again it was his impeccable line and length that was the standout. Replacing him was Max Fitzsimmons. When I was asked by three separate players beforehand "Have you seen Maxy's run up?" I was expecting something long and extravagant. No... the two foot shuffle-and-sling caught me right off-guard. However - it was effective for most of his spell. As with all sling actions, they can go a little astray, but overall he bowled well, and caught the edge of one batsman to snare a wicket to another good catch from keeper Reece Conley.
Meanwhile, Albert had finished his ten over stint for a miserly 4/16, and was replaced by the looping off spin of Jake Lee from the southern end. It seemed that he had everyone in a spin. Following a ball that passed down legside and about three metres past Reece, the batsmen took off for a single. Quick as a flash, skipper Joe Murphy was around from first slip and had the ball in hand, and threw down the stumps at the strikers end almost before the batsmen had crossed. The question of "who called that?" was met by Joe's reply "No run there... not on my arm!" which did not receive the gales of laughter it deserved (though there was some question as to whether he was aiming for the stumps at the other end when he threw the ball...). This was met by Jake picking up a leading edge next ball, and Jan's catch completing the wicket.
Brought on with the wind to ensure his deliveries reached the other end, the team's ageing leg-spinner managed to grab a couple of late wickets whilst terrorising his wicket-keeper, who resorted to his helmet after four deliveries. Albion Park was dismissed for 69.

Ryan Gunning then met the opening bowlers salvo with one of his own, dispatching deliveries to all parts of the field in compiling 27 before edging to the keeper. His opening partner Liam Case looked assured and confident, before losing his head and trying to slog a ball on his middle stump, with the expected result. Jan Haubruck started confidently, and while finishing on 23 not out played a couple of inexperienced shots that could have cost him his wicket to a better side. With better concentration he will score more runs in the coming weeks. Joe Murphy played a blinder for his 7 not out, an innings that he will no doubt be very proud of. The game concluded just before 3.00pm, with the elder participants able to move on to watch 1st Grade complete a fine victory.

Once again the Gold side played well without being thoroughly tested. It still augers well for continuing good performances in the weeks leading up to the break.

3rd Grade Academy vs Warilla 13-11-10

My second game for the season in the Academy Gold colours was to be against Warilla at beautiful Bonaira Street Oval. This game also saw the somewhat questionable withdrawal of the captain when the word 'wicket-keeper' was mentioned to him, and thus the reigns fell to be shared between Koks and Peters on the day.

The first duty was done with aplomb, by winning the toss and batting. Winning the toss is something that I have had a great deal of success with as a captain in the past - winning games is another story altogether.

 The boys did well, moving along to a comfortable 2 for 100 after 25 overs when the drinks break was taken. Stand-in keeper/opening bat Reece Conley had made a good 10 before pre-empting his next shot and losing his off stump out of the ground. Carlin Simon had again looked great before he too decided to push too hard ad was also bowled for 11. In the final couple of overs before drinks, the Warilla side did what all Warilla sides before them seemed to do - argue with each other, and a fiery tirade full of colourful language during the drinks break spoke volumes. If the Academy boys could consolidate in the early overs then a big score looked in the offing.

This of course immediately broke down with the dismissal of Koks, Grant Case and Peters within four overs, and at 5/113 the innings was in the balance. Jake Lee followed soon after for an entertaining 5, and at 6/130 with some 17 overs of the innings remaining the Warilla side were all mates again and looking to close in for the kill.

12 year old Matt Price had come to the crease at the fall of Grant's wicket, and had then been bowled by a full ball that was well over waist height, and had been correctly called a no ball. The fact that Matt is about 120cm tall made it a tough call, but a correct one. However, from this point, in his first game of Grade cricket, Warilla could not budge him. He played straight and true, and his defensive shots were coming right out of the middle of the bat. When they strayed on his pads, he flicked them around the corner for ones and two's. If they were short and wide of off stump, he cut correctly. For the 21 overs he was at the crease, he didn't look like being dismissed - except when he replayed his shots after the ball had been delivered. He then often moved out of his crease, only for an instant, but it was enough for him to be almost run out four or five times. I can tell you that he was giving the square leg umpire at one end a heart attack on a number of occasions. Supporting him on this venture was Frei Ulfsson, who may well have ridden his luck a number of times (he was dropped off sitters at least three times), but continued to bat well, and then became aggressive at the end of the innings. Matt's 24 not out, and Frei's 31 not out mean that they put on an unbeaten partnership of 60 runs for the seventh wicket, and enabled the Academy boys to reach 6/190 from their allotted 50 overs. Frei pushed his batting average for the season to 60.00, as he has only been dismissed once so far, and Matt was congratulated by most of the Warilla players as he came off the ground. Warilla dropped over ten catches, which added to their misery.

The message to the guys was pretty clear on our way out to the field - be keen, be aware, no negativity, and take all our catches. Who was to know that everything would be achieved so well?

Frei and Grant opened up proceedings, and both were immediately on a perfect line and length, both beating the bat consistently. After three overs the batsmen were obviously over being ties down, and the Warilla opener Kellow launched two big sixes straight down the ground off Grant. Co-captains Koks and Peters conferred at 1st and 2nd slip, and pondered putting a man on the boundary. We then agreed that "let's see how Grant comes back". The next ball sliced the off stump out of the ground, relieving all of us of any further decision making on the subject.

With the bowling quite superb in line, length and pace, the Warilla batsmen just crumbled, and some terrific catches helped lift everyone. Matt Panecasio took a scorcher at square leg, Gary Koks a screamer at first slip, and Reece Conley a one-handed gem as keeper. These three catches in particular would have dampened the mood of the Warilla side, given the number of chances they grassed. Frei was relieved after his mandatory six overs produced the figures of 2/9. Without doubt it is the best I've seen him bowl, and his improvement is gladdening. At the other end, toiling into the wind, Grant had claimed yet another five wicket haul, moving the ball both ways in the air and troubling all of the batsmen.

More humour was to come, with Teixiera coming to the crease. before he was even halfway there, Reece is demonstrating "we need a guy at cow corner and one straight on the boundary!!" With Grant in control, I said "OK, well, let's see how he goes first". Before you know it, Grant has been hoisted over long on for six. I turned to Reece and said "OK skipper, where do you want 'em?". It could well have been an interesting exercise in getting him out cheaply, but that problem was solved by young Matt Panecasio, who came on from the Kendall's end to replace Frei, and quickly ripped through the three remaining wickets to finish with 3/3 from 11 deliveries, and smashing a bail with his final delivery. Warilla had been demolished for 55 in just 14.5 overs, and the Academy boys had won by 135 runs.

It was great to be a part of, and everyone played their part, even poor old Liam Case who got short shrift again by being next man in to bat and missing out on a bowl, and Peter Laughton who umpired for 28 overs, and missed out on a bowl by one delivery. There is a great feeling in the team, and I have thoroughly enjoyed both my matches (winning by such large margins in both also helps... :) ). Hopefully everyone remains keen and we do well with this side this season.

The Final Warning?

Scorecard: Australia v Sri Lanka, 1st ODI, Melbourne

The deafening silence in the aftermath of Australia's capitulation to Sri Lanka in the ODI on Wednesday night is symptomatic of the problems that currently face both the players and the selectors of our national team. The very fact that there has been nothing more but a shrug of the shoulders over the result, and a 'spoken determination' to turn it around in the next game on Friday proves that there is simply no plan except to keep picking the same players in the belief (hope... desperate hope) that they will turn it around themselves. In a bygone age, this was a simple and sensible policy, given that for a decade the Australian side was made up of eleven players ALL the time who could be rated as 'greats'. Only one of them remains, and he didn't play on Wednesday night.


The fact that Australia's tactical thoughts were questioned by the parochial commentary panel on Wednesday - and most vehemently by the doyen himself Richie Benaud - should convince anyone who wasn't already convinced of the fact that there are problems that need to be addressed. The commentary panel NEVER criticise the home team.

For some years I have been denigrating and sledging what I dubbed "The Brett Lee Theory on Bowling to Tailenders". For some reason, he had gotten into his head that the best way to dismiss the tail was to bounce them, consistently and often. More often than not, it not only didn't work, it cost a plethora of runs from authentic shots and edges. Yet, not matter how often this tactic did not work, he continued to use it at the end of ODI innings. For years I have never understood it. After Wednesday night, however, I'm beginning to think perhaps I was wrong, that perhaps it wasn't just a Brett Lee tactic. Maybe it has been an Australian tactic, one that has been devised by the bowling group, the coach, and the captain. I don't know for sure. The only thing I know for certain is that cricket watchers all around the country were yelling at their TV's on Wednesday night, pleading for our bowlers to pitch the ball up in the blockhole.

It was obvious to all that, to the faster men Johnson and Siddle, Malinga was moving very slightly away to the leg side when parrying away their deliveries. A fuller ball on off stump would have uprooted it on any number of occasions. However, our guys decided short of a length was the go, and as a result never looked like dismissing him.

So in the long run, what should be the result of this ineptitude? The bowlers length was terrible, and Johnson again was erratic and undisciplined. The problem here is that it has not been a one-off. It has been an on-going problem. If it was indeed the bowlers who planned this attack, then they should be dropped from the side immediately, and get some bowlers into the team who have a better handle on how to bowl at the end of a one day innings. If the tactics themselves have come from the captain, then he must held accountable. If the coach was also involved, then his position must also be put under review.

As stated - this is not a reaction based on one game. In July in England, Australia capitulated to a Pakistan side that to that point hadn't looked like winning a game. They then lost a Test match to India when they could not budge the final two wickets when 91 runs were required for victory, before also surrendering the 2nd Test with little more than a bark. In the only ODI possible following this in India, they could not defend a total of 290. There are problems that need to be solved, and yet the selectors have taken a "softly, softly" approach. Injuries have not helped. Doug Bollinger and Ryan Harris would have to be considered near certainties in the ODI side at least if they were fit. The batting is still not producing enough runs on a consistent basis, and there has been constant speculation over a number of players for far too long now.

The selectors have been quite obvious and blunt in their attempt to keep a stable team together to retain harmony in the ranks. In the Test team they have gone to extremes in order to keep players such as Marcus North, Mike Hussey and Nathan Hauritz through low production times, and then pointing to their success when the century or five wicket haul has arrived. Unfortunately, that has then been again followed by a period of low success again. In the one day arena, poor bowling at the death of innings has rarely been used as a catalyst to take the bowler(s) out of the team. Scratchy form, and using up a lot of deliveries for little result by middle order batsmen has rarely been used as a catalyst to look for fresh new faces in those positions. All of this is OK if the overall results show that the team is winning a majority of their games, and that it isn't affecting the overall performance or unity of the team.

Unfortunately, the recent results - in ALL forms of the game - now show that this is not being reversed, and action must be taken by the selectors to halt the slide, before it becomes critical. The Ashes has become the focal point, but if the selectors wait any longer to make the tough decisions, then we may already have surrendered the urn before they pull their fingers out, and all the calls from Australian supporters saying "WE F*#KING TOLD YOU SO!!!" will not bring it back.

Wednesday's match was (what should be) the final warning for our team and our selectors - start making the tough decisions, or forfeit the Ashes, the World Cup, and everything else we still have a shaky grip on.

A Disappointing Evening

Channel 9 must have thought they were on a great thing - first an Australia Vs England Test in the rugby league, and the first international cricket match of the season, a Twenty20 match against Sri Lanka. The games did not unfortunately live up to the promise.

The league match started off great - competitive, tough and close. Australia had all the ball in the first ten minutes to lead 6-0, but the Poms hit back to take an 8-6 lead. However, some inept defense from England and a glut of possession for Australia meant that by half time the lead have swelled to 26-8, and with the rain sweeping in, it meant that as a contest the match was for all intents and purposes over. I in fact took the opportunity to go upstairs and put the kids to bed while the second half commenced. Despite the win, I can't believe there won't be changes to the Kangaroos side before the next game against the Kiwi's. last night's team won't beat New Zealand on current form.

Worse was to follow in the cricket. Australia won the toss and batted, and were met face first with a team that bowled excellently and fielded superbly. Australia's batting visibly panicked as they were tied down early, and their wickets were then extinguished as they tried to escape the cocoon they had been wrapped in. Only Haddin and Smith were able to flourish, and both had their fair share of luck in the process. In reply, Sri Lanka cruised in chasing down the target.

If Australia are going to be serious about international Twenty20 cricket, then Michael Clarke is a liability with the bat, and isn't bowling enough to offset that. Clarke bats at his best when he is keeping the ball along the ground, and Twenty20 cricket does not sustain that type of cricket. Ricky Ponting never succeeded with the bat in T20, and eventually did the right thing and made himself unavailable. The selectors probably need to have a talk with Clarke in regards to this also. Cameron White would appear the logical man to step in as captain, and his place in the team is certainly not under scrutiny every time he walks to the crease. There seems little chance that the selectors will make this move however, which will continue to place unnecessary pressure on Clarke in all facets of the game.

Are the Selectors Watching?

The games mightn't be over, and the selection of the team for the First Test against the Poms still a fortnight away, but some worrying signs have emerged in the last two days of two important Sheffield Shield matches.

In Adelaide, South Australia have made Western Australia follow on even though they lost most of the first day to rain. the Croweaters declared at 8/452 after they made Mitchell Johnson and his fellow bowlers look abysmal. Michael Klinger and fellow Victorian import Aiden Blizzard made runs, but it was the composed century by Callum Ferguson that must have made Greg Chappell sit up and take notice. Out of the game for over 12 months due to a knee injury, his first innings in a first class match on his return was this one, and from all reports it was chanceless 129. Ferguson is definitely at the front line when it comes to future Australian Test batsmen, and his chance may not be as far away as some say.
Western Australia were felled for only 295, of which Shaun Marsh scored 137. Michael Hussey was given leave from the Twenty20 match tonight to play this Shield game to find some form. His first ball duck has complicated matters no end. Marcus North needed runs despite his century in India and his 94 not out in the Ryobi Cup match last week. His 10 leaves his position vulnerable - if only the selection panel had the bottle to choose a replacement for him.
Meanwhile, in Brisbane, Usman Khawaja scored 60 in New South Wales first innings on the track that the First Test will be played. Following on from his big double hundred against South Australia two weeks ago, his name must be chiseling its way into Australia's middle order.

Surely it would be folly to take batsmen into the First Test who are palpably out of runs. And surely it is folly not to picked a young batsman while they are in red hot form. The past two days of first class cricket will have given our selectors a lot to think about.

One Day Selection Madness

I confess that I am a little mystified as to the way the Selection panel have gone about picking our team for the one day games against Sri Lanka next week.

OK, their decision to give Xavier Doherty a game is to be applauded. he has arguably been the best spinner in domestic one day cricket over the past two to three seasons, and his figures demanded attention. Whether he succeeds or not is irrelevant - he deserves his chance. John Hastings is another to emerge in the last twelve months, a strong-actioned fast medium bowler who also doesn't mind hitting the ball hard when he gets his chance to bat. Both are good selections.

The area that worries me is the casting aside of the two young gun batsmen, David Warner and Callum Ferguson. The selectors would not doubt suggest I would find it difficult to leave out any of what they consider to be the top order - Watson, Marsh, Ponting, Clarke, White, Hussey and Haddin. Fair point... if they were all in form and all contributing regularly. But they aren't, and surely changes need to be made. Warner has started spectacularly in the T20 rubbish, and his explosion at the top of the order is something Australia could use to their advantage. Ferguson, before his knee injury that robbed him of 12 months, was the finisher in the middle order, and doing it in style. Both are also excellent fieldsmen.

In my mind, replacing Marsh - who did not take his opportunities last summer - and Hussey - who is probably running out of chances - would add a freshness to the batting that isn't always apparent at the moment. With Haddin and Steve Smith and Mitchell Johnson stalking the lower order, it should be viable to put on a good total in all games under most conditions.

We'll soon see how the selected team performs, and get a glimpse of the chances we have of winning a fourth consecutive World Cup.

The full squad is: Ricky Ponting (c), Michael Clarke (vc), Xavier Doherty, Brad Haddin, John Hastings, Nathan Hauritz, Mike Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Shaun Marsh, Clint McKay, Peter Siddle, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Shane Watson and Cameron White.

Connecting to the Intranets

OK. Seriously. How f*#king hard is it to try and get your new abode connected to the internet? It has been pretty much six weeks now that we have been trying to sort this out, out it just isn't happening.

Two weeks before moving, we contacted our internet provider, asking them to ensure we'd be right to be connected up again at our new address. They claimed we would have to contact the telephone company to ensure there were enough ADSL ports to do so. When we contacted the telephone company, they informed us that they couldn't tell us, but that our internet provider would be able to tell us. Our internet provider then gave us the same information as they had before. The final solution, at this point, was to disconnect our phone at our house we had sold a few days early, and re-connect at our new house, and that this would ensure we could be connected before moving in.

Misinformation.

Having done as asked, our internet provider then got back to us to say that the line had not been upgraded, and that they would need 14 days to get the new home connected. Showing patience, we agreed.

13 days later, I received a call from our internet provider to say that they were unable to connect our home using the current phone line, and that they would have do cancel our account.

Having used a few choice words, I then hunted down the most popular four internet providers in our area that did NOT include our telephone company. After a couple of hours, I discovered that none of them believed that they could connect us to the internet in our current position and with our current equipment. So, I went with the phone company's internet service, and applied online to be connected. At this time, I was informed that it would take up to 14 days for my application to be processed, and for us to be connected to the internet.

Misinformation.

Yesterday - 13 days later, I received a call from the phone company's internet arm, informing me that they could not connect our house because there were no ADSL ports available at our phone exchange. He had no alternatives for us to actually connect to the internet, and he informed me that he would have to cancel our ADSL application. I said nothing, given that if I had started, I just would have lost it, and done myself and the guy on the phone no good at all.

Helen took the bull by the horns, got on the phone, and proceeded to spend over an hour with the people at the telephone company. Firstly, she discovered that apparently there WERE ports available for ADSL for us. Secondly, she waded through the plans and accessories available if we were to connect with them. Finally, after an hour (no, I am not kidding... an hour) she was told that they couldn't connect our house, because there was already an order to connect ADSL to our home in their system. Further on we delve, explaining (again) about the phone call I had received over an hour ago, and that they couldn't connect us, and that's why we were calling... so they transfer to connections. Another five minutes explaining the whole story passes, and agreement is reached on the plan (again) and the term (again). Helen is told she will be on hold for ten minutes, after which she is promised everything will be completed.

Ten minutes later, and we are informed that they cannot connect us for three days, but they promise to call us as soon as connection is available.

So, with a business to run and living in a so-called developed country, there is a real chance that we will not be able to access the internet. Can anyone actually believe this? How does our country move forward?

FYI. Internet provider = TPG. Telephone company/possible internet provider = Telstra. Other internet providers = Optus & Dodo.

And my wife is a champion. Over an hour on the phone getting nowhere, and she handled it all beautifully. But don't get on her bad side, because she is more than willing to take her problems all the way to the top of your company...  :)

Current iPod Playlist

Night Ranger - Midnight Madness. 80's hard rock in all it's glory. Still some great tracks on here, led by "Touch of Madness".

Iron Maiden - The Final Frontier. Still "new" so still getting a fair hammering. "The Talisman" remains my favourite off the album.

Yngwie J. Malmsteen's Rising Force - Marching Out. Still right up there with the best albums released. Not a weak song on here, and Yngwie's guitaring is probably at it's best, helped along by Jeff Scott Soto's wonderful vocals. "I Am A Viking" and possibly "On The Run Again" are my current two faves.

Scorpions - World Wide Live. Showcasing the band's very best material, and live at that. Still one of the best live releases ever.

The Misfits - Earth A.D / Wolf's Blood. Insane punk alternative speed thrash topped off by Glenn Danzig's vocals. As much as I love Danzig the band, I still sometimes dream of it having more of a faster edge like this stuff does.

Gamma Ray - Land of the Free II. Funny how this took so long to grow on me, and yet now resides at the top echelon of Gamma Ray albums. With most of the rest of them.

Gamma Ray - Majestic. See above.

Motorhead - Ace of Spades. A bit similar to above. It took me a long time to get into this album (apart from the title track of course), given its iconic stature in the metal industry. I like it a lot more now than I did initially, but I think there are better Motorhead album's out there too.

Jorn - Dio. Jorn Lande's tribute to RJD is a brilliant update on some magnificent Dio songs. All stay true to the original, but sound superb in their re-recording.

Dio - Dream Evil. Always reminds me of the end of Year 12 high school, and with a mate's eldest son finishing his Year Twelve days this month, I thought this was a good choice to bring back some good memories.

Yngwie J. Malmsteen's Rising Force - Odyssey. With Marching Out proving such a hit at the moment, I thought I'd put Odyssey on here too. I haven't regretted it.

Michael Schenker Group - Unforgiven World Tour. Double live album, featuring all the hits from Schenker's career with his own groups and UFO and Scorpions. Good overview of all his best songs.

Megadeth - Rust in Peace Live. Recent recording of entire Rust in Peace album, along with some other favourites. Have to say that those songs that you don't hear so often live, like "Lucretia", "Take No Prisoners" and "Five Magics" are awesome.

Four Nations League

So, does anyone really care that this is on? I mean, I fluked on Sunday when changing channels because the cricket from India had been washed out (again), and found a replay of the Australia-PNG match. I watch about ten minutes, saw Australia score three tries from errors that kids in Under 10's would have been chastised about, and then moved on to "How I Met Your Mother" repeats on Arena.

I don't even know if the Kiwis played the Poms or not.

It's just a bad time of year to be playing international League - or Rugby for that matter. It's the Spring carnival in horse racing, the premium races are on in the V8 Supercars, the cricket season has begun in earnest... why would they try this now? Even Channel Nine didn't show the game live, though I guess that might change with the big games coming up.

And let's not even start with the Darius Boyd-Lote Tuquiri debate - if Tim Sheens is going to try and convince us there was no favoritism there, then he's just a stooge.

Bring on the Academy

For as long as I can remember, the end of season Presentation Nights have been about talking up the following season. No matter how well you may have done as an individual, or how well the team you were in has done, or how the Club as a whole has performed, when it comes to the Presentation Night, the talk abounds about how much better the performances will be in the next season.

Examples would include generic statements such as:

· "Next season I'm going to score *insert number of runs* runs"

· "Next season I'm going to take *insert number of wickets* wickets"

· "Can you believe that *insert team* won the comp last season?! If they can do it, surely we can do it next season!"

· "We'll be right, because next season we're going to get *insert players name* and *insert players name* is coming back as well, so we'll be definite contenders!"

· "I'm definitely playing next season, and we'll give this competition a shake!!"

It is this final example that has gotten me into trouble for the season ahead.

Though rumours had floated around in the weeks preceding, it was not until Kiama Cricket Club's Annual General Meeting on the Saturday before the Presentation Night that it was confirmed that our Club would be nominating a second Third Grade team in the 2010/11 season, which would be specifically directed toward the upcoming youth in the Club. It was an idea some of us had been floating for the past five years, but the opportunity to do it right had never really materialised. To do the job right, you had to have the right mix of juniors who were both talented enough and enthusiastic enough to want to play Grade cricket after their junior matches on a Saturday morning, as well as a core of senior players who were not only still good enough to hold their own in Grade cricket, but were willing enough and committed enough to play for a season (or more) in such a venture, for the good of the future of the Club.

At the reflectional drink in the bar of the Kiama Leagues Club following the meeting, our illustrious Life Member Joe Murphy was quite happy to throw up my name as not only a participant in this proposed side, but as captain of the team. Though I mentioned that I was open to the possibility, that was the most I was willing to commit myself to.

So we come to the Presentation Night, and having had the illustrious Joe Murphy bandy about during the evening that I was going to captain this new side, there were many seniors coming forward to pronounce their interest in the venture. Strangely enough, all were imbibed with alcoholic bravado which could not help their situation.

In my case, I was keen enough, but there were two initial stumbling blocks. The first was my work situation, where I worked every second Saturday until about 2pm, meaning I was effectively out every other week. The second was the willingness of my family to excuse me from their presence on the Saturdays I could play. the second of these problems was solved on that evening. Along with Joe, fellow Life Member John Watts and myself at our table were our erstwhile partners. With the conversation sticking quite solidly about the following season's cricket (see above explanation), Helen was in fact forward in suggesting I should be a part of this team, and that I should be playing in the coming season as a part of it. Once this was out, there was no turning back.

The only part of Joe's push that could not come to fruition was me being the captain of the side. There was no chance of me being able to forgo work on those Saturdays, and thus any chance of me leading the team as well. In my mind this was probably a good thing. When new President Rob Farrell was able to convince Joe to take on the job, he found the right person. Easy-going yet competitive, a good reader of the game and also able to relate to all age groups, Joe was really a natural for the job. His success as captain of the 1999/2000 2nd Grade side, that was similar in construction for what the Club was looking for in this 3rd Grade team also boded well for his appointment.

On Turning 40

My 30th birthday was one of the lowest days of my life. Not bad, no real drama, just low.

I was back home living with my parents, having moved back from Sydney 8 months earlier, with my lovely wife. I was in a basic part-time job bringing home less than $200 a week, and thus relying on my parents generosity to live. I had no immediate prospects of finding full-time work, meaning there was no immediate prospect of being able to move out of my parents house. And having it was already becoming clear that Helen and I would have a difficult time conceiving any children. So turning 30 was not the best time of my life.

Ten years later, and turning an age that appears to frighten a lot of people, where am I now?
Well, I'm still with my beautiful wife, who is still the light of my life. We are within six years of paying off our own home, which we have now had for almost nine years. I have a stable job in a good working environment with people I enjoy working and socialising with. We have three terrific children, our first Jessica through the miracle of science that is IVF, our two others Madeleine and Joshua through the miracle that is natural conception and birth (well, a miracle for us anyway! :) ).

So believe me - turning 40 is no drama at all. Those that fear it should embrace it, because the best part of all our lives is still yet to come.

I've Been to the Dark Tower...

Dale & Rachel's Wedding

We had a great afternoon and evening at Dale and Rachel's wedding. We brought Josh with us given his age and previous problems with children when we tried to go out, but once again we hit the curse, when Josh refused to go down quietly in his pram, and we had to make an early escape. Ooooooh all that free beer wasted...

Albums of the Year 2007

The time has come for my annual review of what I believe have been the albums of the year. Generally it will be full of heavy metal releases, being the music of choice in the Peters realm.
Take this as you please, but I recommend the top ten heartily.

THOSE THAT DIDN'T MAKE THE GRADE

There were a hell of a lot of new albums released this year by the bands that I frequent regularly, so much so that a lot of them haven't received as much listening as I would like.

Some, like Masterplan's Mk II, Iron Savior's Megatropolis and Sonata Arctica's Unia had a lot to live up to with previous releases and were unable to meet those (my) expectations, though were quite good albums in themselves. Each is a good solid album that I can easily put on to listen to at any time. They just suffer in comparison to the band's earlier efforts, and in some way may have hampered their rating in this year's list.

Some, like Iced Earth's Framing Armageddon (Something Wicked Part 1) and Velvet Revolver's Libertad are in the same boat, but are generally just average albums. The constant rumours over Velvet Revolver's future, and the fact Iced Earth have sacked vocalist Ripper Owens for former frontman Matt Barlow less than two months after Armageddon's release shows that the albums suffered from painful productions.

Some, like Machine Head's The Blackening and Arch Enemy's Rise Of The Tyrant were my introduction to the bands' material, and I was more than impressed by both. The fact they have not featured in the top ten here is perhaps more a fact that so many of the bands I have followed for two decades and more released albums this year that I favoured more.

Dream Theater's Systematic Chaos again failed to ignite a passion in me. Along with 2005's Octavarium, I feel Dream Theater have moved away from the kind of music I enjoyed of theirs. Having conversed with bigger fans of the band than I am it would appear I am on my own in this, but that can't be helped. In a similar way, Primal Fear's New Religion also didn't quite get me as their previous releases have, whereas most other fans of the band think it is possibly their best. Queensryche's two releases, the double live Mindcrime At The Moore and covers album Take Cover are perhaps better left unreviewed.
Perhaps my taste is changing, if ever so slightly, as I get older.

Albums I did not include in the top ten for others reasons include Black Sabbath's The Dio Years, a compilation of the best songs from the three albums fronted by Ronnie James Dio, and including three brand new songs. As a 'best of', I did not consider it for the list. Same goes for the Megadeth boxset Warchest. Also, the live release Live At Hammersmith Odeon was not considered as it was recorded in 1982.

Now, let's get into the important stuff...

10. New Protection / RIDE THE SKY

12 months ago Uli Kusch left Masterplan, having helmed two brilliant albums, and began to start new projects. One of them was this, Ride The Sky, resulting in New Protection. Sounding very similar to Masterplan, this album is similar to the way I feel about Masterplan's Mk II album this year – good, but just missing something that makes it a classic. However, if you love the European speed/power metal sound like I do, you will enjoy this album. Good vocals, fast guitars and drums and catchy songs. It's not in the same echelon as Uli's better stuff from the past, like Helloween's The Dark Ride or Masterplan's self titled first album, but it's fun enough to make number 10 in this year's list.

9. Dominator / W.A.S.P.

Following the debacle that was the two Neon God albums, I have no problem admitting that the prospect of a new W.A.S.P. album brought me no great joy. Imagine my surprise then when I first heard it, and discovered Blackie Lawless had returned to his best – well, his 1990's best, anyway. Returning to a sound reminiscent of Unholy Terror and in places The Crimson Idol, Dominator was a wonderfully pleasant surprise. There's just no chance of the band reproducing the greatness of their first five releases, but this is a solid album that delivers on levels that has been missing for a lot of the recent albums.
Best on the disc are “Mercy”, “Long Long Way To Go” and “The Burning Man”.

8. Black Rain / OZZY OSBOURNE

Another veteran, returning quite a few years after an eminently forgettable album (Back On Earth) and doing a better job this time around. With an obviously heavy influence from guitarist Zakk Wylde, the album mixes heavy thumping songs with the occasional slower melancholy one (something that Ozzy and Zakk both do so well). OK, so it's no No More Tears, but it restores some of the balance lost in the preceding years. Ozzy's vocals are still great (can he cut it live though?) and Zakk as always is great. In a lot of ways, it feels like a Black Label Society album with Ozzy singing, though perhaps that is no great surprise at this stage of their respective careers.
Best on the disc are “I Don't Wanna Stop”, “Civilize The Universe” and “Trap Door”.

7. Live At Radio City Hall [Live] / HEAVEN AND HELL

The triumphant return of the Dio-era Black Sabbath brought this release of a live album and DVD from one of the early gigs on tour. Comprised entirely of material from the three albums with Ronnie at the helm – Heaven And Hell, Mob Rules and Dehumanizer – this is a purely magical experience. Even in their 60's, these four musicians are at the top of their game, and still manage to produce an awesome show.
OK, maybe I'm biased – my lifelong obsession with Dio, the fact that the show I saw them in August in Wollongong was the greatest gig of all time – but this is a must-add to the collection if you don't already own it.

6. The Legacy World Tour 2005/06 – Live In Sao Paulo [Live] / HELLOWEEN

Following on from the release of Keeper Of The Seven Keys Part III – The Legacy, this double disc live album covers the tour, which is a great mix of the old classics and more recent Deris-era songs. All are performed impressively, and the songlist is just terrific. What I like most is that they were not afraid to play their lengthy songs - “King For 1000 Years”, “Keeper Of The Seven Keys”, “Eagle Fly Free”, “Occasion Avenue” and “Halloween” all get a run, and are just brilliant.
This excels even the band's previous live release, High Live. A great set list is complemented by all players being on top of their game. Sure, you never get used to Andi Deris singing the early songs, but the performance of the latter songs is note-perfect.

5. Gambling With The Devil / HELLOWEEN

Helloween seems to be turning full circle with this release, returning to a sound reminiscent of The Dark Ride, which is strange considering that they let two members of the band go after that album because it was seen as a wrong direction musically. Anyway...
Despite tinkering with their format once again, this is another pearler of an album. In a rearguard fight against their advancing years as a band, Helloween have rediscovered a formula that works for them and continue to put out great albums. More impressive to me is that they seems to get better every time you listen, which is certainly the case with Gambling With The Devil. The themes are a little darker again, and the riffs a little heavier. Overall another great album from one of the best bands out there.
Best on the disc include “Kill It”, “As Long As I Fall”, “The Bells Of The 7 Hells” and “Dreambound”

4. United Abominations / MEGADETH

A brilliant return from the Dave Mustaine-led Megadeth. I said it during the year when the album was released – unlike other bands who release albums that sound so different from what they are renown for, this 'sounds' like a Megadeth album from the opening riffs. Dave has got together a combination of musicians he is happy with again, and it shows on this album. Hopefully he/they can maintain the rage for the foreseeable future.

3. Paradise Lost / SYMPHONY X

It's been a long wait for the follow up to Odyssey, but the time has been well spent, and this is a belter. This spent as much time on my playlist all year as any other album, and with good cause. Some fans didn't enjoy the direction this album went – ie heavier – but I think it is a triumph in every way. Screaming vocals, flailing guitars and flying drumming. A brilliant allround album.

2. Land Of The Free Part II / GAMMA RAY

This is so hard to judge, as it was released so late in the year, and as such I haven't been able to give it my full attention to this point. The fact is, it is the first time in my annual review since 1994 that a Gamma Ray album hasn't been ranked #1 in a year when it has been released. However, from the opening song you know it is another classic. There's no doubt it is a Gamma Ray album, but the key is probably to ignore the title of the album, as to try and compare it with the incomparable 1994 release Land Of The Free would be ludicrous. The lyrical content makes it a 'sequel' of sorts, but the songs do stand on their own as well.
To me, Gamma Ray are the most consistently brilliant heavy metal band in the world, and this album continues their dominance in this direction.

1. Humanity: Hour 1 / SCORPIONS

The comeback of the decade? Almost without question. After a number of years of average releases and average reviews, Scorpions come out with this concept album that has gripped me from the first time I put it on this year. One could ask “Where did they pull this from?” For me, it is an amazing recovery to be able to produce this after, for instance, Eye II Eye, which I found incredibly boring. Instead, this ranks with Lovedrive and Love At First Sting and Blackout as one of their finest achievements. A superb collection of rockers and ballads which tell a thoughtful story at the same time. A remarkable achievement, and deservedly the Album of The Year.

In reality, the group of the first four album would all tie at the top, such is their excellence, and to rank them 1 to 4 was difficult, but that's my job. Hopefully you all get out there and have a listen to all of them, and decide for yourselves.

Training to Win

For the Kiama Cricket Club, the 2007-08 season starts this Sunday with the commencement of pre-season training. It will be the first indication as to which of the budding youngsters, unknown newcomers, seasoned regulars and veteran die-hards will be showing up to play in the Cavalier Blue and Gold this summer. It is also the beginning of two months that will shape what we as a Club can hope for during a season of change.

It's no secret that Dale Scifleet, Steve Holz, Dan Reilly and I nominated as a group for the position of Selection Panel because we believe we are the best people for the job of pushing our Club forward to the next level. We believe we will work well as a panel, because we have the same ideal, but not necessarily the same ideas. It is unlikely that we will agree on all selections each week, but the teams we choose will be chosen by the Panel, and not by an Individual, and the fact that we will no doubt have different opinions on certain selections will mean we will retain the integrity of the process and hopefully the confidence of the playing personnel.
It's also no secret that the four of us will be looking for two like-minded people to take control of Third Grade and Fourth Grade this season. Nothing that we achieve as the Selection Panel will work unless we have the whole Club moving in the same direction, and that cannot be said to have occurred in recent seasons. We will be nominating to the Executive the people we think can do the best job with the interests of the Club at heart.
With the other three Selectors being engaged in on-field activity every week, my role on the Panel will be as a roving observer. A few years ago John Watts took on this role, and put his heart and soul into the job. What he got in return was a lot of heartache, and a resolve not to take on a similar role again the following season. As such, we lost a valuable person, whose knowledge was a great loss to the process.
Will I be as vigilant as John was? No, I can't promise that. I won't be at every training, but I will be there at least twice a month. In October I have my 20 Year Reunion of Year 12, and my brother-in-law's Bucks Day and Wedding, which will affect all of those Saturdays. In November our third child will arrive (the long-feted successor to the Cavalier crown?), which will have precedence on everything. These events will somewhat hinder my 100% participation in my role as Selector.
What I can promise is this. I can promise that lower Grade cricketers will be watched by a member of the Selection Panel this season, both at training and at matches on Saturdays. I can promise that this will lead to more regulated team selections, with a Panel selecting teams and not individuals. I can promise that if someone wants help with their cricket, they will only have to ask and they will get it. I can promise that if you haven't paid your fees, you won't be selected until you do.

As a Selection Panel though, we can't score the runs or take the wickets or catches for you. In this respect, it would probably be a good thing for you all to get to training. And this is where we get to the crux of today's article.

We cannot move forward as a Club if we as individuals know what it takes to improve and succeed, and not do it. Anyone who believes they can perform at their best if they don't train is fooling themselves. Not only that, it harms the collective if the majority of players are missing training. Club Training will only benefit everyone if the majority are there. It's like hunting in a pack, you can't expect to project confidence if you have only 10% of your numbers present. Or like the Borg in Star Trek: The Next Generation – the Collective can only survive if they are one.

I am not in charge of training or how it will be run. I am also fully aware of the differences in attitude of the players in our Club when it comes to how much and how long and how varied training should be.
Training should be fun, not a chore. It should be hard work, but enjoyable. Everyone has different ideas as to how training should run to make it this way, and trying to please 50-80 people is a difficult thing to do.
What I would like to see this season is this – if something about our training regime doesn't sit well with you, talk to someone about it! The coach (that's Dale Scifleet for those who don't know), your captain, a selector, or a member of the Executive. But don't just stop showing up because you don't think training is either fun or is not working for you. Things won't necessarily change just to suit you, but they can't be bent a little to help if you don't tell anyone how you feel about it. You have to feel as an individual that you have gotten the most out of your training, and are not just going through aimless hours of catching and throwing.

Probably our biggest challenge as a Club this season is to get people to training for the entire season. For years, attendance at training, especially after Christmas, has been appalling – and anyone stupid enough not to see the relevance in the lack of training and the abysmal record of all our Grade teams from January to March better start looking harder.
Again – and I want to stress this in the most positive way I can – it is up to the individual as to how the Club performs. If your attitude as an individual cricketer to your own cricket doesn't measure up, then the Club will also suffer.

I've said it before and I'll say it again here – we have a real opportunity this season to make some basic changes to our Club structure to facilitate a resurgence in our fortunes on the field in all Grades. More than anything else, a move for a more positive and focused player base will help achieve that. Hopefully, at training this weekend, we can begin that process.

Bill Leyshon 1919 - 2007

Kiama Cricket Club Life Member, and outstanding person, Bill Leyshon, passed away on July 22, aged 88 years.

Bill was a tireless worker for our Club during the 1960's and 1970's, and played a lot of 1st and 2nd Grade cricket for us.

I had the chance on a couple of occasions to chat with him about those days, and he was so enthusiastic about our Club. He was the 'original' historian. Those that remember the first presentation night we had at the Bowlo may remember Bill, who spoke for about 10 minutes on the night.
He was a terrific bloke, gentle and engaging. He continued to make donations to the Club for awards, and he is immortalised with the Bill Leyshon Fielding Award because of his generosity. From all reports he was as fine a fieldsman as the Club had in his day.

Unfortunately we never got the chance to sit down and do a video interview as we had promised to do, which is a great tragedy.

To his wife Joan and his children (two of whom, Peter and Glyn played for Kiama) and grandchildren, we pass on our greatest sympathies.

Casino Royale

Finally got around to seeing this, and it was well worth the wait!

Daniel Craig - and the writer and director of course - make this new James Bond a more realistic figure, and a character much closer to the original vision in Ian Fleming's novels. Not only was he a harder character, he also made errors, something that is rarely seen in many Bond films.

The best sign of a good film is that you look up at the end wondering where the time has gone - at almost two and a half hours, Casino Royale doesn't give you a chance to wonder how much longer the film has to go.

This is immediately one of the best five 007 films made. It is extremely impressive. I could quite easily sit down again right now and watch it again for all the things I probably missed on the first viewing, and that's a fairly big compliment. Daniel Craig take a bow. I can't wait for the next film now.

I rate it as 4.5/5.

Man of the Year

Watched this this morning while cleaning and looking after two girls (Maddi was finally asleep after her night of crying...).

Starring Robin Williams as... well... Robin Williams, I really enjoyed it. I thought it was going to be the normal average run-of-the-mill upstart-becomes-an-improbable-President story, but it was much more than that. While not only pointing out to the watching public the folly that is made of American (and world) politics, and how interest groups are really running the agenda, it also included a major part of the storyline where computer gliches actually elected the wrong man to the position.

Robin Williams was great again. I just don't understand why this didn't receive a wider release (I didn't even know about it until Mum lent it to me a month ago). Well worth a watch.

Illness Continues...

Maddi was up again all last night, meaning little sleep for two very tired parents. As such, I forewent work again (not pleasing the boss in the process), allowing Helen to catch up with the sleep she needs at this stage. So I was up with Maddi at 6am, which was also the time Jess decided to wake up. Joy. Joy. Joy.

Maddi's temperature at least appears to be lowering ever so slightly, so perhaps today will be the healing day.