"Airplane!" - "Flying High!"- Classic Scenes

Almost better than watching the whole movie. Almost...

IT Trailer (2017)

Justice League Trailer #1 (2017)

SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING Official Trailer #2 (HD)

Where to Now for India and Australia?

With the Test series now complete, and India not only having won but installed themselves as the #1 Test playing nation once again, and Virat Kohli completing what has been an ugly six weeks for him by declaring he now has no love for the Australian cricketers, we can only reflect on what has occurred and what lessons can be gleaned from it to ensure that Australian cricket goes forward in a positive – but not blinkered – fashion.

There is little doubt that if you had said six weeks ago that Australia would tenaciously fight for a 1-2 series loss, most Australian cricket fans would have thought that to be a fair result. Many pundits (myself included I can say without shame) thought that it would be a 0-4 whitewash given some of the selections that were being bandied around before it all began. To have seen Australia still in with a chance of winning the series with three days remaining was the most pleasing aspect of the tour. This however should not paper over the cracks that are still in this team, nor cloud the fact that three sessions of cricket cost the team their chance of a miraculous series victory.

In proof that statistics do not tell the full story, the Australians’ figures are defining. Matthew Renshaw was a salvation for Australia at the top of the order. Apart from his tough final Test match he was the man who batted out against the new ball and into the old ball. He faced double the amount of deliveries that his opening partner did, and his innings in those first three Tests both put Australia in a stronger position and saved them from disaster. Yet, Matthew Wade finished with a higher average, and Warner, whose series was abysmal and was completely out-thought and out-played by the Indians, finished only a few runs behind him. It is not a fair comparison to their respective worth to the team effort. The same can be said of the bowling. Steven O’Keefe finished on top of the bowling average and aggregate for Australia with 19 wickets at 23.26. But take out the 12/70 that he took in that 1st Test, and for the rest of the series he took 7 wickets at an average of 53.14. His economy was sound and he served his purpose as the second spinner, but it highlights the extra caution the Indians took with him after that breakout performance.

Along with Renshaw, pass marks would be awarded to Handscomb and Maxwell. They would both have hoped to have done better, but they look comfortable at the crease which is half the battle. While Handscomb appears to have a big future, it will be interesting to see if Maxwell is retained and given his opportunity to make number six his own. Though he was barely used for his bowling at all, surely he will be expected to work on his off spin to ensure it is a tool that can be called upon in the future, even in short spells.

Warner’s troubled series will haunt him for some time, and given his similar lack of success in Sri Lanka last year, will only give rise to claims he is a flat track bully. With very little sub-continent cricket likely for Australia in the next couple of years he at least has time to address this before their next engagements on those types of surfaces. Likewise Shaun Marsh, who was chosen specifically for this tour because of his form on the sub-continent. In four Tests he averaged less than 20 with the bat, and despite his match-saving innings at Ranchi, his place appears the most vulnerable. Having been overlooked all series, it appears inconceivable that Usman Khawaja will be ignored any longer, and must slot back into the batting line up. It may seem unfair that Marsh will be the only scapegoat from the batting line up, but surely he has played his last Test for Australia.

The bowlers, apart from a couple of sessions where they lost the plot a little, did a fantastic job in the circumstances. Mitchell Starc before going home injured, Josh Hazlewood and the returning Pat Cummins all toiled hard in unhelpful conditions. While they weren’t always on song and sometimes appeared to waste opportunities they kept running in hard and giving their all. Nathan Lyon and Steve O’Keefe are probably flattered by their series returns, as both got one big haul in a Test and then only bits and pieces for the remainder of the games. While they never seemed as dangerous as their opponents, they probably exceeded expectations. The Indians, once they treated their bowling with respect after the 2nd Test, denied them the wicket taking opportunities they gave them in those first encounters, and thus put the pressure on them to force a breakthrough rather than gifting it to them. Ashwin and Jadeja did this much better than the two Australians could, which was the difference in the last two Tests.

Matthew Wade’s figures look better than one suspects he played, finishing with a batting average of 32.66 and taking 9 catches and 4 stumpings. Despite the continued feeling outside of the Australian team and selection panel that Wade is still not the best answer for the team behind the stumps, it would appear he has cemented that position. No one doubts his grit – just his consistency with gloves and bat. In tough conditions for a wicket-keeper, he probably didn’t make any more mistakes than anyone else would have.

For India, they can thank Rahul and Pujara for their consistency in getting the series victory. While the rest of the order floundered in a similar way to the Australians, Rahul’s consistency in getting fifties at the top of the order frustrated the bowlers, while Pujara did as he always seems to do against Australia, scoring runs with a fluency he seems to lack against most other nations. Saha and Jadeja made runs at crucial times in the final two Tests that helped to swing the balance of the match in India’s favour, and while they only really troubled the scorers on two occasions in the series, they were defining.

While Ashwin and Jadeja dominated the bowling, it was the pace bowling of Yadav and Sharma that proved edifying. Both were fast and aggressive, getting in the face of the batsmen and making decisive breakthroughs, or forcing the breakthroughs at the other end because of their bowling. Yadav’s 17 wickets at 23.41 was a triumph, while it is a travesty of justice that Ishant Sharma’s series figures were 3 wickets at 69.66. He was light years better than those figures suggest.

The two captains had polar opposite series in almost every aspect. Virat Kohli had scored a million runs over the Indian season leading up to this series, and was probably due to have a lean run. His 46 runs at 9.20 gave Australia to pressure the rest of the order. That he rose above this in the field with an increase in aggression and arrogance was done to inspire his team, when in reality his team were inspiring enough without it. His injury in the 3rd Test meant he then sat out the 4th Test, where his team won without him. Even though he probably won’t recognise it, it spoke volumes for the Indian team’s ability that they could win without him there, perhaps lowering his self-proclaimed God-like status. His running vendetta to chastise and demonise the Australians throughout would have been seen in a better light if he himself hadn’t been at least as poor in attitude and action. His final proclamation that he was no longer friends with the Australian cricketers at his final press conference only went to prove that he is incapable of copping the same amount of flak that he is willing to dish out. At a time when he was unable to deliver with the bat himself, it came across as sour grapes. Australian cricketers and supporters will not lose any sleep over his convictions.

Steve Smith just continued on his amazing way with the bat in this series. His first century of the series may have been littered with five chances, but his following two were practically chanceless, and he alone dragged Australia along in his wake to keep them in the contest. His 499 runs at 71.28 was one of the finest displays by an Australian batsman on the sub-continent. His batting feats were shadowed not only by his ill-thought checking with the dressing room about the referral of his dismissal in the 2nd Test, but with the constant on-field sledging battles and with questions over some captaincy decisions. The DRS referral episode should have ended with some sort of disciplinary action, whether it was a warning or fine or suspension, in order to assure everyone it was a one-off ‘brain fade’ but that it wouldn’t be tolerated. Kohli’s posturing afterwards and the lack of action made it look a lot worse than it probably was. And while at times there was little the Australians could do to curb the Indian batting, one felt that captains such as Waugh, Taylor or Clarke would have tried more to budge a partnership at times. His final words spoke of being apologetic for any actions he had made that seemed inflammatory or out of spirit with the game, and looked to have a drink with the victors and congratulate them on their win. Listening to both press conferences, you would wonder who won the series and who lost. Smith’s was the speech of a statesman, Kohli’s was the speech of a man who considers himself above others. In India, he probably is.

Some spoke at the conclusion that it was one of the greatest Test series ever played. That seems to get bandied around a lot when a team beats Australia (India 2001, England 2005, South Africa 2012/13). This was a fascinating series and an enjoyable one. But it is only seen as a ‘great’ one by some because of Australia’s defiance in not rolling over and handing India a whitewash, and that India had to fight every inch to gain the series victory. India will soon have to play cricket away from their shores again, and then we will see how good this combination really is. Australia has won plaudits, but unless they realise that the result does not confirm that the team they picked was the best available then they are no guarantee of victorious results in the future.

Australia Fail Final Examination as Series Loss Looms

One wonders, when the time comes that the Australian team and their innumerable support staff look back on this Indian tour, at what point they decide they lost this series that for all intents and purposes they should have won. Because the danger is that everyone will look back on the probable 2-1 series defeat in six month’s time and say ‘well, we expected to lose 4-0, so it’s actually a pretty good result!’

That would be shallow and foolish thinking on their part, but it appears their most likely course of action.

1. At 6/221 late on the second day, India should not have had a lead on the first innings. And yet, Jadeja’s slashing all series finally paid off for India, with his 63 getting India to 332 and an invaluable lead. Saha’s support again was dogged, but Australia’s inability in the first session to get those final four wickets cheaply was troubling. Still, it should have showed that the pitch was fine for batting on, right?
2. Right. And wrong. Because Yadav and Kumar came charging in from the outset, and using a surface that finally gave them something to use, they gave it to the Australian top order. They were aggressive and accurate, never letting up on the batsmen, who in their own ways caved for a final time on this tour. The Indians knew that if the top order crumbled, there was little resistance left down the bottom, and they did their job superbly. 
3. Dave Warner failed for the final time, and will be happy if he never sees the sub-continent ever again. Matt Renshaw completed a forgettable Test, with no runs and several dropped chances. Given his efforts previous to this his can be forgiven. Peter Handscomb fell again when set, though it was to a peach of a delivery. Though he has made only one score of note on tour he will have learned a lot and will surely only get better as a result.
4. Shaun Marsh played two dogged innings in eight in this series, which tends to be about his strike rate when it comes to Test cricket. Despite his efforts in saving the 3rd Test, there appears little doubt that he will complete his final Test match when today’s proceedings. I have thought that in the past however. But Australia needs Usman Khawaja in that top six, and he has to come back in somewhere. Glenn Maxwell found yet another way to be dismissed, triggered LBW not offering a shot, or at least only a half-hearted one. It was a disappointment, as once again he looked at ease at the crease. It will be interesting to see what the selectors think of his two Test matches, and whether he will be persisted with into an Ashes series in November.
5. Steve Smith’s shot to be dismissed was the real killer blow, the one moment that probably cost Australia any chance of winning this series. It is an unfair comment to lay at his feet given his amazing series with the bat, but both of his dismissals in this Test have lifted India and cost Australia. This fact alone emphasises how important he is to the Australian batting, and how average most of the rest of the order has been in his wake.
6. India was vociferous in the field, with a level of sledging that usually brings calls for retribution when Australia has been behind it. While the umpires intervened when necessary, it was an ugly look on TV, one that none of the commentators cared to discuss too much. This is not to say Australians were not involved, and have not been involved. One wonders how much further this will go before something NEEDS to be done to curb it. As always, winners will be grinners and losers will have to accept it.

The series will be decided today by the lunch break, and it would take a miracle of massive proportions for Australia to snatch it. There will be a level of pressure on India if they lose early wickets this morning, and one suspects Pat Cummins will be the key to opening up that top order. Every edge or ball past the bat will be greeted by groans of dismay on the field, and cheers of substantial order from the crowd. If nothing else, it would be appropriate if Australia could make a fight of this final day to keep it in everyone’s minds that it wasn’t all one way traffic as it was expected to be a month ago.

Songs of My Life #54 - Scatterbrain - Don't Call Me Dude - 1990

Songs of My Life #54 - Scatterbrain - Don't Call Me Dude - 1990

Back in 1990, another strange kinda song started creeping onto the airwaves of Australia. It was a strange song, mixed as it is in style and genre. It was also reasonably long, so it was strange for radio to take it on. Of course, the music video attracted some of the attention, and the story subject matter of the lyrics also created amusement amongst the young people.

I enjoy this song, but the reason this song is listed here is because it led me to go out and get Scatterbrain's debut album which this song was on, "Here Comes Trouble", and it is just brilliant. Not only that, I then went and saw the band live when they toured Australia at Waves at Wollongong, and it was one of the best gigs I have seen.

What is probably not a surprise to you laymen out there that don't remember the song but still surprises me to this day is that Scatterbrain didn't go on to bigger things.

Songs of My Life #53 - D-A-D - Sleeping My Day Away - 1989

Songs of My Life #53 - D-A-D - Sleeping My Day Away - 1989

You know when you come at me with a two string bass that things are going to get aaaaalll messed up. And like a few of the one-hit wonders that hit the world in the late 1980's and early 1990's, this song caught on through the magic of music video and then forced its way into the charts regardless.

Their album 'No Fuel Left For the Pilgrims' made a splash at this time basically on the back of this single. For me it was the guitar sound that hooked me in, almost gutteral in its effect, and the looniness that goes on during the video clinched the deal for many people. What I most remember is the song catching on, and when you are 19-20 years old and under the influence at bars and clubs that are playing this, then it can seep its way into your subconscious. I almost went and saw these guys back in the day at St George Leagues Club. I'm probably not disappointed I didn't.

Is it a great song? No. But it's one that I recall fondly because of the time and what I was doing in those days, mucking around with my mates, playing in our band and drinking lots of cool refreshing beer. Youth has a lot to answer for.

Revisiting The Twilight Zone: S4 E18: The Bard

Revisiting The Twilight Zone: S4 E18: The Bard

Hurrah! We've had plenty of criss-crossing episodes that have Death or the Devil becoming involved, and always for the worst possible outcome for those that have summoned them. However, using black magic to summon people into the world to help out with their work... well, we haven't had that. Until now.

Still, how far into the unbelievable do we want to swing? Do we really think William Shakespeare is going to write a brilliant sitcom? Do we think it will be accepted and work? Do we think Burt Reynolds is really going to do a Marlon Brando impersonation for the entire episode? It seems like a stretch, but then again it isn't being played straight, it is being played for laughs. And there are a couple. The question as to whether it holds your attention enough is open to the watcher. I didn't mind it, but I guess it was slightly more unbelievable than even a Twilight Zone episode can be - especially in the reactional change of those around the protagonist.

Rating: What light from yonder window breaks?  3/5

When a Draw is a Win

What a pleasant feeling it is to be sitting here this morning, soaking up the glory of a battling draw in a Test match, defying the thoughts of most in seeing off the Indian bowling attack for the final day’s play in Ranchi. Those that suggest Test cricket is dying simply have no idea what cricket is about, and the five days of this Test have proved it is alive and well in at least some parts of the cricketing world.

1. Renshaw and Smith did exactly what they had to do. Their partnership was perhaps the toughest of the day, with Renshaw especially getting the ball jumping from the surface alarmingly one ball, and then dying lower the next. He was superb against Jadeja, getting forward and smothering or ball and watchful. He was dismissed to a ball that stayed low, but that he didn’t get fully forward to because of the smart bowling from Ishant. When Smith misjudged a ball from Jadeja in the following over to be bowled, the hard graft of over 90 minutes looked as though it may be going to be wasted.
2. Back at the conclusion of the diabolical tour to Sri Lanka last year, the selectors pretty much handed to the media two names that were ‘locks’ for the tour of India. In their opinion, Shaun Marsh was their man for the sub-continent after his century in Sri Lanka, and the uncapped Peter Handscomb whom they considered the best young player of spin in the Sheffield Shield was the other certainty to go on tour, and perhaps debut there. The selectors stuck to their guns. Handscomb was already entrenched in the Test team by then, and Marsh had returned from injury and was chosen despite a lack of form in the white ball game. In the five innings completed before this innings, both had looked assured at times. Handscomb had made five starts without going on past 25, while Marsh had made one score and several other lower contributions. Today was the situation that the selectors would have had in mind when they chose these two for this series. Handscomb and Marsh came together with half an hour until lunch and still 89 runs in arrears. That they weren’t parted until they had put together 124 runs and batted for 62 overs together is a testament to their efforts and to the vision of the selectors. This pair drew the Test match for Australia from a position that in the past they have lost. Handscomb broke his 25 barrier to finish on 72 not out, while Marsh, who continues to baffle and divide opinion as to his place in the team, made a dogged 53. He must crave consistency as much as his detractors do, and it is innings like yesterday’s that shows he can play at this level. Both were superb.
3. Much like in Australia’s victory in the 1st Test, the luck with umpiring decisions tended to run with them on this final day. LBW decisions referred to the DRS by India on both Handscomb and Marsh were judged to be ‘umpire’s call’ after Ian Gould had turned them both down, meaning both batsmen were reprieved, and India lost both reviews. This caused a similar conversation in the commentary box about ‘if it’s hitting the stumps it should be out’ and ‘you shouldn’t lose a referral if it shows it is hitting’. Those comments are for discussing on another day, but the upshot of it was that the ‘Gunner’ had given the batsman the benefit of the doubt, and the doubt was proven by DRS. On another day both may have been given, and the batsmen would have been out. Perhaps Gould’s focus was that the batsmen were working their guts out, and only deserved to be out if it was shown to be plumb (which he would have given out anyway). Kohli also burned one review himself, when a ball from Ishant to Marsh was shown to be pitching a foot outside leg stump, hitting him outside the line of off stump, and missing off stump by a foot and a half. So maybe that too played on the umpire’s mind. Whatever it was, those calls going Australia’s way helped enormously.
4. After the nervous thoughts of most before the Test had started, the surface at Ranchi turned out to be a dud. Certainly batsmen had to focus and concentrate for long periods in order to score on it, and bowlers had to be patient and give nothing away in order to try and snare wickets, but the horror that some expected never came to pass. Only 25 wickets could be pried out in five full days of cricket. You wouldn’t want to see too many Tests like this one, but it was riveting viewing for the most part. It will be interesting to see what is dished up for the 4th Test, where Inida must now win to reclaim the Border Gavaskar Trophy.

With three Tests down, and the series locked at 1-1, what lies ahead for both teams? Will Virat Kohli’s shoulder miraculously heal itself so he can field for more than one afternoon? Will Australia’s bowlers be able to recover after their mammoth effort here in Ranchi to do the same again in five days time? Will any changes be made to either team? Will Australia surprise and throw in Mitchell Swepson for the final Test? None of us really believed we’d be here one a Test to go and series still able to have all three results available. Test cricket is alive, and Australia has the chance to make a statement on the sub-continent that it hasn’t made for 13 years. I for one can’t wait for the next instalment.

Songs of My Life #52 - Vixen - How Much Love - 1990

Songs of My Life #52 - Vixen - How Much Love - 1990

Everyone has guilty pleasures when it comes to their music tastes. Those songs that, if you told your mate that you listened to that band or loved that particular song, your mate would exclaim something like "what the fuck?!?" While I probably have a few of those bands and/or songs, the one I get the most roasted for is Vixen.

These four ladies came together in 1988, and with the help of Richard Marx (yes, I know) released their debut album. Their second album, "Rev it Up!" came in 1990, and this song comes from that album. And ever since I got these two albums on cassette in Bali in 1991 I have been a fan. Not of everything, but quite a bit.

Yes, it's a classic rock ballad, but come on. Four rock chicks belting out hair metal songs. Roxy Petrucci with her motorbike drum kit and kicking that cowbell throughout. Share Pederson smashing the bass guitar in rhythm, the terrific Jan Kuehnemund who is sadly no longer with us due to cancer, playing lead guitar and those backing vocals, and *sigh* Janet Gardner on awesome lead vocals (and rhythm guitar on the albums).

This song still finds its way on to most of my mixed playlists. And while most will mock me and laugh at me, I really don't care. If you listen closely, you can here me now...

"How much love is it gonna take! To prove I'm not another heartache! Till you begin to let your heart give in - tell me how much loooooove" (cowbell!) \m/ Not much Janet... not much at all...

Revisiting The Twilight Zone: S4 E17: Passage on the Lady Anne

Revisiting The Twilight Zone: S4 E17: Passage on the Lady Anne

More spooky boats in the middle of the ocean, surrounded by fog, with mysterious people who speak in riddles and never actually letting on as to what is happening. Well, it is intimated of course, and it isn't too hard to follow. Perhaps the ending could have been a little better, but you can't always have everything.

The Ransom couple board the Lady Anne in a fractured state, looking for that last chance. They are met by other passengers, all of whom try to persuade them not to get on the boat. They refuse and the ship sails. So too it appears does their marriage, when they agree that once they arrive in London they will go their separate ways.

While the story itself progresses as expected, it is the characters themselves that keep it enjoyable. The wonderful acting of the support actors around the Ransom couple is fantastic, and they make the show well worth watching. Another Charles Beaumont special.

Rating: Death ship, ghost ship, love boat?  4/5

NRL Round 3: Do the Tigers Need to Play Against Robbie Farah Every Week?

It's round three of the NRL, and already there has been a slight shift away from the initial period of excitement once the new season starts. We get back into the routine of "really, another bloody Broncos/Storm/Titans/Manly game, is there anything else on?" Can I really be bothered staying up on a Thursday night to watch a match I don't really care about? Rugby League for me is still a Saturday and Sunday afternoon game. I can survive a Friday night match, but that takes away from family time. Sometimes a good thing, sometimes not. Anyway, I digress...

1. I only glanced at the Thursday night match between Storm and Broncos, and for those reasons stated above. I don't care about either team, and it's too late on Thursday to watch. I'm sure it was a reasonable game, but all I cared about was finally getting a tip right (Storm winning 14-12 did that).
2. Once again the Warriors look as though they are going to disappoint their fans, while the Bulldogs managed to find enough this week to get a victory. The 24-12 win would have pleased their fans without solving any of the issues raised in their first two matches. Their attack was better without being perfectly well run. Their defense though was solid again. The Warriors meanwhile have had three matches in New Zealand for one very scrappy and undeserved victory over last season's wooden spooners. With their roster, they appear in all sorts of trouble.
3. The Eels played their third away match in succession, on only a five day layover, and without their playmaker. Compared to most others, it is a very ordinary draw. The inevitable loss to the Titans on the back of that will be put down to the Norman factor, but the draw is somewhat unfair. The Titans have more injury worries, but the loss of Jarryd Hayne from last week appears to have improved their attack nicely. One wonders if his unsettling influence being missing helped their endeavours. The 26-14 victory tends to prove it does.
4. If nothing else, at least Newcastle are proving competitive this season. They were perhaps a little unlucky to lose to Souths 24-18 at home, and Souths were fortunate not to have two players sent for the game let alone only one going for ten minutes. The Knights are on a learning curve though, looking to fight their way back to respectability. Souths seem to be just fighting, but are now 2-1 having won two away games in succession.
5. I didn't see either of the later games, only smatterings while being out and about and when the cricket went to a break. The Roosters outlasted the Panthers up the mountain, which is no mean feat, but surely the three tries to one gives a better indication of the difference. No matter, the Roosters are 3-0 and the Panthers (title favourites?) are 1-2.
6. I know the Cowboys had some injuries and suspensions, but really did anyone expect Manly to go on and win this 30-8 at Townsville? No team will go through this season unscathed by injury, and how you perform without your best 17 available will be the difference between making finals or not. The Cowboys will know they have to do better. The Sea Eagles have at least shown they won't be the soft underbelly they appeared to have last season. It opens up the field substantially with a result like this so early in the season.
7. Ooooohhhh Tigers fans. It looks like the whole season is very close to unravelling. After what appeared to be a good opening to their game with the Raiders down in Canberra (despite both teams constant dropping of the ball) the Tigers suddenly forgot how to play, and the Raiders stopped dropping the ball. The 46-6 thrashing will have revived local fans after last week's 'brain fade', but where do the Tigers go from here? Do they have nothing to motivate them if they aren't playing against Robbie Farah? They look shot.
8. Seriously, what is going on with the Shire partners? The Sharks couldn't beat Brisbane at home, then pumped the Raiders away. The Dragons surprised against the Panthers, then failed to consolidate against the Eels at home. The derby is always a game played with feeling, but for the most part the Sharks didn't have any. The 16-10 victory for the Dragons feels like it is just a band-aid before the inevitable collapse, but the Sharks at 1-2 need to find something quick or they will be fishing in rougher waters.

Pall of Doom Hangs Over Australia's Chances

When it comes to predictability, especially in regards to a Test match played in India by Australia, Day Four in Ranchi probably upheld everything that you could have expected. India was behind the eight ball, struggling to contain whatever deficit they were likely to face to a minimum, before Australia went about increasing that lead in their second innings. Of course, what transpired was exactly the opposite, and not for the first time in the last 40-odd years of tussles between these two nations, the visitors are now in a precarious position.

1. For two sessions, Pujara and Saha held the Australian bowling quartet at bay, kicking away the balls outside their stumps, calmly prodding away those on the stumps, and when they felt comfortable enough they moved the ball for singles or twos. Starting the day 91 runs behind Australia, that deficit was still to be erased at lunch, but once they did post lunch, and the two of them still together, each run started stabbing at the heart of the Australian batsmen. In many ways it was as frustrating to watch as the Dravid/Laxman partnership 16 years ago, and as on that occasion the two batsmen were patient and took no outward risks, and just slowly built their partnership. It wasn’t until it was decided that quick runs were required that they both fell, for innings that neither will forget in the context of their careers.
2. Ravindra Jadeja once again delivered in circumstances that were tailor made for him. Firstly, with a lead already established, he came to the crease and could play his natural attacking game with no threat of damaging the team’s position, and in this carefree situation delivered the runs that the team needed. Then almost as if by divine proclamation he found spit and fire in the pitch that had been hidden from the Australians and delivered two wickets in the eight overs they had to face before stumps, including the one they would have wanted most in David Warner. The stars appear aligned again today for him to be the winner of this Test for India in such conditions.
3. The Australian bowlers can be proud of their efforts over more than two days in the field. On a track which has fooled everyone and offered almost nothing for the bowlers, the four Aussies stuck to their guns, and gave nothing away. There was practically no easy runs, and while thewicket was mostly docile they occasionally found a way to get through. Steven O’Keefe was magnificent for 77 overs over bowling, finishing with 3/199. Some would say he was negative in his line outside leg stump to Pujara, but given the partnership of 199 with Saha was through taking no risks, the tactics had to be to wear him down or be worn down. SOK stuck to his task well under the conditions. Hazlewood and Cummins were magnificent. It will be interesting to see, in light of recent ‘concerns’ over bowler workload, what will happen with these two for the final Test. Lyon was solid but unlike the other three tended to give those loose balls that allowed the batsmen to rotate strike.
4. How will the wicket play on Day Five? Day Four showed it was still placid, and to be honest perhaps the fact that neither Australian spinner was able to get much out of it is a concern, especially after what Jadeja did in four overs at the end of the day. I know I harp on about this, but I spent the day pondering what a wrist spinner may have gotten from this surface. A bit of variable bounce? A bit of turn by spinning with the wrist rather than the fingers? We’ll never know, but you can be sure that the way Day Four progressed will mean that Mitchell Swepson’s Test debut may be a lot closer than we thought a few days ago.
5. The massive holes in Dave Warner armoury are being exposed for all to see on this tour. After his dismissal last night, he is averaging 21.83 with a highest score of 38. In Sri Lanka last year he averaged 27.16. It will be more troubloing to himself than it is to us cricket tragics, and he will be more determined to find a way through it. His reputation is not in tatters, but the mental battle has been well and truly won by the Indian spinners. To be honest, if you were England at the moment you would have to contemplate opening with a spinner in the upcoming Ashes series on the back of this. With one Test to come, Warner will have two chances to put this all behind him and find a way to get his mojo back.
6. Finally, wasn’t it great to see Virat Kohli so excited about the fall of Warner’s wicket, that he decided to mock himself by holding his shoulder in ‘triumph’. I know it will be all happy times in India and it will be seen as a vindication that they are well on top. Surely the rest of the world currently just see him as a show pony who is trying to compensate for the fact that he too cannot seem to score a run against this bowling attack.

The future of the series hangs on today’s result. Australia’s record in these situations is… rubbish. On a day when it looked as it would be Australia pushing for victory, now they can only dig in and hope to bat out the day for a draw. With two wickets having already fallen and a deficit of 129 runs still in arrears, only the most optimistic supporter would say they can survive without defeat. It is a great test for Renshaw, Handscomb and Maxwell to prove their batting powers, and for Shaun Marsh to prove he is worth persisting with. I hope I can sit here and write tomorrow’s summary as a huge positive for Australian cricket, and not the repeating disaster than hangs over this final day like a pall of doom.

Songs of My Life #51 - Moving Pictures - What About Me - 1982

Songs of My Life #51 - Moving Pictures - What About Me - 1982

Still one of the finest Australian songs ever written. When this came out it was plastered over the radio and Countdown and any other show that would put music videos on. It captured the time, and sat perfectly between the Aussie Pub Rock culture and the New Romantic era that was being shepherded in.

Relying mostly on the piano, synthesiser, sax and heavy drum beat when required, this was so different from what was being done in music at the time. But the starring role in the whole song is Alex Smith's perfect vocals. Not just his range, but the perfect use of emotion at the right time to drive the song harder or bring it back to a melancholic tone. It's a roller coaster that still gives me goose bumps whenever I listen to it today.

This is one of the greats - that was very nearly destroyed when Australian Idol contestant Shannon Noll hijacked it and stripped it of its glory and replaced it with huge vile chunks of vomit. There is only one version of this song, and Moving PIctures are the sole owners of it. Enjoy.

Three Stories Highlight Fascinating Day of Test Cricket

The 3rd day at Ranchi was dominated by three individuals, whose own performances on the day showed the differing skills, temperaments and mental application that abide within the series. While two succeeded where one continues to live inside his own bubble, the tough grinding day of Test cricket has once again failed to give either side an advantage leading into Day Four.

1. Cheteshwar Pujara has played the tough mongrel innings that he seems to save for Tests against Australia. He batted through the entire day rarely looking troubled, and ensure the deficit was slowly but surely knocked away. His one moment was an LBW appeal referred to the DRS, where depending on your point of view, it could be said that the ball may have hit the pad slightly before his bat which would have led to his dismissal. The third umpire disagreed and he survived. He saw off the threats of Cummins and Hazelwood, he padded away O'Keefe's line outside his leg stump, and he worked Lyon away through the leg side with ease. It was a terrific example of the mental side of cricket, something that should not be lost on his teammates such as Vijay and Rahane who lost their wickets to rash shots. He remains on 130 not out, and is the Indian who is most control of whether his side face a deficit in the first innings, or possibly gain a lead.
2. Pat Cummins has returned to Test cricket, and picked up where he left off 6 years ago. He was managed well by skipper Steve Smith, given shorter spells and used as a strike bowler. You could see the difficulty of the situation, because Cummins was the one who looked like getting the breakthroughs and both he and his captain would have liked him to bowl more, but you could also see the tired walk back to the bowling mark through his fourth over of a spell, and you just knew he couldn't be pushed much further for fear of ANY injury occurring. This aside, he was truly brilliant in conditions that were in no way suitable for him. It was his sheer pace and effort that got him his wickets on the day - the brilliant ball to get Kohli and the effort balls to get Rahane and Ashwin. He now has 4/59 from 25 overs in the innings, and the only concern now is how he pulls up after that workload. It will be a familiar question for him over the next two weeks given his history. The supporting cast for Australia did their job on a thankless surface. Hazlewood was a metronome, while O'Keefe and Lyon both toiled with few troubles for the batsmen. Their time will come on Day Five if they are in a position to bowl India out in their second innings.
3. For a man who has taken it on himself to be the man to drag India to this series win, Virat Kohli had yet another unspectacular day. After spending most of the first two days inside the change room, he decided to make his presence felt when Australia lost their second DRS review against Pujara. While applauding vociferously (which must have been a strain on that poor injured shoulder) he deliberately moved out onto the balcony so that the whole world - and specifically the Australian players - could see him. One could see that as being provocative. No, certainly the Indian media ignored that, they were more concerned when Glenn Maxwell dived for a ball in the field in the same way Kohli had done to 'injure' his shoulder, and then 'mocked' Kohli by smiling and grabbing his shoulder. That was where the problem lay, apparently. And when the cropped photo of Steve Smith with 'his' hand on his shoulder when Kohli was dismissed (which was actually Handscomb's hand on his shoulder) Indian's went vitriolic. Until it was proven false, at which point they remained indignant without being apologetic. When it mattered though, Kohli failed again, edging Cummins to Smith at slip for just 6, and the Aussies were ecstatic. Despite not being able pry out the whole order, getting the Indian captain cheaply again would have made the beer at stumps worthwhile.

India trail by 91 runs with two days to play, and all three outcomes are still possible in this Test. Significantly it will be the Australian top order that is again under the most pressure today. Whether they start with a lead or not, they still have to ensure they do not collapse as has been their wont in recent times. They must have a lead of around 200 by stumps on Day Four with wickets in hand if they are to be in a position to push for victory. Anything less than that opens the door for India to sneak under their guard and steal a win that would be, from an Australian point of view, undeserving.

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