New post at beer and sport

http://beerandsport.blogspot.com/2008/04/ca-contracted-players-need-more.html

I've finally found out how to consolidate my two google accounts so have moved all blogging activities BACK to Beer and Sport.

Apologies for any confusion...

Dazza's Back

The real slim shady has returned to top level umpiring. Dazza was the top rated umpire for decision making when marked against tapes of his performances.

I'm glad he's back - as an experienced and ultra professional umpire who doesn't take no shizer, I just hope he continues to stand up for what he believes and hasn't been lobotomised by the ICC

Now they just need to re-sign Taufel...

Just one more wicket

Dave Hussey is all that stands between the Bluetongues and holding the Sheffield Shield aloft for the 45th time. As far as obstacles go, he's a fairly monumental one. On the cusp of Australian selection, he takes his brothers reliability and makes it look interesting.

One scenario that plays out is Mr Junior making 300 while his team falls all around him. I'd like to see that, as I reckon he really should be in the Australian side. Not because he's Victorian - he was born in Perth and in 2005 asked to be transferred back to play for his native Western Australia but was knocked back by Victorian Cricket even though they had dropped him - but because he brings a reliability that is missing from our middle order, and is more than handy with the ball. Perhaps we can drop Punter for him.

I almost felt sorry for the Victorians this morning - seems that Uncle-J is taking it pretty hard, and while still optimistic of chasing down the 533 on a 5th day SCG wicket against Lee, Clark, Macgilla, Bracken, Casson and Clarke, is starting to repress his inner monologue.

Then I remembered that he's Victorian, and the sympathy quickly passed. Bring it home blues.

Sporting Declaration

and there you have it, seems Katto was waiting for Lee to get his maiden 1st class hundred.. poor Binga had other ideas though and will be looking forward to that text message you just know that Warney has sent..

So, the sporting declaration comes leaving the Mexicans 108 overs to bring up the target of 629. 5.8 an over should be easy as.

Course they could try and hold out for a draw, but then we win anyway so presumably they'll go for it.

What a great sport Katto is. Were it up to me I would have batted all day and maybe given them two sessions to get 850.

NSW Cunning Plan

This was just posted in the crocinfo commentary:

Ross emails "Why would NSW declare ?? Bat for the rest of the match and let Casson and Lee get maiden first class centuries and keep the Vic's in the field for as long as possible. Isn't that the whole idea of finishing on top of the table, have the final at home, need nothing but a draw !! "

which poses an interesting point. If this games a draw then we win. So the Vics HAVE to bat for a win regardless of how long we give them to bat.

That said, there's been a marked improvement in the scoring rates since lunch, we're going along at over 6rpo so I think the pre-declaration slog is in motion. Another 20-30 minutes should see that lead over 600 which I dare say will be a number too high for the Vics in 4.5 sessions. Still, if it guarantees bring home the trophy, lets bat till stumps.

Moomoo Cup Final - Day 4 - setting up the smackdown

Some would say that a lead of 428 is enough and we should have a bowl. I'm not one of them. Bring on the 550+ lead then we can grind them into the ground. After all, we might have to actually dismiss future PM Dave Hussey this time.

Still, with the Aussie attack on our side less the short of a length outside off Johnson to waste the shine, you'd fancy us to wrap them up pretty quickly. Lee's probably getting a bit of attention from side-siddle as we speak, nothing like firing him up to really do some damage when he does get the ball in his hand. Perhaps the Binger Beamer will make a re-appearance - and no that's not the one that Lara gets when there's a cold draft.

Apparently "the pitch is too slow" as cricinfo informs me. not really sure what that means but supposedly Macgilla and speciallist batsman Beau Casson can have a bit of fun out there.

Lets push on for the next session and a half and really make a lead of this. At the very least I want to win by 300, really put it beyond doubt.

Moomoo cup - Day 3 session 3

Buggered if I know wtf the mighty Bluetongues are thinking. The recent flurry of wickets have all been lost with what appears to be a goal of having a bowl tonight? The IPL doesn't start for a few weeks, so I'm not quite sure why they want to wrap this game up with a day to spare.

Our leads approaching 400 now, which you'd back the Vics to get in 4 sessions. There's 6.5 sessions left, so why are we throwing our wickets away? The Bluetongues had been trotting along at a very respectable 3.6 an over, I'd have been happy to do that to stumps then come out blazing tomorrow morning.

I'm all for attacking cricket, and when it comes to the pre-declaration slog I'm it's biggest fan.. however I'm not going to be comfortable with less than a 600 run lead, lest we forget.

Anyone have any clues as to why we accumulated through the 70-79th overs, then as soon as that new rock came out Clarke saw red and started belting every ball for 4.

First step was to run out Kattich on 92, poor bloke hasn't had enough centuries to celebrate this year, what with that 1506 runs he's scored.

Then he tries what sounds like a Courtney Walsh special - "Clark looking to attack, backs away and looks to cut it through the off side, gets the edge to Crosthwaite behind the wicket" to bring about his own undoing, and exposing two new batsmen to the new ball.

Haddin figures anything pup can do I can do better, playing on for 4 off 3 balls. Now it's up to specialist batsman Beau Casson and Dominic Thornley to try and reserrect our half-gig total. Then we can slog.