Is it just me, or do others feel that cricket has lost it’s lustre?
I remember the days, back in the mid 80’s. Lillee, Border, Marsh (both), Boon, McDermott, Merv, O’Donnell, Jones.
We had a magical team back then. Cricket was THE national Australian sport. Played everywhere. Watched by everyone.
What’s happened?
We’re facing a 7 game losing streak in One Day Internationals. We don’t hold the Ashes. Crowds are falling. Match Fixing allegations are flying.
It feels like the game is self-imploding. If it weren’t for the big money coming from India, I think it would be even closer to death.
We lost to Sri Lanka the other night because we couldn’t get their No. 10 and 11 batsmen out! Sad sad sad.
The last few years have really been disappointing for me as a cricket fan. I’ll go as far as to say that I’ve lost interest in most aspects of the game apart from test matches. 20/20 matches, for me, have ruined the original shortened version of the game, the 50 over ODI’s. The everyday fan is so keen to see players attempting to smash every ball and to have the game wrap up in 3 hours that they’ve given up on the laborious 50 over match.
At least test matches still hold that traditional feel, but when the Pakistani’s start to mess with match fixing, it even ruins the pure perfect version of the game.
I went to Lord’s in July and watched the Australians play Pakistan on the hallowed turf. It was a fantastic atmosphere being at the ‘home’ of cricket. Listening to poms around me, taking in the MCC members, drinking the English beer. It really hits home as to what cricket is about.
How can it recover? How can cricket come back to what it used to be?
Maybe McDonalds should start giving out posters of the teams from the ‘World Series of Cricket’ again. Maybe we should ditch 20/20’s and focus on the One Dayer again. I mean, did you see the 20/20 the other night? We were crap. We couldn’t slog to save ourselves, and if you don’t slog in a slogfest, what’s the point??
I still love the sound of leather on willow, the voice of the Channel 9 commentators and the local ABC radio covering the tests, but I am getting close to giving up on the shortened bastardised version unless something changes soon.
And to those that say 20/20 is the future, take a look at yourselves. It’s nothing more than a short, talent-less money grab. You don’t need a lot of skill to swing the bat and hope for a 6 or to bowl slower balls every 2nd ball to confuse the batter that has pre-determined his slog (shot).
I would be happy for 20/20’s to disappear from the game altogether, but of course that’s not going to happen whilst it is making more money than ODI’s and Test matches.
Parramatta Eels – Yes. I am sticking with them as any good supporter would. We have a perfectly balanced team in talent, but not the perfectly balanced mindset. If they can sort their heads out this year, they will blow most teams off the park
Melbourne Storm – They were dominant all of last year, and the year before that and I can’t see that changing this year. They could go back-to-back, but they’ll have to get past the might of the Eels first!
Manly Sea-Eagles – As much as I hate the damn silvertails, they will put in another good season, especially to give Beaver Menzies a big send-off. Look for another big year from Jamie (traitor) Lyon.
North Queensland Cowboys – If the Bowen/Thurston show stays fit, they will easily fit into the Top 4 this year. Little did I know this time last year how potent they can be! Mind you, I think they lack depth and could drop fast if their top players are injured
Sydney Roosters – I love to hate them, as does most of the country, but they have a solid team this year after buying up big (and I mean BIG) with Mason and Myles. The Roosters have been out of contention for a while, but this year they will bounce right back
Cronulla Sharks – I like the comination of Kimmorley, Bird and Gallen and I think they will bring this team back to the Finals. It’s been a while!
Wests Tigers – With a fit Benji and Farah, Hodgson and Morris, they will scrape into the finals this year.
Bulldogs – Although they still have a lot of fire power up front, I think the decline of the Bulldogs has begun, starting with tomorrow’s thrashing by the Eels!
Gold Coast Titans – They had a big opening season, but they really dropped off in the latter half.If their personnel stays fit I think they can improve their standing, but will still be shy of the Playoffs.
New Zealand Warriors – Although they still have the old heads of Steve Price and now Brent Tate, I don’t think it will be enough to make the Warriors anything but an annoying trip across the Tasman.
St.George-Illawarra Dragons – This will be a tough year for Nathan Brown and his troops. Unless Gasnier and Cooper can keep the ship afloat, I think it will be a lean season for them
Canberra Raiders – Things aren’t all doom and gloom for the Raiders, but they will still struggle. They do have some up and coming talent in the side and Carney should become a revelation for the local region if he performs, stays off the plonk and the roads. Then again, he just has to stay in Canberra for that to happen. It won’t be the best year for the Raiders again. They still lack the experience, with no-one in the side having played more than 150 games, to win the big close games.
Brisbane Broncos – It’s not often I would pick the Broncos to finish down here, but it’s my big pick this year. They didn’t make the finals last year and even with Lockyer trying his hardest, I think they will really struggle this year. Playing in Brisbane will no longer mean certain death!
Penrith Panthers – They stole the wooden spoon off the Knights last year, but should reverse positions this time. They still have some quality players in their team like Rooney and now Civoniceva, but I can’t see them threatening too many teams yet.
Newcastle Knights – The poor old Knights really took a tumble after mourning their greatest players fall last year. I’m afraid it won’t get much better for them as Buderus has just announced his defection to England next year and they really lack any sort of firepower to support him. Spoon goes to the Knights this year!
But Channel Nine’s new show, 
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