The bloke is an absolute genius:
Thursday 24 November 2011
Wednesday 16 November 2011
Tuesday 15 November 2011
England International Football Friendlies!
England have beaten Spain and Sweden 1-0 - brilliant!
Does anyone really care about these overpaid prima donnas any more?
England will get to the quarter finals in the Euros and then bomb out upon Rooney's return. And the Shrek-ster himself will probably get sent off.
Pleased Zamora got a go though.
Does anyone really care about these overpaid prima donnas any more?
England will get to the quarter finals in the Euros and then bomb out upon Rooney's return. And the Shrek-ster himself will probably get sent off.
Pleased Zamora got a go though.
Saturday 12 November 2011
Can Cricket Recover?
Everyone seems pleased that the three Pakistan cricketers and their agent involved in the summer's spot-fixing row have been given jail sentences, although it has highlighted just how pathetic the ICC's attempts to curb this behaviour are. It has been very reminiscent of parliament when someone finally takes action over something that everyone knows is wrong, lots of people jump on the bandwagon and say how they'd have done the same thing given the opportunity, or that the ICC needs to have a long, hard look at itself. All very easy when you don't actually take any risks.
The real worry is the damage that these people (the guilty ones) have caused the game of cricket. Even at the time Michael Holding and the rest of the Sky commentary team thought something was awry, certainly with Amir's no balls, that were so far over it was ridiculous. And then the news broke that they were pre-arranged when the NOTW printed its story.
As plenty of media types have said one now starts to look back at games where extraordinary things have happened and wonder whether games were thrown, certainly ones involving Pakistan, who have always blown hot and cold during matches and series. Especially since other players' names are being bandied about as being involved, and not all Pakistani from what I can gather.
And will the prison sentences really deter others from spot-fixing? Asif was reputedly paid £65,000 for his no-ball, which is about three and a half years wages on a PCB contract - not bad for a fast(ish) bowler approaching 30 and with a limited shelf life. Apart from the fact that he was caught and has to spend a year in prison of course.
We have been in a similar situation before after Hansie Cronje was caught and banned at the same time as a couple of others, who if memory serves, were from Pakistan. Cricket recovered then and almost certainly will again. There is now increased pressure on players not to have a howler though, as they may well find themselves under investigation Spanish Inquisition style, which would be unfair.
Only time will tell I suppose, but I really hope the popularity of cricket isn't adversely affected by the greed of a few.
The real worry is the damage that these people (the guilty ones) have caused the game of cricket. Even at the time Michael Holding and the rest of the Sky commentary team thought something was awry, certainly with Amir's no balls, that were so far over it was ridiculous. And then the news broke that they were pre-arranged when the NOTW printed its story.
As plenty of media types have said one now starts to look back at games where extraordinary things have happened and wonder whether games were thrown, certainly ones involving Pakistan, who have always blown hot and cold during matches and series. Especially since other players' names are being bandied about as being involved, and not all Pakistani from what I can gather.
And will the prison sentences really deter others from spot-fixing? Asif was reputedly paid £65,000 for his no-ball, which is about three and a half years wages on a PCB contract - not bad for a fast(ish) bowler approaching 30 and with a limited shelf life. Apart from the fact that he was caught and has to spend a year in prison of course.
We have been in a similar situation before after Hansie Cronje was caught and banned at the same time as a couple of others, who if memory serves, were from Pakistan. Cricket recovered then and almost certainly will again. There is now increased pressure on players not to have a howler though, as they may well find themselves under investigation Spanish Inquisition style, which would be unfair.
Only time will tell I suppose, but I really hope the popularity of cricket isn't adversely affected by the greed of a few.
Cricket's Never Had It So Good, Or Has It?
Andy Flower has been quoted as bemoaning the apparent insistence of the ICC pushing ODIs ahead of Test series today. What would once be a stand-out series of South Africa versus Australia is limited to just 2 games. In this case there are no ODIs but during the last English summer England played 4 tests against the then number ones India, followed by 6 ODIs and a T20.
Test cricket called Test cricket for one reason: it is the ultimate test of a team and the players in that team. The best side will normally come out on top. ODIs are far more of a lottery - 10 poor overs and the game's lost. If you liken the games to football you'd say that Test cricket is the Premier League and ODIs the FA Cup, and ask any football fan or player which they'd rather win and it would be the Premier League every time.
The trouble is that the financial incentives are difficult to ignore for both ICC, Cricket Boards and players alike. What would you rather do? Spend a long time at work for your wages (Test cricket) or work less and earn more (T20/IPL)? It's a no-brainer unfortunately.
As a result some of the best players in the world are turning their back on Test cricket for the financial rewards of T20 cricket, therefore making Test cricket less desirable to the paying public as the quality of cricket on offer isn't necessarily as high.
Cricket has been through this before and come out the other side during the Kerry Packer World series era during the 1970s and 80s, but the longer T20's popularity remains, the more difficult it will be for cricket to recover at the top level of Test matches.
Andy Flower has a vested interest of course, in that he doesn't want his achievement as England coach and reaching the number spot in Test cricket with England to be belittled by the best players not playing, but he's definitely has a point. The ICC are looking very short term at the situation.
Test cricket called Test cricket for one reason: it is the ultimate test of a team and the players in that team. The best side will normally come out on top. ODIs are far more of a lottery - 10 poor overs and the game's lost. If you liken the games to football you'd say that Test cricket is the Premier League and ODIs the FA Cup, and ask any football fan or player which they'd rather win and it would be the Premier League every time.
The trouble is that the financial incentives are difficult to ignore for both ICC, Cricket Boards and players alike. What would you rather do? Spend a long time at work for your wages (Test cricket) or work less and earn more (T20/IPL)? It's a no-brainer unfortunately.
As a result some of the best players in the world are turning their back on Test cricket for the financial rewards of T20 cricket, therefore making Test cricket less desirable to the paying public as the quality of cricket on offer isn't necessarily as high.
Cricket has been through this before and come out the other side during the Kerry Packer World series era during the 1970s and 80s, but the longer T20's popularity remains, the more difficult it will be for cricket to recover at the top level of Test matches.
Andy Flower has a vested interest of course, in that he doesn't want his achievement as England coach and reaching the number spot in Test cricket with England to be belittled by the best players not playing, but he's definitely has a point. The ICC are looking very short term at the situation.
Friday 11 November 2011
Wednesday 2 November 2011
Movember 2011
It’s Movember, the month formerly known as November, now dedicated to
growing moustaches and raising awareness and funds for men’s health;
specifically prostate and testicular cancer. I’m donating my top lip to
the cause for 30 days in an effort to help change the face of men’s
health. My Mo will spark conversations, and no doubt generate some
laughs; all in the name of raising vital awareness and funds for
cancer’s affecting men.
Why am I concerned about men’s health?
*1 in 9 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime
*This year 37,000 new cases of the disease will be diagnosed
*1 in 2 men will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime
*26% of men are less likely to go the doctor compared to women
I invite you to join me by registering to grow or by donating to my support of the Mo http://mobro.co/lutters
If you want to go old school you can write a cheque payable to “Movember”, reference my name and Registration Number 1388336 and send it to: Movember Europe, PO Box 68600, London, EC1P 1EF
Funds raised will help make a tangible difference to the lives of others. Through the Movember Foundation and our men’s health partners, The Prostate Cancer Charity and The Institute of Cancer Research, Movember is funding world class awareness, research, educational and support programs which would otherwise not be possible.
For more details on how the funds raised from previous campaigns have been used and the impact Movember is having please click on the links below:
About Movember
Prostate cancer genome mapping
Prostate Cancer Foundation research
Global Action Plan
Thank you in advance for helping me change the face of men's health.
Why am I concerned about men’s health?
*1 in 9 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime
*This year 37,000 new cases of the disease will be diagnosed
*1 in 2 men will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime
*26% of men are less likely to go the doctor compared to women
I invite you to join me by registering to grow or by donating to my support of the Mo http://mobro.co/lutters
If you want to go old school you can write a cheque payable to “Movember”, reference my name and Registration Number 1388336 and send it to: Movember Europe, PO Box 68600, London, EC1P 1EF
Funds raised will help make a tangible difference to the lives of others. Through the Movember Foundation and our men’s health partners, The Prostate Cancer Charity and The Institute of Cancer Research, Movember is funding world class awareness, research, educational and support programs which would otherwise not be possible.
For more details on how the funds raised from previous campaigns have been used and the impact Movember is having please click on the links below:
About Movember
Prostate cancer genome mapping
Prostate Cancer Foundation research
Global Action Plan
Thank you in advance for helping me change the face of men's health.
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