Monday, October 28

DID ANYONE WATCH THE CRICKET?

Unless you just came across it on TV or are really, really into Cricket – was anyone aware a T20 International series got underway in Adelaide yesterday?

The truth is – no one knew that Australia’s international summer of Cricket got underway.

Cricket Australia must have gone with an underground alternative music strategy that only those who are in the know could enjoy watching the T20 between the Aussies and Sri Lanka and not be mainstream.

This current series has all the makings of an off-Broadway sports tournament.

Hidden on pay-TV (which is perfectly accessible in the age of Kayo), played on a Sunday afternoon in Adelaide at the same time as the WBBL on Channel 7 and right smack bang in the middle of the spring racing carnival.

Off-Broadway and alternative belong to music festivals sponsored by community radio and local theatre companies putting on a production of “Feminists rolling around on the floor”, not for International Cricket involving Australia (in any format).

There’s no doubt as you looked at your news feed this morning you were pleasantly surprised that Dave Warner achieved an unbeaten 100 runs from 56 balls or that Aaron Finch and Glenn Maxwell took the Sri Lankan bowling to town.

But did you even know that they meet again on Wednesday night at the Gabba? Or there’s another series against Pakistan straight after that? Probably not.

It’s not even a tri-series.

Just a best of three meaningless games that no one even knows that are on.

If you watched it you couldn’t even tell it was Australia playing given they are wearing Black uniforms with green and gold streaks.

It should be Green and Gold/Canary Yellow or go home.

“Canary yellow? That’s Australian gold my friend and don’t you f*ckin’ forget it! Canary yellow indeed…” as the 12th Man/Bill Lawry would say.

T20 International’s aren’t the greatest but it’s still Australia playing International Cricket on home soil and it does not deserve to be considered off-Broadway/underground.

Play the games at smaller grounds in regional areas, promote them and perhaps reconsider the TV deal tucking them away on Foxtel, even if it’s easier than ever to get.

The Australian Sporting public deserves better.  

 

THIS IS AN ART ATTACK

The In-House Profit Prophet has set his sights on Cessnock today and for anyone who grew up watching ABC Kids – his tip in the Cessnock Cup –  Art Attack is sure to get you brimming with nostalgia.

“Art Attack is as honest as they come and is up to winning this afternoon’s Cessnock Cup. The Excellent Art gelding has mixed his form a little this time but produced a good turn of foot to run on for sixth in the Port Macquarie Cup last time out, and this is a genuine drop in class from that race. He’s rock-hard fit and will be hard to hold out.”

BRUCE'S MATE

In case you missed it on Channel 7’s coverage of the Cox Plate, the story of Bruce McAvaney’s right-hand man Shaunie Gallagher is a ripper.

Like Bruce, Shaunie is a dead set legend and is sure to bring a smile to your face to begin your working week.

Onya Shaunie!