| 
Posts and words
Loading ...
simon-katich
Stuck in the nineties
By Rich Abbott last year, at the end of December, No Comments; be the first!
That’s what Shane Watson and Simon Katich seem to be at the moment, and not in a shell suits and britpop-inspired way. Both got out within touching distance of three figures on the first day of the Boxing Day Test against Pakistan – scoring 93 and 98 respectively – and in doing so, continued something of a December trend.
Insult was added to bitter disappointment in the form of Watson’s departure – a calamatous run out.
The Queenslander has notched scores of 96, 89 and 93 this month, as he searches for an elusive first Test century. Katich, his opening partner, has managed three scores in the nineties in his last four Tests, including agonising near misses – 99 against the West Indies and today’s 98 – in his last two matches.
At least Katich has eight Test centuries in his locker.
After falling four runs short of a maiden Test hundred at Adelaide earlier this month, Watson declared himself to be the “most shattered I’ve been“.
He may need convincing, but centuries – as England can attest – are not the be all and end all. At the end of the recent West Indies series, the Australians found themselves on the right end (in a roundabout way) of a repeat of the curious 2009 Ashes ‘century count’ phenomena: the West Indies scored four, to Australia’s none.
Australia, of course, came out on top in the numbers that matter the most, winning the series 2-0.
No Comments »Pommy bashing gets the green light
By Will 4 years ago, at the end of September, 22 Comments »
The political correctness sheep haven’t yet grazed cricket’s many pastures of weird idioms and phrases. Not yet. And before I go on – is that the most bizarre metaphor I’ve ever written? Yup.
In English, what I meant to say was Cricket Australia have given the term “pom” (and its derivatives) the all clear, in the wake of yesterday’s clamping down on racism by the thumb-twiddlers in Dubai. It’s terrific news allround. I personally don’t give a hoot if an Aussie calls me a pom; quite the contrary. I’m sure every England cricketer is proud to be a “pommy bastard” and a “dirty little pommy scumbag” or whatever else the Australians will bleat at them this winter. In this age where even the trusty manhole cover is cowering in fear from the political correctness giant (New Labour: new words), it is terrific that cricket is just about escaping his all encompassing snare.
On similar lines, my Mum’s old boss – a terrific person, the lead in her field (rheumatology) and a remarkably resilient character – reminded me of society’s pathetic pandering to equality. I got to know her really well, and ended up working with her at the NHS for a while; although a senior consultant, revered by everyone and frightening medical students due to her authority, we got on like a house on fire. But even she, when I cheerily asked “So then Miss Chairman, how was the meeting?”, retorted furiously with “It’s ChairPERSON, Will”. I put my hands up (without coming to the party) – a fair point, and I respected her too much to disagree. But nevertheless, how pathetic it is that these words and phrases are taken so bloody seriously these days. I’m seeing it from a bloke’s angle, and I’m sure most girls don’t squirm when they drive over a manhole cover, not a womanhole cover or personhole cover.
Anyway, back to the poms. The term pom is permissible but only if it’s not preceded or followed by something which would be considered obscene. In short, pommy bastard could yet be made extinct – not to mention the more colourful variations (remember Katich?).
But for now, let’s just enjoy the insults.
22 Comments »Australia collapse spectacularly
By Will 4 years ago, at the start of March, 9 Comments »
Australia are 7 for 4 (seven runs for four wickets) against South Africa, who are well on course for a 2-0 series lead. What on earth’s going on? Makhaya Ntini has 4-4 from five overs!
UPDATE: They’re now 11 for 4 from 12 overs!
UPDATE: Somewhat of a recovery, 34 for 4. Katich 16 – oh dear, he’s gone too now! What a muppet – Klassic Katich, caught in the covers. Useless shot.
9 Comments »You effing pommy *****
By Will 5 years ago, at the end of August, 13 Comments »
Oh dear. Poor old Katich. I do feel sorry for him, as much as an Englishman can feel sorry for an Australian cricketer of course. His decision (LBW) was an absolute shocker. The Australia newspaper the Herald Sun reports that he really did lose the plot quite massively:
Billy Bareham, from Sussex, said: “Katich was being booed and jeered, although I did not hear anyone say anything specific to him.
“But then he shouted out, ‘You f—ing Pommy c—s.’ You could hear him carrying on mouthing off even once he got into the pavilion. He might’ve got a bad decision but there was no call for that sort of language.”
That’s just not cricket (sorry – predictable).
13 Comments »England v Australia, Trent Bridge, Day Four
By Will 5 years ago, at the end of August, 74 Comments »
This match is perfectly set-up. England start favourites, but Gilchrist is overdue a sensational innings, and Katich could do with a few. Comment away!
74 Comments »Katich’s (and Australia’s) future
By Will 5 years ago, mid-August, 10 Comments »
I noted today that Simon Katich again failed to make a substantial contribution, against Northamptonshire. I’m one of many Englishmen who hasn’t really seen the best of Katich, and I’m keen to know more from those that have. Quite why Mike Hussey isn’t in the current Test side, in replace of Katich, is beyond me. Hussey seems to be at least his equal with the bat, and an outstanding outfielder.
Aside from Hussey, who else do Australia have in the pipeline? Batsmen can often “go on” longer than bowlers, but it would obviously be in Australia’s great interest to introduce some younger batsmen sooner rather than later. What, and who, is Australia’s batting future?
10 Comments »