Comments on: Summer in Australia http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/2006/12/23/summer-in-australia/ writing, reading, eating, drinking, sport Thu, 17 May 2012 20:45:04 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: genevieve http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/2006/12/23/summer-in-australia/comment-page-1/#comment-10738 genevieve Tue, 26 Dec 2006 07:20:35 +0000 http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/?p=489#comment-10738 Warne is incredible, as is the wonderful technology that allows us to see the magic he wreaks with that seam. Thanks for the references to good cricket reading, Justine - I would love to read that book on the Indian/Pakistani scene. And I'm glad I'm not the only person who wonders where our indigenous players are. There must be a grim tale of privilege and racism in that somewhere. That aside, I am forever grateful for growing up in a cricket mad family. There is something very restful about it - I have a daughter who only really stops working when she watches the Test. Warne is incredible, as is the wonderful technology that allows us to see the magic he wreaks with that seam.
Thanks for the references to good cricket reading, Justine – I would love to read that book on the Indian/Pakistani scene. And I’m glad I’m not the only person who wonders where our indigenous players are. There must be a grim tale of privilege and racism in that somewhere. That aside, I am forever grateful for growing up in a cricket mad family. There is something very restful about it – I have a daughter who only really stops working when she watches the Test.

]]> By: Justine http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/2006/12/23/summer-in-australia/comment-page-1/#comment-10689 Justine Mon, 25 Dec 2006 22:59:07 +0000 http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/?p=489#comment-10689 Jenny D: <i>this entry is making me very, very desirous of holding in my hands a copy of your cricket ya mangosteen fairy novel…. (i know that is the wrong order of words!)</i> Why, thank you! And not to worry the order of the words is pretty arbitrary as is the presence of any of those things in the novel. James: I keep meaning to get hold of a copy so I can see it again. I bet I can find a copy here at home. Veejane: I've even played rounders. I can see that it might've been part of the evolvement of baseball. But so is cricket. I'm fascinated why baseball historians are so hellbent on disowning the connection when it's so obvious. Rebecca: I've missed seeing <i>Lagaan</i> any number of times now. I think I'm just going to buy the DVD. Everyone raves about its fabulousness. Da: He's also the only one I can think of. I have no idea about the women's team either. Jonathan: I have a copy which I plan to read soon. It is rather large. Ben Payne: It is one of those sports you have to grow up with or be really determined to learn about. Most of the people I know who say they can't understand it aren't into sport anyways. Scott learned to understand and love it as an adult, but he's a natural sporthead. Warne isn't replaceable, but there are a bunch of promsing young spinners. I'm not at all worried about the immediate future of our team. And maybe if there was a drop in standard from us, the rest of the world would have more of a chance to catch up? I think it's unlikely Hayden and Langer will still be there a year from now. I'll be sad to see Gilly go but it's not going to be the same blow that losing Warne is. We've got a plenitude of fabulous batters waiting. You can rant about cricket here anytime. Ez: I did, indeed, know that Holding was in the country. He's been interviewed a couple of times on channel 9. What a fabulous bowler he was! What a wonderful commentator he is now. Bo: Was a lovely dinner, wasn't it? Jenny D: this entry is making me very, very desirous of holding in my hands a copy of your cricket ya mangosteen fairy novel…. (i know that is the wrong order of words!)

Why, thank you! And not to worry the order of the words is pretty arbitrary as is the presence of any of those things in the novel.

James: I keep meaning to get hold of a copy so I can see it again. I bet I can find a copy here at home.

Veejane: I’ve even played rounders. I can see that it might’ve been part of the evolvement of baseball. But so is cricket. I’m fascinated why baseball historians are so hellbent on disowning the connection when it’s so obvious.

Rebecca: I’ve missed seeing Lagaan any number of times now. I think I’m just going to buy the DVD. Everyone raves about its fabulousness.

Da: He’s also the only one I can think of. I have no idea about the women’s team either.

Jonathan: I have a copy which I plan to read soon. It is rather large.

Ben Payne: It is one of those sports you have to grow up with or be really determined to learn about. Most of the people I know who say they can’t understand it aren’t into sport anyways. Scott learned to understand and love it as an adult, but he’s a natural sporthead.

Warne isn’t replaceable, but there are a bunch of promsing young spinners. I’m not at all worried about the immediate future of our team. And maybe if there was a drop in standard from us, the rest of the world would have more of a chance to catch up?

I think it’s unlikely Hayden and Langer will still be there a year from now.

I’ll be sad to see Gilly go but it’s not going to be the same blow that losing Warne is. We’ve got a plenitude of fabulous batters waiting.

You can rant about cricket here anytime.

Ez: I did, indeed, know that Holding was in the country. He’s been interviewed a couple of times on channel 9. What a fabulous bowler he was! What a wonderful commentator he is now.

Bo: Was a lovely dinner, wasn’t it?

]]> By: cordelspo http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/2006/12/23/summer-in-australia/comment-page-1/#comment-10541 cordelspo Sun, 24 Dec 2006 14:18:17 +0000 http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/?p=489#comment-10541 "Lagaan" lost out on an oscar to "No man's land"(Bosnian: Ničija Zemlja) in the best foreign film category. “Lagaan” lost out on an oscar to “No man’s land”(Bosnian: Ničija Zemlja) in the best foreign film category.

]]> By: bo http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/2006/12/23/summer-in-australia/comment-page-1/#comment-10514 bo Sat, 23 Dec 2006 23:19:52 +0000 http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/?p=489#comment-10514 Who were those unfortunate dinner-associates who were so presumptuous as to think that (just maybe) Shane Warne was getting more than his fair share of commentary elsewhere? And yes you really need to see <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0169102/" rel="nofollow">Lagaan</a> my vote for greatest Bollywood cricket epic of all time. Oh, and thanks for another most excellent dinner the other night! Who were those unfortunate dinner-associates who were so presumptuous as to think that (just maybe) Shane Warne was getting more than his fair share of commentary elsewhere? And yes you really need to see Lagaan my vote for greatest Bollywood cricket epic of all time. Oh, and thanks for another most excellent dinner the other night!

]]> By: Ez http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/2006/12/23/summer-in-australia/comment-page-1/#comment-10475 Ez Sat, 23 Dec 2006 12:01:43 +0000 http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/?p=489#comment-10475 Do you happen to know Michael Holding is in the country? I don't know if he's been commentating lately, but 'twould be terrific if he stopped by the 'G on Boxing Day for a commentate. Have a lovely day! :-) Do you happen to know Michael Holding is in the country? I don’t know if he’s been commentating lately, but ‘twould be terrific if he stopped by the ‘G on Boxing Day for a commentate.

Have a lovely day! :-)

]]> By: Ben Payne http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/2006/12/23/summer-in-australia/comment-page-1/#comment-10427 Ben Payne Fri, 22 Dec 2006 23:37:18 +0000 http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/?p=489#comment-10427 I think cricket is way more complex than most sports... which is what puts a lot of people off... it appears "boring" because they don't understand that someone bowling a ball and the batsman missing it can be an important and exciting thing;) I'm very curious about the future without Warne and McGrath too... we've done well without them in the past, but a number of other teams are playing really well at the moment... hopefully will make for some close and exciting matches. I think Warne will be tougher to replace... apart from the fact that he's a cut above anyone else in the game, there aren't a lot of contenders, once you get past MacGill, who is I think 36? But who's next in line? Cullen? Hogg? Casson? White? I don't see any obvious replacement. The McGrath issue has been partially solved by the success of Stuart Clark. I still think Gillespie could make a comeback too... again a similar style of bowler and he's the same age as Clark. Personally, I reckon Hayden or Langer will be replaced in the next two years by someone younger, probably Jacques. Based on this series I'd pick Hayden to go and Langer to hang on a bit longer, but the next test series is a way off so anything could happen. Interestingly, while there are a heap of talented younger batsmen around, I can't think of too many openers. We could even see Hussey move up the order. Another big blow, I think, will be the retirement of Gilchrist, which must be only a couple of years away, one would think... (thanks for the opportunity for a cricket-rant. I shall now go talk to the "norms" again!) I think cricket is way more complex than most sports… which is what puts a lot of people off… it appears “boring” because they don’t understand that someone bowling a ball and the batsman missing it can be an important and exciting thing;)

I’m very curious about the future without Warne and McGrath too… we’ve done well without them in the past, but a number of other teams are playing really well at the moment… hopefully will make for some close and exciting matches.

I think Warne will be tougher to replace… apart from the fact that he’s a cut above anyone else in the game, there aren’t a lot of contenders, once you get past MacGill, who is I think 36?

But who’s next in line? Cullen? Hogg? Casson? White? I don’t see any obvious replacement.

The McGrath issue has been partially solved by the success of Stuart Clark. I still think Gillespie could make a comeback too… again a similar style of bowler and he’s the same age as Clark.

Personally, I reckon Hayden or Langer will be replaced in the next two years by someone younger, probably Jacques. Based on this series I’d pick Hayden to go and Langer to hang on a bit longer, but the next test series is a way off so anything could happen. Interestingly, while there are a heap of talented younger batsmen around, I can’t think of too many openers. We could even see Hussey move up the order.

Another big blow, I think, will be the retirement of Gilchrist, which must be only a couple of years away, one would think…

(thanks for the opportunity for a cricket-rant. I shall now go talk to the “norms” again!)

]]> By: jonathan http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/2006/12/23/summer-in-australia/comment-page-1/#comment-10423 jonathan Fri, 22 Dec 2006 22:37:44 +0000 http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/?p=489#comment-10423 did you read waugh's bio? i was given a copy, but it's sooooo big. did you read waugh’s bio? i was given a copy, but it’s sooooo big.

]]> By: da http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/2006/12/23/summer-in-australia/comment-page-1/#comment-10420 da Fri, 22 Dec 2006 21:54:30 +0000 http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/?p=489#comment-10420 <i>For example, our first team to tour England was Aboriginal, and yet the official Australian team has had almost no representatives of Aboriginal ancestory.</i> Very few. Dizzy is the only one I can think of. For example, our first team to tour England was Aboriginal, and yet the official Australian team has had almost no representatives of Aboriginal ancestory.

Very few. Dizzy is the only one I can think of.

]]> By: Rebecca http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/2006/12/23/summer-in-australia/comment-page-1/#comment-10406 Rebecca Fri, 22 Dec 2006 18:55:44 +0000 http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/?p=489#comment-10406 have you ever watched <i>lagaan</i>? that is where i learned all that i know about cricket (not much). i wonder how accurate it is. i'm much better at kicking things than hitting things, though. no great american pastime for me. ;) have you ever watched lagaan? that is where i learned all that i know about cricket (not much). i wonder how accurate it is. i’m much better at kicking things than hitting things, though. no great american pastime for me. ;)

]]> By: veejane http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/2006/12/23/summer-in-australia/comment-page-1/#comment-10402 veejane Fri, 22 Dec 2006 16:05:38 +0000 http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/?p=489#comment-10402 <i>One of them shows international cricket being played in New England. The other shows a game of baseball looking remarkably like a game of cricket.</i> Have you ever seen rounders played? I am told that rounders is the missing link between cricket and baseball. (I've never seen rounders, but a Jamaican described it to me once.) The first known attestation of "base-ball" was 1791, in Pittsfield, MA. I love the idea that many different competing forms coexisted for almost two centuries before one of them gained cultural ascendance and the other died out. One of them shows international cricket being played in New England. The other shows a game of baseball looking remarkably like a game of cricket.

Have you ever seen rounders played? I am told that rounders is the missing link between cricket and baseball. (I’ve never seen rounders, but a Jamaican described it to me once.)

The first known attestation of “base-ball” was 1791, in Pittsfield, MA. I love the idea that many different competing forms coexisted for almost two centuries before one of them gained cultural ascendance and the other died out.

]]> By: James http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/2006/12/23/summer-in-australia/comment-page-1/#comment-10400 James Fri, 22 Dec 2006 15:09:12 +0000 http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/?p=489#comment-10400 I loved that Bodyline series too. That was when I decided to learn how to bowl; many hours with a tennis ball, down the driveway at our garage. (Haven't got any better since!) It's not available on Amazon at the moment http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bodyline-TV-Mini-series/dp/B000FQJ04G/sr=11-1/qid=1166799972/ref=sr_11_1/202-1975682-8275036 :-( I loved that Bodyline series too. That was when I decided to learn how to bowl; many hours with a tennis ball, down the driveway at our garage. (Haven’t got any better since!)

It’s not available on Amazon at the moment http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bodyline-TV-Mini-series/dp/B000FQJ04G/sr=11-1/qid=1166799972/ref=sr_11_1/202-1975682-8275036
:-(

]]> By: jenny d http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/2006/12/23/summer-in-australia/comment-page-1/#comment-10396 jenny d Fri, 22 Dec 2006 14:12:00 +0000 http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/?p=489#comment-10396 i've got guha's book on my shelf thanks to your recommendation, tho i'm not quite sure when i'll get to it. i love "beyond a boundary" and am constantly recommending it to people, there is a moment when james quotes edmund burke that just makes me want to cry! this entry is making me very, very desirous of holding in my hands a copy of your cricket ya mangosteen fairy novel.... (i know that is the wrong order of words!) i’ve got guha’s book on my shelf thanks to your recommendation, tho i’m not quite sure when i’ll get to it. i love “beyond a boundary” and am constantly recommending it to people, there is a moment when james quotes edmund burke that just makes me want to cry!

this entry is making me very, very desirous of holding in my hands a copy of your cricket ya mangosteen fairy novel…. (i know that is the wrong order of words!)

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