The Sporting Day: Some Sporting Observations

	Downloads Bookmark this site Set as homepage Andrew W Scott

Some Sporting Observations

8. Mitchell Johnson may have had a reasonable start to his Test Match career but doubts remain as to his long term viability as both an opening bowler and a member of Australia’s pace attack. Johnson lacks variety and consistency and will be under pressure to maintain his spot, particularly with the sizzling pace of Shaun Tait and the genuine swing of Ben Hilfenhaus banging on the door. Johnson can be credited for a sound debut but it was hardly an effort that would cement his spot in the side.

7. Sri Lankan opening bat Marvan Atapattu appears to be completely justified in labeling the Sri Lankan selectors “jokers” and “muppets”. Atapattu was hitting out at the politics of Sri Lankan cricket that saw him initially omitted from the tour of Australia and later recalled after an intervention from the Sports Minister. Atapattu believes very little is being done in developing younger players while the older brigade are being afforded no respect. Atapattu may be sent home as a result of his comments.

6. The Boston Celtics have lived up to the pre-season hype spurred by the signings of Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen by winning their first five games of the year. The Celtics, heavily maligned over the last decade for poor play and incompetent management, have been setting the league alight with their recruited duo and star Paul Pierce playing the house down. The Celtics are now favoured to take the Eastern Conference and most would not be prepared to argue against that proposition. The only concern in Boston right now is the management capabilities of Doc Rivers.

5. The A-League must put an immediate stop to the ongoing crowd violence and anti-social behaviour occurring at matches or be prepared to suffer the same fate of the now defunct National Soccer League. The A-League came into existence primarily to rid Australian soccer of the ethnic based antagonism that had cruelled the sports growth for so many years. If the A-League is allowed to go down the same path, there is no future for soccer in Australia. The powers-that-be need to come down with a heavy hand or all the good work achieved over the last three years will be for nothing.

4. The nine month ban handed down to tennis player Alessio Di Mauro is the first step on what will be a long and difficult road for tennis officials attempting to clean up the sport amid claims of corruption and match-fixing. Di Mauro claims to have been made a scapegoat but he was found to have bet on tennis and needed to be dealt with heavily. While Di Mauro was not accused of match-fixing, he was found to have bet on tennis. Those found to have been involved in fixing matches should be thrown from the sport for good.

3. There are moves afoot to install Wayne Bennett as coach of the New Zealand rugby league team before next year’s World Cup and the powers-that-be in New Zealand would be wise to consider it. Bennett is one of the true students of the game, a man who has respect for the history of the sport and the intricacies that make rugby league such a fine game. Current mentor Gary Kemble has proven he is not up to the job. The game needs a strong New Zealand and Wayne Bennett in charge would certainly improve the side.

2. The development of the international game must be a major priority for rugby league officials yet administrators are doing everything possible to stymie the needed growth. With only three legitimate rugby league playing nations, officials should be using the upcoming World Cup to expand the game. One way to do this would be to allow NRL and English Super League players with links to minor nations to help said nations qualify. Robbie Farah attempted to help Lebanon qualify yet was prevented from doing so because of a ridiculous rule that would have prevented him playing for New South Wales and Australia for at least two years. The rules need to be rewritten to prevent such ridiculousness occurring again in future.

1. Alan Jones certainly appears to be the frontrunner for the vacant Wallabies coaching job with the behaviour of the four other contenders all suggesting they are not ready for the number one job in Australian rugby. Most have been publicly extolling their virtues in a manner similar to an election campaign with John Muggleton slighting Jones for his lack of experience, Ewen McKenzie telling the media of his achievements and Laurie Fisher claiming the position of underdog. David Nucifora is the only candidate, aside from Jones, to act with dignity. Alan Jones has the support of ARU boss John O’Neill and must be considered favourite to get the gig.

Upper of the Week: Stuart MacGill getting Test wicket number 200. The oft-maligned MacGill has done it tough as understudy to Shane Warne for the better part of a decade but has shown great resilience in making it to 200 Test wickets.

Downer of the Week: The whole Willie Mason saga. Mason has selfishly disrupted the careers of many NRL players with his demands to leave Canterbury and then his refusal to sign with a new club immediately. Players such as Ben Ross, Ashley Harrison and David Shillington must be thrilled with the regard Mason has shown for them and the sport of rugby league.