The Cut Shot - A Cricket Podcast

08/01/2018

I’ve always wondered what Swampy’s junk looks like. Thanks Channel 10!

26/12/2017

Is it just me or is Hugh Jackman a 10 times more knowledgeable and likeable cricket commentator than Michael Clarke?

27/09/2017

Nerd Alert!!! I got 100% on this quiz about the changes in the Laws of Cricket.

I'm conflicted as to whether that's a good thing.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/20821747/how-well-do-know-cricket-new-rule-changes

Read more on ESPN

24/08/2015

Ashes 2015. 5th Test. Days 2-4 Thoughts.

Australia lurched to an inevitable and deserved victory, only stuttered slightly by the blade of Cook and Mother Nature. As the match progressed much of the talk has been how Siddle playing has been all the difference. Although the Banana-Man has been immaculate with his line and length, this is to overstate his influence.

The Aussies won this match because of their first innings batting, which was much more circumspect and resolute than the last couple of Tests. Siddle’s control helped ensure England never got back in the match, but runs on the board was a key factor in that pressure. The bowling has not been Australia’s primary issue this series. If they are to improve on their recent performances in England then Australia need to improve the consistency of their batting. To use Siddle’s strong performance aloft to demonstrate that the series could have turned out differently if a bowling selection error hadn’t occurred is fraught with danger.

A full review of the series will be coming in this week’s edition of the podcast.

21/08/2015

Ashes 2015. 5th Test. Day 1 Thoughts.

For what seems like the first time in forever (yes, I have a daughter that watches a lot of Frozen) the Australian batting lineup has applied a modicum of patience. That concentrated application, rather than the forced bravado on display until now in this series, has meant that Australia are firmly on top after Day 1.

Yes they scored slowly early on but Warner eventually broke the shackles. Yes they played and missed but for the most part they left well. Yes they played the French cut with such frequency that you almost thought they were doing it deliberately, but they were due a little luck. And yes England didn’t bowl quite as well as they had done over the past two Tests but when your opposition is slightly off their game you need to capitialise.

Some of the batting wasn’t too aesthetically pleasing, but batting with application in order to survive favourable bowling conditions rarely is. For Australia’s sake you hope that batsman in the side moving forward will be taking notes. The captain tried to join this gritting of teeth and knuckling down but without the same success as others. Clarke’s innings was one of a batsman hanging on rather than going out near the peak of this powers. It was a microcosm of his series, which appears to have been one bridge too far for him.

For their part, England seemed to bowl a tad shorter than the exemplary lengths they had bowled for seaming conditions at Edgbaston and Trent Bridge but they weren’t terrible yesterday. Attacking instincts are all well and good when you’re on top. Those instincts, and the skills to back them up, will be tested in this position of having to fight back in a match.

10/08/2015

England have regained the Ashes! I discuss the 4th Test in episode 20 of The Cut Shot Podcast - The Empire Struck Back.

Thanks to my mate Trevor for the inspiration for the title of this podcast. And by inspiration I mean thanks for letting me steal it.

iTunes http://t.co/K7R5HCdvnn and here: http://t.co/MRF0JB3y8B

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09/08/2015

http://www.espncricinfo.com/the-ashes-2015/content/story/908005.html

Michael Clarke spent his career trying to win hearts and minds, as well as cricket matches. He could hardly have done more, but the whispers never disappeared

08/08/2015

Return of the Return the Urn?

08/08/2015

Ashes 2015. 4th Test. Day 2 Thoughts.

Australia fought in patches, but not for long enough. Warner and Rogers were a tad streaky and the match looked like it was turning at 0/113.

Then Ben Stokes imposed his will on the match. He found swing both ways, not regularly a characteristic of his bowling at this stage of his career, and the Australian middle order continued with their sheer contempt for the moving ball. Steve Smith's dismissal in particular was typical of a team that seem unwilling to play for the conditions.

There is still hope for Australia, they are playing England after all. Voges is still there and is looking a bit more circumspect. Also, Austalia's tail are no mugs with the bat. Where there is life there is hope, right?..... RIGHT?!?!

07/08/2015

Ashes 2015. 4th Test. Day 1.

A dark day for the Australian team yesterday. Stuart Broad took to their batting line-up with what seemed like a chainsaw but was in fact immaculate line and length complimented by a slightly green pitch offering just enough movement.

But although Broad was good, I’m not sure he was 8/15 good. The pitch was offering movement, but it wasn’t a fire-spitter that should yield just 60 runs from a side. Australia played with hard hands when they should have been soft. They played with their bats well ahead of their front pads when they should have been playing late. They attacked when they should have defended or left.

England then bossed the evening session mainly thanks to what is becoming the norm, a classy ton from Joe Root. They are an unbelievable 214 runs ahead after Day 1. Rain dancing is compulsory over the next few days for the green and gold.

31/07/2015

Ashes 2015, 3rd Test. Day 2 Thoughts.

Australia couldn’t land an effective punch to the attacking Finn yesterday. Warner tried but he had little help as Finn ripped the heart out of the Australian batting order with bounce, pace and movement.

Earlier, Moeen and Broad had a cavalier and lucky stand that helped push England well ahead in the match. Moeen looked classy when he hit the ball but there were lots of plays and misses in between his enterprising strokeplay.

Australia are effectively 7 for 23 and their saviour needs to take the form of a Nevill maiden hundred and a fire-breathing, fear instilling second inning of bowling from Mitchell Johnson if they are to have any chance.

30/07/2015

Ashes 2015. 3rd Test. Day 1 Thoughts.

Funnily enough, England play well in English conditions. Day 1 was certainly that with lots of grey skies and drizzle. All that was needed was a pebbled beach and it would have been the perfect English summer’s day.

Perfect it was for the English cricket team, with their bowlers getting just enough wobble and just enough seam movement to worry Australia’s batsmen. Apart from Chris Rogers, Australia will be disappointed with their lack of application. The conditions were tricky but the pitch was no minefield. The way Australia left the ball, sometimes not quite well enough (see Adam Voges) and sometimes a little too much (see Peter Nevill), was particularly poor.

The Australian bowling then lacked the accuracy of Lord’s as England reached the close of play trailing by just 3 runs with 7 wickets in hand.