February part 5 - Media Watch

So good are those folk at the Canberra Times, that this ‘Ranter’ cannot even source the copy or link from Stu’s story in the Canberra Times edition from Saturday 5 March. 

And to continue this part of the Rant, I am sure I am not alone in the following glowing appraisal of the journalistic skills and respect for summer sport shown by the esteemed writers and editors at our local rag. Not only has there not been an online update about ACT cricket since the conclusion of the last 2 day round, there are no online records of anything cricket related (in the middle of a World Cup mind you) since then. 

Lucky those superstars of Canberra, the Brumbies, have started their season in such impressive form. Their first round win has only been superseded in performance quality by the ridiculously unimpressive losses to both the (Super Rugby Virgins) Rebels and the Reds. Surely they have a better kicker than Matt Giteau on their roster? 4 tries to one against the Reds, yet he missed 3 conversions and their six point loss provided us again with a glaring example of his lack of confidence behind the ball. Enjoy France next year Mr Giteau. 

Obviously, in the media, it is all about the ever important $$, but the column space that this Brumbies mob receive in the paper makes me furious. Worse than the space they are provided in season, is the space they take up out of season. Why do we, in Canberra, deserve to put up with the garbage they write, year round, discussing how much they are bench pressing, what is happening with their training venue and how many times Gits wiped his backside this week or how well his beard is coming along? 

Pick up your Sunday Times edition from your local servo/newsagent, and count how many pages you have to flick through before local cricket even gets a sniff of a mention. And even then, generally, one game per week gets a half page (less picture) write up. I will obviously concede that there are members within the Westies family who like their Union, but for goodness sake, I am sure you also enjoy a break from it, and would more often than not, prefer to read some form of mention of grade cricket, and all games played. 

Can I keep going? It is BLOODY CRICKET SEASON YOU IDIOTS, get some plums and get a bit proactive, articles are written at a desk, journalists research, sourcing AAPT or other international media outlets for short, non local stories to fill their pages is not journalism. Who cares if Peyton Manning threw 3 touch down passes in a regular season game, we are in Australia, and we almost all have the internet, we can search for that information if we want it. 

Lets see a face or two from the Canberra Times at some grounds next year please. Clubs around the ACT all have the same issues when sourcing new sponsors, a lack of exposure to and in the community. As a long standing part of the community, surely the Canberra Times can do a bit more by affording some more amateur sports with genuine opportunity for exposure. Who knows what organisations like ours could be capable of doing if we had more reasons to sell ourselves!

Ganny

February part 4 - World Cup Has Started

Well, it rolls around every 4 years, and in all fairness does not get going properly until the Quarter Finals. But, the World Cup’s early rounds tend to throw up one upset at least, and for this year, our little leprechaun had some serious reasons to cheer!!!

The performance by Kevin O’Brien against the Poms is one for the ages, 100 off 50 balls, ending with him being run out for 113 from 63 must go into the history books as one of the best batting displays by any batsman at a World Cup. For the Irish to have chased 337 is impressive enough, but to do it against a Test playing nation, England no less, is a rare achievement for one of the ‘David’s’ of world cricket. From all reports, Stuey was in complete shock, and the efforts of his countrymen even earned him a grinning photo shoot and story with those esteemed and ever so supportive journo’s from the Canberra Times. I will come back to the ‘Canberra Times’ shortly. 

That being said, don’t expect that you falling asleep of a night time between now and the quarter finals will mean you have missed anything of significant importance. While exposing the minnow nations to more cricket allows them TV exposure, you can be sure that their inclusion is merely of monetary benefit to the ICC and the BCCI. Selling of TV rights is now devaluing the game that we all play and love, and legitimate performances in this stage of the World Cup will be forgotten once the business end commences. 

Now between the last two paragraphs, it may sound as though I have contradicted myself, most likely you are right. But let me justify myself, or provide an alternative suggestion for those wondrous characters that administer our game internationally. 

Associate nations should be a part of the World Cup, but not all of them, a pre World Cup tournament where the top 2 associate sides qualify for the World Cup will enable more competition between these nations to reach the business end. Subsequently it will ensure that more matches will be more competitive when the big guns start their campaigns, and will eliminate the dreary 6 week drag of the round games before the competition heats up. 

What should be afforded to the associate nations, are extended tours to major cricket playing nations. Where is the value of a single T20 and 2 one dayers as a major tour for countries like Ireland, the Netherlands and Canada? Surely a series of each, three T20’s and 5 ODI’s to places like Australia, England and anywhere in the subcontinent would surely be of more benefit in their development? Something has to give, and from reports, something has for the next World Cup, scheduled for Australia/New Zealand in 2015.

February part 3 - Oakley stars as ACT win Futures League

The ACT Comets continued their impressive Futures League season, by defeating fellow Futures League heavy weights Victoria to secure their first National Level title. 

Westies were represented by former PM’s XI representative and current 1st grade skipper, Ben Oakley. Ben’s performance in the match is to be commended, and has been praised immensely by Comets skipper Mark Higgs as one of the bravest performances he has ever witnessed in cricket. 

Ben had been experiencing progressively worse pain in his elbow on his bowling arm, and after the first innings, was sent to doctors, who diagnosed a tear in one of his muscles. Ben returned to the match on day 3, in spite of doctors ordering him to not bowl, to deliver spells of genuine pace and accuracy, tearing through the Victorian batting order, and claiming 5 wickets. His efforts were then supported by the batsmen, with Tom Thornton scoring 110 in the chase and setting up an historic win for the Comets. Fantastic effort by the boys, and lets hope the efforts of this side, combined with the performances by former ACT players at National level this season provide Cricket Australia with some food for thought, and get them opening their substantial wallets for some more funding to the ACTCA. 

The full story of their win can be found at the following links: Cricket Australia and Canberra Times 

February part 2 - First Class Westies

Nathan Lyon continues his explosive burst into reckoning as a first class player. In the month of February, Nathan made his First Class debut against Western Australia. Nathan continued on from his Big Bash form, to finish with match figures of 6 for 200. Within these impressive debut figures were the crucial wickets of Pomersbach (twice), Voges, North (twice) and Duffield. Nathan also made 37 and and 12 with the bat, from number 8. Nathan continues to play an important part in the Redbacks first XI and has, as a result, secured a playing contract for the remainder of this year. At this stage, I am unaware of further contract details, but would anticipate Nathan getting an opportunity to head away with the Redbacks on their quest for Champions league honours in September 2011.

Ryan Carters had already made first class debut against the touring English, but this month, earned his first Sheffield Shield selection. Ryan missed out first dig, dismissed by Ben Hilfenhaus, but responded with a patient half century in the second innings. Ryan has now played 4 first class games and has impressed plenty who matter along the way, having just been retained in the COE program as a scholarship holder, only one of 5 to have been retained from season 10/11. 

Also this month, First Class or List A debuts and appearances by former ACT players Jason Behrendorff, Mark Divin, and Jason Floros have seen the ACT well represented on a National level.

Ganny

February part 1 - Twos and Fours One Day Premiers

Welcome to the second instalment of the Rant. After mostly positive feedback, I am back for another crack at letting everyone, past and present, know of the goings on of the club for the past month.

February is over, and another successful month for some of our past and current members. 

Let’s set the scene. It is February 13, and Westies are in the middle of a cross town domination of second and fourth grades.

At Chisholm, newly appointed skipper, Pete McKell lost the toss and Westies were sent in to the field. An enthusiastic display ensued, and after an early breakthrough by Josh ‘Hoppa’s brother’ Corbett, Wests continued to build the pressure on the Tuggeranong batsmen. Tuggeranong were going along quietly and cautiously, and at 3-100 odd, looked like they may get to 200. Enter the Stiff One. Young leggie, Stefan Delhaize displayed far more experience than his 18 years affords him. His 3 wickets turned the match back in Wests favour, and in combination with David Roberts and Dwayne Hall, Westies tightened the screws. Tuggeranong were bowled out for 160 odd, Stef 3, Robbo 2, McKell 2, Corbett 1, Willis 1 and Darty (0-22 off 10) with a  run out.

The chase started nervously, with Jake Boyle losing his wicket with the first ball of the innings. That brought Alex Taylor to the crease, and he was looking good until a suicidal second saw him short of his ground. Matt Veitch was then dismissed and Wests had their backs against the wall at 3-40 odd. Robbo and Darty then proceeded to re-establish the innings and a significant partnership developed before Robbo was dismissed for his customary 40 odd.

Out to the crease strolled DAVID Spare. Having had a lean season, much was left on the shoulders of Darts and Spare Grylls, and the two of them built a match winning partnership, 50 from Darty and 30 something from Sparey, with Sparey hitting the winning runs.

The celebrations commenced with a stream of Westies second graders invading the pitch and gang mobbing David and Dwayne. Celebrations continued at the club and the sight of skipper Pete McKell drinking, not from the cup, but by pouring beer down the front of the trophy and into his open mouth will long be remembered by all who were present. Kicking on into town, the traditional post GF adventure to the Canberra Casino, saw the night come to a close in the small hours of Monday morning, ending for one senior player with an encouraged removal from the Cas bar, after repeated requests for Mr Appeldorff senior to attend his table.  Not every day you win a GF hey Robbo???

Meanwhile, and much earlier at Jamison, Westies 4th grade commenced play in the One Day grand fina. The overnight rain saw a delayed start, with play commencing at midday. Again, bowling first after losing the toss, ANU were restricted to a total of 146. Having lost their last wicket in the 46th over. Zain Mohsin, a former ANU player, was the destroyer against his old club, snaring 4/33. The bowling group were disciplined and patient, well supported in the field.

The chase began positively, with the experienced Ben Keens and Stuart Hook taking the score quickly to 44. Both openers were dismissed in the 11th over, but skipper Jaffry and Suman Nataranjan consolidated with a match winning partnership of 59. Major contributor to the partnership was Suman, whose 49 was the innings top score, but Jaffs patient 15 was critical to the chase. After Suman was dismissed, Peter Bradley and power hitter Irfan Yousuf came together to finish off the chase, with Peter hitting the winning runs in the 46th over, leaving Wests with its second ‘Jaffry skippered’ premiership of the summer, following Januarys T20 Division 3 premiership.

Sincere congratulations to both the 2nd and 4th grade sides on their efforts and success!!!

Ganny

January part 3 - From The Den

On the home front, a great effort yesterday [31/01] by our boys in the T20 Division 3 final, beating Boomanulla by a single run. After making 128 from our 20 overs, a tight fielding and bowling display by the lads saw Boomers struggle to get close to the total. From all reports, recent 100 gamer, Steve Luby took a great running catch. The chase left the Boomanulla side with 24 to win from the last over, and 7 to tie from the last ball. Jimmy duly threw one up for the batsman to have a crack at, knowing that all he had to be was straight, and behind the line to ensure a Westies victory. The six off the final ball meant that our mob won by a single run, and have started the filling the cabinet for the 10/11 season.  This columnist apologises for not showing his face, wedding anniversary for me and the better half, and I value my plums too much to have ventured out.

The Ones boys have also maintained some form and have made finals for the one day competition, for the first time in a number of years. It is likely that we play Tuggeranong, (who are hot at the moment, after beating Queanbeyan in yesterdays Konica T20 final) for a place in the grand final.

Kingston presented first grade with possibly the worst wicket I have seen in 13 years in Canberra, a grassless, slow, dusty deck. That said, we lost the toss, and had a bowl on it first. Oaks picked up an early one, but a few partnerships, some poor bowling by yours truly and some collectively poor fielding (aside from Hewy’s run out) saw Eastlake scramble their way to 201. We again struggled to ‘finish’ them off again, taking the last few wickets has been a challenge for us this season, something to work on!!!

The chase was punctuated by the loss of regular wickets, and on a deck that was not easy to score on, we struggled despite the early efforts of Wheats and Sundo to stave off the Eastlake bowlers. We got to a position after 30 odd overs where we needed a run a ball in the chase. Important partnerships from Oaks and Cheads (before he was unluckily run out backing up ) and then Oaks and Duffy saw us scrape home with 3 wickets in hand and 4 overs to go. It was a great performance especially from the latter two, scoring on a tough wicket at 7 an over for the last 10 overs. Great job boys, you showed real Westies spirit in tough conditions.

I think we all acknowledged we had dodged a bullet on Saturday, and we will need to be sharper come Sunday against a quality Tuggeranong side. See all you boys at training for some real yards this week, let’s knock Tuggies over and give ourselves a chance at some more silverware!!!!
I will also take this chance to remind you all of the last of the social gatherings for this season (before preso night obviously). Wests Trivia night will be held Saturday 12^th February at Jamison from 7pm, $15 per person makes for a very cheap night, and generally, the night concludes in the Moose corner, liquored up and loose!!!!

The following day, Sunday February 13th is the second Annual six-a-side comp, and after last years dominance by the Old Boys, it is time to put the legends to the test again!!! See myself and Ajay for details of these functions at training and make sure to RSVP to both as soon as you can. You lads and ladies can make things easy for us all by committing early!

I would also like to wish big Dekka all the best, the affectionately known ‘Fossil’  has been struggling with his health of recent times, we send our best wishes to the man himself, his lovely wife Anne and their extended family.

Well that is me done for January, I am going to try and get something in every month now, so keep your eyes out for it!!! If you have anything you want to add, or think needs mentioning for February’s issue of ‘The Rant’, give me a buzz or shoot me an email and I will try get something together for you lot!!!

Ganny

January part 2 - Familiar Faces

There have been a few familiar faces gracing our TV sets over the past few weeks.

Perhaps less obvious to many of us, two former ACT players have fulfilled 12^th man duties at two separate ODI’s this summer. Some of you may have noticed former Tuggeranong and Weston Creek batsman Ashton May loitering around the Aussie side on the field after their victory in Hobart.

And for those of you who watched last nights game at the Gabba, you may have noticed that when Shaun Marsh did not take the field for the Aussies in their fielding innings, he was replaced by Tuggeranong’s most famous redhead, Jason Floros. Jason fielded the entire innings in last nights victory, in Shaun Tait’s shirt. Add to that, both Tom Thornton and Sammy Miller appearing in the PM’s XI against the poms, and ACT cricketers have had a productive January on the national and international scene.

From all at Wests, we wish Nathan, Ryan and all those former Canberrans all the best in their endeavours into state cricket. Who knows, we may see many of our former team mates and opponents gracing our TV’s for many years to come.

Ganny

January part 1 - Get to the Idiot Box

Hello all, and welcome to the first of what will hopefully be many monthly columns about the comings and goings of Westies and our current and former players. Strap yourselves in, it has been a big start to 2011.

January has been somewhat of a whirlwind for two of our former stars.

Following on from his travels to South Africa for the most recent Champions League, Victorian Rookie contract holder,  current Cricket Academy scholarship holder and former Westies keeper/batsman Ryan Carters has forced his way into the Bushrangers T20 starting side.

Excellent form in the Futures League and the Futures League T20 tournament has culminated in Ryan’s selection for the Vic’s senior side. Ryan has this season made 424 runs in the Futures League at an average of over 60. His most recent effort saw him fall just short of a maiden double hundred, 197 against NSW, a match in which he and opening partner Tom Stray established an opening partnership of 347. Carts also leads the dismissals table for the competition. 19 catches and 2 stumpings in 4 matches has him clearly at the top of this list.

Ryan was also named player of the carnival at the Futures League T20 comp. After captaining Victoria in this series, Ryan made 85 not out in the final off 50 balls in a dominant performance by the Vics.

In early December, Ryan rewarded for his fine form with a tour match against the Poms. Carts made 16 and 68 in the match, against a quality attack of Bresnan, Shahzad, Tremlett and Panesar. He was interviewed by Victorian radio in the days after the match, and gave a polished on air display, the first of what is likely to be many media commitments for RGL Carters.

Carts has played 3 matches for the Vics in their Big Bash campaign, first batting down the order, and opening the batting in his last two games. Ryan will be looking to finish the T20 season strongly, and force his way into the Shield side before the season is out.

The talk of Australian cricket at the moment however, is the rise and rise of last years West’s First Grade skipper, Nathan Lyon. Nathan has exploded onto the domestic scene with some super impressive performances for the South Australian Redbacks. He currently leads the competition for wickets taken, and has been both dangerous and economical in his first 6 matches. There has been a substantial amount of support from former players, with Kerry O’Keefe and Allan Border both expressing their views that Nathan could be a long term first class and Australian player, KOK calling for him to tour Bangladesh in August with the Australian Test Team.

The press has been all over Nathan since his selection to the Redbacks side, and his contributions have helped SA to now be sitting on top of the Big Bash ladder, and secure for a home final and possibly a trip to the next instalment of the Airtel Champions League. He has been most impressive with his ability to maintain flight, drop and turn, very courageous as a spinner in the shortest game format. Redbacks coach Darren Berry has shown plenty of faith in our mate, and has spoken in detail on Fox Sports and print media about Nathans impressive debut season. Among the victims for Nathan this season are test players Chris Gayle and Marcus North.

From ESPN cricinfo to cricket.com.au to domestic print media, Nathan is getting some serious column space.

Following his performance against Tasmania last week, Cricinfo wrote the following:

‘The spin bowlers of South Australia once again strangled their opponents, with find-of-the-summer Nathan Lyon netting 3 for 14 from four high quality overs, to take Man-of-the match honours. Originally from the ACT, Lyon was plucked from the ground-staff at the Adelaide Oval to play in a Redbacks trial game. The off spinner is now the leading wicket-taker in this year's Big Bash.’

And from Brett Geeves’ blog , the following:

‘But the serious spin is coming from the Canberrian with the last name Lyon.

Like many Canberrians before him, he is a fair skinned young man.

Think Haddin, David Dawson whose nickname is in fact “Milky” and former Aus U/19 wild man Andrew James who has the honour of being the only person to run two metres past the popping crease and bowl a hand to head delivery at Michael Clarke during a U15 try-out game.

Something to hang your hat on I suppose.

Back to this fellow they call Lyon.

He has now played three less first class games than Michael Beer.

In fact he is sitting on the same amount of first class appearances as Michael Beer when he was selected for Australia.

After listening to the Fox Sports team commentate the game Monday night, they have him not only ahead of Michael Beer but have him pegged as Australia’s Next Top Model, no, big spinning sensation.

This line is why - five games, nine wickets for 132 runs at 14.66 per wicket.

An impressive start in the hardest cricket format.’

Impressive wraps (in spite of ‘Canberrians’ not actually being a word Mr Geeves), however more impressive are the articles on Adelaide Now and the Daily Advertiser after his first game. Derek even got a call to throw his support behind Nathan, check the articles out at:

Watching Ryan V Nathan last week was like a contest within a contest for Westies members, all keen to see Carts tap Nath for a few, and/or Nath to rip a couple through Carts, old man McGann even ventured south for the day, and caught up with both the boys before the match commenced. It did not quite turn out like we had hoped, but I am sure we will see them in battle many times in the years to come.

Ganny