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The International Cricket Council handling of Virat Kohli’s recent incident could have significant ramifications for the game of cricket. It raises an important question: What’s worse on the cricket field—physical contact and intimidation or verbal abuse and intimidation?

If you believe that physical actions are more severe, the International Cricket Council has set a troubling precedent. By imposing only a 20% match fee fine and one demerit point on Kohli for his physical contact and intimidation of Sam Konstas on day one of the Boxing Day Test at the MCG, the ICC risks undermining the standards of conduct expected in the sport.

What kind of message does this send to the wider cricketing community, which relies on the game’s integrity, rules, and code of conduct?

From Premier Cricket and Club competitions to Park, Regional, Veterans, and School cricket, this decision sets a dangerous precedent. How are players and officials at all levels expected to maintain discipline when the governing body appears to downplay physical intimidation on the field?

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I would be hypocritical in the eyes of English cricket supporters, if I didn’t comment on the Sam Konstas ‘Bazball’ Boxing Day innings.

The Konstas innings was fuelled by adrenaline, youthful exuberance and wonderful hand eye coordination, however, for all its flashiness, there will come a time where the young opener will have to knuckle down and grind out the runs.

As I have posted previously, the ‘Bazball’ style of play displayed by Konstas on debut, as exciting as it was to watch, cannot be sustained successfully across all Test match conditions.

What makes me especially nervous is the premeditation of the Konstas ramp shot. When this shot comes off it can look spectacular, as it did early in his innings, however, the batsman can be made to look silly, especially in a Test match, if it doesn’t come off.

Konstas is a rare talent and a breath of fresh to the Australian cricket team and his aggressive style of play, certainly had Virat Kohli and the Indians as rattled, as he had the MCG crowd and TV viewers entertained.

Whether or not Konstas can sustain his ultra aggressive style of play long term in Test cricket is the burning question, however, in the meantime, it will be fun to watch

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The history of Manly Oval
According to the late Mr. F. Trenchard-Smith, a former honorary secretary of the Club and a person to whom the Club owes a great deal for providing much of the information about the Club's very early days and about the Oval in particular, the site upon which the Oval now stands was, in the early 1800's, a dairy farm. The farm, in due course, was purchased by a Mr. Thomas Adrian, the grandfather of one of the Club's best-known players, the late Bruce Adrian, and he converted it into a recreation reserve and on a portion of it built a hostelry called the Ivanhoe Hotel. The recreation reserve he called Ivanhoe Park, and cricket was played on the Park on a concrete wicket covered with matting.

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As a left-arm orthodox spinner and a left-hand middle-order batter, my journey in the world of cricket has been filled with exciting moments and invaluable lessons. Left-arm spin bowling is an art that requires precision, exceptional control, and the ability to outthink the batter. It has taught me the importance of patience and how strategic planning can help take crucial wickets.

In my role as a middle-order batter, I play a vital part in maintaining the team’s balance in challenging situations

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In 2013-14, pace bowler Pat Burns split his season between 2nds & 3rds. In 2nds, he played 8 matches and took 7 wickets at 41.1. However, he also played 8 matches in 3rds, where his figures were much more respectable – 8 matches for 29 wickets at an average of 11.8. This included two remarkable bowling performances:

Round 4 vs Randwick Petersham at Sutherland Oval

Randwick Petersham won the toss and batted. Pat Burns opened the bowling and took 1-2 off the first over, which also included a leg-bye. After the second over from skipper Josh Zywietz, the score was 1/7. The first ball of Pat’s second over went for four byes (1/11), followed by a dot ball. Then the fireworks started:

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Not long after Simpson's retirement, the club also lost Peter Toohey and Steve Rixon, both of whom switched to new clubs after changing addresses. Rixon's departure should have created more opportunities for the gifted Dyer, but he had already moved to the Sydney club in search of a regular First Grade place. So Greg Bowden, Ray's son, became First Grade's wicket-keeper, and impressed with his agile work behind the stumps and some dogged lower-order batting.

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Looking through my old memorabilia today I came across a prized trophy from 1974. By the end of that day I had thoughts I could be joining Lillee and Thommo scattering pom's stumps at the SCG in the next few months. I was a dreamer though.

It all came about when I was attending Matraville High, the home of Russell Fairfax, the Ella brothers, Llyod Walker, Eddie Jones, David Knox and on a non-sporting note, Bob Carr.

To say this place was a sporting icon is selling it short, it was sport, sport and more sport and a few people actually thought we were there to learn academically. They were kidding themselves.

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The greatest moment in Australia-India cricket relations.

Thankfully fate played a helping hand and Australia won so easily the next day that we finished our work early, and when we arrived back at our hotel there were the original six boys, with bats and balls in hands, loitering nearby.

So back we went to the dusty field for more handshakes, scribbles of our names, and long run-offs that pushed in through the gloom while tuk-tuks, cars, trucks, and tractors farted the background score to spasmodic bursts of ‘Good shot, sah’; ‘Oh very well bowled sah;’ and ‘You are very fine player, sah.’

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At the end of the 1987-88 season, Steve Rixon announced his retirement from first class cricket, meaning that he would be available for a full season of first grade in 1988-89. At the end of the season, John Dyson wrote in his captain’s report for the annual report:

Our other allrounder, Steve Rixon, had a great final year. He remained the premier gloveman in NSW and thankfully his tenacity with the bat returned, so that we were treated to some vintage Rixon strokeplay, including the world-renowned “woop” through mid-wicket from outside off stump. On top of this, he captained the team during my State duty absence and performed the Club Coach’s role with distinction. I know that I’ll miss playing cricket with Steve in the future

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last month



Today, we engage in an important conversation about a topic that has impacted, can impact, and could continue to impact everyone in the cricket community.

You would no doubt be aware when watching Test Cricket this summer, that the Cancer Council and The Australian Government have partnered with Cricket Australia to deliver the sun smart message to TV and live audiences at games.

But the big question is what has been done at a local level in community cricket.

Last year, the Hunter Melanoma Foundation (HMF) in Newcastle entered a partnership with the Cardiff District Boolaroo (CB’s) Cricket Club. The partnership is unique and the first of its kind in the Hunter and Newcastle Region.

Together they’re working on educating the players and members about sun safety and early detection of melanoma using various means.

Let’s introduce our guest Claudia Tolhurst – Executive Officer of the Hunter Melanoma Foundation and Paul Hillier the Vice President of the Cardiff Boolaroo District Cricket Club

This conversation was proudly sponsored by Zown

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