Is it because the Tiges are done for the 2011 AFL season?  Or maybe because I caught an over or 2 in passing of the Eng V India Test at a Foxtel sales desk in a QLD shopping centre?

I have never been a big fan of the “hit and giggle” of the Twenty20 form of the game, but have found myself even looking forward to the new Big Bash comp!!!!

So the question is …. which Melb based team to support? There is the MCG based Melbourne Stars, captained by Cameron White and sporting one of my fave Victorians Peter Siddle. 

On the other hand there is the Etihad Stadum based Melbourne Renegades captained by Andrew McDonald with a delicous pace attack and the long-suffering Brad Hodge in toe.

And the winner is????????????????????????????????????????

The Melbourne Stars

The fact that the stars are playing at the home of cricket and that the Renegades have imported a controversial ball tampering all rounder sealed the deal.

… for now ;)

The 4th Ashes test match has finished early on day 4 here in Melbourne with a crushing defeat to Australia.  England have outclassed Australia yet again to retain the Ashes Urn with one game remaining.

Australia can still draw the series, but that little bloody urn is out of reach till the next Ashes series in a few years.

I have been going through a rough patch at the moment, and not being able to turn on Channel 9 or listen to ABC’s grandstand and see/hear a competitive Australian team do battle….is disappointing.

Its funny how sport can give you an escape… and how much you take some things for granted.  Watching/Hearing the Aussie Batsman falling like flies without so much as a whimper was like an added kick in the guts/nuts.  Albeit that the Poms bowled well and, apart from their brief lapse in concentration at the WACA (blaming the WAGS?), have outclassed and outplayed the Aussies… the insipid performance of our boys is heart breaking.

I know that people will say I am a sore Aussie loser … but any fan of any team should be allowed to feel shyte when their team (weather being a recent powerhouse or not) is ….. shit.

So… whos to blame? Should there be any finger pointing at all?  No?  well maybe..

Ponting
Is it Ponting’s fault?  Well I don’t know about his captaincy … but if your a number 3 bat and you don’t get a score in any innings of any game in a series.  Should he drop down the order a bit?  My thoughts are that he won’t want to.  Reakon he would retire before dropping down the order and/or giving up the captaincy.

Selectors
Is it the selectors fault? hmmmm …. you gota wonder… maybe not so much for the decisions made this series … but in the years leading up. 

Should we have blooded more youngsters and worked on a deeper squad.  Probably…. the years of Warne, McGrath, Gilly and Hayden feel soooo bloody far away now.  How about some planning??!

Aussie Batsman
Watson has batted well… but should he be opening? hmmmm … The surprise of the series has been Hussey who has stood up (despite the last 2 innnings) when the top order has crumbled.  Clarke, North, Ponting… tsk tsk tsk.  Smith and Hughes might be ok… but may need the added confidence of a stronger team around them.

Aussie Pace Bowlers
At times the aussie pace bowlers lacked some mongrel! At the WACA (yea yea its a seamers pitch) we saw a bit of mongrel, but, with the exception of Siddle, I wouldn’t be too happy with the peformance.  Can an aussie swing a ball?!!!! HELLOOO!!! 

Spinner
Hauritz got shafted…. but he is probably not cut out for the big stage.  Smith in the team as a battsman and Clarke doesnt get much of a go.  I tell ya … they better play a spinner in Sydney.  As Harris is probably out after breaking down yeserday, you would think the 12th man for the last 2 matches, Beer, would be a shoe in….. you would think.

Poms
Maybe the Poms were just too good ;)  nuff said on that one hey? hehehe

Rant complete… vented … feeling better?
errrr no