Balanced Sports

That is balance reporting. Im getting so much exci...

2013-06-12T11:59:47.024-07:00

That is balance reporting. Im getting so much excited on this season.

volleyball clinic washington

2013-05-09T02:32:06.902-07:00

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I recall that Tony Greig was one of my father'...

2013-03-06T22:07:42.997-08:00

I recall that Tony Greig was one of my father's favorite players of all time and I admire Greig too because it reminds me of my dad

I have always thought that racism in any sports sh...

2013-03-06T22:07:20.032-08:00

I have always thought that racism in any sports should not be tolerated at all, well in any sport or any activity that we humans as one race we are should behave as such

cool blog

2013-03-06T10:15:42.470-08:00

cool blog

Good point on spinners, ultimately because of less...

2013-02-25T23:10:20.845-08:00

Good point on spinners, ultimately because of less adventurous selection (and highest quality captaincy) a spinner has become the equal of a wicketkeeper - any team can only have one and they had better be able to bat, therefore there can only be 6 plus 1 (the incumbent international) playing first class at any one time. Arguably Australia has at present more top line spin prospects (relative to positions available) than bats.

As for the lack of opportunity afforded to First-C...

2013-02-25T19:20:44.991-08:00

As for the lack of opportunity afforded to First-Class spinners, well, you've both got a point. The lack of FC experience that most players get now is galling - especially when matches against touring international parties are now like hen's teeth. Personally, I don't think it's a coincidence that the most successful Australian teams came on the back of several of their players honing their games in County Cricket in England (even if that player didn't necessarily make a big splash in the Test time, c.f. Stuart Law). The returning County Pros then improved the local standard of cricket in their home state.

Cricket Australia might be best served by installing a regular Australia A schedule which allowed players like Agar, Glenn Maxwell and Usman Khawaja the chance to tour other countries more regularly; the 1992 Australia A tour to Zimbabwe is still notorious for the sheer output of outstanding talents that grew from it.

Don't get me wrong, I completely understand th...

2013-02-25T19:15:27.889-08:00

Don't get me wrong, I completely understand that New South Wales is the most populous state and therefore is liable to produce the most talent.

According to the most recent figures, New South Wales' population is 30% greater than Victoria's, and 60% larger than Queensland. The numbers say that New South Wales produces on par for it's population; I haven't checked those of Victoria or Queensland, but off the top of my head I can think only of Zoolander and Shane Watson as Queenslanders who play elsewhere (I'm sure others will turn up as well).

If we're going by states and territories producing FC cricketers above and beyond their population, my suggestion might actually be the ACT (Lyon, Floros, Sheridan, May, Carters and Behrendorff, not to mention Brad Haddin).

My point wasn't exactly in those numbers (and therefore the piece will be amended), but rather to point out the significant talent that New South Wales has let escape while they languish at the bottom of the Shield table coaxing runs from 30-year olds like Tim Cruickshank.

Ben, it is not really a problem for batsmen, or fa...

2013-02-25T15:58:09.133-08:00

Ben, it is not really a problem for batsmen, or fast bowlers. But time and again the lack of opportunities has stymied the development of spinners. Take Agar. Obviously a prospect, couldn't get a game in Victoria because he is behind Holland, and probably Fawad Ahmed. Has moved to WA, but is in competition with Beer who played in the test side only a two years ago, and is probably the third ranked spinner in the country.

That means either batsmen are going to be facing Agar, a raw prospect, or the youngster will be left on the vine for the (only slightly) more experienced player. Beer himself had to move from Victoria as well. At various times Krejza, Hauritz, Doherty and O'Keefe have been in line for national selection and not been playing regular Shield cricket. Compare the development of Swann, who drifted around county cricket for several years before working his way into the test side. Hell, even Warne was playing more for Aust.A than Victoria when he made his debut.

Agree with the comment above regarding population ...

2013-02-25T15:30:55.819-08:00

Agree with the comment above regarding population proportions. Not fool proof but logically the state with the greatest population should produce the largest proportion of participants in a truly national game.

No way however does australia need more first class sides - there is a reason NSW players (and others) switch states, because there is an opportunity there, it wouldn't be as prevalent if each state could produce 11 top quality cricketers.

"In a state competition where only six tea...

2013-02-25T15:06:23.711-08:00
"In a state competition where only six teams compete, this suggests that the Blues produce almost double the amount of top-tier talent that one would expect."

Eh? NSW produces almost exactly what the number of first-class players you'd expect, given their population. That the numbers are reasonably close to population is a surprisingly good sign for Australian cricket, as it implies talent is distributing itself and players are "getting a chance".

Though, as I've argued many times, I don't think it is optimal that players have to move states. Australia needs probably four more sides to match quality of competition with development opportunities.

Great read.

2013-01-29T15:43:49.630-08:00
Great read.

I really look forward to that oncoming post, Russ!...

2013-01-13T21:24:10.860-08:00
I really look forward to that oncoming post, Russ!!

The long term (post-war) replacement level for top...

2013-01-13T19:57:44.609-08:00
The long term (post-war) replacement level for top- batsmen in Australia is about ~33. It is closer to 23 for New Zealand, which explains many things. A post on why I can access that information really easily is pending...

Back when Watson was averaging 50 I ran some numbers that suggested he was exceptionally lucky to hold that average. Namely, that he got lots and lots of starts, and didn't go on. Though it was possible that the problem with going on would be rectified, correcting the average upwards, I think the first argument is closer to reality. In England, his bowling has been very valuable. Without it, it isn't clear what he brings.

If you start a world-wide campaign (petition) to h...

2013-01-10T14:16:45.794-08:00
If you start a world-wide campaign (petition) to have this dinosaur removed, I'll be the first to sign it.

Data was compiled from information available at re...

2012-11-27T11:49:22.621-08:00
Data was compiled from information available at reputable sites - ESPN and whoscored.com; the analysis was my own (with some inspiration from Experimental 361).

Very Interesting! But what are your data source?

2012-11-27T08:41:49.295-08:00
Very Interesting!
But what are your data source?

Best spambot comment ever!!

2012-11-05T19:51:34.196-08:00
Best spambot comment ever!!

I am look onward just before comprehension your ad...

2012-11-04T21:06:35.067-08:00
I am look onward just before comprehension your additional post almost immediately.

Absolutely. As much as the players deserve high sa...

2012-09-19T10:03:56.461-07:00
Absolutely. As much as the players deserve high salaries and a significant portion of the pie, it behoves the game to ensure a minimum of failing clubs.

The temptation would be to to enforce FFP by implementing it across the entire spectrum of UEFA's remit: ie. banning Real Madrid, PSG, Chelsea, Man City, Barcelona and other clubs who fail to measure up. However, in so doing, these clubs would probably set up a rival league which would take focus away from the Champions' League.

It's a tricksy path, and one which needs to be navigated before even attempting. But hopefully it will be worthwhile.

Financial Fair play did have to happen, trouble is...

2012-09-15T00:00:18.928-07:00
Financial Fair play did have to happen, trouble is what also has to happen is that UEFA enforce it. Football administrators don't exactly have a great record with keeping promises. Already see that Manchester City are making application for relief from the rules...really a club oppressed.

a top class blog justgoalshighlights.blogspot.com

2012-09-01T22:48:58.930-07:00
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

Very well written post on football player Rooney. ...

2012-09-01T05:24:33.603-07:00
Very well written post on football player Rooney.

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2012-08-28T04:12:23.720-07:00
nice work