More dud cricket journalism

[wagstaff]

It's bad enough that many Australian cricketing journalists not only seem to have no idea about the game and alternate between jingoism and self-rightousness; what's worse is that they can't even get basic facts right in their articles.

For example, in Saturday's Herald Sun, Robert Craddock writes about Australia: "The current squad hasn't won in India and lost its last series in Pakistan." As a matter of fact, Australia won its last series in Pakistan in 1998.

And Rod Nicholson in today's paper talks about the various Australian players who can't make it into the Australian one-day squad. "Or why Matthew Elliott or Michael Slater are shunned from both, despite their obvious batting talents." Slater? His record at any level of one-day cricket has been less then acceptable. He averages 24 from 42 one-day internationals and even at domestic level, he only averages 26 from 122 matches. This season, he averages only 14.60 from 5 innings.

Later on in the article, Nicholson talks about the players who are missing from Australia's 1999 World Cup squad. "while Damien Fleming, Brendon Juilan and Adam Dale are in the veteran class and unlikely to feature in any World Cup discussions." Julian especially, since he retired during the off-season for a television career.

 

[CoastBhoy]

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

The time you start taking journalists seriously, is the time you are in trouble. Didn't your parents tell you to be sceptical of the press??!!

 

[Darky]

Originally posted by wagstaff
Slater? His record at any level of one-day cricket has been less then acceptable. He averages 24 from 42 one-day internationals and even at domestic level, he only averages 26 from 122 matches. This season, he averages only 14.60 from 5 innings.

Strike rate of around 60 as well, and his first one day innings (scoring 73) is still his best. Very ordinary player.

 

[Spogs]

Not exactly a journalist but I was listening to Dan Lonigan (sp?) on ABC radio yesterday calling the Vic v NSW game. In the last over Hewitt edged one wide to the left of the keeper Haddin who popped it up and the first slip couldn't quite hold on to it on the rebound.

Not once but twice, Lonigan said the drop was ".....due to a lack of talking". I've feilded in slips a fair bit in my life and I can't ever remember calling for a catch there. (Unless it was skied). Haddin and the first slipper didn't even collide so I don't know how talking even came close to being in the equation.

I think I have a new leader as the most ridiculous comment made by a commentator.