We could probably do with a kicking coach to help the new Irish boys out and Levi as well.
What do our current coaches do?
I think they would spend most of their time coaching a group. Not a whole lot of one-on one-coaching, especially on basic fundamentals of the game. The Pies identified they needed a designated kicking coach for Cloke and if Levi was to make it as a player he needs a kicking coach as well. Having one on board would also benefit the Irish blokes as an added bonus.
It's not uncommon to hire specialist coaches.
The problem with hiring a kicking coach is that the fitness staff won't let the players practice kicking
@DJC 4th in the B&F eh! He's crept up on me a bit. I can't say I've been taking a lot of notice of him and I've probably not given him full credit - I'll look out for him more this year.
I think a lot of his work goes unnoticed Cookie. He kept a lot of good players quiet and managed to inflict a bit of damage offensively. He's just not eyecatching like Walker, Simpson, Yarran, etc.
He's another of our rookie success stories; we must have some astute recruiting staff
Curnow became more than just a tagger when he started running hard the opposite direction and making his disposals count. The new Carrazzo of the side without a doubt. And plays it fair.
Exactly PI2C, he's no Anthony Franchina but he is an elite runner.
@DJC 4th in the B&F eh! He's crept up on me a bit. I can't say I've been taking a lot of notice of him and I've probably not given him full credit - I'll look out for him more this year.
I think a lot of his work goes unnoticed Cookie. He kept a lot of good players quiet and managed to inflict a bit of damage offensively. He's just not eyecatching like Walker, Simpson, Yarran, etc.
He's another of our rookie success stories; we must have some astute recruiting staff
@FB Yes Curnow did seem to be on the improve last year and let's hope he goes on with it this year. Could become a very handy player for us if he can.
Fourth in the B&F Cookie! The Match Committee obviously appreciated his work and I think he'll be a lock in in our best 22 this season.
A little more depth means more competition for spots and that should keep players on their toes. It should also mean better managed workloads for our older players and the youngsters. Perhaps even selecting players for specific roles to negate or exploit opposition players.
While Skull will be remembered for his laugh and laborious setting up of his jokes, we shouldn't forget his analysis and insight. He studied the game and had a wealth of knowledge about past, present and up and coming players.
It was great to see Buck get his century (even if it was just on TV). His immediate future as a Test cricketer is assured and a couple of good scores against the South Africans will cement his position.
The pitch is certainly playing its part in this match. While it is generally good for batting, it is two paced and the odd ball doesn't come on to the bat. I suspect that this had produced several false shots.
Huge & sincere best wishes to all for 2014. I hope that the brothers and sisters on the CSC (website) have a terrific and safe 2014. May we cheer great success, together, in 2014. GO BLUES.
Kind words there buddy. We all hope for the same dream and it will come true one day. Keep those fingers crossed.
I reckon Clarke's decision to bowl first was correct. We could have batted, set England a difficult task, and taken the contest out of the game. However, by bowling first, he (and Boof) has challenged the team to win in different and more difficult circumstances and that will pay dividends in future.
I wouldn't have thought the Poms are sitting on their hands when it comes to refreshing their Test team; their three best performed players - Broad, Stokes and Root - are among their youngest.
I'm not in favour of tossing blokes out of the team once they turn 30 but it would be nice if we had the equivalent of Stokes and Root breathing down the necks of some of our blokes.
“I came to Australia in the hope of winning our fourth Ashes series on the trot but that's now impossible," Swann told British newspaper The Sun.
“So it's time for someone else to buckle in and enjoy the ride. I could have made myself available for the last two Tests and maybe had a bit of a send-off from the Barmy Army.
“But that's no reason to hang on for two more games. I like to be the centre of attention - but for the right reason by winning games of cricket.”
Good career for Swann but I would have thought he had unfinished business in proving he could take wickets in Australia and Melbourne and Sydney should have offered him more.
I might be being harsh but I reckon it's weak and selfish of him to retire half way through a tough tour where they have already lost one of their key players to illness. He chose to come on the tour and he should see it through to the end and then bow out, not a good sign for the rest of the Poms tour here.
I suspect that he is physically and emotionally spent and realises that anyone else will do better. The Aussies' plan to target him both when batting and bowling seems to have taken a toll.
“I came to Australia in the hope of winning our fourth Ashes series on the trot but that's now impossible," Swann told British newspaper The Sun.
“So it's time for someone else to buckle in and enjoy the ride. I could have made myself available for the last two Tests and maybe had a bit of a send-off from the Barmy Army.
“But that's no reason to hang on for two more games. I like to be the centre of attention - but for the right reason by winning games of cricket.”
I ask because my Astor television receiver suddenly stopped working. It used to get all the channels - 2, 7, 9 and 0 - but the picture on 0 was always a little fuzzy. I think the problem has something to do with digitalization or analogarithms.
Someone suggested that I try setting the receiver on top of a box but that didn't work
