Prodigy Patterson

Kurtis Patterson, now the youngest player to have scored a Sheffield Shield hundred, has been touted as future star. As with many young players who perform well, the praise is high, but can the young man step up and prove himself to be as good as people want him to be?

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The prelude to another golden era

Pat Cummins bowls Jaques Kallis

Calls for players to be dropped are not unusual. What is less often looked at, is suitable replacements. The likes of Phillip Hughes, Ricky Ponting, Brad Haddin and Mitchell Johnson are under the most pressure in Australia's current side. Its not as easy as many think to select appropriate players who may replace them.

Despite the recent hardships faced by the Australian side, I would argue that the talent in waiting is fantastic. A great combination of raw youth and enthusiasm and experienced, seasoned, hard-working cricketers. They say the darkest part of the night is just before the dawn. So too I hope, the Australian cricket side's lowest of lows will only be the prelude to another golden era. The upcoming test series against New Zealand looks the ideal time to give these youngsters a crack at the big time. If only I were in charge of the team...

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More: Six in the drink, off for a drink.

More: Six in the drink, off for a drink.: The 'Wild Thing' John Daly has done it again, more speculation and controversy has been cast over his already shady persona. This time he has walked off mid-round in the Australian Open after having a horrible lead up to the now infamous 11th hole. The rot started when the ironically ranked 666 John Daly drove into a bunker on the 10th and hit the wrong ball out of the bunker. This would incur a two-stroke penalty sending him 7 over in the round approaching the 11th. What would take place next is staggering. To read more click here.

Rugby Union: The Hangover 3.

Rugby Union: The Hangover 3.: Problematic All Blacks winger Zac Guildford has finally hit rock bottom.While on holidays in the Cook Islands it would be an understatement to say he enjoyed himself. With an erratic burst that has easily given the plot, script and possibly a new character to the Hangover director Todd Phillips. To read more click here.

Football: The fantastic five

Football: The fantastic five: After watching the Socceroos sink to Oman in their most recent world cup qualifier, like most football lovers, I was furious. In my fury, I went over the the people I would drop from the team, then it dawned on me, who would replace them?

It is clear there is a plethora of talent waiting for their shot, it's now in Football Federation Australia's hands to nurture and indeed give the opportunities to these young talents. It is imperative that this happens because the likes of Tim Cahill, Mark Schwarzer, Lucas Neill and Brett Emerton wont be around for much longer. If Australia is serious about them being a top quality world-class team, they must make the steps now to secure the future.

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Miscellaneous: It's Torpedo not Thorpedo

Miscellaneous: It's Torpedo not Thorpedo: I unlike most people am not caught up nor am I buying the return of the 'Thropedo'. There is no doubt that Ian Thorpe was the best in the business at one point but not swimming competitively for a touch over 5 years is a long time. So why is it everyone is expecting him to break records all over again? To read more Click here.

Can anyone truly say Australia will return to the top?

This is the worst Australian cricket side in 25 years, according to Fox Sports writer, Malcolm Conn. And I'd certainly have to agree. It's easy to use a heavy one off defeat to call for changes, however this is no one off. The Ashes brought the Argus Review, now too, the 47 all out should bring the wholesale changes. Not changes for the sake of it. We need our best eleven out on the paddock and the way I see it, we're far from there.

The sword must fall now or the downward spiral will not cease. It is fair to say that none of these individual players are solely reponsible for Australia's failings. Likewise, if things stay the way they are, can anyone truly say Australia will return to the top?

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Score runs or apply to join the commentary team

Ricky Ponting gets off the mark with a six

The ultimatum has surely been laid down. Score runs or apply to join the commentary team. Ponting must perform now or he won't have another chance. We could soon see the end of a superb, but disappointingly finished career. Hopefully however, we will see a resurgence, similar to that of Tendulkar's, where the former skipper can rekindle the fire within that took him to the pinnacle of test cricket. The ability surely lies within. But, as Greg Chappell once famously stated in reference to himself, he's not batting badly, he's just getting out. read more

Pakistan trio guilty of spot-fixing

The no-ball that polarized the cricketing world

We've seen the evidence, the verdict and sentences have been handed down. But have all the questions surrounding the scandal been answered to their fullest and what have we learnt?


I find it highly unfair, that the system is such, where great international talents are unable to reach their full potential. Cut short by a mistake brought about by misuse of trust and the pressures of financial security... The actions of Amir, Butt and Asif were the most dishonorable of sporting acts. However, the one lesson I think that must be taken away from this experience is not 'don't spot-fix'. It is that we must spread the wealth of a fantastic game to all of those who provide such exhilarating entertainment. Pay these special talents what they're worth. Hopefully one day we can be blessed to see Amir striding towards the crease with the red rock in hand and fear in the eyes of the batsman.


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