It may have taken a few decades but the lesson has been worth learning: don’t waste emotional or physical energy on problems or scenarios over which you have no control. If you can’t affect the outcome, concentrate on something positive you may be able to influence.
Very true ! I am a dual South African Australia citizen and my husband is currently stuck in Australia (can’t get out). I commented to him that it was strange that the Australians waited until AFTER our cases had dropped back down to 2000 a day to make their announcement. Indicating that it clearly had nothing to do with COVID.
Why doesn't SA with West Indies, NZ and Sri Lanka not create a breakaway body or tournament with a league format over 6 weeks bringing together the unique brands of SA fast bowling, West indies calypso, NZ all rounder style and Sri Lanka Asian spin or even Pakistan. It could be a 4 day format, with a 3 day rest, giving the fourth week a chance for the knock out round of 1 vs 3 and 2 vs 4 as a proper 5 day format and for a final of the winners in week 6. This could be followed by 2 weeks of ODIs playing each other twice. It could really be a revenue generator with broadcasting rights and bringing a sense of a world cup festival feel.
The status quo means that India, England and Australia are going to continue in the current vein and the rest of the countries must simply feed off the scraps. So use a similar Packer series approach to create some hype around a test knockout format as the IPL format and brand is already been used ad nauseum. It will basically last one week longer than the IPL if one adds 2.5 weeks for ODI and knockouts.
Prepare 3 tracks in Johannesburg / Pretoria which offer pace, batting and spin variations to ensure equitable conditions. Wanderers, Centurion, Willow / Senwes. And I'm sure these teams will be happy with the hospitality and BSE south africa can set up.
Agree 100%. CA very dishonest and manipulative. Aussies never wanted to tour SA. Eyes firmly fixed on IPL. But there is another side that will anger some readers. My daughter and family live in Sydney. Pre Covid I visited regularly. Last few years saw big change in Aus attitude to SA. They love Saffers and we have thousands of expats there. But they now see SA as a violent dishonest ugly failed African state. Many were scared to come here even before our virus mess ups. We really are seen as a very dangerous place to visit (perhaps excluding W Cape). I know many South Africans there that are totally patriotic and don’t miss a Bok or Proteas match but will no longer bring their kids here. Our demise is a common conversation topic -not with glee but with great sadness. My view is that it’s going to get worse. This is not a defence of Aussie cricket.I tweeted months ago that they would not come here. However there was no honesty. I have no solutions.
So maddening to read this, Neil! I watched the series called "The Test" on Prime Video with my 2 young sons a short while ago. After watching the series, my perception of the Aussie Cricket team turned 180 degrees. I really thought they had come a long way from the Sandpaper-Steve debacle. BUT, then came the Indian series... Their behavior on the field was back to their old Yobbo ways (thank you for reminding me of that term, Mark). The sledging behind the wicket by Paine was ridiculous and Pant's retort was brilliant. These Aussie a-holes let themselves time after time. Their arrogance is unbelievable. As South Africans, we have always been known to be great hosts. Whether it is on the sports field or having people around for a braai. We must never change that. In the case of the Aussies, I believe we simply don't offer them ANY hospitality in South Africa again! Get stuffed CA!
Australian players had every intention of playing in SA, Neil, so while you might be angry, your suggestions of player culpability are either ignorant with reckless indifference to the truth or, simply, sensationalist, deliberate and defamatory accusations knowing them to be untrue. Either way, you should be better than that. The decision was not one taken by the players; they wanted to go. Not playing test cricket for any period of time, let alone 10 months, and hardly playing any test cricket in 22 months, is the last thing they want. So perhaps focus on the facts. I know it doesn’t enhance the propensity of your readers to enjoy your authorship, but it is the truth.
Hi Neil and all my SAF friends. Dinky di true blue Bondi Jack here from Sydney. I can assure you all that Paine and Langer AND most likely Lyon Warner & Smith never had the stomach or spine for this tour. After their woeful 2nd straight home capitulation to India, the underwhelming careers of the arrogant & aloof Langer & Paine WERE under clear imminent threat amidst dressing room revolt and public anger over SCG & Gabba farce.
So scared of failure vs. "boer marka plan" - just call it off, take away the scrutiny & protect your dishonored grubby spineless jobs until the December Ashes - when Englandwill have played 12 tests to our None. Just break all our hearts & send CSA broke too. Who cares?
Nothing to see here...its all about (hiding behind) the faceless rubbish so-called health expert advice and how Oz does Covid best.
Seriously concerned with South Africans intellect - I suppose if you live in a third world shit hole for long enough - it warps your ability to reason. Have you guys not heard of the South African mutation? Its like you guys sending a team to play in the Congo during the Ebola pandemic. Grow up and take your frustrations out on your Cadre government that couldn`t give a shit about its peoples health...
Umm, yip, but not the first time iether , that CA has done a number on CSA. It's also not in cricket only either. Australia is F%^&**( South Africa in other spheres as well. Anyway they can play World series cricket amongst themselves again. Oh! look at me ,I'm World Series champion again, OHH! look at me.
The Australian justifications are dishonest to say the least. It is largely financially driven by the IPL players. However the sad reality is that based on our current performance, the cancellation saves us the embarrassment of a drubbing.
The Ashes will always be the biggest show in Test cricket. Strategically SA needs to align with India, scraps off them will be better than what we currently are getting. I feel we may have missed the opportunity to do this when we had the stars like DS/JK and AbdV in the team.
Very true ! I am a dual South African Australia citizen and my husband is currently stuck in Australia (can’t get out). I commented to him that it was strange that the Australians waited until AFTER our cases had dropped back down to 2000 a day to make their announcement. Indicating that it clearly had nothing to do with COVID.
Why doesn't SA with West Indies, NZ and Sri Lanka not create a breakaway body or tournament with a league format over 6 weeks bringing together the unique brands of SA fast bowling, West indies calypso, NZ all rounder style and Sri Lanka Asian spin or even Pakistan. It could be a 4 day format, with a 3 day rest, giving the fourth week a chance for the knock out round of 1 vs 3 and 2 vs 4 as a proper 5 day format and for a final of the winners in week 6. This could be followed by 2 weeks of ODIs playing each other twice. It could really be a revenue generator with broadcasting rights and bringing a sense of a world cup festival feel.
The status quo means that India, England and Australia are going to continue in the current vein and the rest of the countries must simply feed off the scraps. So use a similar Packer series approach to create some hype around a test knockout format as the IPL format and brand is already been used ad nauseum. It will basically last one week longer than the IPL if one adds 2.5 weeks for ODI and knockouts.
Prepare 3 tracks in Johannesburg / Pretoria which offer pace, batting and spin variations to ensure equitable conditions. Wanderers, Centurion, Willow / Senwes. And I'm sure these teams will be happy with the hospitality and BSE south africa can set up.
Agree 100%. CA very dishonest and manipulative. Aussies never wanted to tour SA. Eyes firmly fixed on IPL. But there is another side that will anger some readers. My daughter and family live in Sydney. Pre Covid I visited regularly. Last few years saw big change in Aus attitude to SA. They love Saffers and we have thousands of expats there. But they now see SA as a violent dishonest ugly failed African state. Many were scared to come here even before our virus mess ups. We really are seen as a very dangerous place to visit (perhaps excluding W Cape). I know many South Africans there that are totally patriotic and don’t miss a Bok or Proteas match but will no longer bring their kids here. Our demise is a common conversation topic -not with glee but with great sadness. My view is that it’s going to get worse. This is not a defence of Aussie cricket.I tweeted months ago that they would not come here. However there was no honesty. I have no solutions.
Hi Neil. Would you be happy with me posting this on Facebook? I'd love my Aussie mates to see this.
So maddening to read this, Neil! I watched the series called "The Test" on Prime Video with my 2 young sons a short while ago. After watching the series, my perception of the Aussie Cricket team turned 180 degrees. I really thought they had come a long way from the Sandpaper-Steve debacle. BUT, then came the Indian series... Their behavior on the field was back to their old Yobbo ways (thank you for reminding me of that term, Mark). The sledging behind the wicket by Paine was ridiculous and Pant's retort was brilliant. These Aussie a-holes let themselves time after time. Their arrogance is unbelievable. As South Africans, we have always been known to be great hosts. Whether it is on the sports field or having people around for a braai. We must never change that. In the case of the Aussies, I believe we simply don't offer them ANY hospitality in South Africa again! Get stuffed CA!
The Aussies are w^*¥nkers. Let’s move on. Thanks for the good write-up Manners.
Australian players had every intention of playing in SA, Neil, so while you might be angry, your suggestions of player culpability are either ignorant with reckless indifference to the truth or, simply, sensationalist, deliberate and defamatory accusations knowing them to be untrue. Either way, you should be better than that. The decision was not one taken by the players; they wanted to go. Not playing test cricket for any period of time, let alone 10 months, and hardly playing any test cricket in 22 months, is the last thing they want. So perhaps focus on the facts. I know it doesn’t enhance the propensity of your readers to enjoy your authorship, but it is the truth.
Hi Neil and all my SAF friends. Dinky di true blue Bondi Jack here from Sydney. I can assure you all that Paine and Langer AND most likely Lyon Warner & Smith never had the stomach or spine for this tour. After their woeful 2nd straight home capitulation to India, the underwhelming careers of the arrogant & aloof Langer & Paine WERE under clear imminent threat amidst dressing room revolt and public anger over SCG & Gabba farce.
So scared of failure vs. "boer marka plan" - just call it off, take away the scrutiny & protect your dishonored grubby spineless jobs until the December Ashes - when Englandwill have played 12 tests to our None. Just break all our hearts & send CSA broke too. Who cares?
Nothing to see here...its all about (hiding behind) the faceless rubbish so-called health expert advice and how Oz does Covid best.
Seriously concerned with South Africans intellect - I suppose if you live in a third world shit hole for long enough - it warps your ability to reason. Have you guys not heard of the South African mutation? Its like you guys sending a team to play in the Congo during the Ebola pandemic. Grow up and take your frustrations out on your Cadre government that couldn`t give a shit about its peoples health...
Umm, yip, but not the first time iether , that CA has done a number on CSA. It's also not in cricket only either. Australia is F%^&**( South Africa in other spheres as well. Anyway they can play World series cricket amongst themselves again. Oh! look at me ,I'm World Series champion again, OHH! look at me.
Check, sandpaper sales will be down
The Australian justifications are dishonest to say the least. It is largely financially driven by the IPL players. However the sad reality is that based on our current performance, the cancellation saves us the embarrassment of a drubbing.
Totally understand the team not wanting to travel to South Africa.
The Ashes will always be the biggest show in Test cricket. Strategically SA needs to align with India, scraps off them will be better than what we currently are getting. I feel we may have missed the opportunity to do this when we had the stars like DS/JK and AbdV in the team.
Thanks for the real stuff!
Further proof of what we all know about Australians.