On The Attack Pt.8 - Cobra, Root and Race Rows


Belt up Froch!

That Friday Feeling is no more. Regrettably the name has been scrapped in an effort to make the weekly bite-sized chunks of sporting news sound a bit more meaty. TSH thinks that the Friday Feeling may be one of putting your feet up and unwinding with a glass of something strong. Perhaps it is, all we can say is we hope some views sober you up. Enjoy.
#TSHontheattack

Carl Froch retained his IBF super-middleweight world title crown with a unanimous points decision win over Dane Mikkel Kessler at a packed out O2 arena in London last week. For the 35 year old, nicknamed ‘The Cobra’, it exorcised the demons of three years ago when he lost in Denmark to the same opponent. The Nottingham-born fighter is enjoying an Indian summer to his career and perhaps all that is left to achieve is to avenge his ‘super-six’ final defeat against America’s Andre Ward. Froch has already called Ward out in attempt to bait the 29 year old in to fighting in the UK, whilst also claiming that only former British heavyweight Lennox Lewis rivals him as Britain’s best boxer. Not only does Ward have time on his side, but surely the ability to remember a certain Joseph William Calzaghe.



The Root Cause: Hats off.

Joe Root’s knock of 104 at Headingley for England against New Zealand – which helped the hosts wrap up the test series – has surely seen him secure a starting place for this year’s Ashes, if not a berth opening with captain Alastair Cook. Sure, the Yorkshireman notched a ton on his home turf, the harsher critics may expect nothing less. However, this is a 22 year old who currently averages over 42 runs per innings with the bat. His diligence and unflappable nature are hall marks of a level-headed temperament, perfect for the test match arena. He shouldn’t have to worry about whether he’ll make the tour to Australia at the back end of the year, and neither should England. With players like Root's Yorkshire colleague Jonny Bairstow ready to nip in at six and capitalise on any poor form, England should not be afraid to shuffle their pack and drop opener Nick Compton, who has struggled for runs and could do with a spell back at Somerset on the county scene.


Not so Goodes
With all the subtlety of a flying brick, Collingwood chairman Eddie McGuire this week waded clumsily in to the ongoing race row which surrounds Australian Rules Footballer Adam Goodes. The indigenous Sydney Swans player was last week labelled an ape by a thirteen year old girl while playing against the Magpies at the MCG. Bad enough, Goodes called a press conference and explained that her ignorance was society’s problem and he was there to stand up to racism – cue unwavering support and acclaim. However, up steps ‘not-so-steady’ Eddie to offer his take on proceedings when speaking on 3AW radio station during the week:

Black and White issue















Black Collingwood player Harry O’Brien (right) took a slightly different view on the issue however and raises questions of how seriously racism is being dealt with in the competition and whether McGuire’s position is tenable anymore http://www.twitlonger.com/show/n_1rkhm62


And finally...THE SPORTINGHACK will be running 10km for Multiple Sclerosis Australia on Sunday. The route incorporates Albert Park Lake in Melbourne, which is home to the Australian Grand Prix. For more information on how to donate, please visit: http://register.mswalk.org.au/2013-MS-Walk-and-Fun-Run-Melbourne/tombiltcliffe


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

2025 NRL Grand Final Preview: Melbourne Storm v Brisbane Broncos

Image
Melbourne Storm are looking to go one step further than last year’s runner-up spot when they take to the field at Accor Stadium on Sunday evening against the Brisbane Broncos. The two sides topped the try-scoring charts (Storm 125, Broncos 122) and an absolute classic is on the cards. The Broncos ended Penrith’s bid for a fifth successive title – coming from 14 points behind at half-time at a raucous Suncorp Stadium last week to bring the Panthers dominant rein to an end – but this surely is a game too far for Michael Maguire and his team. They will absolutely take confidence from their dramatic Golden Point win over minor premiers, Canberra, and the comeback against one of the greatest ever teams to play the sport. However, they have had two days less recovery time than their opponents, with the Storm fresh from swatting aside a gutsy Cronulla outfit at AAMI Park. Melbourne like to get in front early in games and stay there, just like they did against the Sharks. A fast start f...
Read more

The Big Preview: Ashes 2025/26

Image
The wait is over. The time has come for the cricket to do the talking. Securing an Ashes victory in Australia is England’s equivalent of scaling Everest. Winning on the subcontinent may be technically more challenging, but this is the one series where legends are created and, just occasionally, getting up to tune in to the action in the middle of the night during the bleak British winter may be rewarded. Not since the 2010/11 iteration under the captaincy of Alistair Cook, though, has that been the case. When Chris Tremlett bowled tailender Michael Beer at the SCG not long after the New Year’s festivities had died down, not many (other than Glenn McGrath) would have foreseen England failing to register a single victory in 15 attempts…FIFTEEN! That is the scale of the uphill challenge that awaits current skipper, Ben Stokes, and head coach Brendon McCullum . For the latter, his whole tenure since being appointed in May 2022, has built towards this next two months. His record of 25 win...
Read more

Feature: Why 'timeless' Junction Oval is a MUST for any cricket fan

Image
  The Shane Warne Stand There are places in this world where time seems to stand reassuringly still. The Junction Oval, St Kilda, in Melbourne’s inner southern suburbs is one of those sanctums which bequeaths its visitors an oasis of calm tucked in a corner of the picturesque sporting hub that is Albert Park. Just metres away from where the Australian leg of the Formula 1 World Championships is held every March, you can peep beyond the various green tinges of the tree-lined permitter fences to this cricket ground and bear witness to the whirring din of life continuing its increasingly fast pace. But, why would you want to look that far? Avert your eyes to the middle distance and lose yourself in a scene that could pass as much for 1925 as 2025. The white picket fence which encircles the vibrant green playing surface is a perfect nod to tradition, and even the odd advertising billboard cannot lessen its charm. Grass banks and a white picket fence A quaint, almost library-lik...
Read more