Gideon Haigh looks at the players then and now. George Bailey, Australia's batsman of the moment and locum captain, is an excellent cricketer. He also has a heritage surprisingly relevant to some of the discontents swirling in this country's cricket. One hundred and thirty-six years ago, Bailey's great-great-grandfather, also George Bailey, was picked as one of a dozen … [Read more...]
A Lesson from Mr O’Reilly
Geoff Lawson's letter to Bill O'Reilly. They say that the ultimate teacher is life itself. The naivety of youth is often confused for ignorance and hence ignorance is the refuge of the incompetent, or so preach the elders of the tribe. The elders are often full of it, just ask Gen Y. My cricket education on the grounds of Wagga Wagga and district was instructional. … [Read more...]
He Gave Us Between Wickets
Ray Robinson was the outstanding cricket writer of his time. Robinson was not cast in the mould of a Cardus, a Fingleton or an Arlott. His writing style was somewhat reminiscent of RC Robertson-Glasgow, for whom Robinson had the highest regard. Bill O’Reilly said of his friend, “Of all the cricket writers I have read and tried to read, Ray Robinson was the unrivalled leader of … [Read more...]
Mickey Arthur – Destined to Fail?
Mickey Arthur - Destined to Fail? by Neil Manthorp Can you imagine Chief Geronimo leading a brigade of Yankee troops into battle against his very own Apache warriors, fighting for the Colonisers against his own people, driving them from their ancestral lands and forcing them to drink brandy and stop painting their faces? Mickey Arthur is – I should say ‘was’ but that hints at … [Read more...]