Tag Archives: chucking

Aaron Bird – Mother-chucker or “Flight Flicker”?

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Here’s some footage of Aaron Bird’s action. He’s had a troubled career, having being reported early on and remodelling his action to pass the ridiculous 15 degree requirement. This season he’s been the leading wicket taker in both the T20 and F50 competitions, regularly bowling in the 140′s and bowling good tight lines. However, he’s been reported a further 3 times and now heads back for further testing on his action.

I feel sorry for the bloke. He’s in the form of his life and with “role models” like Muttiah Muralitharan and Johan Botha (who action Healey described as “flicking flight” last week) succeeding on the international stage who can blame a young bloke for wanting to bowl just like them? Now he’s got to dress up like Gollum and bowl slow in the nets which will of confirm that he only chucks by 14.2 degrees which is enough of a chuck that no-one seems to care anymore.

Here’s some footage and discussion from Inside Cricket, at the end I’ve slowed it down heaps so you can really see the arm straightening.

I don’t like it, but what really grates me is there being any tolerance allowed. If you bend your arm then play baseball. Here’s a great summary by Tony T at After Grog Blog on this very issue (thanks for the flicking flight reference too)

The fact that Under 15 Degree Chucking has been legalised is a sick joke. Quite obviously the bowling coaches around the orb – Troy Cooley included if you judge by Sideshow Roy’s rancid offies – have been experimenting with the 15 degree limit so that bowlers, and offies in particular, can get that little extra purchase. So what if they sometimes go to 20 degrees, 25 degrees and greater… it’s a bluff worth making and a risk worth taking. No umpire will call them, and only the odd match official will refer the bowler for so-called remedial attention. Then if, on the rare occasions the bowler is cited, they need only stroll off to the bowling doctors, go through the motions under 15 degrees in the lab, and receive the rubber stamp that will allow them “bowl” again.

And do you think there’s a chance in Hades Hot Bread Kitchens Botha will be cited, after he played a significant role in the Vark’s win over Straya? Not on your life. Come on, Mr Official, do your job properly and prove me wrong.

What would Darrell Say?

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Aaron Bird has what some would call a suspect action. Others would call it a fúcking chuck, but then they’d be accused of racism.

However, biomechanical analysis has shown Bird was within the tolerance level of an elbow extension of 15 degrees or less for every delivery. So we can thank the ICC for passing laws that legitimise the action shown in the animated gif below

No Ball!

Anyway, the bloke is from and plays for New South Wales, so I obviously like him. Just wish he’d keep his elbow straight.

Over rates and fricking laser beams

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Reformed Chucker

Reformed Chucker

Reformed chucker and Saffa captain Johan Botha has been fined 10% of his match fee for poor over rates. Apparently he struggled to gain the attention of fielders, but they’ve since been introduced so the process will be smoother in the One Day series. Here’s a recent picture of Johan showing off his remodelled action and dead straight elbow.

In other news, Bogan Queenslanders have made headlines after last nights T20 match by shining bloody bright lasers at South African fielders as they go for catches. The lasers are visible on the TV coverage, and if I can find the footage I’ll stick it up here later.

The story however is the reaction from the South African’s with regard to what could be called blatant cheating from members of the crowd. What a refreshing contrast their attitude makes after the precious Indians who toured this time last year. I truly wish the Baggy Greens will behave with the dignity shown by the Saffas on this tour when we head to their backyard.

“There was a green flash and it was pretty bright and the light seemed to be pointing towards me,” “I am not making any excuses, I think it was a pretty valiant effort to take the catch. I wouldn’t have caught it anyway. – Wayne Parnell, the laser victim

“It didn’t make any difference in terms of the catch”, “It didn’t make any difference in terms of the result.” “We are confident CA will be sorting that type of stuff out. It’s a small issue and we’re not going to make a huge song and dance about it. We’re just here to play cricket. We don’t want to get involved in too many off-field side-shows.” – Micky Arthur, Saffa Coach

Baggy Greens v Sri Lanka: Name the Trophy

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Today’s news is that the Test series to be played between Australia and Sri Lanka will see the winner of the contest awarded a trophy named after spin legends Shane Warne and Murali.

The details are still being finalised by Cricket Australia and the Lankans, however it’s come to my attention that the only detail still in negotiation is the naming of the trophy.

It had been suggested that the ‘Warne-Muralitharan Trophy’ could get the nod, however no-one would be able to spell or pronounce it correctly.

My generation has been blessed to see the greatest leg spinner ever collect over 700 wickets, and that other bloke is alright too. However great they are, the headlines generated by the respective spinners have not often involved the wickets they’ve taken.

As such, I’d like to have the trophy named after the way they’ll be remembered.. my suggestion is the ‘Cocked Plate’ in recognition of Warne’s magic through the covers and Murali’s failed attempts to straighten his elbow.

Dazza gets his day in court

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Darryl Hair. The very name of this legendary Aussie umpire is guaranteed to send sub-continental fans into an effigy burning or hero drowning spasm. They are an excitable bunch to be sure, and from my observations happy to play the racism card at any opportunity (check the comments on this vid for a recurring theme.

I’ve always respected Daryll as an umpire who calls it as he sees it. In the same month as this debacle he was named Wisden’s Cricketer of the year and the ICC’s top ranked umpire for correct decisions in the year (253 of 263 ~ 95%).

Daryll was the one umpire with the courage to call Murali for chucking at a time when everyone suspected his action. It’s no suprise that the racist card was levelled upon him at the time, and it was no more justified then than it is now.

The footage embedded above shows the scenes that unfolded when Hair docked the Pakistan team 5 runs for ball tampering. That they then played the victim card and threw their toys out of the cot certainly didn’t help their case, and as such they were fined by the ICC for bringing the game into disrepute.

The following quote from item 31 of the ICC’s Code of Conduct hearing indicates that Hair acted prudently in the situation:

Mr Hair, Mr Doctrove, Mr Jesty, Mr Cowie, Mr Procter, and Peter Hartley (the third umpire who gave written evidence and was available for cross-examination) all told me that the marks which are visible on the ball meant that it had been interfered with by a fielder

So now Dazza will get his day in court, turning the tables in superb style by suing the ICC and the Pakistani Cricket Board for racism! Even better, he’s had Inzamaan Ul Huq summoned and as the former captain is currently playing county cricket for Yorkshire he’s required to attend the hearing. Inzy is typically quite stuborn and emotive – the fairytale ending here would be for the big fella to step his foot in the brown stuff and incriminate the PCB.

As for the ICB, what a bunch of softc’ocks. As an employer you’d be forgiven for having expected them to show some support for their man. Instead they’ve hung big Daz out to dry to pander to the irrational paranoias of the over sensative sub-continental cash cows (can we still say cow?). Billy Doctrove has not even rated a mention however while standing at the other end was complicitly involved. Instead they’ve had their top ranked man restricted to officiating Associate matches while the rest of us get Aleem “lbbw” Dar (Leg and Bat Before Wicket… ask Marto!)