Tag Archives: johan botha

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.

3rd ODI – Australia vs Seth Efrika

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Going into the third game at 1-1 and you’d be forgiven for thinking we’ve got a series on our hands here. Both matches have been decided in the final over from these two very evenly matched sides.

Australia

Our bowling lineup looks at it’s strongest so far in the series with Shaun Tait and Mitchell Johnson playing together at last. Mitchell’s troubled the Saffas more than any other bowler on this tour so having him back after a rest will be a big bonus.

Hilfenhaus has shown some of the potential that I keep talking up this series, and bowled a heap of garbage too. He and Ryan Harris have been dropped for tomorrow’s game to make room for Tait and Johnson. I’d really like to see ‘Dirty’ Dirk Nannes given a shot, preferably in a way that forces him to miss tomorrow night’s Twenty20 final at the SCG ;)

Shaun Marsh has blasted off the cobwebs of his sub-par domestic season with 78 and 79, here’s to a century from the Son of Swampy. The only question remaining in our lineup is which Queenslander to not play at number 8. Here’s hoping my boy Dave Warner starts middling them again tonight, if not can we have him back for tomorrow?

South Africa

Johan Botha throws like a girl, and his action is dodgy as hell but at least the teams over rate is improving. AB ‘c’ DeVilliers should be be getting back on the horse that threw him, look for Ricky to bring Tait on as soon as he’s in. The overly hyped Vaughn van Jaarsveld has been dropped, much like the multiple chances that have fallen through his hands and snuck past his bat.

We’re still looking for a way to negate JP Duminy, hopefully Tait can maim him as I just can’t see us getting him out the old fashioned way.

Free Stuff

If you’re going to the match tonight, hold on to your ticket as it’ll work at Homebush for the Twenty20 final tomorrow as well. We’re hoping to take the record for highest attendance at a domestic Twenty20 game from the Vics in addition to the Big Bash Trophy, so giving tickets away seemed like a good plan. To be honest I reckon they should give all tickets away and make cash off food/drink/merchandise, or charge a token amount to get the bums on seats. Still, $20 aint too bad..

The Teams

Australia 1 Shaun Marsh, 2 David Warner, 3 Ricky Ponting (capt), 4 Michael Hussey, 5 David Hussey, 6 Cameron White, 7 Brad Haddin (wk), 8 James Hopes/Nathan Hauritz, 9 Mitchell Johnson, 10 Nathan Bracken, 11 Shaun Tait.

South Africa (possible) 1 Herschelle Gibbs, 2 Hashim Amla, 3 Jacques Kallis, 4 AB de Villiers, 5 JP Duminy, 6 Neil McKenzie, 7 Mark Boucher (wk), 8 Albie Morkel, 9 Johan Botha (capt), 10 Dale Steyn/Morne Morkel, 11 Makhaya Ntini.

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

David Warner Video Highlights

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Here’s a short highlights package where the 22 year old Warner takes two quality International Twenty20 bowlers in Shaun Tait and Sohail Tanvir.

I’m getting very excited by the prospect of seeing David Warner take on Steyn and Morkel come Sunday night, hopefully this bástardised version of cricket lives up to excitement from the Test Series.

Oh, and reformed chucker Johan Botha’s been named captain of the Saffas. One must wonder wtf Boucher did to piss off the hierachy…