Key events
Lightning has started to strike around the ground. No chance of them getting out there any time soon I’m afraid.
In the meantime, why not take a look at some of the cricket pieces we’ve published in the last few days.
First up – the Don of the sporting interview Don McRae sat down with a reflective and revealing chat with Jimmy Anderson:
He pauses when I ask what would have happened to him without cricket. “It’s a great question,” Anderson says. “I’ve no idea. I did sixth form and thought of going to uni if I didn’t get a contract. I didn’t have a clue what I was going to do if cricket didn’t happen. It’s frightening because I’m sure there’re many people in that same position and they don’t have that something I loved with a passion. I feel so fortunate I had cricket.”
His wife, Daniella, was furious when England discarded him as a player. Is she still angry now that Anderson is back in the fold as the Test bowling coach? “I think so, yes. She’s been my biggest supporter from when we first met. I had injuries and she was the one who motivated me to get going again. She just felt it wasn’t the right way to have done things. She felt I should go on my own terms. But I think it’s easing now.”
Hello Sam MacAulay! That sausage looks like it could be useful in whacking away any lightning that comes your way. No further comments, your honour.
Go easy on the steins, we might still have a job to do here. We can squeeze in a five over game if get on the park before 8.30pm local time. (hic)
I’m not having this. As if things didn’t feel apocalyptic enough right now…
A Hard Raiiiiiiiin’s a Gonna Fall?
Bob Dylan was in London the other night, very much enjoyed this review.
An artist who pronounced himself freewheelin’ in 1963 seems no more inclined to keep to any script 61 years on. Best to stick close to the guy in charge and keep your eyes peeled for clues as to where he’s headed. As they hawkishly follow his unpredictable vocal phrasing and a piano style that’s simultaneously florid and ragged – Art Tatum by way of Les Dawson – he’s still capable of wrongfooting them: there are moments when you could swear the band start building to a climax or slowing to a conclusion, only to discover their leader has other ideas.
Reports of sonic boom level thunderclaps around the stadium. Are you in earshot, any OBOers local and got the skinny on the storms? Drop us a line in the usual way, links on the left flank of this page.
Some wet weather reading? Martin Pegan has got you covered as he digs into how time waits for no man, not even Australian cricketers:
Australian cricket has had several reminders that Father Time remains undefeated. The lingering effects of an end for every cricketer and every era have been hammered home in recent decades as fallow years have followed bumper crops of all-conquering Australians. Yet it remains to be seen whether the lessons of the past have truly been learned as the current men’s Test team starts another summer of cricket rolling towards a cliff edge.
Batten down the hatches Mr Binnacle!
Toss delayed by threat of lightning
Gah, as the sky turns from inky black to gun metal grey here in south London it seems Brisbane is having a touch of English weather with storms in the area and pesky rain falling.
The Gabba covers are well and truly on at the minute but I’ll keep you updated, my sources tell me that we’ll get some cricket in and it won’t be a total washout.
For now, we wait.
Preamble
James Wallace
Hello, good evening/morning and welcome to the first T20 between Australia and Pakistan at the Gabba.
Australia are licking their wounds after a shock series defeat in the ODI series, Pakistan’s first white ball series win Down Under since 2002 was really well deserved, coming from behind to snatch a 2-1 victory with some searing pace and assured batting.
Some believe that the Aussie white ball wounds are somewhat self inflicted, with an understrength side on show and plenty of big names missing in action. Well, welcome to world cricket in 2024.
Mitch Marsh and Travis Head’s absence does allow others to come to the fore and make a name for themselves on the international scene, Jake Fraser-McGurk and Matthew Short will open the batting together in the format for the first time and there is plenty of new blood in the Aussie bowling line up.
Josh Inglis and his side are looking to bounce back whilst Pakistan are on the hunt for the double, let’s find out who prospers!
Play begins in a little over 30 minutes and I’ll be back with the teams and the toss in just a tickle.
