Brisbane: India tries and misses; Australia triumphs amidst last innings wobble

Says it all: Mitchell’s Marsh and Johnson celebrate a win, as India look away (photo: Getty Images)

Thank you, India.

You have come to Australia with a desire to be competitive; yet, in the thick of things, that has proven to be a bit of a shaky statement.

Australia sealed victory in the second test at Brisbane on Saturday by four wickets, mainly thanks to Chris Rogers (55) in the second innings.  It was, however, somewhat overshadowed by the fact the hosts were a fair way behind at the end of day two, which set the match up for a very intense finale.

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Cricket: England’s tour from hell is over

Ben Stokes in Perth (Photo: Getty Images)

It started before the first test at the Gabba – but in reality audiences tuned in on November 21, 2013.  Never would anyone – even the Australian fans – have picked such an accomplished demolition job of the opposition as the final result.

LBW cricket furore; the controversy will never end

This is the item of equipment in question for LBW (Google Images)

Umpires have, quite possibly, a more demanding job than the players on the field.  They wear black pants, white long sleeve shirts, and more often than not are standing still, not moving around like the batsmen and fielders.

Cricket: The Ashes: First the mockery, then the sledging; now the ground?

Ashes Promo banner (source: BetPal)

I don’t want to be one for calling out names, or the media, but there comes a moment when you have to ask how far is too far – especially when it comes to the Spirit of Cricket.

England, in a sense, has been caught off guard with the powerful response from Australian fans after their victory in the 2013 UK Ashes tour.

Cricket: Mitchell Johnson: the man with the venom

Mitchell Johnson celebrates 9 wickets at the Gabba (source: ESPN Cricinfo/Getty Images)

(A focus on his test career)

The touring English fan base, the Barmy Army, have a saying for Australia’s left arm quick, Mitchell Johnson.  Here it is:

“He bowls to the left…
He bowls to the rightttttttt
That Mitchell Johnson
His bowling is shite!”

Cricket: The Ashes: England mesmerised by shining Australian outfit

The Australians celebrate their first test victory (Source: ESPN Cricinfo/Getty Images)

What was hyped as a dogged test match between two old enemies turned out to be the polar opposite; domination from Australia, and capitulation from England, on a terrific Gabba pitch.

Having come into the opening test with a batting line-up that had the critics wondering, Australia took the match by storm with an impressive 381 run win.

Cricket: The Ashes: Test 1, Day 1: It’s all England at the Gabba, but Australia fight back

Stuart Broad celebrates the dismissal of David Warner (source: ESPN Cricinfo/Getty Images)

The lead up to the first Ashes test included a lot of media hype from the Australians, trying to throw the English off guard.  Dramatic backfiring ensued on a very sunny first day.

Winning the toss and electing to bat first, signs were looking good.  Then the inevitable happened, and the first two sessions belonged to the England bowlers.

AFL: Brisbane Lions v Gold Coast Suns: Round 15 Preview

Brisbane Lions logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In March, not many people would have foreseen this game to be much entertainment.  The Gold Coast Suns, entering their third year in the competition, have now exceeded all expectations, and have taken the long handle to the likes of powerhouse teams Hawthorn and Essendon.  Against another struggling team in the Brisbane Lions, the Suns shape up as a real contender at the Gabba.

AFL: Brisbane Lions v Adelaide Round 2 Preview

Adelaide Crows Logo
(sourced from Wikipedia)

Redemption is on the minds of both Brisbane Lions and Adelaide fans this weekend, with neither side posting a win in round one.

Adelaide were beaten at home by Essendon, while the Lions were huge fancies to beat the Western Bulldogs in Melbourne, but ultimately succumbed to not being able to run out the four quarters.

After a superb pre-season competition, the Lions wanted to start season 2013 off with a bang-a goal which proved to be unachievable.  Hope, however, may lay in store at the Gabba in front of loyal hometown fans.

Cricket: Mike Hussey ‘Mr. Cricket’ to retire this Australian summer

Mike Hussey, Boxing Day, 2010 (photo mine)

Australian batsman Mike Hussey today announced he would retire at the end of the Australian summer from international cricket.

The 37 year old will be farewelled at the SCG for the 2013 New Year test, and will play the subsequent one-day series before bowing out from the Australian team.

The 78 test veteran (to become 79 in Sydney) told Cricket Australia that he wanted to spend more time with his family, stating that this was the primary trigger for his retirement.