Southern University Games and La Trobe University Preview

Southern University Games 2013/La Trobe University Banner

Southern University Games (SUG) is the biggest university sport event on the calendar in July for Victoria, and there is plenty of action and partying happening all week.

There are 16 sports to be contested over four days between Victorian universities, a couple of TAFE institutes, with Adelaide and Tasmania also included in the mix.

Before I continue, here are the 16 sports for the 2013 games, to be held in Ballarat, in partnership with the University of Ballarat:

Cricket: Players In Focus: James Faulkner and Nathan Coulter-Nile

Here’s two players who have been making their mark on the state scene

Nathan Coulter-Nile

Solid without being spectacular, Coulter-Nile has been a valuable asset to both his West Australian state team and the KFC Twenty20 Big Bash League (BBL) Perth Scorchers.

Nathan Coulter Nile (sourced from Google Images)

Having spent four seasons in the yellow and black of the Warriors outfit, Coulter-Nile uses his 191cm to generate awkward bounce.  No slouch with the bat either, Coulter-Nile hit an enormous six against the Brisbane Heat in the BBL to help secure victory in a rain-affected match.

Cricket: Player In Focus: Matthew Wade

Matthew Wade v Melbourne Renegades, Dec 7, 2012 (photo mine)

Matthew Wade has copped more proverbial bouncers at the throat recently than you could poke a stick at.  All through it he’s pressed on, despite being rested for the first part of the one-day series this summer against Sri Lanka.

Since moving to Victoria from the island state of Tasmania, Wade’s career has blossomed beautifully.  Culminating in test and ODI debuts last year for the national squad, Wade is continuing to build on the criticism he is receiving and his experience.

Cricket: Farewell to a champion

Ricky Ponting, MCG, 2011 (photo mine)

Yesterday the cricketing world said goodbye to a retiring champion of the game.

Ricky Thomas ‘Punter’ Ponting will be remembered as a selfless, confident player; one who scored over 40 centuries and 13,300 runs for Australia at test level.  Add to that almost 14,000 runs and 30 centuries in one-day internationals.

His final hurrah will be at the WACA, starting today, for the third test against South Africa.  His record feats are etched not only in the record books, but also in the minds of every cricket fan.  The cricketing great certainly has put his mark on the game forever.Highlights abound for the 37-year-old include: a 96 on debut in 1995; one-day captaincy in 2002 and test captaincy in 2004; twin centuries in his 100^thtest; and six double centuries.

He will also become Australia’s most capped test player along with Steve Waugh on 168 matches (he also played 375 one-day internationals) and recorded the most wins as an Australian captain, with a total of 48.

From a young age Ponting was touted as an excellent cricketer.  At the age of just 11, Ponting scored four centuries inside of a week during an under-13 tournament in Tasmania.  He was in the same form for an under-16 competition shortly after.  It was this form that sparked the beginning of a magical career.

Read the full article at Upstart

Cricket: Australian Cricket 2012-2013: team in focus: PKF Tasmanian Tigers

2011-2012 season

Ryobi One-Day Cup: 2nd (Runner up)

Bupa Sheffield Shield: 2nd (Runner up)

The Tigers, certainly by table placings, were the most consistent team in 2011-2012.  With names such as Tim Paine, Xavier Doherty, Ben Hilfenhaus and George Bailey, who have all represented Australia, the Tigers should look to bigger and better things from both experienced players and their newer brigade.