The World Cup in cricket was a great result for Australia. 

Big games turn on character.  This team has it, and it has character as a team.  It is obviously very well led and coached.  You can tell that from their demeanour on and off the field.  The captain, coaches and selectors deserve all the praise they are getting. 

I cannot recall a better run outfit wearing my colours than the squad that has just won the World Cup.  I can recall disasters – under people like Langer or Michael Clarke. 

And the previous winners were infected by an arrogance that still showed itself in the denigration of Cummins – who is in my view the model for captain of the Australian cricket team.  Which makes him about the most important person in Australia.  (The white ants are as helpful as the RSL on Vietnam veterans.)

The final was set up by the three quicks and the best fielding in the competition.  (The semi-final was in my view decided on fielding.)  I think the selectors have struck the right balance in both bowling and batting.  Zampa is now a strike bowler, as good as any.  Smith and Marnus give the batting test match ballast, and Marnus and Warner set the tone for fielding.  The scene was set precisely to suit Marnus in our innings.  He is just the foil for hitters off the leash like Maxwell or Head.  When the third wicket fell, Ian Smith called the reaction of Head and Marnus one of ‘absolute courage.’ Marnus would be about the first bloke I would pick. 

And every team needs cheer leaders and talismen.

Good luck to all of them.  This is what Australian cricket is capable of and what we should get.  And what our children should grow up with.

The national footy codes, with the exception of the Matildas and, on a good day, the boys, can just look on and weep.

Finally, a word for those gentlemen at Lord’s who insulted those wearing my colours – you have not, and you never will, put a team in the field as good as this one of mine.

World Cup

The World Cup in cricket was a great result for Australia. 

Big games turn on character.  This team has it, and it has character as a team.  It is obviously very well led and coached.  You can tell that from their demeanour on and off the field.  The captain, coaches and selectors deserve all the praise they are getting. 

I cannot recall a better run outfit wearing my colours than the squad that has just won the World Cup.  I can recall disasters – under people like Langer or Michael Clarke. 

And the previous winners were infected by an arrogance that still showed itself in the denigration of Cummins – who is in my view the model for captain of the Australian cricket team.  Which makes him about the most important person in Australia.  (The white ants are as helpful as the RSL on Vietnam veterans.)

The final was set up by the three quicks and the best fielding in the competition.  (The semi-final was in my view decided on fielding.)  I think the selectors have struck the right balance in both bowling and batting.  Zampa is now a strike bowler, as good as any.  Smith and Marnus give the batting test match ballast, and Marnus and Warner set the tone for fielding.  The scene was set precisely to suit Marnus in our innings.  He is just the foil for hitters off the leash like Maxwell or Head.  When the third wicket fell, Ian Smith called the reaction of Head and Marnus one of ‘absolute courage.’ Marnus would be about the first bloke I would pick. 

And every team needs cheer leaders and talismen.

Good luck to all of them.  This is what Australian cricket is capable of and what we should get.  And what our children should grow up with.

The national footy codes, with the exception of the Matildas and, on a good day, the boys, can just look on and weep.

Finally, a word for those gentlemen at Lord’s who insulted those wearing my colours – you have not, and you never will, put a team in the field as good as this one of mine.