Grapeviney

Me too TD. Thought Punter's questions were excellent, didn't dodge the hard ones and didn't let KP off the hook. Was far more enlightening than the usual banter between commentators. It's also been good to see some of the father-son players coming through, McDermott and Wessels, was a big fan of both back in the day.

I've heard plenty about 'the man in the little boat' but I didn't know it had anything to do with Hemingway or literature.

A good read here on the new edition of CH and how the remaining staff got it together. http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/13/arts/international/charlie-hebdo-staff-prepares-next-issue.html?_r=0 I think the cover is superb.

The media made a big deal out of the fact that channel 9 Today Show host Lisa Wilkinson was "caught up in the horror" of the Paris attacks. Turns out she was holidaying there. In that vein, I just wanted to reassure you that, today, we are all 'Je Suis Nutbeans'

Great goal. But who's the muppet commentator that says: "I don't think Paul Roos realised just how good Bernie Vince was when he picked him up." ? Yeh right...

Few raised eyebrows in England too over the omission of Stokes. Was in swashbuckling form in the BBL the other night, smashed 77 off 30-odd balls. One of the better innings of the whole series. Channel 10 put up numerous tweets from English cricket types saying he should have been selected.

You were there Macca? Or Mrs Macca? You must have better eyesight than me DC.. or at least a better telly

Yep that match was a cracker. The replay on the final ball was inconclusive from what I could see, so I think they made the right call giving the batsman the benefit of the doubt. Was also good to see a Melbourne jumper in the crowd at one point!

So you want to close down free speech on the topic of free speech ..

haha, no I didn't! It was doing the rounds on Twitter soon after it all happened, just assumed it was fresh analysis. Although I did think, "gee, that's extremely provocative today". I guess the broader argument remains, and I think I read somewhere that USA Today took a similar line. I guess that's the $64million question, where do we draw the line? And perhaps just as important, who gets to decide where the line is drawn? Some of Charlie Hebdo's stuff was extremely provocative, if not offensive. As for slander (defamation) - I don't really think of that in a free speech context. Few people would argue that free speech protects the right to injure someone's reputation publicly based on falsehoods.

Incredibly, some media outlets have not exactly come rushing to the defence of free speech and expression. http://world.time.com/2011/11/02/firebombed-french-paper-a-victim-of-islamistsor-its-own-obnoxious-islamophobia/ Of course there will always be debate about balancing rights and responsibilities in civil society, but free speech doesn't count for much if it's not absolute.

Brett Lee went one better the other day when he said that 63 was becoming the most important number in cricket. Emotional hyperbole.

It may not have hit it, but it certainly interfered; you can read Smith's lips as he looks skyward. Twitter's in a fizz over it, as are most of the media outlets covering the match, but Channel 9 seem to have moved on... Elephant. In. Room.

So did the ball hit the wire of Channel 9's spider-cam? It's an f-ing disgrace if it did, and the Aussies should formally complain. Smith must be spewing!

Was all just a little too easy for the Aussies, a combination of poor fielding, loose bowling and a pretty flat track. The missed chance off Watson in the last over pretty much summed up the day. Shame for Rogers, he's had a good series and deserved a ton.

In which guise? At various times he was a pop star, a school teacher, a Vic Government ministerial driver and of course a commentator. And I agree, a thoroughly good bloke.

Was reminded the the other day of a couple of beautiful sledges from years gone by. 1. Mark Waugh to James Ormond: "Fark me, look who it is. Mate, what are you doing out here? There’s no way you’re good enough to play for England.” Ormond back to Waugh: "Maybe not, but at least I'm the best player in my family." 2. As Daryl Cullinan came out to bat, Warne told him he had been waiting 2 years for another chance to humiliate him. Cullinan replied: "Looks like you spent it eating."

There's already flashing stumps, loud music, fluorescent clothing and fireworks - how much more nuanced can you get!?!

I really don't know what this means. When was it unprofessional? Prior to Misson? Prior to Roos? Hogan himself said he felt the back problem before the Geelong game. I'm not suggesting the medical fitness staff got it wrong, just responding to your question. With Dawes, however, there was an admission that he was rushed and came back too early (I think in 2013). It's all an inexact science, so I'm not sure why we need to pretend that because "it's all professional now" there won't be mistakes.

I prefer Koyaanis-Scratchy!

Yep, went on to make the double, the 11th time he's done so. Second only to the Don on 12. Was having a look at some of the test batting stats and didn't realise how similar the numbers are for Ponting, Dravid and Kallis - they are separated by just 7 innings and fewer than 100 runs. Ponting: 287 innings for 13,378 runs Kallis: 280 innings for 13,289 runs Dravid: 286 innings for 13,288 runs

Agree that it's helped to grow the game, opening up new opportunities for players and crowds alike. As you say, it's not going to bring the downfall of test cricket, although it's interesting to think how this new form of the game can have unintended consequences, such as Smithy noted in the other thread re teaching his grandkids how to bat in the classical fashion in an era when no stroke is considered too outrageous. Also worth noting that tennis is about to launch its own short-form game, 4tennis or something.

Aah, so he's soft when it comes to partying, too. *jokes*

I agree Macca. This is the first year I've watched the t20 and it's done its job in whiling away the summer nights. Occasionally, you are treated to some really great hitting, as when Hussey and Kallis batted together last week and scored 90+ apiece. And Kallis again tonight. The format's main flaw is that if the side chasing loses 4 or 5 early wickets, the contest can be over with 15 overs still to go. At least in 50over cricket you have the time to take stock for a while and shore up the innings. A few matches this year have been blowouts unfortunately. I couldn't bear the thought of actually going to a game - the music between balls is enough to keep me away - but the crowds in Perth and Adelaide particularly have been really good.

And there's no. 1 !! Go rhino ! edit: two down now, looks like the boys are following my strategy of taking wickets early