Monthly Archives: February 2014

OMJ: Johnson does it again! The resurrection continues

February 14, 2014 By in Shumpty Speaks Tags: , , , Leave a comment

I have previously noted on this blog that I was mildly concerned that the form line of Mitchell Johnson coming out of the Ashes might have been slightly inflated by the bad form of the English. If I needed any convincing that I was wrong in that view all it took was two balls to Graeme Smith last night.

Johnson’s resurrection as a force with the red ball has its genesis in one concept: speed. I would never suggest that a test match standard batsman would ever be scared of a bowler but each of the South Africa batters, to a man, looked rushed and without answers to Johnson’s searing pace. You will wait some time to see a better fast bowler’s wicket than that which removed Faf du Plessis: he was just beaten for pace plain and simple.

I have been one of a number who have been on the fringes of the hyperbole surrounding Johnson’s performances. I have heard Mark Nicholas et al wax lyrical about his performances and whilst I am not a bandwagoner I am prepared to now admit that he is presently at the top of the tree when it comes to fast bowlers the world around. Sitting next to him is Dale Steyn, albeit if Johnson’s performances continue on the trajectory they are on now (after all he has now destroyed the batting order of the best team in the world) he will hold that position at the top on his own.

Batters the world over will have to find a way to match or combat Johnson’s pace. If they do not do so then this continuing carousel of wickets falling when Johnson bowls will not be ending any time in the future.

Quote of the Day

February 13, 2014 By in Shumpty Speaks Tags: Leave a comment

“Every day, think as you wake up, today I am fortunate to be alive, I have a precious human life, I am not going to waste it. I am going to use all my energies to develop myself, to expand my heart out to others; to achieve enlightenment for the benefit of all beings. I am going to have kind thoughts towards others, I am not going to get angry or think badly about others. I am going to benefit others as much as I can.”

The Dalai Lama

Cricket: An Open Letter to Shaun Marsh fans

February 13, 2014 By in Shumpty Speaks Tags: , , 1 Comment

Dear Shaun Marsh Fans,

What else can I say but I got it wrong. I am variously on the record as decrying the originally selection of Marsh in the squad for the South African tour, being dismayed at the resurrection of Marsh’a tour, suggesting that he was batting at number 4 because of some “goat” photos and noting that I would rather clean old paint brushes than watch him bat.

I repeat though: I got it wrong and Shaun Marsh delivered up 122 reasons as why I was. I only watched until Marsh hit into the 90s and then promptly fell asleep on my lounge but until that point Marsh constructed an innings that reminded me of his hundred on debut. Assured and confident whilst eschewing the “big shots”, this was an innings that Australian fans have been looking for from the “new blood” in the top 4.

I remain a staunch critic of not selecting players based on solid first class form. That was my principal objection to Marsh’s selection. Begrudgingly though I also have to concede that Inverarity and his merry band of consorts pulled the right reign with Shaun Marsh in this test match.

I am now looking forward to tonight’s play at Centurion to see just how far Marsh can push on in this innings.

Yours humbly and apologetically,

Shumpty

PS: it has been pointed out to me that I am oft negative about players I “don’t like” but positive about those that I “like”. I reject the premise outright: it has nothing to do with “liking” a player. How can I like or dislike someone that I do not know? The nature of debate is that there will always be a proponent and an opponent and whilst I may fall on the opponent side often my argument is only about an issue which vexes me: nothing more nor less.

Shumpty’s Punt: Wednesday Wager

February 12, 2014 By in Shumpty Speaks Tags: , , Leave a comment

With the Winter Olympics on in Sochi we are not really spoilt for choice when it comes to US sport at the moment. This week’s Wednesday Wager is all about the NBA and will pay just over $20 for every dollar invested.

Leg 1: Cleveland Cavaliers to defeat the Sacramento Kings.

Leg 2: Dallas Mavericks to cover the line (-3.5 points) against the Charlotte Bobcats.

Leg 3: Chicago Bulls to defeat the Atlanta Hawks by between 1 – 10 points.

Leg 4: Miami Heat to cover the line (-3.5 points) against the Phoenix Suns.

Another bet that might be worth having today, indeed probably the best bet of the day, is to wager that Kevin Durant will be the highest points scorer from today’s games.

As always, good luck and good punting. Please gamble responsibly.

Shumpty Eats: George’s Bar & Bistro

February 11, 2014 By in Shumpty Eats, Shumpty Speaks Tags: , , Leave a comment

I was very disappointed when the One Eleven Bistro in Eagle Street (Brisbane) shut down. In its place George Gregan has opened a Bar & Bistro in the same place.

Having had a couple of coffees there over the last week and finding the prices a bit steep for comparable coffees close by I was a bit hesitant when I was invited there for lunch today.

To say I was pleasantly surprised was an understatement. The menu was very much a bistro menu and without the pretension and exorbitant pricing that had killed its predecessor. I shared the chorizo and haloumi entrees with my lunch inviter and found them both to be excellent and just enough to wet the palate for the lunch to come without leaving me full.

Main course was the wagyu burger which, at $20, is not only very well priced but is also very tasty.

The staff are friendly and knowledgable and the service swift. To go with the pricing, this speed of service makes this an excellent lunch venue in my view that I would recommend to anyone down at the Eagle Street end of the city.

One of the negatives of the predecessor restaurant was that it was attempting to be a high class establishment in a space that was open and in a lobby of an office building. It had the feel of the food court about it. That feel remains but recast as a bistro with reasonably priced food it works albeit if you do not like all and sundry walking past the restaurant to know you are there this may not be the restaurant for you.

Food: 9 out of 10

Service:9 out of 10

Ambience: 7 out of 10

Final Word: George’s Bar & Bistro is definitely a place I would recommend for a quick lunch catch up without pretension and with haste. Get around it.