“The best index to a person’s character is (a) how he treats people who can’t do him any good, and (b) how he treats people who can’t fight back.”
Abigail Van Buren
Shumpty’s Punt: Friday Fun Multi
It is Friday and that means it is Fun Multi day. Yet again we are focused on basketball (can the Olympics be over already?) and, in a short day of games are only looking at 3 legs.
Leg 1: Total game score under 120 points in the Michigan State v Northwestern NCAA Basketball game.
Leg 2: Chicago Bulls to cover the line (-3.5 points) against the Brooklyn Nets in the NBA.
Leg 3: Oklahoma City Thunder to cover the line (-10.5 points) against the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA.
This multi should pay a shade under $7 for every dollar invested.
As always: good luck and good punting.
OMJ: Johnson does it again! The resurrection continues
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
“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
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.
Quote of the Day
“The starting point of all achievement is desire. Weak desire brings weak results.”
Napoleon Hill
Shumpty Speaks 