Cricket: Is Shoaib highlighting international cricket's slow death?

Shoaib Akhtar has claimed he deliberately ball tampered during his career.

Should we be shocked? Appalled? Angry? Indifferent? Cricket has had its fair share of scandals including match fixing and ball tampering. Messing with a cricket ball isn't fresh news. For Akhtar to admit it publicly in a book is slightly different. He isn't fronting a press conference or a committee. He is straight up telling the world he cheated. What's more, he seems indifferent, nonchalant even.

Other Pakistani fast bowlers have admitted they ball tampered in the past. Just ask Chris Pringle and the New Zealand side on the Pakistan tour in 1990. After witnessing their opponents pick at the ball, Pringle, a medium pacer at best, decided to do the same. He preceded to claim career best figures with a period of outrageous swing bowling in a test match.

In a career spanning more than a decade, Akhtar, the man dubbed the "Rawalpindi Express' certainly had his share of headlines. He was a self-anointed ‘rock-star’ who thrived on the notion of 'celebrity'. He was the fastest bowler the world has ever seen (clocking up to 161 kph) and at times was accused of blindly trying to break the speed record rather than win matches.

But back to his ball tampering. Akhtar says he did it because cricket now is more in favour of the batsmen. No ball rules, more Twenty20 cricket, bouncers becoming stricter, shorter matches. Should we be concerned? How many other international cricketers feel this way?

Akhtar’s comments won’t affect or change the way domestic or club cricket is played. With the direction cricket is heading – more cricket packed into limited timeframes, astronomical earning potential – is international cricket heading into a farce? And can it be stopped?

NRL: Warriors all-time team

With the New Zealand Warriors making only their second ever grand final appearance since 1995, I started thinking about all those players who have tried to win the holy grail of Australian rugby league. This is my team:

Fullback: Brent Webb (notable mentions – Ivan Cleary for his prolific goal-kicking and reliable kick returns, Matthew Ridge for his leadership and prolific boot)

Wing: Sean Hoppe and Manu Vatuvei (Hoppe was arguably the Warrior’s most consistent try scoring winger in early years, whilst Vatuvei has the Warrior’s best try scoring record compared to games played. Francis Meli was rated the world’s best winger in 2003 but his form dropped off from 2004.)

Centres: Clinton Toopi and Jerome Ropati (Toopi was rated the close to the game’s top centre in 2002 and 2003. Ropati’s season has been curtailed by injury this year but is a very reliable and game-breaking player in his own right.)

Five-eighth: James Maloney (five-eighth has been a long running problem area for the side. Maloney has performed well enough this year to be picked here on potential through his hole-running and ultra steady boot. Many were tried including the likes of Motu Tony and Gene Ngamu the most successful)

Halfback: Stacey Jones (Mercurial halfback who ran the side for more than a decade and has the team record for games and point scoring. Shaun Johnson looks the most likely as a potential contender. Greg Alexander was probably the next most prolific due to Jones’ mortgage on the role for 10 years)

Props: Ruben Wiki and Steve Price (the Warriors always had good propping options including more recently Russell Packer and Sam Rapira. However Price and Wiki were inspirational, powerful figures who both captained the sides at different times)

Second row: Ali Lauititi and Steven Kearney (Kearney’s ball playing skills alongside Lauititi, once anointed ‘the Michael Jordan of rugby league’ would be a match for any side’s defence)

Lock: Kevin Campion (Campion was the side’s first ‘hard man’ who was a tackle machine and again was a key leadership figure. The side has been served more recently by Michael Luck and Simon Mannering who are of similar ilk.)

Interchange:

Lance Hohaia (Hohaia has been used at fullback, hooker, centre, five-eighth and halfback during his 10 years with the side and continues to be one of their most consistent players)

Mark Tookey (journey-man prop who had cult figure status due to his charging runs which skittled opposition defences)

Awen Guttenbeil (consistent second rower/lock who added off-loading skills to his armoury at the end of his career)

Jerry Seuseu (strong prop who was consistent and reliable in the front row over many seasons)

Who would you have in the Warriors all-time team? Comment below.

NRL: Warriors, Marmont win in semi-final

I hate to say it all you Melbourne Storm fans and the rest of the rugby league world…. but I told you so.

The mighty Warriors are now in the NRL grand final after beating the Storm 20-12 at AAMI Park tonight.

The visitors played clinically, stuck to their game plan of dummy-half running, good kick chases and most importantly didn’t freeze. They backed their ability and didn’t give the likes of Cameron Smith or Cooper Cronk any chance to play footy.

I thought young half back Shaun Johnson was brilliant and captain Simon Mannering lead the way beautifully. James Maloney’s sideline conversation to make the scores 20-12 showed a calm mind under pressure. He has been their best player this year.

It also continues on the brilliant tipping form of Andrew Marmont who picked Manly and the Warriors to make the grand final. He even said it on national radio. Actually, national Australian radio (check it out - http://www.radiosportnat.com.au/audioplayer/1316736461.mp3). Someone should buy that man a VB.

Actually, all those Melbourne Storm fans will be spewing into their VBs tonight and for many seasons to come. I’ll have a Carlton Draught instead.

The Warriors showed they are the real deal and will not be overawed by next week. Their class of 2011 is punctuated by a lot of youth but can call upon Michael Luck, Lance Hohaia, Mannering and others to keep them in shape. And they can go out successfully giving coach Ivan Cleary, Hohaia and Aaron Heremia the perfect send off.

Look out Manly, the Auckland boys are coming to get you.

RWC: France v All Blacks match brings back sinking memories

The last time I watched France play the All Blacks, I was in a pub in Paris. It was September 2007. I was 21 and was the only Kiwi surrounded by passionate French supporters.

I was living in France at the time and working at this pub. I remember leading up to the match being very confident. Yes New Zealand were beaten by Australia in the semi-final in 2003, but luck went their way after Stirling Mortlock intercepted a Carlos Spencer pass and the Wallabies ran away with the match. This time it would be different. This time, we had a team without any weaknesses. This time we had Dan Carter, the most experienced forward pack in All Black history and could point to a massive victory the last time we played them.

I remember feeling extremely patriotic. I'll admit now. Cricket and rugby league are my huge loves. But rugby is in my blood. The All Blacks are more than a team. They seem to embody a sense of country and pride no other sports team can produce.

The match came on. It was a quarter-final. The loser would get knocked out, curtains, all over. Running on adrenaline, I did an impromptu haka much to the delight of all those French. At half-time (13-3 to NZ) I remember smiling broadly and asking my new French friends, les Blacks, tres bon, oui? Les Bleu, gagner, peut-etre? Mai non. Roughly translated, the All Blacks will be too good and the French will bow out.

That sinking, yucky feeling hit me about the 70th minute. France had just scored to take a 20-18 lead. Dan Carter went off injured. Why oh why? Luke McAlister was going to line up for a drop goal. You are too far out man. He botched it. The French burst into joy and kept consoling me. I spent two hours walking home through a sea of cars, French flags, noise and tri-colours.

Whatever happens on Saturday night, it will good to put those memories to rest! All Blacks to win by 15 points.

RWC: Irish win a tale of the good guys finally winning

Ireland's Rugby World Cup win over Australia last night has a certain sentimental feeling to it - even if you are a Wallaby supporter you can agree with me on this.

Although the men from Europe might get the occasional win over a Six Nations country - France withstanding, sometimes England - traditionally they have a very poor record against the southern hemisphere powerhouses. New Zealand, South Africa and Australia trample all over Ireland in their end of season tours. In World Cups, the Irish have an even worse record.

Close loses are articulated by their press as positive outcomes - apparently mediocrity is cause to be celebrated. Of their 23-34 loss against New Zealand in 2006, the Guardian started with this warm fuzzy opening - "Ireland's latest near miss against southern hemisphere opposition will be both a rallying cry and warning..".

When they won the Six Nations in 2009 they toured the country as if it was the World Cup. It was their first tournament win in 61 years. http://www.irishrugby.ie/ireland/map_grand_slam_2009.php

The Irish players understand their rugby history too. Ronan O'Gara, who was key to their second half revival last night, told media he was proud to be Irish after their win against Australia. Taken as emotion perhaps, it does epitomize how seldom they beat the likes of the Wallabies or the Springboks. Ireland haven't beat New Zealand for more than 100 years.

Ireland's World Cup record reads as though they are a team of little kids competing against big kids, always winning the participation prize. Their best performance was a 18-19 loss to Australia in the 1991 tournament and were quarter-finalists in five of the seven events. Arguably their worst performance came in 2007. After narrowly winning against Georgia 14-10, they were crushed by Argentina 15-30 and knocked out in pool play.

Let's celebrate Ireland's victory as one for the underdog - and the World Cup in its literal sense. 

Book your grand final tickets if you support the Warriors

The Warriors will head to Melbourne on Saturday believing they have a real shot at beating the minor premiers.

Everyone will be tipping Melbourne to win again next week but I am going to back the Warriors. They are such a powerful, talent-laden team and have such strong belief. They have proven they can reach the second grand final this year with some very strong performances and if they beat the Storm, the Warriors would certain earn it.

They are one of only two teams to beat the Storm on their home turf in 2011 (an 18-14 win) and has won exactly fifty percent of all games against the Melbourne since since their inception in 2008. Only Canterbury has a better record against the Victorian outfit.

Key to any premiership win – or any successfully rugby league team – is key players in the ‘spine’ of the side, namely fullback, five-eighth, halfback and hooker. The Warriors can boast this with Kevin Locke in career best form at fullback, James Maloney’s sound general kicking game, reliable goal kicking and try scoring ability, Shaun Johnson’s electric running and attacking skills and either Aaron Heremia or Lance Hohaia doing a great job at hooker.

One of the Warriors’ most famous victories came in the first week of the playoffs in 2008. Finishing eighth and playing minor premiers Melbourne at Olympic Park, the Auckland side were trailing by two points with time almost over until a length of the field try ensured a 18-15 victory. I had the fortune of watching this at the stadium and it was one of sweetest moments I can recall in my Warrior-watching days.

Melbourne can point to another strong season this year but it only takes one game to undo all that good work. Just ask West Tigers coach Tim Sheens. Actually he may still be angry, don’t ask him yet.

The Warriors to win by four.