The View From Down here #65 – Short Form

This is the shortest view in a long time. That’s because we are simply between the real seasons and the so-called minor sports were not high on my radar this week. Maybe next time, eh?

Cricket
First, there is a world club Twenty20 cricket tournament going on which includes Australian teams New South Wales and Victoria. While I’ve watched some of it and it has been amazing, I think the overdose of Twenty20 cricket in the world has really made the product dull to me. I just watch it and don’t even marvel at sixes that rocket into the second tier of the stands anymore. There’s too much of it. And so I am not going to cover all the scores, except maybe next week when I may cover the final. But, really, yet another Twenty20 tournament? Sometimes greed really does rule, doesn’t it.
Sheffield Shield
Australia’s four-day competition, and one of the better domestic competitions in the world.
South Australia v Tasmania
            Tasmania 236 & 184; South Australia 345 & 1/76 – South Australia won by 9 wickets (points: SA – 6, Tas – 0)
            A good, solid start from South Australia in a game that had half the first day washed out. After last season’s disappointment this was a better than hoped for result.
Western Australia v Queensland
            Western Australia 9(dec)/406 & 1/132; Queensland 458 – match drawn (Qld 6, WA 0)
            This unfortunately was not an exciting match as such but the batting was brilliant.
Ford Ranger Cup
South Australia v Tasmania
            South Australia 9/249; Tasmania 3/250 – Tasmania won by 7 wickets (Tas –4, SA – 0)
            Almost 8 overs remaining. Not a brilliant hit-out for the South Aussies in the one-dayers, however.

Soccer
International
Asian Cup Qualifier
Australia 1 def Omam 0
            A dull, dull, dull game.
A-League – Round Eleven
Adelaide United 2 def Sydney 1
Brisbane Roar 0 def by Central Coast Mariners 3
North Queensland Fury 1 drew with Wellington Phoenix 1
Newcastle Jets 1 def by Melbourne Victory 3
Gold Coast United 2 def Perth Glory 1
W-League – Round Three
Adelaide United 0 def by Melbourne Victory 2
Newcastle Jets 0 def by Sydney 1
Perth Glory 2 drew with Canberra United 2
Brisbane Roar 1 def Central Coast Mariners 0

Basketball
NBL Round Four
Gold Coast 98 def Melbourne 86
Townsville 101 def Gold Coast 91
Perth 110 def Adelaide 80
Wollongong 76 def New Zealand 65
WNBL Round Three
Sydney 71 def by Bulleen 80
Bendigo 72 def Logan 71
AIS 55 hammered by Bulleen 101
Perth 87 def by Adelaide 93
Dandenong 61 def by Logan 75
Canberra 99 def AIS 54

Netball
International
First Test

Jamaica 51 def by Australia 53
            A tough match for the Australians at the end of a long tour, but they pulled out the win just.
Second Test
Jamaica 56 def Australia 55
            Jamaica were a good opponent for Australia, and while this was a loss, this short series was a good way for Australia’s international 2009 commitments to finish – with a tough contest that left the players wanting more. They have to prove themselves again. It has not been a good end of the year, but they will come back stronger than ever.

And that’s the view!

Australian. Perpetual student. Married. Kids. Write for Sports and Wrestling and anyone else if they want me. Is there anything else?