Without turning this into someone’s text message to a Cabinet Minister, I am reliably informed by a team insider that Langer “operates like an AFL head coach with Churchillian speeches and enormous mood swings and control. The cricketers don’t need or want that type of command and control when they’re all together 300 days a year. It is just too much. They need a support system with a leader with an even temperament, who knows when to back off.”
Bottom line? Langer did a great job in cleaning up the team after the events in Cape Town with the sandpaper. And he has been handsomely rewarded for doing so, in financial terms, results on the field, and recognition.
But, one way or another, he has lost the dressing room, with not a single one of his senior players speaking up for a winning coach.
Not one! When the captain, Pat Cummins, refuses to be drawn on it, mouthing nothing more platitudes, you don’t think that offers a fair clue?
So how could Cricket Australia give a four-year contract to someone the players are tired of being around? What would it look like in four years?
COVID news positive for NRL
It is a strange thing when news of sportspeople getting COVID-19 en masse is good news, but that is surely the case with the NRL this week, as it emerged most Sydney-based teams have had at least 80 per cent of their roster come down with it over the summer, and some teams nearly 100 per cent.
No, it doesn’t mean they can’t get it again, but the medical reckoning is once you’ve had it once, succumbing a second time is likely – not guaranteed – to be less serious, and most importantly those who have had it, just like those who have been boosted, are less likely – not guaranteed – to be mass infecting others.
It doesn’t mean the NRL is out of the woods this season. It does mean the catastrophic wiping out of a club’s entire team is a lot less likely – not guaranteed – to occur.
As it happens, one former NRL identity who got COVID-19 is Todd Greenberg, who left the position as CEO of the NRL to become boss off the Professional Cricketers Association. Contracting it a week ago, I asked him how he was feeling.
“It hit me hard and fast!” he replied. “Was down and out for 3-4 days. Felt like a truck had run over me. Terrible. Starting to come good now finally. Wouldn’t want to get this without a triple vaccination!!”
Saudi stain on name of greedy golfers
Loved it. Amid all the swirling rumours about the new Saudi Golf League, fronted by the execrable Greg Norman and financed by an appalling regime that engages in torture on a mass scale, English golfer Lee Westwood was asked about it this week.
“I don’t know whether I want to answer questions on that,” he replied. “I’ve signed an NDA.”
Gold! And just remember, Lee, the first rule about Fight Club is we don’t talk about Fight Club.
The second rule is, we don’t say we’ve signed a Non Disclosure Agreement with Fight Club, because that will tell everyone that Fight Club is not only here, but actively recruiting.
But look, seeing as we have got you, and we are talking about Fight Club, please give yourself a vicious uppercut. Signing with that mob is like signing with South Africa in the mid-70s, at the very height of Apartheid. You may well make a lot of money. But it will be a permanent stain on your name.
Water great cause
Friends, it’s that time of the year again. The Murray Rose Malabar Magic Ocean, you will be pleased to hear, is taking place on Sunday, February 20, at Malabar Beach from 8am, with three events – a 5km, 2.5km and 1km swim. In between there will be children of the Rainbow Club – which provides one-on-one swimming tuition from young adults to kids with disabilities – doing swims.
They’re a great mob. Every weekend the Rainbow Club has more than 1500 children swimming at clubs based in Sydney, Blue Mountains, Central West and around Newcastle.
You can sign up at www.malabarmagicoceanswim.com.au. Organised by James Pittar, who is legally blind, this race is in its 14th year – and the money raised from last year’s swim enabled them to open five new clubs. The Patron of the Rainbow Club, NSW Governor Margaret Beasley, will be in attendance.
What They Said
Rafael Nadal after his epic win: “For me, it’s just amazing. Being honest, one month and a half ago, I didn’t know if I’d be able to play on the tour again. Without a doubt, (it’s) probably been one of the most emotional months in my tennis career. The huge support I’ve received for the last three weeks will stay in my heart for the rest of my life.” Has to be one of the most likeable professional sportspeople in the world, yes? Right up there with Ash Barty!
The equally victorious Ash Barty: “Looking up at the end to see Cathy [Freeman], she is an inspiration to so many people all around the globe. For our heritage and family, she is just the best. To share that tonight with Evonne Goolagong and Cathy, I will never forget it.”
Rob Barty, father of Ashleigh: “We knew she could play tennis, but we had no idea how good she actually was.”
Ash Barty celebrates on Sunday after winning the Australian Open.Credit:Scott McNaughton
Nick Kyrgios on his 2022 schedule and playing more doubles with Thanasi Kokkinakis: “I think we’re going to be playing all of the major kind of events this year, barring the French Open and Wimbledon, because Wimbledon is five sets. But all of the events throughout the year we’re going to really try and go after in doubles.” Fair enough, but it feels a little like Beethoven settling for writing pop tunes, yes?
Mitchell Starc on winning the Allan Border Medal: “I went through periods years ago where seeing any criticism or different opinions, it was almost like it spurred me on to stick it up them.” Translation: cop that Warney.
Wayne Carey on the SAS Australia show: “I slept with a teammate’s wife. It’s haunted me for 20 years. My integrity will always be questioned. I’m not trying to prove anything to the public – it’s to myself. People can change. They evolve. Hopefully this can help me.”
Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson took full responsibility for the Asian Cup disaster and acknowledged there will now be calls for his head: “I have been around long enough to know those questions are going to come from all over the place, and that’s fair, it’s OK. That’s what it should be in this business, and it’s not for me to decide.”
Australian cricket captain Meg Lanning after the exciting draw against England: “I feel like we may have got away with one. I’m still not sure what to make of it. England played extremely well. It’s as good a Test match as I’ve been in. It was a lot of fun, up and down. I hope everybody enjoyed watching.”
Lauren Jackson, 40, on signing with the Albury Wodonga Bandits six years after retiring with chronic injury: “To be able to play what will be the end of my basketball journey here in Albury and in NSW is so special and I can’t wait.”
Socceroos coach Graham Arnold: “I’ve still got a load of belief in the boys. At the end of the day, everything is still in our own hands. We have to win both games, and beating Japan and Saudi Arabia away, our goal difference is like an extra point.”
Cincinnati Bengal Joe Burrow was spotted entering the stadium with a personalised “JB9” chain featuring his initials and his number. He was asked after if the diamonds in it are real: “They’re definitely real. I make too much money to have fake ones. So they’re real.”
Tom Brady hanging up the boots: “This is difficult for me to write, but here it goes: I am not going to make that competitive commitment anymore . . . My teammates, coaches, fellow competitors, and fans deserve 100% of me, but right now, it’s best I leave the field of play to the next generation of dedicated and committed athletes.”
Team of the Week
Ashleigh Barty. First Australian to win the Australian Open since 1978. Didn’t drop a set along the way to winning her third major.
Rafael Nadal. His 21 Grand Slam victories, ahead of Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic on 20, make him the incumbent G.O.A.T.
Cincinnati Bengals & LA Rams. Contesting next week’s Super Bowl.
Tom Brady. That he’s a global name in a sport only one country really plays is testament to his greatness.
Tahli Gill and Dean Hewitt. The Australians are competing in the mixed curling at the Olympics. Tahli and Dean – our answer to Torvill and Dean.
Socceroos. Road to Qatar got a lot more complicated with a draw to Oman. (Oman? We can’t beat Oman??)
Josh Giddey. The Australian who’s been tearing it up in the NBA has been named in the Rising Stars squad for the All Star Weekend.
Twitter: @Peter_Fitz
The trouble with Langer – cricket is not football
Source: Philippines Alive
