For some years now the Hunt - Fitzgerald clan have participated in an annual summer-time competition for the virtual perpetual trophy of the Choc-Wedge - awarded for the most swims undertaken in the sea or River Derwent for that summer.
It has been going on for so long that no body remembers how it started. Some years the competition has been fierce and the winner has had to take more than 20 dips. In other years, in between wage slavery and drizzle, the winner has cracked the chocolate coating with less than double figures.
This year competitors have been given starting orders. While Will has been practicing winterlong, Rosie has returned to the pool to perfect her stroke. Lynne has arranged her career so that she can win this year while modesty prevents me revealing my preparation routine ... Being a cooperative non-competitive soul I remain quietly confident - and ready to argue that other's dippings cant be counted.
Tuesday, 4 December 2012
Cricket - played in the mind, and a bit on the ground!
What this series demonstrates is where cricket is played. Yes, there are expensive stadiums but in truth the game at the highest level is played in the mind.
Day one of the series demonstrated the power of the collective South African mind. Amal and Smith showed fierce concentration to get their team to a great position - only two down for quite a few runs. The washout might have robbed us of a series winning total.
The rest of the first test showed the Australians could turn it on above shoulder level too. Three down for very few, a determined Ed Cowan (determined to get that century that would cement him in the team) and Michael Clarke put their heads down and then accelerated, putting the South Africans on the back foot. So successful were they in building a mental advantage that there was a chance that the Australians could have won on the last day - if they could have bowled South Africa out. (Ominous signs of a lack of win-power to come)
The temporary mental advantage the Aussies developed in Brisbane continued to the second test - Clarke was at his best again - putting the Australians in a winning position. Michael Hussey scored another century - he'd shown he could do it in the first test and so he did it again. Then the power of decision kicked in. The South African team was in all sorts of trouble before Faff De Plessis decided he wasn't going to get out before the game was saved. The Australian bowlers - despite their grit and stamina - could not break his mind. As a result the game was saved and the South Africans won back the mental deficit they lost in Brisbane - the teams went into the Perth Test with the South Africans holding some momentum - comprised of relief, achievement and old fashioned determination. Meanwhile the Australians were disappointed - this was a winnable game not won. They knew how John Hewson felt in 1993.
The Third Test again showed the power of decision Both teams were in similar positions in the first innings although the Proteas held a reasonable advantage. Then Hashim Amla decided he would win the game, the series and top spot. His batting was remarkable. An attack that had looked reasonable if raw on day 1 looked amateur. Smith and De Villiers also looked terrific. The Aussies were beaten once the score to win exceeded 418. The mental power pendulum with the South Africans and it wasn't swinging back.
Ed Cowan batted like he had in the first test but appeared satisfied with 50. He has to find the next mental level if he wants to be more than a player who has shown he can do well. Ponting was already mentally retired after Adelaide. Hussey had done enough in the first two tests to stay in the team. Then, all pressure off Mitchell Starc plays a beauty - but a pointless exercise.
South Africa deserved to win the series - the Australians couldn't close it out despite two chances to do so.
The Australian batting - Clarke and Hussey apart - still looks vulnerable. They either do well or collapse. A lot more consistency is needed. More of them need to make more powerful decisions.
The bowlers have to frustrate if they can't break though.
The next series against Sri Lanka will be a mental let down for the Australians - after wasting chances to become number 1 - a series against erratic but sometimes brilliant opponents starting at Bellerive, may just lack the temperature needed to steel the Aussies for the tour of England. If the other batsmen don't follow the de Plessis and Amla meditation, and the bowlers don't learn how to frustrate, (and they mightn't get the chance to do so) the Ashes are staying in England.
Day one of the series demonstrated the power of the collective South African mind. Amal and Smith showed fierce concentration to get their team to a great position - only two down for quite a few runs. The washout might have robbed us of a series winning total.
The rest of the first test showed the Australians could turn it on above shoulder level too. Three down for very few, a determined Ed Cowan (determined to get that century that would cement him in the team) and Michael Clarke put their heads down and then accelerated, putting the South Africans on the back foot. So successful were they in building a mental advantage that there was a chance that the Australians could have won on the last day - if they could have bowled South Africa out. (Ominous signs of a lack of win-power to come)
The temporary mental advantage the Aussies developed in Brisbane continued to the second test - Clarke was at his best again - putting the Australians in a winning position. Michael Hussey scored another century - he'd shown he could do it in the first test and so he did it again. Then the power of decision kicked in. The South African team was in all sorts of trouble before Faff De Plessis decided he wasn't going to get out before the game was saved. The Australian bowlers - despite their grit and stamina - could not break his mind. As a result the game was saved and the South Africans won back the mental deficit they lost in Brisbane - the teams went into the Perth Test with the South Africans holding some momentum - comprised of relief, achievement and old fashioned determination. Meanwhile the Australians were disappointed - this was a winnable game not won. They knew how John Hewson felt in 1993.
The Third Test again showed the power of decision Both teams were in similar positions in the first innings although the Proteas held a reasonable advantage. Then Hashim Amla decided he would win the game, the series and top spot. His batting was remarkable. An attack that had looked reasonable if raw on day 1 looked amateur. Smith and De Villiers also looked terrific. The Aussies were beaten once the score to win exceeded 418. The mental power pendulum with the South Africans and it wasn't swinging back.
Ed Cowan batted like he had in the first test but appeared satisfied with 50. He has to find the next mental level if he wants to be more than a player who has shown he can do well. Ponting was already mentally retired after Adelaide. Hussey had done enough in the first two tests to stay in the team. Then, all pressure off Mitchell Starc plays a beauty - but a pointless exercise.
South Africa deserved to win the series - the Australians couldn't close it out despite two chances to do so.
The Australian batting - Clarke and Hussey apart - still looks vulnerable. They either do well or collapse. A lot more consistency is needed. More of them need to make more powerful decisions.
The bowlers have to frustrate if they can't break though.
The next series against Sri Lanka will be a mental let down for the Australians - after wasting chances to become number 1 - a series against erratic but sometimes brilliant opponents starting at Bellerive, may just lack the temperature needed to steel the Aussies for the tour of England. If the other batsmen don't follow the de Plessis and Amla meditation, and the bowlers don't learn how to frustrate, (and they mightn't get the chance to do so) the Ashes are staying in England.
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