What they did about the cricket World Cup

So, the ICC has performed the ultimate backflip and decided the next World Cup will be contested by 14 – not 10 – teams?

Four Associate members will join the 10 Test nations at the 2015 tournament, which will be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.

The ICC announced it reversed its controversial decision to ban emerging outfits from its 50-over showpiece earlier this week, but omitted any announcement about the tournament’s format.

One can only assume it will be identical to this year’s tournament, which was panned as too long with too many meaningless and non-competitive matches.

While the likes of Kenya, Canada and the Netherlands didn’t cover themselves in glory on the subcontinent, fellow novices Ireland [who are ranked ahead of Zimbabwe in ODI Cricket] stunned England and held their own against South Africa and India.

Meantime, the 2012 and 2014 World Twenty20s will feature 12 teams [the 10 Tests nations plus two qualifiers] and the 2019 ODI showpiece will have 10 entrants [the top eight ranked nations, plus two qualifiers].

It is this blog’s stance that the ICC should be EXPANDING, not contracting its 50-over carnival. Click HERE if you want the full story.

A 16-team tournament would be ideal. Following FIFA’s lead, the top-eight ODI nations would be put into one pot for the draw. The two lowest-ranked full members would join the six associates in the second pot.

Pot 1 would be drawn first. Hypothetically, we could see this:

Pool A           Pool B            Pool C                        Pool D

India              Sri Lanka       Pakistan                     S. Africa

West Indies   Australia        NZ                              England

Pot 2 would be next, hopefully leading to something like this:

Pool A            Pool B           Pool C                        Pool D

India              Sri Lanka       Pakistan                    S. Africa

W Indies        Australia        NZ                             England

Zimbabwe     B’desh           Ireland                       Netherlands

Canada          Kenya           Scotland                    Afghanistan

Now, here’s the kicker – there would only be three pool games for each team, ensuring EVERY game matters, something that has been lacking from the past two World Cups. The top two from each pool would qualify for the quarter-finals A1 v B2, A2 v B1, C1 v D2, C2 v D1.

The tournament would be over quickly, ensure every game matters and help grow the game by giving MORE nations a chance to test themselves against established powers. People might gripe if their team is drawn in a pool with two other Test nations, but ‘groups of death’ have been a fact of life and a talking point in football for years.

Lockyer's end not the high point - Smith

Queensland hooker Cameron Smith shot down suggestions sending Darren Lockyer out a winner would be the zenith of Queensland’s half-decade of Origin dominance.

Smith said the inaugural victory of the Maroons’ record-breaking five series wins to date remained the highlight of his time in a Queensland jersey.

“One of the biggest occasions I have been involved in during these six series was the 2006 decider in Melbourne [won 16-14 by Queensland],” Smith said.

“We were down and out, we were looking at four series losses in a row.”

Ironically, Lockyer played a starring role in Queensland’s drought-breaking win, scoring the go-ahead try and claiming the Wally Lewis Medal for player of the series.

Smith joined the chorus of Maroon players who declared they wouldn’t approach the July 6 decider as a crusade for Lockyer.

“He is the type of guy who doesn’t want us to go out there and do it for him,” Smith said.

“At training he was looking strong.

“It’s Darren’s last game and possibly the same for Petero Civoniceva, it’s a big occasion.”

Civoniceva, rated as one of the nation's best props, has left the door open for further representative honours.

"I'm still enjoying the game, I'm still enjoying being part of the rep season," he said.

"There's a [Kangaroo] tour at the end of the year, if I'm lucky enough to go on that I'll make a decision afterward."

Meantime, Smith admitted the defending champions had to get their attack in order to give their legendary No. 6 the perfect send-off.

Queensland only scored eight points in the second game II defeat.

“We were a little one-dimensional and they [NSW] did a good job of making us do a lot of work,” Smith said.

“We didn’t really test them in the second half.

“We need to be a lot better with the ball, we have been a little bit off all series.”

Elsewhere in a busy day of rugby league:

□ The Penrith Panthers announced New Zealand Warriors coach Ivan Cleary would join the club from 2012 on a three-year deal.

□ The man Cleary will replace as full-time Panthers coach, Matt Elliott, will join the Sydney Roosters on the two-year deal as an assistant coach.

□ Matt Rogers will come out of retirement to help the Gold Coast Titans off the bottom of the ladder.

□ Former Melbourne centre Matt King will reunite with Greg Inglis in the centres at South Sydney next season after signing a two-year deal with the Rabbitohs.

□ The Newcastle Knights have beaten out the Dragons for the signature of three-quarter Wes Naiqama.

Sowie will be sweet - Pearce

NSW halfback Mitchell Pearce expects coach Ricky Stuart to give five-eighth Jamie Soward as much time as possible to prove his fitness for next week’s Origin decider.

The St George Illawarra pivot in is doubt for Wednesday’s game III after injuring his hamstring late in last Monday’s win over Manly, but Soward's halves partner believes he will play at Suncorp Stadium.

Soward is not the most pressing of NSW injury concerns heading into the game – centre Michael Jennings (ankle), Beau Scott (medial ligament and perforated eardrum), utility Kurt Gidley (hamstring) and Glenn Stewart (back) are in doubt.

With the Blues 80 minutes from ending a half-decade of Queensland dominance Pearce believes Soward will don the No. 6.

“Fingers crossed he’ll be sweet,” Pearce told NRL on Fox.

“I’m not sure about other options, he came [into camp] yesterday pretty upbeat.

“Ricky [Stuart] hasn’t said much about deadlines, I’m sure he’ll make decisions when the time comes.

“We haven’t done too much yet, our big sessions will be tomorrow and Friday.”

Stuart has revealed he has two contingency plans if Soward is ruled out; one within the squad and one outside, believed to be Pearce’s Roosters team-mate Tood Carney.

Within the squad, Gidley, Greg Bird and Luke Lewis have won the No. 6 jersey at different levels while Stuart is on the record as saying Parramatta’s Jarryd Hayne best position is pivot.

The Roosters No. 7 hopes he can reprise his partnership with Soward on July 6 after the duo shone in NSW’s game II victory.

“Jamie’s a smart footy player, he’s got a good kicking game,” Pearce said.

Pearce stressed the need for the Blues to get off to a fast start after surrendering early leads in both games so far this series.

“Sticky [Stuart] has spoken about not briefly, the last two games we have gone behind and starting well this time has been a big part of our preparation,” Pearce said.

Pearce revealed New South Wales legend Laurie Daley had addressed the squad about what awaits them north of the Tweed.

Queensland is already in frenzy because the match will be the last in maroon for Darren Lockyer.

“Loz (Daley) spoke to us about what to expect up there and fired us up a bit,” Pearce said.

“Darren Lockyer is a legend of the game, it’s pretty special to be part of it.”

NRL Power Rankings Round 16

NRL Power Rankings Round 16

1 – St George Illawarra. The defending premiers found form in a big way by hammering Manly on Monday. Now that they’ve got their first win in a month – and the end of representative season in the sight – the Dragons can focus on a third consecutive minor premiership.

2 – Melbourne. Scored a great result in New Zealand. Worthy contenders for the premiership. As good as the ‘big three’ of Smith, Cronk and Slater have been, pivot Gareth Widdop has made a lot of difference.

3 – Brisbane. Just lost to South Sydney in horrendous conditions in Perth. Don’t have the class of the leading clubs but any team with Lockyer can do some real damage.

4 – Manly. Came crashing back to earth with a thud against St George Illawarra after a six-game winning streak. It’s not the loss, but the way it happened – Manly couldn’t find a way through the Dragons' defence and were ill-disciplined all the way through.

5 – North Queensland. Had their chances against Penrith, but are still in the top eight. Underrated side that could do lots of damage later in the year.

6 – Bulldogs. Didn’t they need that win over the Tigers on Friday? The pressure is off Kevin Moore for now and the boys from Bankstown can focus on nailing down a finals spot.

7 – Knights. Going very well for a club that has one eye on next year. Ryan Stig has been a revelation.

8 – Warriors. Hmm. World-beaters one week, losers the next. Consistency will be the key because they have match winners all over the park.

9 – Penrith. Still in line for a finals berth. Gave Steve Georgalis a perfect start to his coaching career.  

10 – Wests Tigers. Were out of sorts and impotent without Benji. Need him back, ASAP.

11 – South Sydney. Last Friday’s win in the wet is nothing more than the one game every month where they will show up.

12 – Sharks. Back-to-back wins. Powered by Gallen.

13 – Raiders. Beating Parramatta is handy but the finals are a forlorn hope.

14 – Eels. Reni Matua will be the savour. Promise.

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15 – Roosters. There will be no fairytale this year.

16 – Gold Coast. Wooden spoon certainties based on their last few weeks.

Dragons still the team to beat

Defending premiers St George Illawarra proved they were the team to beat again this season by defeating Manly 24-6 at WIN Stadium tonight.

Most observers believed competition favouritism would lie with the winner of the second-versus-third clash and the Pink V (in honour of the NRL’s Women in League Round) didn’t disappoint, turning in a massive defensive effort in the first half before running away in the second stanza.

The victory, in front of 18,000 fans, ended a winless month for the Dragons – who moved to second behind Melbourne - and snapped the Sea Eagles’ six-game win streak.

Jamie Soward and Kyle Stanley touched down in thr second half after the Dragons went to the sheds with an 12-0 halftime lead through Stanley and Mitch Rein.

However, the story was the Dragons monumental defensive effort late in the first period when they held out the visitors for 36 consecutive tackles.

Again and again the Sea Eagles earned another set through a line drop-out or a penalty, but the champions held firm.

By half-time, St George Illawarra had made more than 70 more tackles than Manly, surrendered a 59-41% disadvantage in possession and 62-38% in territory.

Manly had been tackled 33 times in the opposition red zone, but came up scoreless until Brett Stewart scored two minutes after halftime for 12-6.

The victory wasn’t without incident, as Jamie Soward injured his hamstring scoring an intercept try late in the match, casting grave fears about his chances of playing in next Wednesday’s Origin decider.

Old enemies Mark Gasnier and Steve Matai almost came to blows twice within minutes after Matai was placed on report for a swinging arm on Dragons winger Jason Nightingale in the first half.

Earlier Dragons stand-in captain Nathan Fien was also placed on report for a high shot that left manly fullback Brett Stewart dazed.

The match was the first played in Wollongong for 400 days and was St George Illawarra coach Wayne Bennett’s 400^th win in the NRL.

As NSW coach Ricky Stuart was at such pains to point out yesterday, the expanded 20-man squad for Origin III was picked to ‘cover all bases’ in case players don’t recover from injuries or are hurt in tonight’s St George versus Manly blockbuster.

Ideally, Stuart is hoping to make only one change to the side that forced the decider; Penrith flyer Michael Jennings in at left centre for the injured Will Hopoate (hamstring).

However, Jennings hasn’t played since the weekend after the series opener because of an ankle injury. Stuart is keen to Jennings to prove his fitness, but also picked Dragon Origin I discard Brett Morris as cover.

If Jennings isn’t up to scratch, Jarryd Hayne would move into the centres and Morris to his familiar position on the flank.

The Blues also have problems in the back row; both second rowers from game two – Ben Creagh and Beau Scott – are battling injuries. Plenty are tipping Creagh to play tonight, but Scott is no chance and considered marginal the July 6 showdown with the Maroons.

Glenn Stewart is in the squad as cover and would probably walk into the starting line-up if either is injured. If BOTH are injured however, there could be problems.

I’m tipping Stuart will not want to ruin the chemistry of his bench after they were effective at ANZ Stadium. Watmough, Lewis, Merrin and Gidley were all effective, although the Dragon only had 12 minutes on the field.

Therefore, if Scott or Creagh can’t pass a fitness test, I think Stewart will come into the starting line-up.

If BOTH Creagh and Scott are hurt, Ricky might have to get creative. Personally, I’d like to see Lewis get the other starting gig and Galloway come on to the bench. The temptation is there to throw the debutant into the engine room, but Gallen proved he could handle it – and then some – last time out. No need to have two 'traditional' props out there after game II worked so well.

While I’m on Galloway … was he really the next best NSW prop going around? I thought Tom Leahroyd-Lars had a decent game against Mannah on Saturday night. And what about Michael Weyman?

Stuart claimed yesterday that his final 17 would come from the list read out yesterday, which means no nominal replacement for bench utility Kurt Gidley, who came to Sydney early to start treating a hamstring injury. If Gidley doesn’t come up, there’s no one who can fill the hooker/any back line position role.

However, Gidley will be given the maximum time possible to recover because his role is so specialised within the squad. However, if he is ruled out, it’s going to be hard to find a replacement.

And, there's still one game - a damn important club match involved seven of the squad - to go! Let's hope no-one gets injured or suspended!

Nominal line-up: Anthony Minichiello, Jarryd Hayne, Michael Jennings, Mark Gasnier, Akila Uate, Jamie Soward, Mitchell Pearce, Paul Gallen (c), Michael Ennis, Tim Mannah, Ben Creagh, Beau Scott, Greg Bird. Interchange: Luke Lewis, Trent Merrin, Anthony Watmough, Kurt Gidley.

     What it could look like: Anthony Minichiello, Brett Morris, Jarryd Hayne, Mark Gasnier, Akila Uate, Jamie Soward, Mitchell Pearce, Paul Gallen (c), Michael Ennis, Tim Mannah, Luke Lewis, Glenn Stewart, Greg Bird. Interchange: Trent Merrin, Anthony Watmough, Keith Galloway, ????

Ricky 'covers all bases'

The NSW squad charged with winning the Blues' first State of Origin series in more half a decade will not be finalised til the end of the week after Ricky Stuart named an extended 20-man squad today.

Wests Tigers prop Keith Galloway, Brett Morris, Glenn Stewart and Michael Jennings were added to the squad that won Origin II.

Jennings will take the injured Will Hopoate’s spot at left centre in the July 6 decider if he can overcome an ankle injury of his own.

Second rowers Ben Creagh and Beau Scott and utility Kurt Gidley are also carrying injuries, forcing Stuart to “cover all bases”.

Seven members of the team will play in tomorrow’s St George Illawarra v Manly-Warringah blockbuster at WIN Stadium.

Stuart said the final squad would be named when he was “comfortable” with a players' fitness.

“We wanted a bit of a squad this time to cover as many bases as possible if there are injuries,” Stuart said.

“We’ve still got seven players playing tomorrow.

“This isn’t a trick shot type of thing, it’s just us covering our bases.”

The ex-Kangaroos and premiership-winning coach took aim at the NRL’s scheduling, claiming the Monday blockbuster meant NSW wouldn’t have a full squad for training til Thursday, less than a week before the most important Origin in recent memory.

“It’s an awkward time for our preparation, it will be Thursday or Friday before we have a full training session,” he said.

“Our preparation has been turned upside down for the most important game of the series.”

NSW Squad for Origin III, Suncorp Stadium, Wednesday, July 6

Paul Gallen (c), Greg Bird, Ben Creagh, Michael Ennis, Keith Galloway, Mark Gasnier, Kurt Gidley, Jarryd Hayne, Michael Jennings, Luke Lewis, Tim Mannah, Trent Merrin, Anthony Minichellio, Brett Morris, Mitchell Pearce, Beau Scott, Jamie Soward, Glenn Stewart, Akila Uate, Anthony Watmough.

A half-assed appraisal of the NRL Expansion Bids

Earlier this week, NRL CEO David Gallop declared the competition might be expanded by two teams in time for 2015. Whoever decides who they might be will have no shortage of options, as there are six official bids to join the NRL at the moment. Below are my hastily-drawn conclusions based on some Internet searching.

 

Bid: Brisbane

Home ground: Suncorp Stadium

Capacity: 52,200

Website: http://www.battleforbrisbane.com.au/

Pros: Population, stadium availability, pool of potential feeder clubs, corporate support, sponsorship strength, local derby appeal, supporter base of rugby league fans.

Cons: Does south east Queensland really, really, really need another rugby league team?

Bottom line: Winning the media battle with declarations they wanted Bennett to coach and Sonny Bill Williams and Quade Cooper to play and Petero Civoniceva to come back north of the border. Most likely to get the nod given Brisbane is the new ‘home’ of rugby league in Australia.

Bid: WA Reds

Home ground: nib Stadium

Capacity: 20,000

Website: http://waredsrugbyleague.com.au/

Pros: Elite football in Perth was killed when the first incarnation of the Reds was strangled at birth at the end of the Super League war. To the Sandgroper’s credit, they have continued to plug away. According to the Reds, nearly half of all males in the Perth Metro area watch the NRL on TV and more than half in the 18-39 age groups. Furthermore, current levels of participation in rugby league in Perth is just over 10% of males in the Perth metro area aged over 18 years, currently playing or have played rugby league in to past 5 years

Cons: Two AFL teams. A Super Rugby franchise. A well-supported basketball outfit. An ambitious A-League club. Is there enough room in the most isolated city in the world for another professional sporting team?

Bottom line: The Sydney clubs would much prefer this option to say, the Central Coast, given it would mean no head-to-head competition for sponsors and spectators. Possibly the first franchise over the line.

Bid: Central Coast Bears

Home ground: Bluetounge Stadium, Gosford

Capacity: 20,059

Website: http://www.centralcoastbears.com.au/

Pros: Where to begin? Gosford is a part of rugby league’s ‘heartland’, but has been ignored since the disastrous Northern Eagles joint venture fell apart. Sure, Gosford hosts a handful of games of year, but that isn’t enough to satisfy the people of the Central Coast. Nor should it be. The A-League’s Mariners have been a screaming success up there because they are marketed as a team representing the Central Coast – a rugby league team doing the same would be twice as huge. North Sydney, reborn in Gosford, makes sense for the league as a whole.

Cons: Sydney clubs don’t want the competition. Plain and simple. That will be enough to sink the Bears. More’s the pity.

Bottom line: They should be the first in – to atone for the past and build for the future. It’s up to the soon-to-be-finalised independent commission – here’s hoping they see the light.

Bid: Central Queensland

Home ground: Yet-to-be-built stadium in Rockhampton

Capacity: 20,000

Website: http://www.cqnrlbid.com.au

Pros: The bid claims to have 30,000 members – indicating that there is a demand for a team. The fledgling franchise also has some pretty impressive corporate support behind it.

Cons: Central Queensland? Really? Rugby league is about tribalism, not a bunch of second rate towns banding together and claiming they should have a NRL club. How can the club legitimately represent such a far-flung area effectively? Yes, both sides of politics have declared they would fund a stadium, but it still has to be built.

Bottom line: There will be a new team in Queensland but the second Brisbane club looks a more attractive option than the CQ’s.

Bid: PNG

Home ground: Lloyd Robson Oval, Port Moresby

Capacity: 18,000

Website: http://www.pngnrlbid.com/

Pros: The world’s most passionate rugby league supporting nation? The only country where the greatest game of all can truly be called the national sport? A sure-fire way to take elite footy somewhere it hasn’t been before? The heart and soul of the thing is fine. PNG probably does deserve a team, and as Gallop once said, it’s a matter of “when, not if”.

Cons: PNG. Social upheaval, corruption, the third world and all the things that come with that. Until recently, the bid and the PNG governing body didn’t see eye-to-eye. Also, I don’t know that Foxtel or Channel 9 really care about viewers on the other side of the Torres Strait.

Bottom line: Like Gallop said, not if but when … but not right now.

Bid: Ipswich Jets

Home ground: Suncorp Stadium

Capacity: 52,200

Website: http://www.ipswichjets.com.au/#

Pros: Strong rugby league area. Good population base. Possibility of a Broncos derby. Another tenant for Suncorp until the Jets get their own home in order.

Cons: Why go to Ipswich when there is a bid that wants to take the fight to the Broncos, in the state capital?

Bottom line: I see these guys missing out.

Other bids

Franchise: Logan

Home ground: Suncorp Stadium

Capacity: 52,200

Website: http://www.logannrlbid.com/index.php?p=1_1

Pros: They had an info evening … in October 2009.

Cons: Possibly dead in the water.

Bottom line: Dead in the water.

Franchise: Western Corridor

Home ground: Suncorp Stadium

Capacity: 52,200

Website: http://westerncorridornrlbid.com.au//

Pros: Claims updates are to come.

Cons: Updates haven’t come yet.

Bottom line: PNG seem more serious than these guys.

Bid: Southern Orcas

Home Ground: Westpac Stadium, Wellington, New Zealand

Capacity: 36,000

Website: N/A

Pros: Increase league’s footprint in the Shaky Isles?

Cons: Rugby union is king in Wellington.

Bottom line: Haven’t heard enough from these guys.