Counting down to the back-to-back Ashes series in 2013/14

[braveneutral]

I just googled the elite list. I didn't realise Rauf wasn't on it (regardless of alleged indiscretions)? We might get this Hill bloke.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Rauf was on the list I looked at. But he's been 'rested' for a while after being mentioned in the IPL spot fixing story.

I read somewhere (might have been here) that someone filmed him having relations with a professional woman and tried to blackmail him, and he refused to pay. And so the video is out there on the internet.

Obviously, I don't believe this alleged story. I retell it just as an example of the kind of scurrilous nonsense you can read on websites.

[braveneutral]

Rauf was on the list I looked at. But he's been 'rested' for a while after being mentioned in the IPL spot fixing story.

I read somewhere (might have been here) that someone filmed him having relations with a professional woman and tried to blackmail him, and he refused to pay. And so the video is out there on the internet.

Obviously, I don't believe this alleged story. I retell it just as an example of the kind of scurrilous nonsense you can read on websites.

Yes I was sure that he was but he didn't even have a footnote on Wikipedia. Could really do without DRS with the lack of options. I reckon Dar will stand in some.

[from_the_stands]

With a racism scandal unfolding in the AFL, the Gillard government have jumped in to fast track the Oz passport application of Fawad Ahmed. My guess is that Gillard is banking on this fella winning the Ashes for Australia, and then winning the election for her as a result. If they do sneak him into the side, many Aussie cricket fans will be greatful, but I for on still won't be voting for her. If she offered a fast-tracked citizenship to Hashim Amla, Dale Steyn, Chris Gayle and MSD, then I'd reconsider.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia/content/current/story/638372.html

[Aidan11]

I remember the UK fast tracking South African athlete Zola Budd with a UK passport.

That didn't go down too well, unlike Mary Decker-Slaney.

[Alviro Patterson]

This fast tracking a player is a load of nonsense, bring back Nathan Hauritz!

[Arthur Crabtree]

David Gower, what a ******?

Is this 'banter'?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2013/ju ... es-culture

[Gingerfinch]

That's it, wind them up.

[rich1uk]

you would normally expect something like that from botham , I thought gower was more politically correct

[Gingerfinch]

I think his tongue may have been in his cheek. Saying that, still looks silly.

[Aidan11]

Reminds me of when Botham invited Dean Jones to a BBQ at his house when they were Durham team mates.

Botham's house was over 200 years old and Beefy told Deano that there was more history in his house than Deano's entire country.

[Arthur Crabtree]

It's as sophisticated as the convict line.I don't suppose he means to be offensive. But it's unnecessarily derogatory. And I'm sure Gower has many Aussie friends.

I hope our ex-players and journos play down the superciliousness and bragging.

[Gingerfinch]

It's as sophisticated as the convict line.I don't suppose he means to be offensive. But it's unnecessarily derogatory. And I'm sure Gower has many Aussie friends.

I hope our ex-players and journos play down the superciliousness and bragging.

Me to. Now lets beat the Aussie ba....ds

[Arthur Crabtree]

Indeed. God save their queen.

[GarlicJam]

It's as sophisticated as the convict line.I don't suppose he means to be offensive. But it's unnecessarily derogatory. And I'm sure Gower has many Aussie friends.

I hope our ex-players and journos play down the superciliousness and bragging.

I'm a bit sceptical on this. What, 3 decades in the media, is it? Surely he has learnt a thing or two about how that works.