100% agreed. I know it's not as dastardly as the sandpaper episode but at the end of the day, Warner and Bancroft were given year bans for planning to alter the condition of the ball. I can't see how scraping a ball on a metal visor is any different.You would think there would have to be *some* explanation as to wtf he was doing. Saying it was unlikely to alter the ball doesn't address why he was doing it. It is interesting how the media landscape has changed, Wisden and ESPN at least tweeted about it.
We used to make fun of them (correctly), but one good thing about radiosport and their boomer audience was the much more direct connection it provided between the fans, the media and NZC.I have to say I have found this whole thing absolutely extraordinary.
Firstly, the fact that a current Test player being accused of ball tampering hardly even registered a ripple in the media. I read it on Stuff once, but that was about it. Nothing on TV, no columns, hardly anything. 10 years ago, it would've been the major sports news story. 20 years ago, it would've been the front page item in the Herald and on TV news. It would've been all over talkback. It would've been forensically analysed.
And now, I find it extraordinary that the independent commission have not said that he didn't do it...in fact it seems to admit he did. It says his actions were unlikely to alter the condition of the ball or the shape of the ball. Anyone who knows what a helmet grill looks like, knows there is enough edges in the welding of the metal to alter the condition of the ball. And if it wasn't done for that reason, why the **** did he do it, on three separate occasions at the start of overs (according to Stuff)? Surely the intention was to alter it? This has been reported by the umpires, apparently seen by Auckland, it isn't clear on the video but you can see what the allegations are based around...yet brush brush under the carpet it goes. Basically, because it's easy to - because there is no media pressure to go harder.
It’s Henry Nicholls, a guy who hasn’t done squat for years and yet hasn’t had his place in the test squad challenged and whenever they can they’ll find a way to get him into the ODI team. Are you surprised this was swept under the carpet. He’s part of the boys club.I have to say I have found this whole thing absolutely extraordinary.
Firstly, the fact that a current Test player being accused of ball tampering hardly even registered a ripple in the media. I read it on Stuff once, but that was about it. Nothing on TV, no columns, hardly anything. 10 years ago, it would've been the major sports news story. 20 years ago, it would've been the front page item in the Herald and on TV news. It would've been all over talkback. It would've been forensically analysed.
And now, I find it extraordinary that the independent commission have not said that he didn't do it...in fact it seems to admit he did. It says his actions were unlikely to alter the condition of the ball or the shape of the ball. Anyone who knows what a helmet grill looks like, knows there is enough edges in the welding of the metal to alter the condition of the ball. And if it wasn't done for that reason, why the **** did he do it, on three separate occasions at the start of overs (according to Stuff)? Surely the intention was to alter it? This has been reported by the umpires, apparently seen by Auckland, it isn't clear on the video but you can see what the allegations are based around...yet brush brush under the carpet it goes. Basically, because it's easy to - because there is no media pressure to go harder.
He's coming off a double ton and is dominating FC.Nicholls aint in my Test XI. I think we'd need two injuries before I'd pick him right now
And remember that was a game at home against quite weak opposition, and he was dropped twice before he reached 50 in that innings.He's coming off a double ton and is dominating FC.
I know he should have been dropped earlier but that's some serious Lou Vincent treatment and we don't want our selection consistency to go there again.