Friday, September 29, 2006

Arjuna to seek therapy?

In a worrying turn of events for the Savs, especially so early in the new cricketing season, long-serving past captain and part-time player Arjuna has released a monologue on why he loves the game of cricket which incredibly fills 24 cassette tapes and lasts for 36 straight hours. It was widely reported after the Savs collapse at the end of last season that Arjuna took the losses quite hard and became "uncontactable" for much of the off-season. Sources close to Arjuna said he was moody and enigmatic for long periods of time, barely speaking a word, then he would suddenly jump up and say something like "I am the Walrus". This would last only a short while then he would do something like stick postage stamps on gum tree leaves and try and post them at the local butchers. Sources say friends became most worried when Arjuna took a pile of electrical equipment and locked himself in the bathroom, emerging, to the relief of all, 36 hours later, skin like a prune, and touting the new release. The publics reaction to the monologue is yet to be determined.

Monday, September 25, 2006

Elbow injury ruins Hairbear's dream

PRESS RELEASE

25th September 2006

THE Battered Savs have been rocked by the sudden retirement of Hairbear.
Hairbear, 33, was told this week by medical specialists he could not play indoor cricket again because of a recurring injury to his elbow.
He had only recently signed a new one-year contract for the 2007 season.
News that Hairbear's career is over comes as a cruel blow for the Battered Savs.
Hairbear last night told The Daily Telegraph of his heartbreak at having to quit the game he has played for the past 12 years.
"That's it," he said.
"It could have been a better way to go out. But I still feel part of it.
"I'm still part of the team and go to training and help out when I can.
"I get nervous watching the games but a premiership win will cheer me up."
Hairbear is saying he is out for the season and will not officially retire until after the Battered Savs final match this season.
He has previously had his elbow pinned.
This current injury came during a round 1 match.
"The problem is I have had elbow trouble before," Hairbear said.
"They told me before that the next time it could be permanent.
"I suppose in one way the decision was taken out of my hands. That makes it a bit easier."
Hairbear said the elbow injury had given him excruciating arm pain.
"The first two weeks after the game my arm was aching 24 hours a day," he said.
"At that stage I wasn't worried about indoor cricket. I just wanted to get back to having a normal life.
"At the moment I'm out for the year.
"I will retire hopefully on grand final day.
"I suppose I was the most depressed when I unpacked my bag. It had sat in the garage for a while after the game.
"But when I took it out and my box and gloves I knew it was the end.
"But I'm getting old and have had a good run."
Hairbear had been the regular Battered Sav this season until he sustained the injury.
Battered Savs chief executive Arjuna last night said his club was saddened to lose Hairbear.
" Hairbear is a major loss on the field. He does a lot of dirty work that no one gives him credit for except the players and coaching staff," Arjuna said.
"He averages over 40 wides a game. He also provides inspiration and semi-final experience.
"Hairbear is a tremendous club man who has respect from the players and is a player everyone listens to.
"He will still contribute in a big way for us through the finals."
Hairbear played 121 first grade games, 120 with the Battered Savs, the other with Bruces 8.
He played in two grand finals - in 1998 and 2004.
Hairbear won seven of the nine finals matches he played.

Friday, September 22, 2006

Savs lacked planning

By Peter Roebuck

Savs could be the worst fielding side in indoor cricket at present. They allowed extra runs in the field during their first game of the 06/07 indoor season and when it came to themselves lost a few while running between the wickets. Add up all those and you have the difference between losing and being smashed.

There were those two regulation chances behind the wicket that were dropped off Kel. It was the surest way to invite disaster. Grouch has let go a few in the field in this match and I am not sure if Slick’s presence in the field could have counted. He is one of the best outfield fieldsman and you do not catch over hundred scalps in that position without being special. In last nights game he was chasing fly’s, no magic for the new captain.

Along with Arjuna and Grouch, Tom was one of the three senior-most cricketers who mattered for the Savs last night. These three are of timeless quality, the rocks that have braved the onslaught of faster, fitter and stronger indoor cricketers from one decade to another.
Savs must count themselves lucky, for Tom had set himself up for an innings of 30 or 40 runs. He was in a groove and was bisecting the field with his customary precision.

The Savs captain just did not plan well enough. Savs needed to target and create more Opportunities.

Somehow I remain skeptical about the 7 frontline bowlers theory. Do we have an example in world cricket where eight specialist bowlers have mattered?

Savs looked for thoroughbreds when multidimensional cricketers are the call of indoor cricket. The likes of Tucan and Pocket Rocket and Apu, are able to don different hats in the fluid world of indoor cricket quickly and they were sadly missed.

Remember: single dimensional talents are easy to mark and sometimes a solitary arrow is enough to bring them down to earth. But if you are a chameleon, you can sneak in and move ahead with the furtiveness required in indoor cricket and this is what was lacked in last nights one sided game.

One keeps hearing that this Savs team needs more time to turn round the corner. They would surely not be able to do so if the legs and spirits are as tardy as that of the present lot.

No doubt the captain will look forward to the return of the chameleons. Another loss like last night may result in the new Captain stepping down and Hollywood regaining his long held desire to lead this famous team to a finals victory and to hold the trophy that Arjuna and Brucie so desired.

Tuesday, September 19, 2006

2006-7 Series

By Tony Greig

On the eve of the 2006-7 KB Indoor world series we cast a net over the battered savs as they attempt once again to take the elusive crown at the world famous FDICC. In a run of consectuive losers, the savs were bungled out in extradinory circumstances under the much criticised McIntrye finals series. But once again the savs have put on a brave face and have bolstered there ranks to hold the cup aloft at the end of the season.

Early on in the series some key players are rumored to be missing due to injury, laziness and international holidays. Can the new breed of savs hold the fort as these players ease into the saeason. Lets have a look at the squad one by one in the lead up to the big series. It has been rumored that Kenny from the FDICC has had to turn away any ticket holders to the opening game who purchased there ticket through illegal ebay sources.

Arjuna: Has stepped down as captain over the off season citing the need to focus on his batting and take the pressure of himself. Rumored to have been doing the atkins diet over the break to be at his peak for the series.

Reebs: Continues to spend lots of time in the nets and consuming way to much alcohol. Some smirky jokes have also been leveled his way in relation to 'his little scooter'

Sneaky: Spent most of last season teaching africans to gamble. Misses the first few weeks as he is in thailand. He is rumored to be having 'special' massages to loosen himself up for the up coming season

Tucan: The official 'marquee' player for the Savs according to the FDICC salary cap. He has spent much time in the off season preparing to climb the heights of last season and has this year managed to secure the Five Dock hotel as his own personal sponsor.

Kel: Rumours has been persisiting that he might be heading to a rival club after a dummy spit at the One day international at the SCG over the summer but has remained as his transfer fee was to much and stays are true sav at heart.

Hairbear: Well after coming out of retirement last season and setting an official world record for the amount of wides in a single over, hairbear bounced back and stunned the cricketing world taking the price scalps of many marquee players from other squads. Tipped to be a dark horse this year.

Hollywood: Has stated that he will be out for the first month due to recurring injuries from the rugby field. Others in the squad have questioned his commitment and his 'manliness' but he too will be joining sneaky in a scheduled special trip to thailand. Look for him to again top the run chart in 2006-7

Dabs: Spent the off season as a price signing for county side Durham and lead the side to its innaguaral 20-20 trophy. Dabs is hoping to bring some of the knowledge on how to actually win a competition and has also been asked to lecture on the same topic at the Parramatta Eels. Still Dabbing away though. No foot work to speak off.

Slick: The new fearless captain of the savs has had problems putting together the first team of the competition. There have been rumblings that it may be a player backlash at the selection table after leaving out Dabs, Hollywood, Tucan and Apu in the opening game of the season. He has been quoted as telling the boys "keep on your toes or ill be getting up you" , reebs was quite excited at this prospect, that is of lifting the intensity amongst the savs.

Apu: Busy recruiting potential savs in Sri Lanka over the off season but managed to come home with 3 franshise licenses for 7 eleven.

Anyway lets see what the 2006-7 season will bring....without any doubt...plenty of laughs and beers.