Can this man save cricket?

Andy says:

03:10pm | 22/01/10

Ridiculous, how can we have Mr Sheen as the No1 of the International commitee, Peter Roebuck hit the nail on the head it is definately both pitiful and disrespectful!!  The only success in head officials crossing over into sports is John O’niell, maybe thats the man that should be getting approached!!!

BULMKT says:

12:02pm | 22/01/10

Enough of the Cricket Stories!

Please PUNCH - try not writing one for a week!

Keith says:

02:46pm | 22/01/10

Given the current incumbent, Bob Hawkes Drovers Dog would do a better job and perhaps just perhaps stop kowtowing to the sub continent

Grog says:

12:23pm | 22/01/10

Save it? He’ll kill it.

His great icon Bradman did more to bring about the World Series Cricket split than any other person. No doubt Howard will do the same and ensure a complete split between countries in the ICC.

Stirrer says:

12:24pm | 22/01/10

JimH,

I couldn’t have said it better myself!

Clinton says:

12:29pm | 22/01/10

Roebuck was wrong about Ponting and he is wrong about Howard. What is wrong with putting someone who has been successful in another field(politics) and an unashamed enthusiast for the sport in charge. I don’t think he will take the job myself, but time will tell. And Adam, get over it mate.

Peter says:

12:33pm | 22/01/10

Howard should be appearing before an International War CrimesCourt (IWCC)along with Blair and Bush for their part in the illegal invasion of Iraq not being appointed to the ICC.!To appoint Howard to the ICC ,would be complete stupidity.Howard has no sporting ability or experience.Howards only claim to fame was being Bushes yes man.

Dave says:

01:29pm | 22/01/10

Agreed. He is a divisive conservative. His appointment would be akin to stepping back into the 20th Century. Cricket is far better off without him, as is Australia. It is time for cricket to adopt a blue sky approach. Appoint someone who is in tune with the younger generations whose support will be vital if it is to be around in any form in 100 years from now.

iansand says:

12:39pm | 22/01/10

Roebuck is just jealous because no one asked him.  FIGJAM epitomised.  And badly in need of an editor.

Nathan says:

02:11pm | 22/01/10

Dave, what an Il Informed coment. Don’t you know Rudd has racked up a debt for the Country of over $300 billion. Don;t you know it is the Rudd Government and not the rest of the world who spent not only the $60 Billion that was in the bank, but also wasting the $20 Billion budget surplus is cash splashes and Julia Gillard Halls for schools, if they needed them or not.

The GFC was a world problem, but the inept management of this country falls squairly at the feet of Chairman Rudd.

Luke says:

12:42pm | 22/01/10

roebuck is always after the headline, ignore him, go for it Johnnie

Peter Asser says:

12:45pm | 22/01/10

From one Peter to another, Sir you are a fool; John Howard would make an exemplary President, he surrounds himself with great people is deciated to the duty at hand and most of all he gets the job done. Keep your politics to yourself it’s just not cricket.

Damian says:

12:47pm | 22/01/10

Does anyone actually have any repect for Roebuck’s dribble anyway? The only benefit his writing provides to society is a small degree of inspiration.  Inspiring those who can barely write and have only a limited knowledge of their subject matter to become journalists.  Well done Pete, you may leave this world with a legacy after all.

Potblack says:

01:18pm | 22/01/10

Sorry there is something about your comments that makes it impossible not to smile -  not sure why. Maybe it something about his comments inspiring you and yours me ?

Scott says:

12:50pm | 22/01/10

Maybe Kevin Rudd should take the job, now there is a way to get nothing done.

Darren says:

12:50pm | 22/01/10

I absolutely love reading cricket related commentary… except when it’s written by Peter Roebuck. The honourable John Winston Howard would be a brilliant fit for a job like this - one that can be extremely political in its nature.

Ben says:

12:51pm | 22/01/10

I’m not sure he’d take up the job, but wouldn’t it be great to have him in a leadership role somewhere just so we can all point and laugh at the juvenile comments from people who can’t help themselves but to continually take a jab at him with their usual ignorant parroted rubbish.  As he’s said himself “I’m glad to know that after two years I still bug the Labor Party”.

Ryan says:

12:57pm | 22/01/10

Howard has fixed a stuffed economy from a previous incompetent Labor government, this should be small fry for him.

That racist Roebuck should be thrown in jail for his offensive, derogatory, ageist and racist views.

mountcross says:

01:33pm | 22/01/10

He couldnt even save himself so how can he save cricket ?

Saskia says:

01:02pm | 22/01/10

Howard would be very good.  He is neutral - as far as historic cricket admin politics and had a great record of ‘doing’ as a PM.  As a person - those who have dealt with him have nothing for respect for him as a person.  Roebuck’s article was astonishing in its vitriole and hysterical spite.  Roebuck is a terrible commentator on Cricket, his articles and bland and his holier than thou PC fascist morality that he attempts to foist onto a SPORT is pathetic.  It is he that needs to step aside - his ilk are what’s holding back the sport - and in his case too, Australia as a whole.  What a nasty little bitch!

Ryan says:

01:04pm | 22/01/10

I thought cricket was a gentlemans’ game, so when did we start letting the low class pheasants with no breeding and little class like Peter Roebuck actually have a voice on cricket.

Chris says:

01:07pm | 22/01/10

I disagree with Peter Roebuck, although I respect him for having an opinion he wil willing to publish (unlike the sio-called journalists who work for News Ltd and the Daily Telegraph).

I am not a fan of John Howard by any means, in fact in Howard’s hey-day you might have called me a borderline ‘Howard Hater’. However, the fact is the I think the ICC could do with a dose of an intelligent, well connected and skilled operator who is not from the cricket establishment. Perhaps the fact he is ‘just’ a fan of the game (Roebuck uses this like a put down) will give him perspective that the current administration do not have. Also, give Howard has nothing to gain in regards to a career with the ICC he will be less suseptible to the argy-bargy of the ICC structure.

Raj says:

01:10pm | 22/01/10

Why does the punch bother to show a clip of Howard bowling a ball, what does this add to this topic? Treat your readers with respect we aren’t children… Also This Peter should take back his comments about Pointing. he was wrong then and is worng again… shame on you punch shame on you peter…. Managers/leaders can manage anything in any industry. But then I guess what would a Journo know about the real world… It would be an honour for the ICC to have someone such as Howard leading it.

BBB says:

01:13pm | 22/01/10

What this article does not do is look at the circumstances that lead to Howard’s name being mooted in the first place.

Nor does the article consider his age at the time of appointment (ie 73 is 2012) and whether or not there is a suitably qualified and younger person to do the job.

A 73 year old ex-Prime Minister who, while electorally successful, was a polarising figure, is probably not the best pick to run world cricket.  How would someone who was so aligned with George Bush possible approach the mine field of problems that litter Pakistan’s participation in world cricket?  What about Zimbabwe?  Or the current problems between Australia and India given the allegation (made well before he was PM) that Howard was himself a racist?

Cricket Australia should give Howard a pass and work with New Zealand to reach a consensus on an appropriate candidate.

JRM says:

01:13pm | 22/01/10

Give the job to Rudd. He’s already overseas half the time anyway.

And Rudd won’t ruffle feathers at the ICC. Rudd will fit right in, talk heaps, promise heaps, achieve nothing.

First thing Rudd will do is set up a website called Cricketwatch that will surely bring down admission prices….........then put a laptop in every cricketers dressing room.  Give out $100 coupons during breaks in play but tax the hell out of hotdogs, pies, chips and beer to get it all back.

And the final one will be the introduction of ETS cricket. Very exciting. What we voted for. Apparently. No one is sure what is going to happen - but he’ll tax us to the cows come home to do it anyway.

Sonofswift says:

01:15pm | 22/01/10

Not a big fan of Roebuck but he’s spot on here.

Peter says:

01:15pm | 22/01/10

I’m a Howard hater and I hope he doesn’t get the gig at the ICC. Peter Roebuck is against Howard because he is Australian. Roebuck hates everything about this Country and he should be deported immediately

Droo says:

01:18pm | 22/01/10

The trouble with some sports, e.g. AFL, soccer and cricket, is that they are run by sportsmen.

The ICC president has no need to understand how to induce reverse swing or how to play the doosra. He needs to be a high-level international diplomat. Who better than a prior prime minister of Australia? His love of cricket is just a bonus.

Martin Milne says:

01:22pm | 22/01/10

Putting a racist like Howard in charge of a sport whose largest and most passionate following comes from the Indian subcontinent is a recipe for disaster. It would be a return to the days of the MCC thinking they could control the game from Lords.

For once Roebuck is right

Full Toss says:

01:36pm | 22/01/10

I just can’t get over how Asian he looks, sure there not something about his heritage he is not letting on about?

Wal says:

01:41pm | 22/01/10

No you are Jason

Howard Hater says:

01:46pm | 22/01/10

Well said Peter. It is my dream to see this happen.

N says:

01:46pm | 22/01/10

“... plus a splash of bribery toward certain special interest groups eg the aged voter.”  Little bit like the multiple $900 voter appeasement the current government issued, increase in first home owners grant, 50% rebate on new business assets, the list goes on….
Howard’s bribery pales in comparison to the current government.

Frankly I think JWH would make a pretty good president for the ICC. Like others have commented, I not sure why Roebuck found the need to use derogatory terms such as an aged white conservative in his article. None of these attributes, if true, would preclude someone from being a good ICC presidential candidate. One can surmise however, from Roebucks piece, that his ideal candidate would be a young, black radical.

MJ says:

01:52pm | 22/01/10

Paul Colgan has completely missed Roebuck’s point here. If you read the original article (which has only been quoted very selectively in the article above), you’ll see that Australia and NZ are appointing the next ICC president, and that Roebuck prefers the NZ candidate (“Cricket Australia ought to be getting behind the splendid candidate suggested by its counterpart”).

He says that Australia should “accept New Zealand’s long-standing and impressive candidate, Sir John Anderson. ICC sources confirm that he is respected as a straight talker blessed with leadership qualities. Besides, an Australian had already taken the top position with Malcolm Grey counting among the previous big wigs at ICC.”

This isn’t so much about what’s wrong with Howard; it’s that there’s a much better option available.

http://www.theage.com.au/sport/cricket/howard-choice-is-the-wrong-way-to-go-20100121-modb.html?autostart=1

John says:

01:56pm | 22/01/10

Why would he do that he doesnt do the job he has now. I havent even seen him involved in anything apart from pushing his own agenda. Even if you didn’t like Howard you can’t say he didnt act of what he thought was the best interest of the country…. not himself. Its easy to be the man who makes the easy decisions it hard to make the right ones.

RH says:

02:06pm | 22/01/10

Agreed. This is just glorified trolling. Roebuck’s article strongly suggests this is little more than a windup from CA. Although given the ridiculous behaviour of the BCCI over the last few years i can see why CA would want to strip the pot.

Bt seriously, i can’t see the bloke who came up with Pacific solution starting from a strong position to build consensus with the other Cwth countries

Macca says:

02:13pm | 22/01/10

Many of the comments imply that you need to be a great sportsman to administer a Sport.

Looking at FIFA, I would say the exact opposite. What a bunch of corrupt thugs.

John O’Neil and Ben Buckley are amongst the best Sports Administrators in this country, and have never represented Australia on a sporting field.

I guarantee that if Johnny H was head of the ICC, Muralithuran would not be playing.

axel says:

02:25pm | 22/01/10

Bugger the ICC, we need Howard back running the country.
Rudd could well start the Christmas Island cricket club,so the 2000 boat people have something else to do beside attacking each other.

Full Toss says:

02:26pm | 22/01/10

The difference being that the Rudd’s government’s response was to a global financial crisis, a stimulus payment which has been praised worldwide.

Howard’s ‘accidental’ bonus payouts to pensioners were pure and utter vote buying prior to an election. Some pensioners, when asking Centrelink why that had been overpaid $2,000, were told not to worry about it, just to keep the money.

As for cricketing administration, as with anything in life, it’s all about the passion one has, rather than ‘born’ ability. Who knows, he might bring some good to the game.

John says:

02:37pm | 22/01/10

Georgia our economy is the best in the world.  Sheesh you Howard Huggers really have blinkers on!

NM says:

02:37pm | 22/01/10

nope. howard is a waste of space in that role - he’s a cricket fan not a cricketer or cricket administrator.

sam goodall says:

02:44pm | 22/01/10

Mr John Howard has a reputation of being a racist.  If he gets that position, I predict there will be conflicts between white and non-white cricket playing nations.

Steve McFarlane says:

02:45pm | 22/01/10

I wasn’t aware that cricket Australia needed saving!

We are still ranked number one in both test and ODIs.

Another media beat up for sales….

ShaneO says:

02:47pm | 22/01/10

No ones forcing you to read them BULMKT!

Jonathan says:

02:46pm | 22/01/10

Pffffft… the silly old bugger couldn’t save himself.  He should keep his grubby little hands of everything and just fade away!

Kricket lover says:

02:47pm | 22/01/10

He could not save his own seat and now we want him to save cricket
Get real and nominate someone who has the real love for this sport and played it. Not one that chucks a ball before the media. Might as well give the job to Arjuna Ranatunga.

Brad says:

02:58pm | 22/01/10

Can this man save cricket? Ummm….Excuse me media, since when did cricket need saving?

Moby says:

03:06pm | 22/01/10

This is the biggest load of rubbish Peter Roebuck has ever written.  A big achievement considering his ability to write such egotistical nonsense.

Michael says:

03:10pm | 22/01/10

Will he put cricketers on Workchoices???

phillip says:

03:14pm | 22/01/10

i think shane warne could do a much better job than that loser he is a dead set loser

Russell says:

03:20pm | 22/01/10

Howard in charge of the ICC…..HAHAHA!
It’s a joke right?
Offer the job to Richie “2 for 22” Benaud.

Matt says:

03:22pm | 22/01/10

Peter Roebuck is living proof you don’t have to have a long neck to be a goose!

Andrew says:

03:24pm | 22/01/10

Macca i agree that there are exceptions to the rule on sporting administrators, Roebuck was harsh but i agree with him on this occasion Mr Sheen would not be the right man for the Job as just because you love something doesnt mean you should be the Boss?

Changing codes can be successful and i believe that John O’Niell is the man they should be approaching, no sporting background until he took the reins of the ARU and then the HAL brilliant mind!!!

Sorry Mr Howard no vote here!!

Bruce says:

03:29pm | 22/01/10

With the unbelievable wealth creation that John Howard gave Australia wich is an undisputed fact. Do not believe me? Check how well your superannuation fund was performing over 2 years ago. How hard could it be to make cricket profitable and solve its little problems.

shabangabang says:

03:42pm | 22/01/10

Wouldn’t go down well in test playing nation Sri Lanka, given he put all Sri Lankan boat people behind razor wire. The very thought of putting somebody not from withing the cricket community at the top is appaling. Bit like having a Pom as our head of state. Oh, hang on….

Brian says:

04:06pm | 22/01/10

Peter Roebuck hides in Australia writing articles in a primarily “white” country. Funny how he doesn’t return to England much ? Hey Roey, why don’t you enlighten everyone about your restraining order around young boys? You were a coach once?

Brian says:

04:08pm | 22/01/10

[edit] After Retirement
In 1999, while working as a commentator abroad, Roebuck met three young cricketers, all aged 19, and offered to coach them, inviting them to live at his home in England. He warned them beforehand that he would use corporal punishment if they failed to obey his “house rules”. He caned all three boys on their buttocks at different times for misbehaviour and in 2001 was given a suspended jail sentence after pleading guilty to three charges of common assault. He told the court, “Obviously I misjudged the mood and that was my mistake and my responsibility and I accept that.”[1]

From Wikipedia

stephen says:

11:36pm | 22/01/10

Touche. Mr Howard will do fine. As PM. he was on the wrong side of the fence, but I think as an advocate for Cricket, or perhaps for Poker, he would be unsurpassed.

Dalma Smithy says:

11:23am | 23/01/10

The wonderful game of Cricket has been hyjacked and tarnished by degrading Politics ! That JH lost the 2007 Elections to a unknown reporter from ABC - McKew, speaks volumes. It was the worst disaster any polly suffered. Ignominious ! Now, the resurrected..oops Lazarus has redeployed to that gentleman’s game which the public go to great expense to see, cheer and booze, unfetted by a political gnome hovering in the bleachers. I have little admiration for OZ politics,  but why cant we tap into the greatest source of cricket commentators ever -Richard Benaud. BBC. CH 9,4,5..( swoon ) Greg Blewett . Skynews ( wow) The brilliant Chappel brothers ( estastic, grovel) To be honest ,the list of talent rivals the best of British commentators. No where on Earth, have we come across people who can bring the game to your ipod, radio or TV like it was happending outside your bed room. Magic. Absolute bonza. Gimme more of the same, and let us be realistic,these professionals know the game, played it famously, and deserve to be nominated. Why cant Cricket Aust put it to a vote ?