Is this man qualified to run world cricket?

Stephen says:

02:16pm | 03/03/10

... or if Andrew Bolt is well qualified to talk about climate change.

Rowdy says:

02:43pm | 03/03/10

....ditto Al Gore and climate change…

Adam MacLeod says:

04:13pm | 03/03/10

Barnaby Joyce and finance

Jason Smith says:

05:22pm | 03/03/10

You lot and internet comments…

Mumma says:

08:26pm | 03/03/10

Cripes, Kevvie got the job of PM on BS (with Hons). Oops or was that a BA.

stuie bluie says:

09:14pm | 03/03/10

look in one word…...NO.

Chris says:

11:36am | 03/03/10

Labor voter, but i think he’d be an asset to the ICC.

Rod says:

11:56am | 03/03/10

Labor voter, and a great choice despite his bowling technique.

Rod says:

11:59am | 03/03/10

Labor voter, and a great choice despite his bowling technique.

Your name:Dundee says:

01:32pm | 03/03/10

Regardless of how you vote! It’s NO! If you love Cricket.

Steph says:

01:45pm | 03/03/10

Labour voter and am really happy that he was selected for the role. Of all his faults, I believe that he is by far and away the best person for the job, politically.

Ray says:

01:52pm | 03/03/10

Agreed. Since WHEN was being a top level player of the game necessary to manage it? I am a contractor and in all the companies that I’ve worked in, the BEST choice for a manager has extremely rarely been the person with the most technical competence. They are there to manage, not to play, and as such I see him as being able to give it a pretty good go. (And no, I hated Howard and voted against him, if you’re wondering.)

Mal says:

06:37pm | 03/03/10

Julie..don’t forget this is the same person who called Murali a ‘chucker’. I wonder what his response now would be to same question now? And No I do not think he is the right man for the job since he’s never played any cricket! May be one Ian or Greg Chapell or Alan Border?

Cricket hound says:

09:06pm | 03/03/10

Mal, the fact is, John Howard is enough of a diplomat to know when to pull his head in and when to speak from the heart. How many politicians actually say what they really think? And fact is, Murali IS a chucker! Spade’s a spade…

Bruce says:

10:23am | 03/03/10

Your right BTS. This most probably tells us what is wrong with Australian politics. Imagine if a business operated like this. Lets put someone in charge who has no idea about the product !!

BTS says:

10:28am | 03/03/10

Ummm Bruce,

The Minister doesn’t actuall do the work…

Ray says:

04:11pm | 03/03/10

Bruce, I can give you a solid example after having been at universities for over ten years for different qualifications. The Heads of Schools are typically the most senior research/teaching staff, i.e. Professor So-And-So. Do you know how many of them can MANAGE a school effectively? None that I’ve seen. Let a Professor teach, let a Manager manage.

Jason says:

04:15pm | 03/03/10

BTS - the Rudd government and it’s policies are already “turning the screws” on every household in the country.  Garrett just tried to burn the evidence.

BTS says:

09:20pm | 03/03/10

Jason,

I am not party political so essentially I am amused by the pro-Liberals who say he Howard did a wonderful job and Rudd is going to ruin the country and the pro-Labours say Howard ruined the country and Rudd is doing a wonderful job.  To watch both ‘sides’ come here to battle it out and their mentality well it’s entertaining if nothing else.  I am sure you are right screws are being turned, we’re all going to hell, Johnny could of fixed it unless Kevin could of first…yada, yada, yada.

DocBud says:

01:04pm | 03/03/10

“I don’t think any of John Howards decendents (sic) were?” You using a crystal ball, Acker, or are you just a visitor from the future?

Rui Sheng says:

06:01pm | 03/03/10

Dear Mrs Malaprop,
Antecedents?

Kate says:

02:23pm | 03/03/10

Like speaking properly when interviewed - especially rugby league players aka dumbos.

Mick says:

04:36pm | 03/03/10

Oh Kate how it must really burn you up inside to think that some semi-illiterate football player can easily make 3-4 times your salary in a year.

Austin 3:16 says:

05:49pm | 03/03/10

Hey Mick,

And a lot of those players can also be broke at 40

IndiKarma says:

11:59am | 03/03/10

And here comes the Indian basher….

Sky says:

01:24pm | 03/03/10

@IndiKarma…  Def not mate My mum was born in India, dont be too quick to judge.

Budz says:

01:28pm | 03/03/10

Mate, they are the most powerful board in world cricket by far, why are you surprised? It’s like calling the Aussie Government a knob for backing the US in a conflict.

Sky says:

01:45pm | 03/03/10

@IndiKarma - Doubt it mate, my Mum was born in India. That sort of stupid comment could inflame what is already way out of hand because of people like yourself. Dont be too quick to jump to conclusions, when you dont know all the facts.

Sky says:

02:05pm | 03/03/10

Fair call Budz, i just hope Howard shows more balls than current ICC DP.

TC says:

01:32pm | 03/03/10

No. The way things are going these days Christmas Island will have their own team

Frankie V. says:

06:26pm | 03/03/10

Would you care to give an example of one of Howard’s tactless dealings with India, or are you just talking out of your hat?

Cricket buff :) says:

08:30pm | 03/03/10

Frankie - any wonder you don’t understand.  You’re listening to the wrong end.

Martin G says:

09:55am | 04/03/10

Davo from Sydney: ‘He has a history of having absolutely no tact with his dealings with India’

Oh was he the PM who refused to sell them uranium, but thinks it’s ok to give some to China?

Name me one time Howard was tactless with India.

Foob says:

06:44pm | 04/03/10

Haneef ring a bell.

Mark says:

12:23pm | 03/03/10

What an ignorant comment. Australia has long been the most accepting of countries, certainly there isn’t a country in Asia that comes close to comparing. Multiculturalism in Asia? Puh-lease, the racism in that region is second to none. Asians have enjoyed a wonderful lifestyle in Australia, free to chase opportunities on the same level playing field as all other races. Maybe it is you who should look at your own racial attitudes Long Xuyen, it seems you are living in your own world.

Frankie V. says:

07:58pm | 03/03/10

Probably the same rationale the Labour government in New Zealand had when they stopped Singapore Airlines increasing their stake in Air New Zealand: it’s a state subsidised enterprise owned by a one party state that masquerades as a multi-party democracy.

redneck junkie says:

12:49pm | 03/03/10

well, I love the sport too…

FromKiwiLand says:

12:02pm | 03/03/10

Typical aussie comment…

Darth Dibley says:

01:32pm | 03/03/10

That type of comment shows who the real idiots are…. Idiots like John Howard and Tony H

Henry says:

10:21pm | 03/03/10

Funny, that’s what the rest of the world says about Aussies…

Christian Real says:

07:54am | 04/03/10

FromKIWiLand, 12.02PM 03/03/10
It’s not all aussies that makes jokes like that, it’s only the Liberal imbeciles that do.

Adam Diver says:

08:55am | 04/03/10

Whoa where did all the humour go. Geez guys take a step back and have a laugh.

Amy Brunner says:

10:47pm | 03/03/10

@Rod,

“We kicked these pair of pompous fools out of Government in Australia” 

(and in doing so we the Australian people failed the IQ test, and voted into the highest post in this land the Quintessential Bureaucrat.)

You, Rod, sound like one of 52% of Australians who behaved like 9 year olds and voted for ice cream in 2007. Or are you just another ALP member who can’t give credit where credit is due.

Like most “rusted on” ALP voters, can’t stand to see the man who gave 35 years of his working life to serving this country, a go at continuing to serve and be productive. (Oh! I forget the catch cry of the ALP was that Howard was old and tired ~ which is about what your Kevin Rudd looks like these days, and he has only been in parliment less than a third of the time and PM for less than a fifth of the time John Howard)

But you probably on the other hand see nothing wrong with Beazley, a three time looser at becoming PM being given a Over-Paid position. You do realise, don’t you that ex Queensland Premier Beattie is now in LA on a over $300,000-00 a year salary (plus exps, plus home, plus, plus, plus…. Beazley is the Ambassador to the USA.

As for your petty remark about Janette ~ John Howard, is an honourable man, who happens to have a lovely woman as his wife who supports him in all that he does.

Mark says:

03:04pm | 03/03/10

Actually Paddy, I think you are on your own.

Jason says:

04:21pm | 03/03/10

Well and truly alone.  If you really loved the game, it wouldn’t make a whit of difference who is in charge of the administration because it’s about the sport and the contest, not the management.

Brian B says:

05:23pm | 03/03/10

What a sad attitude you have, Paddy.

susie says:

10:30pm | 05/03/10

...and you can’t spell, either. Sad.

Mark says:

03:06pm | 03/03/10

... since our troops are still there, then Kevin Rudd must have the same credentials, John.

Henry Fraser says:

10:16pm | 03/03/10

What a wonderful contribution to society you are Robert.  You are speeeting cheeeps yourself here aren’t you?  I’m picturing a red-faced, pot-bellied, peroxide high-lighted blonde—not that I’m in to national stereotypes or anything.

p.s. as a little exercise, how about checking the statistics on what percentage of the NZ population is Australian, vs the other way around.

p.p.s. of course John Howard won’t do New Zealand proud!  Duh.  I’d be surprised if the “Little Whinger” does Australia proud either!

Mark says:

03:06pm | 03/03/10

... and Kevin Rudd has kept us in the war, so what is your point?

Frankie V. says:

06:38pm | 03/03/10

“”“he’s not going to be dieing anytime soon”“”

Indeed, he’ll outlive most of his lentil eating critics.

JR says:

03:56pm | 03/03/10

What are you on about?

Macca says:

03:57pm | 03/03/10

“Fix the parlous state”...?

by building identical School halls and burning down people’s houses with crap insulation?

Good one

Mark says:

04:19pm | 03/03/10

Ah Jimbo, most infrastructure is a state government responsibility. So yes, the Labor governments failed dismally there, I agree.

Mark says:

04:33pm | 03/03/10

Well done Jimbo. Award for the comment with the least bit of thought or truth to it goes to you pal.
Enjoy.

Fabian says:

11:07pm | 03/03/10

@Macca you need to go check some actual facts about the insulation mate.  There were nearly as many house fires caused by poor installation in the preceding year without the thousands of additional homes being done.

@Mark yer, the fantastic economic management that saw the price of nearly everything increase by over 100% from the time he got in until he was ousted because of the awesome GST.  The kind that saw average incomes increase substantially for the top 10% of income earners yet go backwards in real dollar terms for everyone else.  The type of economic management that saw house prices more than double during his term.  Fantastic economic management - if you’re one of the “haves”...

Adam Diver says:

09:05am | 04/03/10

@ Fabian

House Prices = State governement

Mark says:

06:16pm | 03/03/10

Why should it go to an ex player? The best sports administrator in the world is the NBA’s David Stern (Ok, in my opinion), and he didn’t play one minute of hoops at that level. He is an ex-lawyer with cutting edge vision, a man who is about a decade ahead of most bosses.

Julie Coker-Godson says:

09:26pm | 03/03/10

@ Mike:  “John Howard is the wrong person for this job. He is retired and should stay retired.”:  Why should John Howard stay retired?  Just to suit you?  He is as entitled as you or anyone else to take up another life challenge.  Contrary to your claim, he really “does have” a clue.  Your bias slip is showing!

Adam Diver says:

09:08am | 04/03/10

@ Mark I have to disagree with you David Gallop is a remarkable sports administator particularly considering the tumoils facing league in the last decade. Started as a lawyer and highly doubt he could tackle an 80 year old women.

But ex-players are peope serious? Perhaps they should be involvedon a consultancy basis but good administrators do that anyway

Adam Diver says:

09:12am | 04/03/10

You cant win Jeff. Oh no we started war against a country training terrorist, run by a dictatorship which oppressed its people and has a history of invading other countries. How dare we.

What is the alternative. Continue to stick your head in the sand while atrocities are committed in the rest of the world. Lets keep sending aid and working on diplmacy in africa. That works

Henry says:

09:44am | 04/03/10

Well Ritchie…  how about your beloved Kevin Rudd??

On ABC radio, during the first test between Austrlian and India, Rudd told the story of his first Test cricket experience as a 17-year-old who had come to town by train to stand on the Hill at The Gabba in Brisbane to watch Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson in full flight against the English.

Rudd remembered the chant “Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, if Thommo don’t get you, then Lillee must,” but mostly he remembered 42-year-old Colin Cowdrey - called to duty from England to halt the carnage - walking onto the field and going up to Thomson to shake the hand of the man who was going to hurt him.

On ABC radio, during the first test between Austrlian and India, Rudd told the story of his first Test cricket experience as a 17-year-old who had come to town by train to stand on the Hill at The Gabba in Brisbane to watch Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson in full flight against the English.

Rudd remembered the chant “Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, if Thommo don’t get you, then Lillee must,” but mostly he remembered 42-year-old Colin Cowdrey - called to duty from England to halt the carnage - walking onto the field and going up to Thomson to shake the hand of the man who was going to hurt him.

THE TRUTH

Firstly, the saying “Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, if Thommo don’t get you, then Lillee must” was never chanting in public at the grounds.

Secondly, Colin Cowdrey never played in the Brisbane Test. He did not face the Australians until the Perth Test!

Just another stone-cold lie from your hero to go along with all the others about his past.

BTS says:

09:24pm | 03/03/10

For what?

Amy Brunner says:

11:02pm | 03/03/10

Who should be in jail, John Howard, for what?

John Howard and Peter Costello, paid off the Hawke / Keating $96 billion debt, and left us with $21 billion in the bank.

On the average, lower interest rates & lower un-employment than under the Hawke / Keating Government.

Work Choices was not a bad thing, it was not replaced by the Rudd Government till 2 years after the 2007 election, why do you think that Australia has faired so well through the Global Financial Crisis?

Could it be that the landscape of the Australian Industrial Relations was such a flexible domain and that there was money in the bank and no debt, that maybe, just maybe, that was why we Australia has faired so well.

Back up your mindless venomous spits with some substance.

Fabian says:

01:02am | 04/03/10

@Amy Brunner go read my earlier post then show me some facts to dispute what I wrote.  Howard paid off the debt that was created by over-spending that was created after Fraser let the place run into the ground.  He paid off that debt by again reducing expenditure on infrastructure and moving more of the tax burden from those who make the most - the corporations - to those who do the most - the workers, through the fantastic GST that saw prices double while all but the top 10% of income earners went backwards in real dollar terms.  It’s the cycle of politics in this country.  The Libs won’t spend enough and Labor spend too much.  Each of them overreacts to the other’s “mess”.

All of this though is irrelevant.  His ability or lack thereof as a cricketer, or Prime Minister, has got no bearing whatsoever on this position.  He’s a good politician and that’s what is needed to deal with all the crap in the cricket hierarchy, so he should do the job well.

Frankie V. says:

09:04pm | 05/03/10

I remember the Great Debate of 1996, when Ray Martin asked Keating and Howard what the price of bread was, and Keating couldn’t answer.  At the time the local Vietnamese were selling loaves for $1.00 - $1.10.  Now their selling them for $1.40 - $1.50.

So Fabian, the price of bread didn’t go up by “over 100%.”  And while the rich got richer, everyone else did too:

“”“However, the pie itself grew massively over those 12 years. The bureau estimates all income groups became substantially better off, with incomes for those in the broad middle growing by 52 to 54 per cent. Income for those at the bottom grew 46 per cent.”“”

Amy Brunner says:

10:49pm | 03/03/10

And just how did John Howard take Australia back 20 years.

Just smart alex unsupported comments from the “rusted-on” ALP or are you part of the bitter and twisted RENT-A-CROWD.

You sound a little like a woman I used to work with who used to say “I hate Howard” but could never tell me why….

DocBud says:

12:16am | 04/03/10

Absodamnlutely, they’re the Welsh of the southern hemisphere.

Henry says:

11:11am | 05/03/10

Seems a few of you australians have some latent anger problems.  Normally that comes about from a lack of physical performance, if you know what I mean, or perhaps a parent that didn’t love you as a child. I can recommend a good therapist in Sydney Ben, if you like.  She’s very good - she’s a Kiwi

Adam Diver says:

09:16am | 04/03/10

As if he does it for the money. Thats exactly why he should do it as he should have no vested interest (in theory).

BAH! says:

06:26pm | 04/03/10

@ Adam Diver

So he’s doing it for free and donating the money? Of course he’s doing it for the money

Henry says:

11:24am | 05/03/10

Yeah, its difficult to know much about cricket in New Zealand - its 5 years since Australia gave us a decent game!

Good luck to the yellow-shirts on the Sunday game though.  (I mean, good luck controlling their tantrums!)  Hopefully they will have learned their lesson now - i.e. you don’t come across as the sharpest tool in the shed by walking up and headbutting someone who’s wearing a helmet!!!  The yellow-shirts should stick to what they do best - verbal abuse.  Sorry, you call that sledging - I mean sleeeeedging - don’t you?