Molly Strano’s Gold Medal Net Session: Find out who made the list!

Ariarne Titmus of Australia poses with her 400-meter freestyle gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics on July 26, 2021, at Tokyo Aquatics Centre. (Kyodo)==Kyodo Photo via Newscom

Over the years, we have asked our guests on the Cricket Library Podcast to share their dream net session with us. This question has produced some fascinating insights into the personalities behind those we have asked. Molly Strano is personality personified and her net session selections would make for a cracking session. Let’s find out who is invited!

Magda Szubanski (Sharon Strzelecki)

Magda Szubanski is an Australian actress, comedian, and author, best known for her roles in television shows and films such as “Kath & Kim” and “Babe.” She was born in Liverpool, England, in 1961, but her family moved to Melbourne, Australia, when she was a child.

Szubanski began her career as a writer and performer on sketch comedy shows, including “The D-Generation” and “Fast Forward.” She gained national fame for her portrayal of the character Sharon Strzelecki on the hit Australian sitcom “Kath & Kim,” which ran from 2002 to 2007.

Sharon Strzelecki is a fictional character portrayed by Australian actress Magda Szubanski in the hit Australian television series “Kath & Kim.” The character first appeared in the show’s pilot episode in 2002 and quickly became a fan favourite.

One could only imagine the fun that would be had at a net session attended by Szubanski, a magnificent selection from Strano.

Dennis Rodman

Dennis Rodman is a former American professional basketball player and a well-known personality in pop culture. He was born on May 13, 1961, in Trenton, New Jersey. Rodman played for various teams in the National Basketball Association (NBA), including the Detroit Pistons, Chicago Bulls, and Los Angeles Lakers, where he won five NBA championships. Rodman was a skilled rebounder and defender, earning him the nickname “The Worm” for his tenacious style of play.

In addition to his basketball career, Rodman also had a brief foray into professional wrestling. In 1997, he joined World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and became a member of the New World Order (nWo) wrestling stable. He even had a match at the WCW pay-per-view event “Bash at the Beach,” where he teamed up with Hulk Hogan and Scott Hall against Lex Luger, The Giant, and “Macho Man” Randy Savage.

Despite his success on the basketball court and in the wrestling ring, Rodman has also faced personal challenges and controversies throughout his life. However, he remains a unique and iconic figure in both sports and pop culture and is a welcome addition to the Strano net session.

Ariana Titmus & Dean Boxall

Dean Boxall is an Australian swim coach who has trained several elite swimmers, including Ariana Titmus. He was born in Australia and began coaching swimming in the early 2000s. Boxall gained international recognition for his coaching when Titmus won two gold medals at the 2019 World Aquatics Championships.

Ariana Titmus, also known as “The Terminator,” is an Australian Olympic swimmer who specializes in freestyle events. She was born in Tasmania in 2000 and began swimming competitively at a young age. Under Boxall’s coaching, Titmus has become one of the world’s top swimmers. She won her first Olympic gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in the 400m freestyle, beating her rival Katie Ledecky in a thrilling race.

Titmus has broken several world records and won numerous medals at international competitions, including the Commonwealth Games and the World Aquatics Championships. She is considered one of Australia’s brightest swimming prospects and a potential star of the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Gavin Dovey – From the Australian Team to Leading NT Cricket The Cricket Library

What does it take to build a life in cricket at the highest level? In this episode of the Cricket Library Podcast, host Matt Ellis sits down with Gavin Dovey to explore a remarkable journey through Australian sport. Now the CEO of Northern Territory Cricket, Gavin has spent decades working behind the scenes of the game we all love so dearly. Before moving into administration, Gavin served as team manager of the Australia national cricket team, offering a unique perspective on the culture, leadership, and pressure that comes with representing Australia. In this wide-ranging conversation we discuss: 🏏 Gavin’s love of sport growing up in Sydney in the 80s 🏏 What it’s really like managing the Australian men’s team 🏏 Lessons from working alongside players and coaches at the highest level 🏏 Growing and strengthening cricket in the Northern Territory 🏏 The unique role the Territory plays in the Australian cricket landscape 🏏 The future vision for cricket in the Top End Plus, Gavin faces “The Final Over” — six quick questions to finish the innings. If you love the stories behind the game, this episode offers a fascinating look at the people and decisions that shape Australian cricket. Subscribe to the Cricket Library Podcast for more conversations with the players, writers, thinkers and administrators who have helped build the game.
  1. Gavin Dovey – From the Australian Team to Leading NT Cricket
  2. Tammy Bartaia – Bollywood Dreams
  3. Anupam Sharma – When Bollywood Meets the Baggy Green
  4. Elsa Hunter – WBBL Vibes
  5. Dr John Orchard – New Chapters in Cricket & Medicine

Super Giants kick off IPL season in style with Wood’s devastating spell against Capitals

The Lucknow Super Giants got off to a perfect start in their Indian Premier League (IPL) campaign, defeating the Dehli Capitals in a convincing manner at the Ekana International Cricket stadium in Lucknow. After posting a mammoth total of 193 runs on the board, the Super Giants bowlers, led by Mark Wood, put up an incredible show to restrict the Capitals to a paltry 143, winning the game by 50 runs.

After the Dehli Capitals won the toss and elected to bowl first, Meyers smashed the Capitals’ bowlers to all parts of the ground. His innings comprised of 6 sixes and 5 fours in his knock of 73 runs off just 38 balls. He received good support from Nicholas Pooran, who scored a quickfire 36 off 21 balls. The Supergiants ended their innings at a commanding total of 193 runs for the loss of 6 wickets.

The Capitals started their chase positively, with their captain David Warner leading the charge. Warner showed his class and experience, smashing 56 runs off 48 balls. However, the Capitals lost wickets at regular intervals, and no other batsman could contribute significantly, other than RIley Rossouw who made an impressive 30 from 20.

It was then that Mark Wood came to the fore with an inspired spell of fast bowling. Wood’s spell was mesmerising, as he bowled with great pace, accuracy, and control. He picked up wickets at regular intervals, and the Capitals had no answer to his skill and guile. Wood ended the match with the remarkable figures of 5 wickets for just 14 runs.

In the end, it was a comprehensive victory for the Lucknow Super Giants, who looked like a well-oiled machine in all departments of the game. Their batting was explosive, their bowling was deadly, and their fielding was excellent.

Overall, it was a thrilling game of cricket in front of a delighted crowd in Lucknow. The fans were treated to a beautiful display of batting, bowling, and fielding, and they went home happy and satisfied with the result. The IPL season has just begun, and if this game is anything to go by, we can expect a lot more excitement and drama in the coming weeks.

Meaningful Runs For Marnus Through 50 for 50 Campaign

Marnus Labuschagne has been a run machine for Australia at the top of the order and is using his work with the willow to help those impacted by the global food crisis.

After coming to the crease after the early departure of Australian opener David Warner, Marnus guided Australia to a productive first day of the Australian Test Match summer in Perth.

This season the runs will be more meaningful with a campaign launched in conjunction with Compassion Australia to help provide food packs for those impacted by the crisis. For a mere $50 you can help provide food for a family for an entire month.

For every 50 runs Marnus peels off this summer, 50 food packs will be donated to the cause and with the start that he has had today in Perth, finishing the day unbeaten on 154, he is having an immediate impact.

According to the United Nations, the world is now moving backwards in its efforts to fight food insecurity and malnutrition. Food insecurity occurs when a person doesn’t have regular access to enough nutritious food—severe food insecurity means a person has not eaten for a day or more.

Because of the crisis, the number of people around the world with insufficient food has doubled. 276 million people—more than ten times Australia’s population—are now experiencing severe food insecurity. The current food crisis is due to intensifying global events and other complex factors including the war in Ukraine, extreme weather and droughts, and the prolonged effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.  

It’s impossible to know how long the global food crisis will last, but experts predict it could last years if action isn’t taken.

At the Cricket Library, we strongly encourage you to get behind Marnus and his efforts by donating to the cause today via this link – https://50-for-50.raisely.com/

Cricket Library Weekly Podcast – 6 November 2022

In this week’s edition of the Cricket Library Weekly, Robbie and Matt wrap up all of the latest action from the Marsh Sheffield Shield, Marsh One Day Cup and Weber WBBL|08.

Tabbsy is back with his take for the week which looks at one of the longest standing records in the history of the game as well as some data that will keep our listeners in the UK happy.

Please remember to subscribe to the Cricket Library Podcast on your favourite podcast provider and leave a review to help us to continue to start conversations that inspire a love of cricket.

Heather Graham Special Guest On The Cricket Library Weekly

IMAGE COURTESY OF HOBART HURRICANES

In our second episode for the 2022/23 season, we are joined by special guest Heather Graham from the Hobart Hurricanes.

Heather who is one of only three players in the 100 wicket / 1000 run club in the WBBL, shares with us the origins of her passion for cricket and reflects on the key ingredients to the successful teams she has been a part of.

She speaks about what is ahead for the Hurricanes, looks back on winning the WBBL in her 100th game and how much it would mean to the players to send coach Dan Marsh out a winner.

Robbie and Matt run their eye over some of the key performances in the Australian Men’s Domestic summer to date and the ever popular Tabbsy’s Take segment returns after receiving plenty of plaudits following the world premiere of the segment last week.

Please remember to subscribe to the Cricket Library Podcast on your favourite podcast provider and leave a review to help us to continue to start conversations that inspire a love of cricket.

Gavin Dovey – From the Australian Team to Leading NT Cricket The Cricket Library

What does it take to build a life in cricket at the highest level? In this episode of the Cricket Library Podcast, host Matt Ellis sits down with Gavin Dovey to explore a remarkable journey through Australian sport. Now the CEO of Northern Territory Cricket, Gavin has spent decades working behind the scenes of the game we all love so dearly. Before moving into administration, Gavin served as team manager of the Australia national cricket team, offering a unique perspective on the culture, leadership, and pressure that comes with representing Australia. In this wide-ranging conversation we discuss: 🏏 Gavin’s love of sport growing up in Sydney in the 80s 🏏 What it’s really like managing the Australian men’s team 🏏 Lessons from working alongside players and coaches at the highest level 🏏 Growing and strengthening cricket in the Northern Territory 🏏 The unique role the Territory plays in the Australian cricket landscape 🏏 The future vision for cricket in the Top End Plus, Gavin faces “The Final Over” — six quick questions to finish the innings. If you love the stories behind the game, this episode offers a fascinating look at the people and decisions that shape Australian cricket. Subscribe to the Cricket Library Podcast for more conversations with the players, writers, thinkers and administrators who have helped build the game.
  1. Gavin Dovey – From the Australian Team to Leading NT Cricket
  2. Tammy Bartaia – Bollywood Dreams
  3. Anupam Sharma – When Bollywood Meets the Baggy Green
  4. Elsa Hunter – WBBL Vibes
  5. Dr John Orchard – New Chapters in Cricket & Medicine

Cricket Library Weekly Returns For 2022/23

The Cricket Library Weekly returns for season 2022/23 with Robbie Mackinlay and Matt Ellis back to digest all of the cricket talking points each week throughout the summer.

In the first edition of the new season, the lads share their thoughts on the WNCL and WBBL competitions, with some high-quality cricket being played in the early stages of the competitions.

Airing for the first time in an exclusive for the Cricket Library is a brand new segment, ‘Tabbsy’s Take’, where our resident librarian in Orange shares his take on the stats that have caught his eye each week. This is sure to become a favourite with loyal members of the cricket library community. This week there is a bit of a World T20 flavour, with Tabbsy leaving listeners with some homework before next week’s program.

Finally, Robbie and Matt run their eye over some of the key performances in the Australian Men’s Domestic summer to date.

Please remember to subscribe to the Cricket Library Podcast on your favourite podcast provider and leave a review to help us to continue to start conversations that inspire a love of cricket.

Audible Listeners Rejoice As New Offering Lands On Popular Platform

Cricket librarians all around the world would agree that a high quality audio visual section will enhance the library experience for librarians and borrowers alike. In years past, access to VHS tapes, DVDs, Compact Discs and Cassettes were sufficient to meet the basic requirements of an audio visual section. These days however with technology moving at a rapid rate, the influx of audio books has opened a whole new world for those wishing to expand their horizons.

Cassette tapes were a staple in Cricket Libraries prior to advancements in technology

Modern technology has enabled librarians and private citizens alike the opportunity to listen to a wealth of cricket related material through devices such as MP3 players, mobile telephones, tablets and computers. This creates endless possibilities for those who are looking to expand their libraries but do not have the budget to undertake extensions. Adding electronic files to your favourite device ensures you can essentially listen to your favourite cricket book anywhere at any time.

In some great news for listeners of audiobooks, For The Love Of Cricket – Haiku Poems Inspired By The Summer Game has now arrived on the highly popular Audible platform

“Right from the first page you can see the passion and love of the game of cricket from Matt Ellis and Matt Fiction,” Matthew T on an Amazon Review. “This shows in their writing and brings back memories of big cricket moments from the past. A unique look at cricket through poems and I have never seen or read anything like this before. A must-read for any cricket lover.”

One of the exciting features of “For The Love of Cricket: Haiku Poems Inspired By The Summer Game” is that it presents a light and refreshing take on cricket, which highlights some of the key moments that inspired a love of a game in the authors as well as the players who continue to ignite the flame that keeps burning brightly.

SF Devlin, another reviewer on Amazon, said, “What a read! A wonderfully written book for anyone that loves cricket. As a tragic myself, I loved reading about past players, current players, and upcomers alike. The Haikus are just an added bonus!”

With each page of “For The Love of Cricket: Haiku Poems Inspired By The Summer Game,” cricket lovers will resonate with its offerings and be inspired to reflect on the place of cricket in their hearts and minds.

Astute readers or in this case listeners will ensure they get themselves a copy as soon as possible.

Gavin Dovey – From the Australian Team to Leading NT Cricket The Cricket Library

What does it take to build a life in cricket at the highest level? In this episode of the Cricket Library Podcast, host Matt Ellis sits down with Gavin Dovey to explore a remarkable journey through Australian sport. Now the CEO of Northern Territory Cricket, Gavin has spent decades working behind the scenes of the game we all love so dearly. Before moving into administration, Gavin served as team manager of the Australia national cricket team, offering a unique perspective on the culture, leadership, and pressure that comes with representing Australia. In this wide-ranging conversation we discuss: 🏏 Gavin’s love of sport growing up in Sydney in the 80s 🏏 What it’s really like managing the Australian men’s team 🏏 Lessons from working alongside players and coaches at the highest level 🏏 Growing and strengthening cricket in the Northern Territory 🏏 The unique role the Territory plays in the Australian cricket landscape 🏏 The future vision for cricket in the Top End Plus, Gavin faces “The Final Over” — six quick questions to finish the innings. If you love the stories behind the game, this episode offers a fascinating look at the people and decisions that shape Australian cricket. Subscribe to the Cricket Library Podcast for more conversations with the players, writers, thinkers and administrators who have helped build the game.
  1. Gavin Dovey – From the Australian Team to Leading NT Cricket
  2. Tammy Bartaia – Bollywood Dreams
  3. Anupam Sharma – When Bollywood Meets the Baggy Green
  4. Elsa Hunter – WBBL Vibes
  5. Dr John Orchard – New Chapters in Cricket & Medicine

Weber WBBL|08 Countdown Is On – 30 Days To Go!

The Weber WBBL will be back with a bang next month with some high quality signings putting pen to paper ensuring the talent pool will be deep across the 8 clubs.

The huge news today coming out of the Harbour City was the announcement that the premier bowler in T20 Cricket around the world Sophie Ecclestone will be wearing Magenta this summer. The talented spinner is delighted to be teaming up with some of her traditional adversaries in the International arena and will add another dimension to the 6ers outfit.

The competition has come a long way from its inaugural season and Weber WBBL|08 promises to be must-see viewing with some of the biggest stars already locked away with plenty more player announcements to come in the lead-up to the tournament.

When it comes to a high-quality day out with the family, it is hard to go past Weber WBBL|08 with the festival atmosphere combining music, food and on-field action it is a must this Spring.

Festival Weekends:
Great Barrier Reef Arena (13-18 Oct)
WACA Ground (20-23 Oct)
Allan Border Field (25-29 Oct)
Blundstone Arena (3-7 Nov)
CitiPower Centre (10-13 Nov) 
North Sydney Oval (16-20 Nov)

 Secure your tickets to the Weber WBBL|08 today!

Gavin Dovey – From the Australian Team to Leading NT Cricket The Cricket Library

What does it take to build a life in cricket at the highest level? In this episode of the Cricket Library Podcast, host Matt Ellis sits down with Gavin Dovey to explore a remarkable journey through Australian sport. Now the CEO of Northern Territory Cricket, Gavin has spent decades working behind the scenes of the game we all love so dearly. Before moving into administration, Gavin served as team manager of the Australia national cricket team, offering a unique perspective on the culture, leadership, and pressure that comes with representing Australia. In this wide-ranging conversation we discuss: 🏏 Gavin’s love of sport growing up in Sydney in the 80s 🏏 What it’s really like managing the Australian men’s team 🏏 Lessons from working alongside players and coaches at the highest level 🏏 Growing and strengthening cricket in the Northern Territory 🏏 The unique role the Territory plays in the Australian cricket landscape 🏏 The future vision for cricket in the Top End Plus, Gavin faces “The Final Over” — six quick questions to finish the innings. If you love the stories behind the game, this episode offers a fascinating look at the people and decisions that shape Australian cricket. Subscribe to the Cricket Library Podcast for more conversations with the players, writers, thinkers and administrators who have helped build the game.
  1. Gavin Dovey – From the Australian Team to Leading NT Cricket
  2. Tammy Bartaia – Bollywood Dreams
  3. Anupam Sharma – When Bollywood Meets the Baggy Green
  4. Elsa Hunter – WBBL Vibes
  5. Dr John Orchard – New Chapters in Cricket & Medicine

Performing in the zone

We have all been there. Sitting in the library, reading one of our favourite cricket books and the next thing we know the library is closing. Where did the time go? We have been lost in the world of the storyteller and captivated by what is unfolding. Reading has not been a chore, it has been a delight.

On the cricket field we see players enter a similar state where they are totally focussed on the task at hand and execute their skills at the highest level with ease and freedom. It is a feeling that is hard to capture but one you wish you could bottle and share with others.

In a chat with Matt Ellis on the Cricket Library Podcast, Baggy Green 416, Peter George explained the experience of being in the zone.

“You certainly stop focussing so much on yourself and start thinking about what you are doing at the other end. I remember I think I got Jimmy Faulkner out for my 5th wicket and it was just one of those classic in form, like I was just thinking what I was doing to work him over everything worked exactly how I wanted it to work.”

Peter drops plenty of other nuggets of gold in his chat with Matt and his story is one of the many that we have shared on the Cricket Library Podcast that will hopefully grow your love of the game.