Cricket

Brendon McCullum – The Modern Day Entertainer

©sportyoulater 12/05/16

After playing one hundred and one consecutive test matches, two hundred and sixty One Day Internationals (ODI’s), and numerous Twenty20’s, Brendon McCullum has retired from International Cricket. McCullum retires with a test batting average of 38.64, and an ODI batting average of 30.41. To the seasoned cricket follower, these averages don’t compare with the current superstars of world cricket. Generally a world – class test batsman averages over 50, and a world – class ODI batsman averages over 45.

What Brendon McCullum’s statistics don’t show, is the pure excitement factor that he bought to every game he played in. He was one of the few batsmen in the world to master all three International disciplines, test cricket, ODI’s and Twenty20’s. On occasions he bought his Twenty20 batting to test cricket. A great example is the fastest test century of all time that he scored off 54 balls in his last test.

If there was ever a song written about Brendon McCullum, it would be ‘The Entertainer’ by Billy Joel. Whether it was McCullum’s nonchalant stroll down the pitch to fast bowlers, slaying them over cover, or his specialty, the ramp shot, McCullum was the ultimate entertainer. How demoralising it must have been for opposition teams over McCullum’s career watching him destroy everything they sent his way. Of course, McCullum couldn’t break records every time he padded up, but when he did, it was a sight to behold.

McCullum was a committed cricketer too. Brett Lee send down a thunderbolt that pierced the grill of McCullum’s helmet and hit him on the nose. Lee also bowled a beamer at McCullum, although unintentional, beamers at Lee’s pace are difficult to deal with.

For someone who was never bothered with personal records, McCullum certainly broke a few; fastest test century (54 balls), leading scorer in Twenty20’s, one of only two players to score two Twenty20 centuries, and the first and only New Zealander to score a triple hundred in test cricket.

Thanks for the memories B Mac.

BOXING

Tyson Fury © Campbell McRae 2016-05-09

There is no other sport like the sport of boxing. In boxing, there are few places to hide as a fighter, you can either walk the talk, or you can’t. Tyson Fury, as different as he is, is a revelation to professional boxing. He definitely talks a lot of shit, and is extremely opinionated, but he can back it up inside and outside of the ring.

Having recently beaten Wladimir Klitschko to become the big cheese in world boxing, Tyson Fury is as interesting as he is talented. I love his prefight press conferences where he torments his opponents, and generally shows them no respect at all. Wladimir Klitschko, like fifty percent of professional boxers, should have retired at age 35. When are boxing greats going to acknowledge that younger fighters are tough to beat, as they are quicker and can last the distance.

Tyson Fury’s pro record stands at 25 – 0, he’s unbeaten after twenty five professional belts. If he retired now, he could join the comedy circuit. He recently told reporters that he hates boxing, but carries on because he is so good at it. Former champ David Haye is another boxer that should learn the meaning of the word ‘retirement’ recently dodged a fight with Tyson Fury.

Wladimir Klitschko and Tyson Fury tangle again on 9 July. Fury has already worn out his Batman costume, and one wonders what he has planned for this upcoming fight. Fury has bought a level of theatrics to professional boxing, and it is refreshing. I am sick of all these wannabe try hards that try to emulate the great Muhammad Ali. Ali supposedly took up boxing as a child, because someone stole his bicycle. I wonder, what happened to Tyson Fury?

No other sport in the world is tainted by deception, corruption and thuggery like boxing. Tyson Fury seems wise enough not to have too many hangers on, and is realistic about his career. Fury recently spoke of his admiration for New Zealand’s fast-fisted heavy weight, Joseph Parker. Old man Klitschko won’t win his title back off Fury in July, and will be put out to pasture like a lame race horse.