First Test: Australia vs Sri Lanka - Afternoon session

Ricky Ponting receives a warm send-off, while his replacement Phil Hughes gets amongst the runs.

But its the new guard we should be talking about. Or perhaps more accurately, the newish guard. Phil Hughes is unbeaten on 82 at tea on his return to the Test team, while for new no. 4 Shane Watson it was the same story. Another start, and another early dismissal to have Australia 3/193. Not an uncomfortable position, but one that isn't entirely convincing. So an interesting final session then...

58th over: Australia 3/197 (Hughes 86, Clarke 8) Straight away Hughes is back scoring behind point as is his wont. So far Herath hasn't present much of a challenge to the batsmen.

59th over: Australia 4/197 WICKET! (Hughes 86 b Welegedara) So it was all a trick! All those rubbish first balls of a spell were for this. A hooping (reverse?) in-swinger gets between bat and pad of Hughes who probably wasn't playing as straight as he could have. A big break through for Sri Lanka.

60th over: Australia 4/202 (Clarke 10, Hussey 2) So, as so often been the case it comes down to this pair, although it must be said in a somewhat better position than usual. Hussey, busy as usual is off the mark immediately, while Herath seems motivated by having two new batsmen at the crease.

61st over: Australia 4/207 (Clarke 14, Hussey 3) Welegedara, if he could eliminate his obligatory bad ball an over would be quite handy. At the moment however he is buying his wickets he has already gone for 80 off 16 overs.

62nd over: Australia 4/209 (Clarke 15, Hussey 4) I just realised that "Hussey, busy as usual" could have quite a different meaning. Oops.

63rd over: Australia 4/211 (Clarke 17, Hussey 4) Welegedara goes around the wicket without any appreciable result, although the Sri Lankan's are again drying up the scoring.

64th over: Australia 4/212 (Clarke 17, Hussey 5) The contest between the highest run scorer Clarke and the highest wicket taker Herath continues, and so far it has been a stand-off both nullifying each other. You sense Clarke may go for a big shot soon.

65th over: Australia 4/212 (Clarke 17, Hussey 5) Kulasekara back into the attack, while the commentators are comparing the catches of Glenn McGrath and Nathan Lyon. I'll let you be the judge.

69th over: Australia 4/225 (Clarke 24, Hussey 11) Ian Chappell's back on his pet hate: Deep point. In the meantime Clarke and Hussey are forging on, knocking singles around and generally getting set for a long innings.

70th over: Australia 4/227 (Clarke 25, Hussey 12) Mathews is back into the attack. He's a proven batsman at this level, but so far he's only taken nine wickets at 70. Not quite all-rounder standard. A fairly harmless over yields a couple of runs.

71st over: Australia 4/228 (Clarke 26, Hussey 12) There's a couple of handy Sri Lankan cricketers floating around just across Bass Strait playing in the pyjama league, they'd be quite handy now. It seems we've reached another flat spot in the lead up to the new ball.

72nd over: Australia 4/234 (Clarke 32, Hussey 12) Mathews strays onto leg for the first time and Clarke whips him fine for a boundary, the first in a long while. He takes two to square leg of the next ball and the pressure the has been building has been released.

73rd over: Australia 4/236 (Clarke 32, Hussey 14) Shaminda Eranga comes back and second ball goes up in one of the most ambitious lbw appeals bowling around the wicket. Eagle eye suggests it was close but to the naked eye it looked to be missing leg by a fair way. Eranga then pitches up, giving Hussey the opportunity to bring out his cover drive.

75th over: Australia 4/242 (Clarke 34, Hussey 18) Hussey eases one off his pads to collect his first boundary of the innings. For a man only on 18 he looks remarkably set, as does Clarke who is sweating on anything even hinting at angling toward the pads.

76th over: Australia 4/246 (Clarke 36, Hussey 20) Dilshan's back hoping to re-create the chaos the caused the run-out of David Warner, but all that results is four easy singles. Spose you can't count on two run-outs in an innings.

77th over: Australia 4/249 (Clarke 37, Hussey 22) A few of the locals have been in their cups and are getting quite vocal. As you can imagine, they are being quite witty. They certainly think so. Unperturbed, Clarke and Hussey continue to knock the ball into the gaps as Australia plough on towards 250.

78th over: Australia 4/253 (Clarke 38, Hussey 25) Jayawardene almost takes another blinder. Hussey flashes a late cut and he dives low to his left. Fortunately for Hussey it's past him before he can react and Hussey scampers through for three.

80th over: Australia 4/261 (Clarke 41, Hussey 30) The availability of the new ball could perk up the Sri Lankans, who need to do something to stop the game drifting away from them. Dilshan, who's on at the moment is certainy doing nothing to stop that.

81st over: Australia 4/261 (Clarke 41, Hussey 30) The new ball is immediately taken and straight away it brings a false shot from Clarke, who then inside edges the ball straight into the unprotected part of his knee. He hobbles away while the Sri Lankans stifle a shout for lbw.

82nd over: Australia 4/268 (Clarke 46, Hussey 32) The Sri Lankans have been quite sprightly with their over rate today, which is good as A Current Affair has been promo-ing a pensioner scooter scandal which sounds unmissable. Hussey has been as unmerciful as the Sri Lankans, forcing Clarke to scamper through for a quick single. Another quick single is referred upstairs for a potential run-out, but Hussey is easily home. Clarke rounds-out the over with a one-handed straight drive.

83rd over: Australia 4/270 (Clarke 47, Hussey 33) Hussey is probably Clarke least favourite person at the moment as he forces another quick single. Clarke is less interested in running, preferring to stand and deliver to flay a ball out to point.

84th over: Australia 4/271 (Clarke 48, Hussey 33) Kulasekara is back for one last blast before stumps and immediately strikes Clarke on the thigh. He's a bit all over the shop at the moment Clarke, the knee is really hampering his stroke play at the moment. Hussey's back on strike and watches a ball on a good length go scurrying past his ankles, followed by one that rears from the almost identical position. Good fun.

85th over: Australia 4/272 (Clarke 49, Hussey 33) Welegedara back now, but no fireworks from his first delivery in terms of runs or wicket taking. I think everyone's playing for stumps now, not much urgency from either team.

86th over: Australia 4/277 (Clarke 54, Hussey 33) Clarke brings up fifty with yet another work to leg. It hasn't been his most fluent innings, especially in the last few overs. Interesting stat, Clarke's conversion rate since becoming captain is two fifties and seven hundreds. 135 more runs and he'll break Ricky Ponting's record for most runs in a calendar year by an Australian.

87th over: Australia 4/289 (Clarke 64, Hussey 34) Stumps can't come quickly enough for Clarke who is batting on one leg. It doesn't stop him flailing one past point for four and another down the ground. Beware the wounded batsman who is averaging more than 100 this year.

88th over: Australia 4/290 (Clarke 64, Hussey 34) It's that time of the day, commentators starting to make even more inane comments than usual. "It's been a big day for the bowlers," opines Michael Slater. Well actually Slats, it's going to be a normal length day. 90 overs. Hussey pats out a maiden.

89th over: Australia 4/296 (Clarke 69, Hussey 35) Mathews is in to bowl the penultimate over of the day. After getting one that keeps low and one that rears up, Clarke dispatches the last ball to thesquare leg boundary.

90th over: Australia 4/299 (Clarke 70, Hussey 37) Kulasekara to bowl the last over of the day, from the river end. Clarke's going to have a bad back to go with a gammy knee as he bends low to defend another non-bouncing delivery. Clarke brings up the pairs century partnership off the penultimate ball as Australia fall just short of 300 in a day.

That's stumps. In the end Australia got on top thanks to it's two most reliable and experienced batsmen. At 4/200 Sri Lanka were in with a sniff, but Clarke and Hussey controlled the final session of play. If they can get away tomorrow morning I'd almost pencil centuries for the pair.

First Test: Australia vs Sri Lanka - Middle session

Shaminda Eranga dismisses Ed Cowan for 4.

There will definitely be one person not enjoying his repast. Dave Warner, adding to the unconventional ways he has been dismissed by running himself out on the last ball before lunch. How will this affect the game? Play will get underway in a few minutes time with new no. 4 Shane Watson joining new no.3 Phil Hughes at the crease.

27th over: Australia: 2/98 (Hughes 27, Watson 0) Some picturesque views of Bellerive Oval (I refuse to call it by its other name) greet us for the start of the second session, although if you have ever toured around that part of Hobart you would now that appearances can be deceiving. A bye through the legs of the keeper Jayawardene is the sum total of the scoring.

28th over: Australia 2/98 (Hughes 27, Watson 0) More tight stuff from Kulasekara gets things started from the other end, although Hughes is looking comfortable in defence. Is it just me or does Shane Watson's pads seem abnormally large? Every ball looks in danger of hitting them.

29th over: Australia 2/104 (Hughes 27, Watson 6) Uncharacteristically tight start from Welegadera, although he ruins the effect by over-pitching twice, allowing Watson to caress the ball through the covers to get off the mark. It's flat out there.

30th over: Australia 2/105 (Hughes 28, Watson 6) Ian Healy has flown in to join the commentary team, could almost have done without him for mine. Hughes gets one that keeps low before pushing one to point to get off strike. Cue talk about deep point as a fielding position in the modern game.

31st over: Australia 2/107 (Hughes 29, Watson 6) Sri Lanka are attempting to get Hughes out by feeding him balls in his hitting area. It's not working so far. Watson meanwhile plays and misses at a short, side one from Eranga. No sign of Herath, the leading wicket taker in tests this year yet.

32nd over: Australia 2/112 (Hughes 30, Watson 10) Both batsmen playing as if the ball is keeping a bit low. Apart from one or two though the pitch has been pretty consistent. They seem to be bowling much better to Hughes than anyone else.

33rd over: Australia 2/113 (Hughes 31, Watson 10) Ian Chappell on his high horse about the need for a proper no.3 in the Australian batting line-up, which is a bit hard on Hughes who has been bating first-drop for South Australia and is certainly doing a better job than some of his predecessors.

34th over: Australia 2/118 (Hughes 32, Watson 13) Kulasekara changes things up directing a few at the helmet of Hughes who just manages to keep them controlled. Watson's trying to get after the bowling but has been unsuccessful so far.

35th over: Australia 2/120 (Hughes 33, Watson 14) Both batsmen struggling to play the ball square of the wicket, more as a result of the pitch rather than the bowling. One thing you have to say though, the Australian bowlers could take a leaf out of the Sri Lankan's book, their discipline has been exemplary.

36th over: Australia 2/121 (Hughes 34, Watson 14) Herath is finally into the attack. He's taken 55 wickets this year at a tick under 21, not too shabby. He might find playing in Australia a different challenge though, he's not getting much assistance from the wicket.

37th over: Australia 2/126 (Hughes 39, Watson 14) As Hughes gets tied down, a few bad habits start creeping in. He feels for one outside off this time and it runs along the ground through the slip cordon to the fence. He's really slowed down after a bright start.

39th over: Australia 2/131 (Hughes 44, Watson 14) Hughes breaks the shackles with a pull shot in front of square. There's two men out for a top edge, but at this pace Hughes is untroubled. Hughes then almost gets bowled around his legs, as the Sri Lankan's have also noticed how far across he gets while batting.

40th over: Australia 2/136 (Hughes 48, Watson 15) Herath finally bowls a bad one and is immediately cut to the fence by Hughes. There is absolutely no margin for error on this pitch. Herath would love to get more balls at Watson who is looking a lot less certain against the offie. 

41th over: Australia 2/136 (Hughes 48, Watson 15) I wish Tony Greig was back, if only to stop the other commentators doing impressions of him

43rd over: Australia 2/140 (Hughes 48, Watson 19) Watson strong-arms a ball from Mathews to the mid-wicket boundary, the ball wasn't quite there to hit but Watson seems to be a getting a little toey.

44th over: Australia 2/145 (Hughes 52, Watson 20) Fifty on return for Hughes, making room outside off to glide one to the point boundary. He may be a reformed man, but his best shots are still between point and cover. Both batsmen have come out with more intent after the drinks break.

45th over: Australia 2/153 (Hughes 59, Watson 21) Hughes pulls out a new shot, the straight drive knocking Mathews down the ground and then through mid-off. Less convincing than his square of the wicket shots, but no less effective.

46th over: Australia 2/163 (Hughes 68, Watson 22) Hughes plays one of the uglier shots you'll see, swatting Herath down the ground for six and is promptly shelled in the crowd at long on. After a tough period, Hughes has got his groove on adding twenty runs in next to no time.

47th over: Australia 2/171 (Hughes 75, Watson 23) Welegedara back into the attack with the usual opening delivery, short, wide and punished. Hughes is looking ominous now working balls not that far outside off down toward third man with ease. Watson on the other hand is looking a bit scratchy, scooping one to deep point.

49th over: Australia 2/178 (Hughes 77, Watson 27) After keeping it tight for most of the innings so far, things have come unstuck a bit for Sri Lanka. This pair are scoring quite easily as Jayawardene pushes the field back to try to contain the boundaries.
WICKET! NO! No Ball! Short and wide, Hughes flashes and edges it to the keeper. But Hughes is reprieved after Welegedara bowls an enormous no ball. His foot was a good few inches over the mark. I do recall saying something about no balls earlier in the innings. I'm a psychic, me.

50th over: Australia 2/181 (Hughes 78, Watson 30) After a couple of attempts, Watson gets a late cut past the man and backward point. He's not been at his best so far, but on the plus side, he's not out.

51st over: Australia 3/183 WICKET!(Watson 30 c Jayawardene b Welegedara) An absolute belter from Jayawardene. Watson went for the booming drive and the edge flew toward where third slip would be. Jayawardene flew full length to his right and plucked the ball out of the air with his right hand while in mid-air. A proper classic catch (not like the previous ones they have been dishing up). 

52nd over: Australia 3/185 (Hughes 78, Clarke 2) So it's another unconverted start for Watson and it brings Clarke to the crease, who is the kingpin of this line-up. In the tests Australia has one under his captaincy Clarke has averaged more than 100 while in its losses just 38. He's also averaged more than 100 in the first innings this year. It will be an interest test of statistics if Sri Lanka can get him early.

53rd over: Australia 3/185 (Hughes 78, Clarke 2) Welegedara beats Clarke first up and then follows with a decent over. This is a good period for Sri Lanka, almost getting Hughes, the wicket of Watson and drying up the scoring.

54th over: Australia 3/187 (Hughes 80, Clarke 2) Herath's keeping it tight but not really threatening Hughes, who works him to the onside for a couple. Hughes has really knuckled down after getting his chance.

55th over: Australia 3/188 (Hughes 81, Clarke 3) Just every so often there is a ball that does something. Not in terms of swing or seam but some are bouncing more and some a little less. Enough to keep the bowlers interested.

56th over: Australia 3/188 (Hughes 81, Clarke 3) Herath v Clarke is looming as a key contest already. Clarke looking to come down the pitch to Herath at every opportunity. Herath beats him in flight and almost bowls him.

57th over: Australia 3/193 (Hughes 82, Clarke 7) Welegedara has found his rhythm in this spell and Clarke is playing very watchfully. He pushes one through the covers for two and then down the ground for two more.

That's tea. Another session in which Australia were probably ahead, yet Sri Lanka did enough to stay in the hunt. Hughes has been untroubled largely, except for his no-ball dismissal, while Clarke has been positive but watchful in his short stint. As the players head off for a cup of tea, a biscuit and maybe a cucumber sandwich, I think I will too.

First Test: Australia vs Sri Lanka - Morning session

PREAMBLE: Hello, welcome to day one of the first test between Australia and Sri Lanka. Australia are backing up after a tough series against world No.1 South Africa, while Sri Lanka are looking for their first ever win in Australia.

Australia has won the toss and will bat. Captain Michael Clarke putting the onus on his new look top order to make their opportunity count. Australia are heavily favoured to win the match, which for me is a bit of a surprise given the fragility of its batting line-up. After Clarke and Michael Hussey, who both average more than 50, the next highest average is none other than that of Mitch Starc with 41.
The line-ups:
Australia:  Ed Cowan, David Warner, Phillip Hughes, Shane Watson, Michael Clarke (capt), Michael Hussey, Matthew Wade (wk), Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc, Ben Hilfenhaus, Nathan Lyon.

Sri Lanka: Tillakaratne Dilshan, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene (capt), Thilan Samaraweera, Angelo Mathews, Prasanna Jayawardene (wk), Nuwan Kulasekara,  Rangana Herath, Shaminda Eranga, Chanaka Welegedara.

1st over: Australia 0/2 (Warner 1, Cowan 1) Nervy start from Cowan almost gone first ball edging to second slip Angelo Mathews grassing a tough chance. Overcast conditions assisting the Sri Lankan seamers to nip the ball around.

2nd over: Australia 0/7 (Warner 2, Cowan 4) Welegedara opens with a short ball which Cowan tucks to the leg side. It would appear that their pace the Sri Lankan seamers can't be doing that too often.

3rd over: Australia 0/10 (Warner 5, Cowan 4) Warner pushes a thick outside edge through cover, he's looking far more comfortable against the more gentle attack offered by Sri Lanka than by the seamers from South Africa.

4th over: Australia 0/17 (Warner 12, Cowan 4) Welegedara drops short again and Warner flays him past point for the opening boundary. The bowler over-corrects and Warner eases him down the ground for another couple.

5th over: Australia 0/18 (Warner 12, Cowan 4) The first four deliveries from Kulaskera thud ominously into the middle of Warners bat, but for no run. The next two are absolute crackers beating the edge, the latter is a no-ball and the extra delivery again beats Warner all ends up

6th over: Australia 1/18 Wicket! (Cowan c Eranga b Welagedara 4) Maybe he did know what he was doing. Welegedara drop short again and Cowan top edges an attempted pull shot harmlessly to Eranga at mid-on. He looked edgy throughout his short innings, no pun intended. In comes Phil Hughes, the reformed man, although he gets off the mark with an uppish cut stroke for four.

7th over: Australia 1/23 (Warner 12, Hughes 4) Kulasekara, operating from around the wicket has Warner in all sorts playing and missing on multiple occasions. The bowler having a bit of a problem with no-balls, which is worrying given the number of times he's nearly got an edge.

8th over: Australia 1/31 (Warner 16, Hughes 7) One things for sure, if these two get in the scoring rate will not be a problem. Hughes flails one though the covers before Warner takes Welegedara down the ground for four. In between that the keeper is on all fours to receive a ball that refuses to bounce, which is slightly worrying.

9th over: Australia 1/32 (Warner 16, Hughes 8) I'm no expert but Hughes technique contains a lot of moving parts, especially when playing to leg. You can also see his leg stump at all times which I don't think is in any textbook.

10th over: Australia 1/41 (Warner 16, Hughes 17) The two shots of the morning welcome Eranga into the attack, Hughes stroking him through the covers twice with identical shots. On Nine, the commentators are back on one of their favourite topics: Is Ed Cowan a Test batsman?

11th over: Australia 1/44 (Warner 17, Hughes 18) I may have a bit of a bias, but I bet Rob Quiney is silently cursing the selectors for throwing him to the lions against South Africa, while his replacement is having a much easier time against Sri Lanka's gentle mid-120 kph bowlers.

12th over: Australia 1/48 (Warner 21, Hughes 18) Warner who's been tied down recently, wafts at a nothing ball from Eranga. It seems to focus his mind though as he eases a ball through the covers with just enough speed for Dilshan to crash into the fence in an unsuccessful attempt to prevent a boundary.

14th over: Australia 1/49 (Warner 21, Hughes 19) Hughes has already improved his average in Australia, which is now over 16! The Sri Lankan's while seeming to lose a bit of movement in the air and off the pitch, have tightened up their line and lengths, drying up the scoring.

15th over: Australia 1/52 (Warner 22, Hughes 21) As the shot-making dries up the commentators have moved onto their second favourite topic of conversation: Phil Hughes' technique. Bill Lawry has just commented on how good he is looking, which is surely the kiss of death for Hughes.

16th over: Australia 1/60 (Warner 29, Hughes 21) Bill Lawry with another gem: "As an opener you can't always blaze away you know." He would know. As if in response to that comment, Warner punches Eranga down the ground for four, then through mid-wicket for three. All without blazing away.

17th over: Australia 1/60 (Warner 29, Hughes 21) Angelo Mathews has been keeping it tight at one end, and delivers another maiden. On the box, the Madden brothers are promoting KFC by playing lawn bowls. I'm as confused as you are.

18th over: Australia 1/60 (Warner 29, Hughes 21) The analysis of Phil Hughes technique seems to have gone on longer than he has actually been at the wicket. Speaking of the wicket, far from the green monster that has been devouring batting averages in state cricket, it looks like a pitch which will give Australia a false sense of security about the strength of its batting line-up.

19th over: Australia 1/65 (Warner 32, Hughes 21) Can a game be meandering in the first session? The Sri Lankan's are keeping it tight but aren't overly threatening waiting for a loose shot. And one appears, although it is lose enough for Hughes to miss the ball completely and be struck in a delicate  region between upper thigh and lower abdomen.

20th over: Australia 1/66 (Warner 33, Hughes 21) Kulasekara, the pick of the bowlers so far, is back into the attack nibbling away at what must be said a gentle pace. Almost get Hughes chopping on from a cut stroke from a too full delivery.

21st over: Australia 1/74 (Warner 41, Hughes 21) Welegedara starts his second spell the way he started his first, with a rank loosener, dutifully dispatched through the covers. The response is a gem from the bowler, swinging in catching the inside edge and racing to the fine leg boundary. Textbook french cut. Warner looks like he's getting to the point where he might try something fairly silly soon, a la his dismissal at the WACA.

22nd over: Australia 1/76 (Warner 41, Hughes 23) Hughes had gone 30 minutes with out a run, which may be a part of his reformed character, or credit to the Sri Lankan bowling. He pushes through point for two, while well known batting guru Glenn McGrath puts in his two-bob worth about his technique.

23rd over: Australia 1/86 (Warner 51, Hughes 23) Is it a left armer thing, getting wickets in-between bowling some absolute pies? Australia's has a couple and Welegedara is showing promise. As if to prove my point, Warner crashes him through the covers before edging one straight to third slip, if third slip hadn't just been moved. Angered Welegedara thumps one in short, surprising Warner but it falls safely for Warner to reach his half-century.

24th over: Australia 1/88 (Warner 52, Hughes 24) Is it possible for a partnership of 60-odd to be unconvincing? Not because of repeated plays and misses or edges, but just because every so often the slight flaws in the two batsmen's technique makes batting look slightly well, uncomfortable.

25th over: Australia 1/90 (Warner 53, Hughes 25) McGrath the maths wiz, says there are two things that create swing. The bowler, the ball and the conditions. Good thing he was a seam bowler. Speaking of swing, there is none of that around, which may be why Hughes and Warner are looking so comfortable.

26th over: Australia 1/96 (Warner 57, Hughes 26) The problem with short bowling on a slow pitch at 125 clicks, is that it asks to be hit. Warner complies pulling Kulasekara in front of square. Could be a long series for Sri Lanka at this rate.

27th over: Australia 2/97 Wicket! (Warner run-out 57) Part-timer Dilshan in on to roll some off-breaks before lunch and creates chaos for the Aussie batsman. Warner prods to cover and calls for a single, then stops. Hughes commits to the single and both batsmen end up at the strikers end. Warner, arguably at fault makes a half-hearted attempt to make his ground as Dilshan gleefully whips off the bails at the non-strikers end.What a waste.

Lunch: Australia 2/97 (Hughes 26) That's it for the first session, on which Australia dominated yet for all their effort have little to show for it. Aside for two moments of madness they were largely untroubled. Punters up on the cricket show live pitch-side, which when coupled with the lap of honour during the lunch break will be close to the longest he's been out in the middle in recent times. Cruel?

Covers by people who should have known better

Earlier in the year I posted a list of some of my favourite covers, but today I'm going to the other end of the scale.  Bad cover versions of great songs by artists of some repute.
I'm not going for the low-hanging fruit here, there will be no Celine Dion, no actors with karaoke-style efforts and certainly nothing from Glee. This is a list of musical big guns misfiring badly.
Let the aural assault begin.

I Thank You - ZZ Top

It was this song that begun the construction of this list. Who would have guessed that if you got three facial-haired Texas rockers to play a soul classic it would turn out pretty soulless.

Fortunate Son - U2

There's a number of acts from the British Isles who went over to America and recorded great renditions of American songs. Think Beatles, Rolling Stones, Kinks. Don't think U2. I hope their attempt at the Creedence Clearwater Revival song was a piss-take.

Burning Down the House - Tom Jones

With help from Swedish group The Cardigans, Jones managed to slaughter a Talking Heads classic. Ironically it was a single from Jones' biggest selling album, an album of covers no less. There's no accounting for taste I suppose.

I Heard It Through the Grapevine - Toots & the Maytals

Toots and his Maytals did do some cracking reggae versions of popular rock and r'n'b songs but this isn't one of them. It's more an odd mash-up of reggae and r'n'b with way, way too much wah-wah pedal. I think once Marvin Gaye recorded his version, that should have been it for this song.

Dancing in the Street - David Bowie/Mick Jagger & Van Halen

Couldn't split these two efforts. There is just so much wrong with the Bowie/Jagger effort, clash of egos, voices, fashion, not to mention the freaky video. Similar things can be said of the Van Halen attempt and they also have form in the bad covers department, notably their rendition of The Kinks's You Really Got Me. Here's the original by way of comparison.

Back in Black - Santana

Why anyone covers AC/DC is beyond me, but yet they still do it. Santana's has an unfortunate habit grabbing vocalists to record bad covers, and this is the pick of the lot. Just stick to instrumentals Carlos!

What's Going On - Cyndi Lauper

I was debating whether to put this in or not, but then found out that Lauper has sold more than 50 million records. she therefore should have known better. You just don't cover Marvin Gaye songs, especially his signature ones. Bono and Coldplay also deserve a special mention here for their rather poor effort.

House of the Rising Sun - Muse

Muse have been accused occasionally (not by me!) of disappearing up their own arses and this effort is perhaps an example of that. Certainly not a patch on the most well known effort by the Animals.

Try a Little Tenderness - Chris Brown

Along with Marvin Gaye, any song by Otis is one you should probably leave alone. I don't care if it's not your usual style and for a corny movie, this effort is offensive.

Son of a Preacher Man - Aretha Franklin

It's not often the Queen of Soul gets out done, but when she does she should put her hand up and say "Well played Dusty". Not record her own version, which isn't some of her best work, shall we say.

What I must say in these artists' defence is even their worst moments are markedly better than the bad covers produced by lesser artists, and even worse, actors. But I don't think anyone could stand a list of those.

Cease fire!

Chess Records hits the road

Chicago's Chess Records has for the moment seen off its local challengers in the quest to find the greatest record label of all time. It seems we must look further afield and bring in the search's first international challenger. This label is known as the "Motown of Jamaica", which can either be seen as a blessing or a curse given the enormous stature of Motown Records, and what happened to Motown in our first musical beat-down.

Studio One was one of the pioneers of ska, rocksteady and reggae music in Jamaica, as well as helping launch Jamaican music onto the international scene. The man behind Studio One was producer and owner Clement "Coxsone" Dodd, who received the nickname after being compared to English cricketer Alec Coxon. Dodd has been described as "reggae's Phil Spector, its Berry Gordy, and its Dick Clark all wrapped into one."The other essential component of Studio One records was the studio musicians the Skatalites, who were the backbone of most of the recordings through the period of Studio One's success.

While Studio One housed an impressive stable of artists that stayed with the label, it also helped launch the careers of some of the genre's biggest acts including Dennis Brown, Toots & the Maytals and Bob Marley & the Wailers. Although those artists didn't produce their biggest hits while at Studio One, it was there that they got their start and with Dodd's help, learned how to turn songs into hits.

As per the conditions of the competition only the songs recorded on the Studio One label can be considered, so with that in mind, here's the Studio One line-up: (The Chess line-up can be found here)

Team Studio One:
Bob Marley & the Wailers: One Love, Bend Down Low
Toots & the Maytals: Never Grow Old, Six and Seven Books of Moses
Dennis Brown: I'll Never Fall in Love Again, No Man is an Island 
The Skatalites: Guns of Navarone, Phoenix City
Jackie Mittoo: Drum Song, Ghetto Organ
The Heptones: Country Boy, Pretty Looks
Burning Spear: Ethiopians Live It Out, Down By the Riverside
Alton Ellis: Rocksteady, Can I Change My Mind

Verdict: The drawback for Studio One was like Chess' previous challengers Sun Records, it was unable to keep it's biggest artists. But this was more because Dodd always seemed more interested in bringing in new talent, both artists and producers, into the label rather than the financial benefits of holding onto a smaller number of big acts. But like Chess the legacy Studio One left was perhaps larger than the music the label produced.

Same Sex marriage in Victoria

The legalisation of same sex marriage has been a hot button issue across all levels of politics in 2012, with divisions of opinion apparent even within political parties.

But while action at higher levels of government appears hard to achieve, a small number of Victorian local councils are working to effect change in their community

One such council is the City of Darebin, in Melbourne’s inner north. It has launched a new Action Plan to advocate for the rights of its same sex community.

The All-Australian team

All Australian 2012
source:theaustralian.com.au

It's that time of the year again the end of season awards seasons. And there's no more controversial selections than the 22 in the AFL All-Australian team, which is odd given it is a team that will never play a competitive game.
I've tried as much as possible to go by best player by position, and to pick a team which could actually function in a real game.
So without further ado, here is my All-Australian team for 2012.

Back Pocket: Brent Reilly (Adelaide Crows)
Who I hear you ask? Perhaps because of the Victorian bias in the media, we don't hear much about lower profile players in non-Victorian teams. Reilly had had an outstanding season playing a variety of roles including lockdown defender, creative loose man in defence as well as pushing into the midfield in defensive roles. The kind of player every team would love to have.
Full Back: Luke McPharlin (Fremantle Dockers)
The best example of how valuable he was to the Dockers this season was what happened last Friday night when he didn't play. Held a number of leading Coleman contenders (including winner Jack Riewoldt) goal less in games, while also using his speed and leap to help out his teammates in defence.
Back Pocket: Darren Glass (West Coast Eagles)
The most versatile defender in the AFL. Only missed out on the full back position because of his ability to play on both key forwards and small forwards. Has also used his ability to read the play to take more intercept marks and set-up counter attacking moves. As if he needed another string to his bow
Half-Back Flank: Grant Birchall (Hawthorn Hawks)
Super efficient half-back in the team for his raking left boot and cool decision making. That's not to say Birchall is a slouch defensively either. That mix of attacking creativity and defensive accountability makes him a lock in the back six of almost any All-Australian team you will see this year.
Centre-Half Back: Ted Richards (Sydney Swans)
There is not too much doubt about this one. Richards has had an outstanding season both as a one-on-one defender and as the marshal of the Swans defence. A great intercept marker who was rarely appeared flustered even under the most extreme pressure
Half-Back Flank: Beau Waters (West Coast Eagles)
The old-school footy fans favourite player. Tough defender, tough attacker, just tough all round. Was also a useful creative outlet for the Eagles this season and a great reader of the play. His leadership was missed by the Eagles on the weekend.
Wing: Dayne Beams (Collingwood Magpies)
Beams was Collingwood's premier midfielder this year, which is saying something considering the calibre of players Collingwood boasts. Career highs in almost all categories and kicked 27 goals to boot. Close to the AFL's most improved player.
Centre: Trent Cotchin (Richmond Tigers)
Pundits have been falling over themselves to drop superlatives when describing Cotchin who won many of the media player of the year awards. Incredibly skilful, clean, fast, agile I'm sure you've heard it all before. If the Tigers can win more games he'll be odds-on for a Brownlow.
Wing: Gary Ablett (Gold Coast Suns)
Refer to above for a description of Ablett, just replacing Tigers with Suns. Tried to take on too much early in the season, but when he gave his teammates more responsibility both he and the team improved dramatically.
Ruck: Dean Cox (West Coast Eagles)
Cox turned back the clock this season with a vintage home and away season. Rediscovered his around the ground mobility after some injury affected years, and was able to add some valuable goals when resting forward. Key part of one of the best ruck-midfield groups in the AFL.
Rover: Jobe Watson (Essendon Bombers)
Like his team, the Essendon captain got off to a flying start this season. But unlike the Bombers, Watson was able to hold his form over the course of the year. His big frame and strength made him a beast in the midfield contests, while his disposal around the ground has improved noticeably
Ruck-Rover: Josh Kennedy (Sydney Swans)
The AFL's contested ball animal led the tough Swans midfield division. Almost impossible to tackle and was good for a goal a game during the home and away season. Another big-bodied midfielder who may be a sneaky Brownlow chance.
Half-Forward Flank: Lewis Jetta (Sydney Swans)
Perhaps a controversial inclusion, but Jetta booted 40 goals to be the Swans leading goal-kicker in the regular season. Had a blistering start to the season, leading the Coleman at one point. Doesn't need many touches to have an impact, and would be used in this team one-out on the wing to bring the ball forward.
Centre-Half Forward: Matthew Pavlich (Fremantle Dockers)
I can't think of a forward who had a greater influence on their teams performance. No player kicked more goals in the second half of the season then Pavlich, a period where Fremantle dropped just two games. Would have won the Coleman if not for a late season injury.
Half-Forward Flank: Dane Swan (Collingwood Magpies)
Midfielder you scream and you'd be completely right. But in my defence Swan has been used as a genuine forward option in most of the Magpies games this year. And at more than a goal a game he has attacking capabilities, and you can't leave out a player who averages 36 touches a game.
Forward Pocket: Stephen Milne (St Kilda Saints)
Say or think what you like about Milne, he can play football. For the third year in a row he has kicked more than 50 goals in a season, which is quite remarkable for an opportunistic small forward. In a year when the key forwards dominated, Milne stood out like a sore thumb.
Full Forward: Jack Riewoldt (Richmond Tigers)
Wasn't getting much love from anyone despite winning the Coleman medal. Averaged three goals a game while only getting off the leash once, kicking 8 against St Kilda. That seems to suggest consistency, which is what everyone asks for. So why shouldn't he be rewarded?
Forward Pocket: Lance Franklin (Hawthorn Hawks)
Lead the league with 3.5 goals a game, although that is slightly skewed by the 13 he kicked against North Melbourne. As with the midfielders, no need to dip into the superlatives you've all heard before. In this team he'd be getting up the ground more and using his freakish athletic gifts. Just imagine Jetta on one wing and Buddy on the other.
Interchange:
Sam Jacobs (Adelaide Crows)
Toss up between him and Maric, but being a part of the best clearance team in the AFL gives him the nod. Excellent tap ruckman and good around the ground.
Sam Mitchell (Hawthorn Hawks)
Best midfielder in the top team in the competition. Chronically underrated, has great skills on both sides of the body and one of the leading goal assist players in the AFL.
Scott Thompson (Adelaide Crows)
Leading Brownlow fancy, suffering from Not-in-Victoria syndrome. Does the grunt work in the Crows midfield and is seecond only to Josh Kennedy in contested possessions.
Eddie Betts (Carlton Blues)
Top goal assist player in the AFL. Didn't kick as many goals as some of the other key forwards, but with three already in the team couldn't justify another one. Second best small forward in the game.

Of course if you don't agree with my selections, feel free to leave suggestions or abuse below.

When too much blogging is never enough...

Do you like your cricket news ill-informed and slightly out of date? If so check my brand new blog that is covering the T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka. Check it out here: http://twenty20-12.blogspot.com.au/
It's a work in progress at the moment, but will be up and running by the start of the tournament.

A day at the footy

Quarter time at North Port Oval

Reigning premiers Port Melbourne have earned the chance to defend their title following a hard fought 34-point victory over local rivals Williamstown.

In front of a large and vocal home crowd at North Port Oval, the Borough kept the Seagulls to a solitary behind in the final term to record a 12.15 (87) to 7.15 (53) victory.

Port went into the game heavily favoured, having not lost at the ground since the start of the 2011 season, and got off to a great start courtesy of goals from forward Josh Scipione and VFL team of the year midfielder Shane Valenti.

Despite the ideal conditions, both teams struggled to provide quality ball delivery to their forwards in the first quarter, and the Seagulls had to rely on a booming goal from veteran Brett Goodes to stay in touch at quarter time.

Fletcher Roberts kicked three for Williamstown

Williamstown noticeably lifted their attack on the ball, and at times the man, in the second quarter in an attempt to wrest control of the game from Port Melbourne. Young AFL-listed forward Fletcher Roberts provided a focal point up forward for the Seagulls who were able to close to within a goal of the Borough. But Port steadied with a goal from former Seagull Wayde Skipper following a small melee in front of the Port terraces, to take a two-goal lead into the main break.

The game opened up in the second half as both teams tried to provide more opportunities to their forwards. Roberts took another strong mark before slotting his third from the boundary, while Port’s Dean Galea, the VFL’s leading goal kicker, was able to generate shots at goal from more one-on-one opportunities.

Towards the end of the third quarter, Port Melbourne was able to create a spare man in defence, which arguably was the turning point in the game. Ably executed by defender Sam Pleming, Port were able to nullify the threat of Roberts, while using Pleming as a launching pad for attacking moves.

Adrian Bonaddio kicks the sealer for Port

Down by sixteen points at three-quarter time, Williamstown needed a quick start in the final term to be any chance of causing an upset. The final quarter however, was to be the most lopsided of the game. The Port midfield, led by captain John Baird, Hugh Sandilands and Matt Dillon, assumed total control in the centre of the ground, and repeatedly forced the ball forward to the key forward Galea and Adrian Bonaddio.

Bonaddio, playing his one hundredth VFL game, took a number of contested marks and finished with two goals for the quarter.

In the end it was only Port’s inaccuracy which kept the margin close, although that is in no way to discredit the effort of the Seagulls who tried hard all day without ever really threatening to win the game.

Port Melbourne now advances next week’s final, to be played at Etihad Stadium, against the winner of Sunday’s preliminary final between Geelong and Weribee.