Far more sad than any of this is the continuing stupid bitter nonsense about the umpires. Australia wins cricket matches because it outplays opponents, utterly. Being unable to face up to shortcomings the umpires get the blame. The thing is, if a player from Pakistan or nz get a decision going their way no one notices because the player will not go on and capitalise on the opportunity. In contrast, Adam Gilchrist makes the opposition pay for not being definitive in their attempts at dismissal – it is clear to the world how the umpires decision has affected the game. Umpires are as athletic as any cricketer and make judgments as fine as any judgment any player makes, these judgments have an impact. A batsman builds an innings out of thousands of minor decisions, a bowler constitutes his spell in the same way. A fielder captures, restricts, redirects the flight of the ball. An umpire’s decisions are only ever as minor as all the other decisions that make a game of cricket function. Sometimes the tiniest error by the batsman is fatal, sometimes a much larger error has no effect. Nothing is able to be calculated. An umpiring decision does not decide the game. It is a minute element in a massive series of minute elements. Pakistan and nz lost to Australia because they played poorly, and they have both responded poorly to their insufficient performances. To blame the umpire is grossly offensive, disrespectful and displays a lack of ability to take responsibility for their own flawed decision making. The umpires do not blame a poor decision on the sun or the pitch. Its a rant but fuck it it has to be said & said.

From a stupid Pakistani coach to a Pakistani superstar. Shoaib is facing an inquisition!

To the greatest pm Australia has ever had?