How likeable are Australia?

Yes, I was wondering exactly that when I stumbled across an article in The Times which analyses Australia's weaknesses going into the Ashes. It's a good enough read if only to see how the English are willing themselves quite desperately to believe they have a firm upper hand going into the series, when neither side really does. Of course, as usual, the part that interests me is statistics relating to the likeability of Australian cricketers - their "approval rating" as deemed by parents:

During their camp, the Australians will be told that market research commissioned by Cricket Australia revealed that 81% of the Australian public think the team are good role models for children. This is a vast improvement on a rating of about 20% shortly after the scandal at Sydney but still means one in five Australians disapproves of them. They have never inspired affection.

So it's not just likeability, it's how great of a role model each cricketer is. I'm not surprised at the stat for the India series in 2007-08, because that was pretty shocking at the time. Maybe Peter Roebuck filled in all those votes because he sure as hell had it in for the Aussies back then.

From a purely superficial point of view, the cricketers probably are good role models for children. They do the right things, take part in the right charities, hang out with kids for special events to help them out with their cricketing skills. Kids don't tend to see beyond that initial layer.

As it turns out, we do quite like Glenn McGrath but he's not on the team. His home town is apparently sticking a giant pigeon statue in a park or town square or something in honour of him. Kind of creepy, but it could have been worse if it had been a statue of him.

But the best role model of all is Ricky Ponting, who not only plays cricket with kids at empty stadiums, but encourages them to take their vitamins, simply by association. Marvellous.



Parents all over Australia smile as they down a bottle of vitamins, telling their kids that one day they'll grow up to eat vitamins like mummy and daddy and Ricky Ponting.

Guest Blogger: Ricky Ponting

This is Ricky, I'm writing from South Africa for Amy. Hi to you Rianna if you're reading this and also say hi to Em. Is she growing good? I just talked to you on the phone by the way but I thought it would be funny if you also read this.

Look I'm here to talk about cricket because this is a cricket log. I'm going to talk about myself because I'm more importnat than anyone else in this series. Who has more runs than Steve. Me. Everyone's saying the saffers are gonna beat us but we're still the better side it's only Pup who's underperforming. Can't even be a decent opener, the guys hate him. I say "well done mate" to his face but when Kato had a go at him I was laughing. Have to keep up the act of alcoholism or they'll call me out on the fight again.

Look I don't want to bring up old things here but remember how Peter Roebuck said I should be sacked. I wasnt thinking about it it was only because Bracks just reminded me of him. Want to know how? Bracks is such a pansy I thought of Peter straightaway! Anyway at least I don't spank the guys and besides that little arse did say monkey Haydos told me. The guys are keeping this a secret but we're planning a secret revenge attack on the field. Look we're not bullies but we're only mean when you make us. I talked to Gary and he accidently said "hey pujjy doesn't like SECRET". I can't tell you what he told me its a secret, you have to wait and find out.

Also Jacques Kallis has also gotten 10000 runs but hes still not as good as me slow fucker. The saffers reckon they can be shit and good and beat us but its stupid because look, we're the best side in the world. I have more records than all of them put together and besides just because I got out on low scores the past few matches doesn't mean I'm a bad player. Roy said I am, what a great bloke. I had a chat to the selectors about him and lets just say he has a bright future ahead of him. Unlike Pup who reckons he's better than me at playing the slow ball. Shut up you whiner.

We won the first ODI great but the other two losses weren't realistic. I reckon Warnie's been having a chat to Grahame and telling him he can beat us whatever. Just because I dont sell myself to the Indians he hates me now. Also did you see how Pup also decided not to play? Copycat just didnt want to see he was worth less than Kevin or Fredddie, I have more guts than him it's why I'm captain and he's not. In the last match that ABCD guy (thats what I call him on the field it's funny) got 60 or something. Look this is a secret but I'll tell you anyway. I'm better than him and I beat him mentally as well. When he was still new and I was winning everything which I still am now, he came up to me after a match and said "congratulations on your ton" but all I did was stare at him and then turn away. ha ha! That showed him he was so embarassed he ran away but stupid Glenn ran after him and said something. I bet he was saying "look at Ricky he's so stupid" because the saffer was so happy afterwards. After that I made lots of snide comments about his wife to Glenn to punish him.

Look, something has been bothering me about the saffers. They're cheaters like the bloody poms. Did you see how they had that substitute fielder in the last Test match and how he threw the ball with both hands? That's like taking a piss on the fair go, what rubbish. Send in your shit 12th man bastards and then we'll talk fucking shitheads. I never substitute fielders with ambidextrous people, maybe I should it will teach the fuckers a lesson. I made up a new joke, the saffers are fuckers, it all ends with 'er'. I'm going to whisper it on the field and when they say "you called me a fucker" I will say "no, I called you a saffer".

Hi again to Rianna. Did you get the dinner with K Rudd? If you didn't he's a krudd haha. He said he'd invite you over so tell me if he does okay?