Around the Wicket - New Year's Resolutions

Hey guys, hope you had a great Christmas! I know I did. Here’s to a great 2009.

Now, being the intrepid journalist that I am, you will be pleased to know that after the MCG test, I did some good old fashioned journalism work, and I snooped and pried so that I could bring an exclusive to the readers of Around the Wicket. I didn’t come up with much, but in the home change rooms at the MCG, I found this list of New Year’s Resolutions – written by the players. Here it is now, published in its entirety – exclusive to Around the Wicket.

Matthew Hayden: - In 2009 I will do my best to publish 3 more cookbooks. I have already started work on the first one, which is to do with more alternative types of meat. The first recipe to go into the book is a dish I have recently come across, and I have named it after myself. It’s called “South African Bunny” or “Ntini” in Afrikaans.

Simon Katich: - I hope that sometime in 2009, the researchers can finally make that breakthrough which will enable them to make a wax strong enough to get rid of the dead animal on my chest. 2009 will also hopefully be the year where people begin to take me seriously as a cricketer.

Ricky Ponting: - After successfully keeping my 2008 resolution (grow back my hair), I think I will dedicate 2009 to finally announce that I am now no longer a Tasmanian, but a New South Welshman. I hope to have another captain’s diary released before Christmas 09, entitled Ricky Ponting’s Captain’s Diary 2009 – Learning to Lose.

Mike Hussey: - In 2009, my resolution is to not be dropped for my younger, slightly nerdier brother. I also plan on taking dancing lessons, so that my footwork will be improved when I try to take high catches. I might also change my hairstyle.

Michael Clarke: - For next year, I hope to be able to find a way to finally get Slats to stop making jokes about Lara’s surname every time he sees me. Maybe I should just marry her? I mean, I already bought her a $300,000 Aston Martin... what’s left? Hopefully 2009 will also bring me closer to my ultimate dream – looking exactly like David Beckham.

Andrew Symonds: - Drink beer, go fishing.

Brad Haddin: - I would like to be able to play a test match in 2009 without being compared to Adam Gilchrist. Also – I’d like to play against New Zealand more often.

Brett Lee: - Well, seeing as how everybody reckons I’m stuffed and can’t bowl any more, in 2009, I might move to India full time, and take the world of Bollywood by storm. Again. And then I might play some 20/20 matches as a batsman.

Mitchell Johnson: - In 2009, I hope to get Roy to stop ruffling my hair every time I take a wicket. Hasn’t he figured out that’s why none of us bowlers are taking wickets anymore? I wish he’d just rack off and go fishing. I’d also like to find time to speak to Wasim Akram so I can learn to bowl an inswinger, coz apparently I’m no good at bowling until I can bowl inswingers.

Nathan Hauritz: - 2009 = Opportunity. If I can just find a way to play 2 test matches in a row, we’ll be laughing. I wonder how I can make sure Krejza hurts himself...

Peter Siddle: - For 2009, I want to get some more Australia tattoos on my body. And I want to eat more Vegemite, drink more beer, listen to Acca Dacca, wear a Jack Daniels singlet, and drive around in me VK Commodore. I also want to get people to stop calling me a bogan, and I’d like to learn how to be more Oz.

Shane Watson: - Look, I’m thinking of taking up a job at Fox Sports News so that I can spend more time with my missus. Let’s face it, I’m struggling as a cricketer. I can’t even get through a summer without some sort of injury. Yep, I reckon a nice desk job is what I need. Maybe I could replace Richie Benaud?