George,
OK, so I'm not a self appointed legend bowler like yourself, and no I haven't won any National tournaments, nor have I bowled overseas.
However, I bowled Presidents Shield (How many times did you make that ???) at Rushcutter, NSW (86), Rockhampton, Qld (87) and Chadstone, Vic (88). All of these three were extremely tough conditions, especially using urethane equipment - remember what that is ??
I also was a member of the initial Australian Development Squad, which attended the AIS and bowled under the guidance of Dick Ritger, Andy McKay and Jeanette Baker-Flynn at Beconnen, ACT.
In 1990 I came 3rd in the Australian Masters behind Gary Jeffery and Rob Zikman - in the process beating the likes of Silvano Prez, and Ian Hughes (using urethane gear).
In 1995 I bowled in the Australian Marathon at Clayfield. I was the only bowler in the field of 90+ bowlers using a urethane ball and still made the cut averaging a respectable 200 against the likes of Ian Bradford, Andrew Frawley, Terry Wenban, Morty Douglass, Mark Ramsay, Mark Sheehan, Carl Bottomley and Andrew Drew.
I could go on but that is not the purpose of my post. For you (of all people)to say that I am not as qualified as you to comment on lane conditions etc shows what a self centred egostistical maniac you really are.After all you were the one who kept ringing me, your dad etc saying how your were going to win it easily especially as the lanes had just been done. But as soon as you bowl like an old hack, it's the lanes fault.
OK so maybe I do bowl faster than you, but if that's what's working then why not heed the old saying "When in Rome, do as the Romans do".
You were the one who pranced in during qualifying and threw off at my bowling style, telling me that I didn't use my fingers and how you were going to flick it from 20 out to the edge.
You also forgot to mention that 3rd placed Craig Hembrow, while he bowls fast also puts more revs and hook on his ball that Billy Gardiner shooting it through 25 to 2 and back. So if you are such a gun bowler how come you couldn't ?? (Maybe your wrist was playing up).
It further illustrates my point that you are so used to bowling on ditched up, easy conditions that you have forgotten how to "think" about your game. You would rather use 10 different balls and then if they don't work you email Track and complain about how tough it is and let them do all the thinking for you.
As for Carl Bottomley......As a bowler you don't blow wind up Carl's ass. Carl has been one of the premier bowlers in Australia for the last 18-20 years both in Juniors and Seniors and also has an incredibly astute bowling brain. Carl doesn't have to tell everyone how good he is, because he lets his bowling do the talking.
And in closing I'd like to quote Ian Schuler(who also missed the cut but didn't sook like you) by saying "I have bowled in 1 country and 5 centres this year, but I still kicked your ass!!!!"
By the way why did you say that you weren't going to bowl in Cairns or Redcliffe, that's right because you want to bowl at centres like Woodville where it's a lefties ditch.
Steve
PS Ian Hughes may have found the lanes dry, but like the true professional he is, he got on with business, used his brain and came 2nd. If you are as good as you claim to be why couldn't you at least make the cut like Ian, Damien McAndrew and Chris Quaill???
You are truly the Anthony Mundine of bowling, although at least he didn't get beaten by a 45 year old lady (with a 163ave).
