Wilkommen bei den Schatten » udy to Antonio Gates. The 6-f

Imagine an identity parade of Australias leading domestic bowlers, lined up as in a crime film. John Citizen, that generic member of the public, is asked to name them. If hes watched Australia play in the past couple of years, he might pick out Jackson Bird, Scott Boland, Fawad Ahmed. And was that James Hopes who just left the room? But whos the tall bloke with sandy hair?That, Mr Citizen, is Joe Mennie, the top Sheffield Shield wicket-taker of last summer and one of the competitions most consistent performers of the past five years, during which time he has collected 143 wickets at 27.89. And if you dont know him, thats just the way he likes it. Although Mennie dreams of playing Test cricket one day, public attention is something he can live without.Im pretty happy flying under the radar, Mennie told ESPNcricinfo. Im not one for putting myself out there massively. Its probably not my thing. Im at the stage where not a lot of people, unless you really know cricket, know my name. Im not too dissatisfied with that.If the average punter has not especially noticed Mennie, at least the national selectors are starting to take notice. Mennie is part of the Australia A squad for their series of two four-day matches against South Africa A starting in Queensland this weekend. And, while Mennie may lack the pace Australias selectors most desire, he knows how to pick up wickets regardless.Mennie, 27, has long since accepted that he will never bowl express like his childhood role model, Brett Lee. Instead, he, like his South Australia team-mates Chadd Sayers and Daniel Worrall, operates in the low 130s, and uses accuracy and movement to cause problems. It was encouraging for Mennie that Sayers was chosen for this years Test tour of New Zealand, even if a baggy green did not eventuate.Its exciting to be recognised, Mennie said. To be picked in Aussie A, or any Aussie setup, is a big tick in your favour. For me, its just continue what Ive been doing, playing my role and not trying to go away from that. Stick to my game-plan, and I should do pretty well, hopefully.Theres still a big push for blokes who bowl quick, but its good to see blokes who are performing well in Shield cricket getting noticed and picked at times now. Thats positive.If youre not express, theres no point trying to be express. If its not your game-plan, its not your game-plan. Thats probably not me. Im probably never going to be pushing the 140s, 145s. Some of the other blokes do, but Ive just got to recognise my role and be happy with that, and go out and perform.That approach brought Mennie 51 Shield wickets at 21.21 last summer, which made him the leading wicket-taker in the competition, seven clear of Worrall. That Mennies success has come largely at Adelaide Oval, a venue traditionally viewed as hard work for fast bowlers, certainly justified his move from home in New South Wales - he grew up south of Coffs Harbour - five years ago.SA approached me and wanted me across, Mennie said. To get the experience at first-class level - I was probably going to struggle at New South Wales. I was probably not high up in their minds, so I always knew I was probably going to have to make the move somewhere. SA have been great to me. Theyve been outstanding for the five years Ive been there now.It [Adelaide Oval] has always been seen as a batters paradise. The last couple of years, theres been a little bit there for the quicks. Last year, there was a little bit more grass on it, which has probably helped us. Its still a great batting track, but it has offered a little bit for the bowlers. Its a tough place to bowl, but a great challenge. Cheap Jerseys 2020 . LOUIS -- Theres no telling how these wacky World Series games will end. Wholesale Jerseys China . The recently retired Stern was elected Friday to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and will be enshrined with the class of 2014 on Aug. https://www.cheapjerseysfromchinareview.com/ Authentic Jerseys 2020 . -- Arizona raced out to a big lead and did not back off, hitting the accelerator instead. NFL Jerseys 2020 .com) - The red-hot Los Angeles Kings will try to extend their winning streak to a season-high seven games when they visit the Edmonton Oilers for Sundays clash at Rexall Place. PITTSBURGH -- Antonio Brown spent a significant portion of his offseason sashaying his way into living rooms across the country during a lengthy run on Dancing With The Stars.It was a welcome distraction for the Pittsburgh Steelers All-Pro wide receiver, but make no mistake. The way Browns 2015 season ended -- out of the lineup while dealing with a concussion as the Steelers let a fourth-quarter lead slip away in the division round against Denver -- still stings.Any time you finish the year and leave something incomplete, it stays on your mind, Brown said.Brown and his teammates have tried to avoid the what-if game, though it hasnt been easy. Even short-handed they gave the eventual Super Bowl champion Broncos all they could handle before fading in the final minutes.Rather than pout, however, they have spent the past few months funneling that frustration into their preparation for 2016. The process begins anew when Pittsburgh reports for its 51st training camp at St. Vincent College in Latrobe on July 28.Its one of those things where if youre not trying to get better, youre going to get beat and youre going to get worse, guard David DeCastro said. So, you always have to keep pushing the envelope.The Steelers return the leagues third-ranked offense, heady territory considering quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and running back LeVeon Bell both missed significant time because of injuries. The defense gave up plenty of yards but also produced 30 turnovers, the kind of splash plays coach Mike Tomlin covets.The past three years have seen Pittsburgh take steady steps back toward the NFL elite, from a .500 mark in 2013 to a wild-card round loss in 2014 to a spot in the division round last winter. There is momentum to be sure, but also plenty to work on ahead of the Sept. 12 season opener at Washington.Here are some things to know about the Steelers going into camp:MISSING MARTAVIS: Talented but erratic wide receiver Martavis Bryant will miss 2016 while serving a suspension for violating the NFLs substance abuse policy, taking his 14 touchdowns with him.You cant really replace a guy like that with the tools that he has, his understanding, and his physical attributes, Roethlisberger said. Its hard to replicate that. The other guys have to step up and do it. And stay healthy.Finding a reeliable third option behind Brown and Markus Wheaton will come down to veteran Darius Heyward-Bey and second-year player Sammie Coates.dddddddddddd Both made significant plays in the playoff loss to Denver, though more will be expected with increased playing time.SPEED TO BURN(S): Artie Burns became the first cornerback taken by the Steelers in the first round of the draft since 1997 when they grabbed him out of Miami with the 25th overall pick. Theres a chance for Burns to enter the starting lineup immediately if he stays healthy and picks up defensive coordinator Keith Butlers system. Burns proved to be a ravenous learner during minicamp and organized team activities, welcoming the chance to go one-on-one against Brown, even if the matchup is pretty one-sided, at least for now.He has a mentality that he wants to be there and be productive, and do things that we want him to do, secondary coach Carnell Lake said. If he doesnt get it, he wants more reps added. Thats a good sign.GOING GREEN: Tight end Heath Miller retired in February in typically understated fashion after 11 seasons as Roethlisbergers security blanket. Enter Ladarius Green, signed as a free agent from San Diego after spending four seasons as an understudy to Antonio Gates. The 6-foot-6, 240-pound Green has an explosiveness Miller lacked, but was slowed a bit by offseason ankle surgery but is expected to be ready when camp starts.Hes like the brand new Ferrari that I have thats in the impound lot, and we are just looking through the fence at it, Roethlisberger said.LEVEONS LEAP: When healthy, Bell is one of the most dynamic backs in the league. Yet hes seen each of his past two seasons end with knee injuries suffered against the Bengals. The team has yet to approach him about a new contract as he enters the final year of his rookie deal. Bell insists the uncertainty about his future wont be a distraction. He just wants to play.I feel like my luck probably, hopefully, should change this year and Ill be on the field, nothing freaky, Bell said. Just take care of my body, do the little things right, and if I do that Ill be OK.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '