Rodney Hogg may not have scored a century at The Jack, but he still delivered a few cheeky sledges off the course.
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In the wake of Australia regaining the Ashes this week the former Test paceman reckons he struck some of his golf shots at Crowne Hunter Valley on Tuesday better than many of the touring English batsman have been hitting cricket balls.
Throwback: Remember The Jack in 2016?
“Malan’s played alright, Stoneman’s played pretty well, but I probably hit them a bit better than Moeen Ali,” Hogg said with a wry smile at the bar post round one.
It was all in the spirit of the annual Jack Newton Celebrity Classic, in the midst of edition No.39, with Hogg among other past sport stars such as Sir Ian Botham, professional golfers dressed up like pop star-turned-basketballer Jackie Moon, and tournament patron Bob Hawke, who celebrated his 88th birthday earlier this month.
Read more: Jack Newton Celebrity Classic results, Day 1
Reflecting on the urn returning Down Under, Jack debutant Hogg said the current bowling attack was one of the best ever to wear the Baggy Green cap while the visitors are struggling.
“They haven’t been up to speed and we’re developing into a good side,” Hogg said.
“It’s one of the best attacks we’ve ever had just about. Lyon plus the three quicks [Starc, Hazlewood, Cummins].”
Hogg, who took 41 wickets in the Ashes of 1978-1979, now rates Mitchell Starc as one of the country’s top-three left-arm fast bowlers in history.
He believes the hosts can win both upcoming Melbourne and Sydney matches and go onto complete the third 5-0 series whitewash against the Poms at home since 2006-2007.
Play at The Jack continues with round two on Wednesday after the previous night’s traditional sponsor dinner, which helps to raise funds for junior golf and diabetes.
Elsewhere and former US PGA tour player Nick Flanagan went on a birdie blitz to shoot eight-under on Tuesday and the Newcastle golfer shares the lead of the final Australasian qualifying school event for 2017.
The 33-year-old posted 10 birdies and two bogeys in the opening round to sit alongside Fijian Sam Lee at Moonah Links in Melbourne.
Parramatta-based Novocastrian Aaron Townsend (-4) is four strokes back and tied for fifth. Fellow Hunter pair Leigh McKechnie (even) and Nathan Green (+1) were also in the mix at the four-day tournament.
