Wrap - IPL (Idiotic Payments League)

1. The Waratahs. With finals approaching and the Tahs in South Africa, there is a perfect symmetry to their inevitable - and historical - self destruction. Meanwhile the QLD Reds at home in front of their packed home crowd is one of the best sights in Australian sport.

2. Messi. Barcelona fair dinkum toyed with Manchester United (3-1 victory). They were lucky they did not lose by five. Magic atmosphere and the old legs at ManU showed. They need a revamp for continued success. Once again England proves they have the best domestic league but they are off the pace on the world stage where Spain dominate.

3. NRL. Cronulla almost beat Melbourne, who are struggling now that Brian Waldron has been exposed. Nonetheless a win is a win. More than can be said for a lack lustre Parramatta (notice Ricky Stuart has Hayne running faster with his kick returns and playing the ball much more quickly without nonsense in the ruck...amazing transformation) and a terrible Roosters (Smith will be nervous. Dud rumour by the way). Broncos may have outsmarted themselves with their resting of stars. They have turned in a few losses when they were on a roll. Titans are too old. Tigers still flashy but often without hope. Dragons powering on to back to back premiership strength.

Manly...travelling well and they will have Jason King back soon from Origin. He won the Jamie Lyon Man of Aluminium Award from Origin One. Foran is something special.

4. AFL. Harmichael kicks his first goal. Can we line up for cartwheels just here...? Or can we all take our aeroplane paper bags and vomit in stereo. Carlton surprising everyone. And what about Acker...the great Acker...telling the world that Keith's Western Bulldogs are soft, old and lack self belief, skill and purpose. Sounds like his own autobiography.

5. Cricket. How about the bloke in English County Cricket who was signed by Worcestershire sight unseen (a Sri Lankan domestic legend apparently) when in fact he was nothing more than a park cricketer with a good sense of humour? Cracking story of deception and bureaucratic stupidity! In England, their lack of humour always sees these things referred to police. Pride is an awful thing.

6. By the way, the Chennai Superkings won the IPL. Who? Who cares? Mike Hussey hit a whirlwind half innings and set an opening batting record! He may have some life left yet! RIP TJ.

Did anyone see Sri Lanka after Murali v England in their latest Test? A LOOOONNNGGGGG way back. They are benign in attack now. May see a lot of drawn tests involving them now at best.

7. Apparently Shahid Afridi has retired as skipper again. He's moved in to Bin Laden's joint. No one can find him.

8. Was it just me or was the great marshmallow, Sam Stosur, relaxed (again!!) in defeat and claiming she had played her best? Maybe when you crack the BRW Top 50 Rich List, the attitude softens. Still backing Federer, although Djokovic is absolutely creaming them all. He is in ferocious form. Like Sharapova in the women's. More ways than one.