Wrap - Hoodoo Breakers

1. Phil Hughes. Why are players being cross examined about comments on the field? This cannot be useful to anything other than a negligence suit against Cricket Australia. Comments did not kill. An unsafe workplace? I suspect the batting helmet manufacturers should have been called. Sure, sledging needs to be addressed - by umpires who should be able to 'bin' players at First Class level. This will stop it. However, I get the feeling that the lack of resolution is driving a hate campaign against a few of them. What will it achieve? I must say what I have said time and time again - Cricket Australia will have a hefty legal bill if a kid or adult is hurt now as they play games protecting their procurement policy on helmet design. Improve the bloody things and lead the way worldwide.

2. Australia v NZ. There is something awesome about Test rugby league being played in front of a big crowd - in daylight - with one ref. Sure, a few errors and dodgy calls, but authentic league.

3. Very troubled to see a player without tattoos and wearing black boots. Should be banned.

4. Australian Cricket. This summer could be an absolute watershed in the game's short term future in Australia. We have been belted 3-0 by Sri Lanka and 5-0 by Sth Africa and still we wheel out excuses. Bottom line? We were arrogant and terrible! Warner the only star. Big Bash and the Matador Cup need to be listed as distinct selection trials. The time is ideal if you are coming through the ranks.

Is there a more injured sportsman than the VIC quick bowler, James Pattinson. Tha answer? Yes - Pat Cummins. Then Couter-Nile...Starc...

5. Tim Cahill. Some sort of goal from 35m out. Lazy goalkeepers who have not played the world's best before take note. Give 'em an inch....

6. Sydney FC on fire with 8-0 to start the year. How about lowly Newcastle knocking over the Brisbane Roar 4-0? Incredible. 

7. Interesting to see Las Vegas firming as the new home for one of the most travelled of NFL football teams - the LA Raiders. Could actually bring a bit of spirit to Vegas after many years of nothing but money obsession.

8. Major League baseball. The team left: Cleveland Indians v Toronto Blue Jays (2-0 Indians up - best of 7 games). LA Dodgers v Chicago Cubs (1-0 Cubs up- best of 7 games) The Curse of the Billy Goat has haunted The Chicago Cubs. They are poised to break it...or are they? 108 years of grief?

Please read the following to brush up with history:

The Curse of the Billy Goat is a sports-related curse that was supposedly placed on the Chicago Cubs Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise in 1945 when Billy Goat Tavern owner Billy Sianis was asked to leave game 4 of the World Series against the Detroit Tigers at the Cubs' home ballpark of Wrigley Field because the odor of his pet goat (named Murphy) was bothering other fans.^[1][2] He was outraged and allegedly declared "Them Cubs, they ain't gonna win no more," which has been interpreted to mean that there would never be another World Series game won at Wrigley Field. The Cubs have not won a World Series championship since 1908 or played in the World Series since 1945.

9. A big year for underdogs and hoodoos:

Cleveland Cavaliers NBA winners after 46 years

Cronulla Sharks NRL winners after 49 years

Western Bulldogs AFL winners after 62 years

Leicester EPL winners after 132 years

10. I cannot believe Sam Mitchell was given the Trade punt from Hawthorn this week. The fabric is fraying. This should be what Sydney do to Keiran Jack soon.