Wrap - Clown Town

1. Test Cricket. There are a few home truths from this Test disaster v South Africa in Perth:

a. Peter Siddle looks honest and is no doubt a lovely bloke, but words like "plodder", "boring", "no seam movement", "old", "tired" and "hopeless" spring to mind.

b. We consider ourselves as a cricket nation as the only ones who ever get dud umpiring decisions.

c. Steve Smith's first session of captaincy on Saturday was awful. Blokes saving fours...no attack. No spirit and spark. In fact Smith's footwork and batting is suffering as the team comes under heavy pressure.

d. Nathan Lyon could be finished. He will become a carpenter and turn doorknobs instead.

e. Peter Nevill's batting will see him ended. Handscombe is the heir apparent - or the bloke from WA (especially if Rod Farce is still a selector).

f. Starc better get wickets with the new ball, because he gets more erratic with each subsequent spell.

g. Warner. Remarkable and talented. The best thing he offers is a reminder to all the boring batting coaches in world cricket that attack beats defence. Barry Knight...Bill Madden...exit left and take the cobwebs with you.

h. Voges is on his last chance(s). His second innings failure may sound the death knell.

I. Mitchell Marsh. End it please. A double ton is his only hope. Unlikely.

j. Khawaja. A lot of talk and not much action. A lazy cricketer who is not big on 'team'. A better second innings effort after a near miss gossa.

k. What makes a run out single so bloody important? Maybe hang around and you can score plenty of other singles?

2. Australia v NZ Rugby League. Why does Mal rest Cronk? One of the most ridiculous selection decisions in recent memory. Disrespectful to the jersey in some respects. I wonder how Mal would have taken to being rested himself? Yet the Kangaroos still win with trademark toughness. Thurston too good. An intriguing structure where we could still miss out even though we have won two from two. Surely 'head to head' counts when teams are tied. Seemingly not. A wet deck will test us.

3. State of Origin - NRL Grand Final Location. I am going to be bold here and say that the State of Origin series winners should host the Grand Final in their state. That is a huge prize and would boost interest. You heard it here first. I also think that each team should have two "International" picks as well, who once they have played on that side, can never be selected on the other side of the border. Chances of this? Zero.

4. The Cubs. An amazing end to a tremendous week of World Series action. After 162 games, finals, playoffs and a 3-3 World Series decider...into the extra 10th innings...what a season! Some sort of show! The curse of the Billy Goat is over...waiting since 1908 has ended...long may goats harvest on Wrigley Field. A tremendous fairytale with a string of away victories. A famous, famous victory!!!

5. Cheika. Is the arm in a sling evidence he was a clown after all? Or just bad timing? Could not have been worse. Why worry about the press? You look a clown reacting to it all. Memo to Michael: The press is never going to be favourable in NZ. A great win v Wales. Is it just me or do they not function in daylight over there? Why is every game at night? Have the Wallabiues ever looked so good over there?

6. All Blacks. Their loss to Ireland continues this amazing hoodoo breaking year of 2016! Maybe the arrogance has caught up with them...momentarily?

7. Tasmanian Cricket. It has reached rock bottom. George Bailey is finished too. They have been awful this year - and last year.

8. Andy Murray. The latest (and oldest ever) World No. 1. A brat as champ sadly. Novak's decline has been incredible. From unbeatable to being rolled. There is an untold story here...drugs? depression? women problems?