Wrap - Warnings and Vets

1. Australian Cricket. Nathan Lyon needs to step up. He is never going to get a million wickets every innings he bowls of course, but no wickets in the second innings of the First Test was quietly left alone by the media. He only picked up one on Day Two, but as the GOAT, more is expected. He needs to lift if we are to win. Maharaj has more wickets than him. These South African decks are probably the fairest in the world for bat and ball. Steve Smith is certainly finding it harder to play there too. His technique is being tested and he is no longer having the ridiculous Bradman parallels flowing his way. His LBW dismissal was ugly.

AB De Villiers is a champion. We have really struggled to make an impression on him barring that crazy run out in the second innings of the First Test.

2. Dave Warner. When Dave Warner is roused, he becomes a dangerous power and batted brilliantly at a tough time. Those SBW masks are a pathetic South African ribbing, devoid of what it means. Fancy your cricket officials posing next to them thinking that was a good idea. 

There is an unfortunate "outward looking" surveillance culture in South Africa where they love a scandal (as most countries do...England, Australia), almost delighting in what they can unearth about others - except of course if it affects one of their own players. A little like India, without their respect. They are 'ten mile toughies' in many respects and when cornered, bleat and plead their innocence. Unfortunately the Warner ball tampering accusation is exactly the poorest side of the South African spirit - nitpicking claims against others - coupled with support of players whose faults they are blind to. A shame they did not offer the same scrutiny to Hansie Cronje all those years ago. Maybe they need to sort their crime ridden country out first, deal with the absence of water for their people and eliminate the racism that lingers in the joint first. Check your own backyard as well for weeds.

3. NRL. Fantastic to see the NRL back. Some great games: a golden point thriller with Newcastle v Manly; a sideline conversion to win in Tigers v Roosters... great crowd enthusiasm. Very impressed with the Warriors too on a fast deck. They could be a force on their home decks this year too. They certainly looked fitter. The Tigers will become sharper, but had the right attitude. Eels lazy late, but the heat is an unfamiliar foe in the NRL. Most games are at night. The Panthers hyphenated surnamed players are big in name and big in size. They did better in the heat.

Amazing how the salary cap may just be continuing to even out the player talent more and more.

St. George looked sharp too, but how often have Saints roared ahead in recent years across the early rounds only to fall in a heap? Widdop looks much better outside Hunt. The Broncos look a bit old. Bennett may need to lead the retirements and hand it all over to Kevin Walters sooner than he thinks. Souths were terrible. Roosters disorganised. Storm were superb as usual. Nothing stops them.

4. Matt Lodge. How was it decided that of the $1.6 million he 'owed', that he ever going to pay it back? Or is that the point? Grind him into bankruptcy and cash in? Odd logic. Terror of the example.

5. NRL Press Conference. Is the NRL press conference the ultimate in amateur hour? Cranky coaches, a cosmetic player in shellshock and questions you cannot hear unless you are a Port Elizabeth groundsman. Need to give a microphone to the media. It’s like listening to a dying man.

6. Tiger Woods. Roaring back into some ominous form and hoping to live the dream. Golf diehards love an 'old' name on the leaderboards...and elderly winner. The nostalgia of the game perhaps shines through at these times. Former champions remain champions in their eyes. Maybe Tiger's form at Copperhead may be the sign of imminent major success.

7. Sheffield Shield. What a great time to be a batsman. How much easier can it be to make Australian international teams? Not since Dav Whatmore, Jeff Moss, John Maclean and David Ogilvie played for Australia in the late 1970s has it been better. I note Matt Renshaw has now scored three successive tons, but too late. Cameron Bancroft has shown some steel and determination in South Africa against some of the best bowlers in the world. That NSW top six are some of the greatest under performers in Australian cricket ever. Peter Nevill just quietly has been awful all summer with the bat too. He may never play Test cricket again.

8. Chautauqua. This great grey horse may never run again. It apparently will not jump from the starting gates anymore. It is jacking up something chronic. Like trying to get the dog out of the car at the vet.

9. Super 15 Rugby - The Melbourne Rebels. Three from three. On fire and carving it up really. Cannot fathom the fall in the Brumbies' stocks however. They have rarely if ever looked so bad. The Reds have also won again v the Bulls. Coach Brad Thorn is one of the 'winningest' blokes in all forms of NRL/ Rugby as a player and coach that we have come across in our lives. He has already done more than his predecessor.

10. NFL. What about the Cleveland Browns? Fresh from a 0-16 NFL year, they are securing trades left right and centre. Surely you trade nearly everything for the best quarterback in the business?

11. A-League. This is the comp that never ends. Western Sydney Wanderers have made a strong late charge, but the impressive form of the Jets under the journeyman coach Ernie Merrick is the story of the year. Both Melbourne teams are in the mix, but Sydney FCs disastrous Asian League efforts show they just may be overcooked and ready to be defeated at the business end of the season. The hopes of the other sides is growing by the week.