Wrap - Winx Jinx

1. Australian Test Cricketers in South Africa. A cracking start by our boys, but we do have a track record of struggling to defend big totals in South Africa. Hopefully not in this test.

I must say that the Marsh boys at the crease have become a formidable alliance. Shaun's clever blade work on tricky decks is impressive. He looks to attack and refuses to be bogged down. Mitchell's power has been awesome. However, media calls for Mitchell Marsh as captain one day are way off beam. Ridiculous.

I really liked Warner's first session of the first day's work (albeit a lazy late out brought him undone). These tricky decks unpick techniques. Ask Khawaja who will struggle to retain his spot again abroad. Bancroft's first innings dismissal was terrible...walking across the crease to nick one. His 'bounce back' half century in the second innings was a lot stronger. Smith looks like he is in two minds half the time and has hit reality after a mighty run.

Nathan Lyon's turn/ guile/ deception and the stunning bowling of Starc and Cummins will put plenty of pressure on them. Hazelwood needs to bowl quicker than he did in the first innings. He was an uncharacteristic pop gun pace then.

2. Nathan Lyon. Troubling to see the ex-wife set up a blog to haunt him. Whether he has made a wise decision is for them to work out, but his bowling is certainly getting better. He is on 293 going in to the second innings at Durban and has just passed Craig McDermott (291) and is closing in on 300 test wickets...then Brett Lee (310) and Mitchell Johnson (313). That will only leave DK (355), McGrath (563) and Warne (708) in front. Incredible for an offie really.

3. NRL Kickoff. This Thursday it is all underway. Thankfully no more trials and talk. Matt Lodge will enjoy getting out to play a game without the media. His NRL inclusion - and not Carney's - is perplexing...even Russell packer's is more brutal. That footage of Lodge's  rage is unbelievable. Does anyone know why he was in that house - or was it a case of mistaken identity? Tipping a Storm v Cowboys Grand Final.

4. Commonwealth Swimming Trials. All the usual names and suspects will again compete for us in a swimming meet which is surely one of the weakest worldwide. The incredible thing is how many of the team train and prepare in Queensland. Sure, longer daylight saving time, warmer weather, but their coaching programs must be so superior - or the intensity of their swimmers' preparation. Fast pools, down hill pools might help, but ultimately it is the same water and distance. Nothing else explains the massive gap to the rest of the nation.

5. Winx. Can it get any better? An absolute thumping was handed out to its rivals on the weekend. Not sure it needs to race at Ascot or in Europe. The slower tracks will do it no favours, but money and fame talks. It needs to race in dry fast conditions in the USA perhaps. Most Group 1 wins ever in Australia...closing in on the 25 straight wins of Black Caviar.

6. A League. Newcastle Jets getting the jump on Sydney FC 2-1 was unusual for its precision and power. Maybe the 'stainless steel dunny seat' premiership trophy is not a foregone conclusion yet.

7. Waratahs. Time to applaud a comeback draw in South Africa. Foley is a matchwinner. Looking a more composed and complete team, although Beale's injury may test them next game.

8. Shield Cricket. The run of poor batting - especially in NSW - continues. Sean Abbott is having no luck and hit young Will Pucovski in the head to send him into the turf. A tough memory. Good to see the ICC have raced to implement world wide reform with helmets. There should be a crackdown at every level of cricket with every club/ association required to provide two per kit. No excuses.

9. A League. Sadly it is in free fall at present. Crowds are getting smaller. The WSW 'Bloc' are sooking as well. The organisation is having its usual tantrums and soccer/ football problems. Most Australians are over it. They need to put away the flares, get rid of the politics and stretchers and bring in some big names.

10. Surfing - Nazare, Portugal. The footage of Ross Clarke-Jones riding the huge waves there - and almost dying - are amazing. Not sure why you do that at 52 years of age, but there you go. Check it out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Od6wTno4tp4 . Alongside me, he could just be one of the ugliest men alive.