Wrap - World's Finest Flagwavers

1. Cricket I. Justin Langer has me worried. When he started his career he was conservative and was dropped. He then became quite an electric opener who dominated world attacks with Hayden. His current philosophy however is to attack at all times when your middle order are head cases. Dumb. Shaun Marsh is surely gone? The human hydra. Ah no...Shaun is an exceptional white ball player we are told and will earn yet another chance...Mitch is a future captain so Langer tells us...ummm...really?


The skipper position is a huge issue. Tim Paine is a good guy, but barely holds his spot as wicketkeeper. Nathan Lyon was anointed by Mike Hussey as the "sprig of wattle" team song custodian and most of us nearly fell over...so it is proven now that he is the next best (only?) captaincy choice. With the keeper, they need to do "an Ian Healy" and go with a young gun for a long time eg. Alex Carey. Build around this.


Langer's career will be limited as head coach with this approach. Fail fast with duds. Get them out and go in a completely different direction. Isn't it uncanny how a first class Australian player selected for the biggest stage averaging 30, gets to Test cricket and yep...pretty well never breaks 30 runs there either. Shock.


Young Will Pucovski in Victoria, Jason Sangha in NSW...Renshaw... even Trent Copeland are better options. Open minds are needed, not state allegiances with failed performers.


2. Cricket II. Are we getting to a point where opposing teams in world cricket determine whether they bat or bowl? Eliminate the toss and the ridiculous sub-continent doctored pitches.  The lack of worldwide curating standards is hurting the sport. It is safe to say a cricket toss is probably the most important toss to win in world sport. The NRL toss is not so critical, unless it is golden point.

3. NRL. Plenty of flags! An awesome Tonga crowd in Auckland, but the Australian's have too much fitness and a comparative absence of errors. Tedesco is a special talent. So quick on his feet. Valentine Holmes is also quite awesome. Cronulla should retire a few dinosaurs and do everything to keep him. He could win you a premiership on his own.

4. US Sports. How amazing is the whole US sport scene...NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL? Incredible game day attendances (except if you support San Diego in anything). Seamless seasons run into seasons and complete immersion by TV and newspapers. Not perfect, but they would run rings around our administrators.


5. RedSox v LA - World Series Baseball. An exceptional contest ahead. Best of seven games...excitement plus (even if the 'world' is represented in the team composition - rather than the opposition!). It is simply the best in the world. ...make no mistake.


6. EPL - ManU. Jose knows no bounds. His attempt to go the biff with a former assistant coach was outstanding theatre, but really... a goose. He gives owners plenty of reasons to be punted.


7. EPL - Others. Remarkably there are three undefeated teams in Man City, Liverpool and Chelsea...and a couple doing really poorly in Newcastle and Huddersfield. They are 20 points behind already. Coaches will be punted very soon no doubt!


8. NRL - Hayne Drain. Everyone is hoping like hell that the Parramatta NRL Internal Report is released soon with recommendations on recruitment practice...no dickheads hopefully. This may see an exit of monumental proportions. Hayne goes first...Taka...Norman...Moses... a clean out. You could cop a wooden spoon each year if they actually looked like improving their culture and investing in their young products.


Quite ironic that the Eels have no stadium to play at in 2019... they may not need a big one like that for a few years anyhow. Richie Benaud Oval at North Parra might just about do.


9. Marc Marquez. Five time 2018 MotoGP World Champion. Awesome.


10. Lewis Hamilton. Yet another pole position. A fifth world title is imminent. More awesome.