Wrap: Lyon's Share

1. Cricket v NZ. The resting of Southee, the mystery virus that displaces a struggling captain, the arrival of a bloke from the beach, the weak batting line up, Ross Taylor's shockers... New Zealand have been quite the misery. Their efforts with the bat in the first innings have been pretty disappointing... one bloke bowled between the legs, one spooned to mid on, a ridiculous run out, a farcical stumping of no. 11, the batting of a bloke (Henry) with a broken hand. What gives? The number two Test nation in the world? Not on your life.

Very pleased to see no Swepson playing in this Test. He is not the goods as Warnie would love you to believe. There are better...Boyce, Short, Pope...

Nathan Lyon picks up five wickets in an innings and leaps to 17th most in world cricket. Phenomenal really. He has plenty of time left yet too. Knocking over Harbhajan Singh would be a good goal. Steyn's strike rate (42.3) is amazing.

2. The Great Migration. Intriguing article (C/-Gus Masters) on the rise and spread of South African cricketers into New Zealand may tighten up their batting in the years ahead. https://m.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/111593/the-great-migration The politics and the shenanighans is incredible.

3. Latrell Mitchell. And still it spins on out of control. Talk about a fiasco and the Roosters don't want him around either which is fair enough. Getting Nick Politis offside is not smart.

4. Media. Loved the Daily Telegraph headline re Sivo..."Trouble Maika". Parramatta desperate he does not head the way of Semi Radradra.

5. New England Patriots. Absolutely shredded. A wild card exit and their season in tatters - ended. They need some receivers. Gronkowski has been missed more than anyone will admit it.

6. BBL - Chris Lynn. What an awesome player he is. Such power and skill. When AB de Villiers joins the Brisbane Heat, look out.

7. Initials. Speaking of which... cricket players known by their initials..AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, BJ Whatling, VVS Laxman, MS Dohni...others? WG Grace... which also led to SCG MacGill of course and even today: SPD Smith (Steven Peter Devereux).

The best are two West Indians:
1. Andy Roberts - AME Roberts (Anderson, Montgomery Everton) OR
2. Eldine Baptiste - EAE Baptiste (Eldine Ashworth Elderfield Baptiste).