1. Test Cricket. How embarrassing- but not unexpected - to lose to India. You can only imagine the number of gant charts, Excel spreadsheets and video analysis that went into that pathetic team selection. Over thinking.
Murphy got wickets (Jack Leach like), but Cummins thought dropping Head was a good idea…like commenting on world peace and the environment. Stick to taking wickets…and not making panicked decisions about the World Number 4 batsman, Travis Head.
The obsession with Ronnie McDonald's 'nice way' will bring him down eventually. The team will be stuffing their pockets full of frozen cheese sandwiches and singing Kumbaya together as you read this. No raised voices or anything to damage delicate player egos…you all tried hard, a trophy for everyone.
The ACB need to get some strength back and stop yielding to player whims. A bad culture is forming. It is a losing culture too, sadly.
Kuhnemann has been called into the squad. Honestly. Doorknobs only. Swepson goes home for the birth of his child and surrenders his likely spot in the next Test.
2. Irony. Is there any irony to the fact that India refused to play at the Gabba first last time they were in Australia - but we yield to all they request. Mark Waugh even had the temerity to criticise Kohli’s fielding in the slips (three dropped catches). They are precious and at their worst, the media dreadfully sycophantic and fearful of losing their jobs - and a big oversized cheque.
3. Rohit Sharma. It was interesting listening to him about using the feet and playing with soft hands. He batted majestically. The ball did not turn sharply...slow and gentle spin really. Renshaw was undone with slow straight breakers. The slowness of the ball is the thing. Lyon tried to bowl too quickly. He was again disappointing, as was Dave Warner. Renshaw should be sent home. He got 0 and 2 and was injured all Test. Thanks for coming.
4. Pat Cummins. A modern Mr Nice Guy, but there are more and more questions. Champion bowler, but even that was rusty this Test. His IPL form with the ball remember was woeful... $5 million later. He has done some curious things. Prime video are loving him as he prioritises player cash there over the sanctity of the dressing room. His evasive undermining of Langer in the media set it in train. The comments on world energy and the environment...
The Prime viewers will love seeing the Australian dominance over West Indies and South Africa, but as soon as the temperature is turned up, we falter. Our worst fear that we simply have no younger batsmen to lead us into the future is now closer than ever. Pucovski? Turner? Hardie? Harvey? Sangha? There seems to be no future planning.
I am increasingly staggered how often Cummins bowls himself at the tail enders. Some may say it is impatience - others cheap wicket harvesting. It could all come crashing down with losses in India and England…but think of the cash and social media interest…and Prime video!
5. Superbowl. Philadelphia Eagles (I love, love, love…yes I do!) to beat the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl 57 in Arizona tomorrow. Jordan Mailata will aim up well. He is a behemoth and aggressive. A few Souths fans will be shaking their heads hearing Michael Maguire cut him free. Typical. Mahones will take it to the Eagles however. He is a gun!
6. NRL. $100,000 NRL pre-season prize money? The generosity of the NRL knows no bounds. Until that increases to a million, we will keep seeing reserve graders and up and comers. Injuries from NRL trials? Justin Olam broken wrist...
Ban the trial...and the bye while you're at it.
7. Womens Cricket. IPL cheques will be flying this week in the auction. Elyse Perry has bounced back and is ready for a well-deserved pay day. She has changed the game and paved the way for so many. Alyssa Healey, Meg Lanning too.
8. EPL. Arsenal are doing their best to gift Man City another title. Drawing with the Brentford Bees is not a crowning moment! Leicester are marching back up the table with Harry Souttar doing some positive things.
9. Celtic. Ange on fire. Still 9 points ahead. Spinnaker up!
10. Anamoe. The best horse in Australia. Electrifying pace! With James McDonald in the saddle, victories continue to flow.
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