The Wrap - Joseph and the Technicolour Test Match

1. The West Indies. "Get good?". The Windies have gotten a lot better – all in the space of a week! 1-1 is incredible for the minnows! Surely a three Test series is important. An eight run loss...did we declare too early? The negative thinking in the dressing room is extraordinary. New Zealand will really test us out next up.

A lot tougher in their first innings with a few great batting partnerships. The surname Joseph has arrived! Shamar Joseph 7/ 68. They really served it up to Australia. Our batting is quite ordinary and we have known this for some time. What will the future look like? It could get a lot worse for us with a really inconsistent middle order.

Travis Head may best sum up our efforts. Flashes of brilliance but not enough strength and concentration when under pressure. His scores in 2023-2024 v Pakistan and West Indies: 40 - 14 - 17 - 0 - 10 - 119 - 0 - 0.

Liking two things about this Windies team (1) Swagger, smiles and enjoyment of playing with team mates (2) Athleticism and good fielding/ catching. These were the hallmarks of older times in the Windies 1980s dominance. Kraigg Brathwaite as skipper has really rallied the players.

Just when you thought they still needed to play harder nosed cricket, Shamar Joseph was outstanding - bad toe and all. 13 wickets in two tests is a great start to his test career. A bit like Steve Smith’s batting in the second innings - lots of grit, steel and determination for 90 no. A great return to form - and as an opener.

We saw two things that have never been seen on a cricket field on Friday: (1) the ball hitting the bails and spinning them around, without dislodging them and (2) the somersault by Kevin Sinclair when he took his first ever Test wicket of Khawaja. That was outstanding hoopla. We’ve seen it in soccer and league, the NFL, but never in Test cricket. A new standard has been set.

One of the greatest mysteries of 2024 was how Alex Carey was added to the ICC Text XI of 2023. Not a lot of runs, but plenty of dismissals. He backed it up with a nice counter punch innings of 65 off not many...but then gave up his wicket in the second innings. 

Cameron Green has had a shocker this Test in the field and with the bat. A better second innings effort. Maybe he should have been rested with COVID, but Cameron is realising that you never let others know of injuries at that level or you could be overlooked again. He has a lot of learning but he looks lost at number four.

Mitch Marsh is always a risk too. Bison strength and bison thinking sometimes. A bit troubling to hear his aversion to bowling in the on field microphone set up last Test. He better keep scoring runs. The World U/19 World Cup is on at present and it is being scrutinised for our future…

2. BBL - Darren Lehmann. He really has risen up again with his ability to reshape (got rid of Lynn et al) the Brisbane Heat. They crushed the Sydney Sixers. An exciting career ahead for Spencer Johnson, the left arm quick. He will take a heap of wickets… hopefully in Tests. This Saudi T20 League has all the T20 journeymen…Hales, Billings, Guptill, Lynn, Bravo, Munro, Boult, David, Vince, Jordan, Overton… If you couldn’t cut that league you could go to South Africa or join the Bangladesh League with Ben Cutting.

3. England v India. Has there ever been a day impacted by rain or lost to rain in Indian Test cricket? It is always sunny there! Wet weather is as rare as an Indian streaker! That will not save England. Enter Jadeja. Five wickets and 87. He is a fierce competitor. Kholi absolutely loves Jadeja – Ashwin not so much. Interesting to see Jadeja and Ashwin in a run out together at the crease, even with Kohli not playing. Not a lot of love lost there I suspect. Ashwin has a tremendous record, but is a prickly customer at times.

Ollie Pope scored a magnificent 195. If Jimmy Anderson was selected, it could have been even more interesting. A very inexperienced spin bowling outfit (Leach, Hartley, Ahmed), but Krezja and Todd Murphy have gone there and done well.

4. Novak Djokovic. Knocked out by the Italian, Jannik Sinner after making an uncharacteristic trail of unforced errors. The efforts of Medvedev in this tournament have been stunning. He played so many sets of tennis to get to the final. First round (4), second round (5), third round (3), fourth round (4), quarter final (5), semi final (5). Three five setters at that level is amazing. He is tenacious and unpopular, but an incredible work horse. He has won one Grand Slam (2021, US Open) to Sinner’s NIL. A change of the guard – or a minor aberration?

In the women’s Sabalenka v Zheng. Awesome strikers of the ball, but we hope Zheng does not disappear under government influence like Peng Shuai who mysteriously disappeared after sexual assault allegations against a government official. Sabalenka is ruthless with back to back Australian Open wins.

5. New Wallabies Coach – Joe Schmidt. Seems like a bloke who you’d happily let collect your mail and put your bin out when you are on holidays.

6. FA Cup. A rough time at present with these international commitments… Asian Cup, African Cup of Nations, etc. Tottenham v Man City played in the fourth round and Man City pipped them. The announcement of Jurgen Klopp’s departure from Liverpool as coach was a shock! Some talk Ange may get a move across to lead them next season!

 7. NFL Ravens v Chiefs. A huge game tomorrow for the AFC Championship. Lots of eyes on this for the eventual Super Bowl winner. Our NFC Championship game (Detroit Lions v San Francisco 49ers) is the early game!

The Wrap - Having Trouble Catching On

1. West Indies Cricket. There was a lot of romanticism in the media, on commentary and in interviews across the past week. Lots of hope and ambition for a young side with talent. Great job, interest generated. However what we saw was 'Z Grade' Test cricket over in a couple of days effectively. The Windies were thumped and walloped. Poor catching betrays sides in Australia and impatience at the crease. They were found out big time.

We also batted poorly (except Travis Head whose seventh century passed the retired Shaun Marsh) and look like we have a few batters who believe the bowlers will rescue them each time. They do, but won't be able to do this v India. This is our achilles heel. A middle order with Green-Marsh-Carey worries the life out of us.

2. Josh Hazelwood. The bowling quartet of Starc, Hazelwood, Cummins and Lyon marches on. Hazelwood has never looked better. It would be nice to see him get more early wickets against top class batting teams too. 258 Test wickets at an average of 25 is good going however. Perhaps the quietest of achievers here!

3. Catching Steve Smith. He knicks to second slip and shakes his head, looks at the pitch, quizzical looks at the umpire. Get off! You are out. This is why he cannot be captain. It is a really unfortunate habit that needs to be checked. 

However, it must be said he has the safest hands in world cricket. Nearly the same number of catches as Mark Waugh in 22 fewer tests! 21 short of Ponting too in a fraction of the time. His catching gets better with age. Now for more aggressive batting...!

Interesting how many more than Mark 'Tubby' Taylor he has taken. Taylor and Mark Waugh were perhaps the two best catchers in recent memory for Australia.

4. BBL Finals. The old classic in finals cricket...runs on the board are hard to peg back.

It is a bit hard to cop seeing the departure of common faces who have been there all year on the eve of the finals. It is a messy and mercenary game the T20 world tour. James Vince, Chris Lynn, Jamie Overton, Colin Munro, Laurie Evans all move to another more lucrative league in the dreaded Saudi sports investment program. Semis or no semis, the dollar speaks. 

A great win by the Strikers over the Scorchers, who uncharacteristically bow out without a finals appearance. In 13 seasons, the Scorchers (5 wins, 3 runners up) and the Sixers (3 wins and 3 runners up plus this year's effort) have been absolutely dominant! Very few imports. Lots of local blokes and no international reliance.

5. Cricket - Future. Interested to see Adam Voges listed as an Australian coach of the future too.

6. Australian Open Tennis. Iga Swiatek (number one seed) is unceremoniously dumped and another womens' winner looms. There is such rotation there now. Any women into the fourth round of a Grand Slam can win it these days, adding a fair bit more excitement to the games there. Azarenka will go close. What about the whining from Ostapenko... a nasty character.

7. Australian Open Tennis. Familiar names in the mens last sixteen...: Djokovic, Sinner, Rublev, Medvedev, Alcaraz, Zverev... The winner will come from this lot. Hard to see Djokovic not winning it all again for his 25th title! de Minaur is ranked in the world top ten, but quarter finals are for the best eight. He is getting closer, but the difference was evident last night.

8. Asian Cup. Socceroos v Syria 1-0. Great effort... they need to win the thing and stamp their reputation firmly on the map. Usbekistan next. Our 2015 win was pretty amazing really under Ange Postocoglou. How long does it all go? The final is on 11 February 2024! Qatar are the carry over champions from 2021! Japan losing to Iraq was a major upset this week.

9. 'Training the House Down and Never Looked Better and Wouldn't Look Out Of Place In An Origin Jersey'. This award goes to Bronson Xerri at the Bulldogs. High profile and reputational improvement sought. He can run but his hands and ball skills were appalling. Hopefully this is improving.

10. NRL Rule Change. Not a bad modification that you are not penalised with an attempt, but it should be only for kick offs. Not sure the drop out is high percentage enough granted that most teams give up points in their own red zone.

11. NFL - Baltimore Ravens. Surely rich favourites now for the title. A crushing victory v the Houston Texans. Big plays by the tight ends in both of our Sunday games. The loose defence in the Geen Bay Packers and 49ers game make the winning 49ers team outsiders for the title. Brilliant game in the pouring rain with a last minute interception securing the win. 

Chiefs and Bills will determine the Ravens' AFC Championship opponent, with the Super Bowl winner likely to come from that game. 

The winner of Detroit Lions v Tampa Bay will now play the 49ers for the NFC Championship next week. The Lions have been on fire in season 2023-2024, but the Super Bowl winner is unlikely to come from this conference.

12. Rory McIlroy. Winning in Dubai yet again (four times). Some sort of turn around. Rory's backflip re LIV golf is interesting too. Jon Rahme has milked every cent. Rory must be feeling like he wants this too. A LIV-PGA resolution will be emerging any day now... any day...

The Wrap - Why did he retire - or why doesn't he retire?

1. NFL - Bill Belichick. The New England Patriots coach had outstayed his time, departing this week as one of the most successful of coaches in world sport. Six Super Bowls is outrageously successful (and three Super Bowl losses). A winner in every sense, but unable to rouse the team in the past three -four seasons. He has struggled to be fair and the quarter back question is one that keeps arising. Brady was good, but better than Belichick? Nice to see the superstar quarter back, Tom Brady acknowledge the impact from his former coach on his own career this week.

2. BBL - Retirement Home. The retirements of Aaron Finch, Shaun Marsh, Steve O'Keefe and Dave Warner in recent weeks are timely. The BBL has been cluttered by a fair few franchises unable to make firm decisions about past greats. No sentiment in success. Why did the Renegades sign Nathan Lyon? Never played.

3. The BBL. The Melbourne Stars are slipping into their usual pattern... lots of potential and lots of waste. Maxwell is a super talent, but he is frivolous too often. Trying to hit every ball for six is not going to win in the end. He really does not seem to care that much. This is why he has not played Test cricket. Attitude, not talent.

An abbreviated version of the shortened season in the end, but the usual customers - Heat, Scorchers, Sixers succeeding. The Dave Warner helicopter ride was very theatrical, but Kerry Packer was drying out pitches with his helicopter in the mid 70s!

The dud international recruit is a problem across the competition. Are they needed? Tom Curran (disgraceful and papers stamped), Crawley (so so), de Kock (MIA) and Alex Hales is done surely. Billings has been solid. 

4. Sydney Thunder. That pitch at the Sydney Showground is horrific. A complete dud. They have been dishing up that crap for years now and the end result? Zip. It either turns like the old SCG or is wet and slow. The Thunder have massive problems as fans walk. Or they play out of Canberra which is another poor pitch where fog, fire or flood impacts. 

There are too few runs scored by that underperforming team. Sams is not a batter. Repeat: Sams is not a batter. This creates imbalance in that team as they are always a batter short. They need a couple of decent middle order bats. Look at the Scorchers. They are doing it in fine style without Ashton Turner this year and have a pretty fixed formula. A batting keeper who is a dasher is the key.

5. Steve Smith. An interesting decision for Smith to replace Warner. He has become stodgy and boring in his style of late, which is very unusual, so maybe he can re-invent himself. His career is nearly over, so a last hurrah of sorts. The decision to take Renshaw in over other players is diabolical. He is the least talented of all the openers on offer - Harris and Bancroft. Hard to see what he offers. Versatility we are told? 12th or 13th man!

6. Jerome Luai. A saga and a solution. The Tigers will benefit, but so will the Panthers. The last 20 minutes in the 2023 Grand Final v Brisbane showed that the Panthers have benefit to be derived from a five eight who runs straighter and not someone who doubles back and runs in circles as much. No Luai or Yeo in that last twenty minutes was a huge statement. Having said that, the unpredictability of Luai is an absolute strength - as is his drive to support his team and create a positive atmosphere in the club. 

The feeding frenzy by other clubs is a sight to behold and a product of the salary cap of course. Hosking, Staines, Cogger, Burton, Leniu, Crichton... what price Matt Burton returning eventually? The signing of Paul Alamoti and Duane Laurie are great additions to their squad. Crichton will be missed most.

7. Novak Djokovic. No chance he will lose anytime soon at the Australian Open. He is evergreen and just continues to produce, no matter what challenge. The younger players need to really learn from him, but seemingly will not or cannot. High performance is uncomfortable. Iga Swiatek or Sabalenka in the womens' draw are a long way in front of their rivals too.

As an Olympic Games year in 2024, the chances are Djokovic (a former bronze medallist) could win every Grand Slam on offer and the Olympics as well! Past tennis winners at the more recent Olympics (no tennis at the games from 1924-1988) have been interesting (Andy Murray a two time Olympic Gold medallist!):

8. NFL Finals. We are ready for the cold conditions in northern America to play havoc with the NFL finals! Buffalo is a snow capital of the US and have had to postpone their game. Interested they offered their fans $20 per hour to help clean it up! The Houston Texans and Kansas City Chiefs both have had dominant wins.

9. NBL. The Sydney Kings look to have fallen off a cliff at present, stringing up the losses... what is going on there? New coach and all, but on the skids. A timely win v NZ yesterday, but Melbourne United are miles in front.

A big week for kings, Danish or otherwise.

10. Socceroos - Asian Cup. Is this a priority? We get excited about beating India (2-0), Libya, Palestine or Lebanon, but really? Graham Arnold is exceptional, but world club contests suffer massively. Growing the game internationally is critical however... The womens' game does not seem to have an equivalent.

A strong 2-2 result for Tottenham v ManU overnight. They should have won it really, missing a couple of simple headers from close range.

The Wrap - Black Monday

1. Pakistan - Third New Year's Pink Test. Some great bowling by Hazelwood on the third afternoon saved us from some embarrassment. The arrogance of the 'all back, wait for the top edge' field settings on the first day was staggering. We last saw it in England and it had the same silly outcome. Poor captaincy and coaching. Lots of cheap runs, coupled by an ordinary batting effort. Cummins has got a lot right, but sometimes when this ridiculous short bowling ply comes out, you do wonder who is in charge. 

2. Dave Warner. A pitbull and a supreme talent. Sadly, he is now gone after twelve opening partners... including Renshaw, Bancroft and Harris, none of whom could tie the spot down. Smith or Green to fill it...or Travis Head (an attacking batsman) or Marnus? 

Warner ended up with a Test average of 44.60 (26 centuries and 8,786 runs over 112 Tests). He passed AB de Villiers (8,765) and VVS Laxman (8,781) in his final innings!

In ODIs Warner played 161 games with an average of 45.01 (22 centuries). He averages 32.89 in T20s (99 games for Australia with one century) and 41.54 in the IPL (4 centuries). His IPL record is absolutely outstanding.

3. India v South Africa Test Cricket. Another cracking piece of scheduling - a two Test series. Ending 1-1 on a green top after 33 wickets fell briskly. The number of batsmen caught behind the wicket was stunning (all bar four). Some really bad shots amongst that as well... chopping on and one run out.

4. Waqa Blake. Poor old Waqa has departed Parramatta for English Rugby League. Barely a dry eye in the place. His appalling hands and reads in defence have finally been rested. We look forward to him being at next year's pre match Grand Final gig - just to be sure he is not returning. Parramatta will bring the long eel for a super celebration. Interesting to see Ryley Smith sign with Parramatta from Penrith as well. Has played U/18 for Australia in cricket and rugby league!

5. Sam Kerr. A devastating, but a somewhat predictable outcome with a serious knee injury. Plenty of other leg injuries recently. She is a super talent, but needs a long recovery now. Australia is on the edge now.

6. BBL. Sixers, Scorchers and Heat are on track for semi finals...the rest are not in the race. Very predictable!

7. NFL. Ravens the Super Bowl faves. New England look like sacking coach Bill Belichick after 300 wins. No finals wins for five years is not good for business... nor are losses to the NY Jets.

8. EPL. Liverpool and Man City look to be in a showdown for glory. Arsenal are sadly very good at folding when the pressure is on. They are feeling very blue and black now.

The Wrap - The 2023 Sporting Year in Review

2023 Year in Review and Remarkable Sporting Achievements:

1. Greatest Australian Dud Goose of the Year: Eddie Jones ('come here and say it') for his lame and embarrassing coaching effort for the Wallabies on record. A complete fluke that Japan have him as their coach now. Eddie's combative press conference at the airport before departure in his akubra hat had knives being sharpened for him before he stepped onto the plane.

2. Greatest World Sport Individual Efforts: Novak Djokovic winning more tennis Grand Slams than anyone else ever. LeBron James becoming the highest ever point scorer in the history of the NBA. Erling Haaland breaking the most EPL goals in a single season. Virat Kohli - more ODI hundreds (50) than the great Sachin Tendulkar.

3. Greatest Controversy: Jonny Bairstow stumping issue in the Ashes. Jonny's hypocrisy, having tried it himself in the same match and in the past, was pretty stunning too.

4. Greatest Australian Individual Sporting Effort: Nathan Cleary's outstanding last minutes of the 2023 Grand final v Brisbane (without Luai and Yeo on the field it must be noted). Glenn Maxwell 200no in the ODI World Cup v Afghanistan. Travis Head's winning ton (137) in the ODI World Cup Final.

5. Greatest Australian Team Performance: Mens Cricket Team: ODI World Cup Cricket win v India, World Test Champions v India, retained Ashes** and the Australian Matildas World Cup quarter/ semi final football effort. Australian Womens Cricket is up there too. Penrith Panthers threepeat!

6. Greatest World Team Performance: Manchester City - EPL Champions, FA Cup, UEFA Champions League winners, UEFA Super Cup and the Club World Cup. 

7. Greatest Sporting Backflip: Melbourne and the Commonwealth Games rejection. May be the death of the concept!

8. Greatest Myth: The LIV-PGA 'peace' settlement that has no finish line. Laughable.

9. Greatest Dummy Spit. English cricket and Lords after the Bairstow issue. Hard to cop Stuart Broad at the best of times, but particularly when he starts lecturing people about fair play. He cut one to Clarke at slip in 2013 off Agar and stayed at the crease. In some ways he has always represented the best and worst of English cricket.

10. Most Ominous Sign for 2024. Two State of Origin series wins in a row by Queensland in 2022 and 2023. Under 'Madge' things look no brighter for NSW sadly. Unfortunately only three clubs can still win the NRL premiership in 2024 - Broncos, Panthers, Roosters.